Topic : Polygamy
Biblical Polygamists
1. Lamech, who was Cain’s great-great-great grandson, was the first man recorded to have two wives (Adah, Zillah) (Gen. 4:19).
2. Abraham had three wives (Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah) (Gen. 23:19; 25:1; 16:3).
3. Esau had three wives (Judith, Bashemath, and Mahalath) (Gen. 26:34; 28:9).
4. Jacob had four wives (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah) (Gen. 29:15-35; 30:4, 9).
5. Moses had two wives (Zipporah and the Ethiopian woman) (Ex. 18:2; Num. 12:1).
6. Gideon had many wives and 70 sons (Judges 8:30).
7. Samuel’s father, Elkanah, had two wives (Hannah, Peninnah) (1 Sam. 1:1, 2).
8. King Saul had at least two wives (Ahinoam, Rizpah) (1 Sam. 14:50; 2 Sam. 3:7).
9. David had at least eight wives (Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Bathsheba, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah) plus Saul’s wives (2 Sam. 12:8).
10. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3).
11. King Ahab had more than one wife (1 Kings 20:7).
12. King Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines (2 Chron. 11:21).
13. King Abijah who ruled over Judah had 14 wives (2 Chron. 13:21).
14. King Joash had two wives (2 Chron. 24:1-3).
15. King Ahasuerus had a harem. Two wives are mentioned by name: Vashti and Esther (Esther 1:10-12; 2:1-17).
