How many wives did Solomon have? The short answer to this question, Solomon had seven hundred wives. In addition to these women, he also had three hundred concubines.
(1 Kings 11:3) He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.
Why Did God Allow Solomon To Have So Many Wives?
In relation to this question, many often ask, “Why did God allow Solomon to have so many wives and concubines?” Solomon, just as we do, had a free will. He, as we are, was allowed to choose whether he obeyed God’s instructions. Even with all of the wisdom that was granted to him by God at one point in his life, Solomon obviously made a choice to disobey God’s instructions on some matters.
In the book of Deuteronomy God gave specific instructions for those who would be king. Among these instructions were that the king must not take many wives. It’s interesting to note that God said whatever king that was to do this, they would have their heart led astray by these many wives (Deuteronomy 17:17). The Bible says the Lord clearly instructed the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” (1 Kings 11:2)
Sadly, the rest of the story says King Solomon loved many foreign women, against God’s instructions. (1 Kings 11:1) Just as God predicted what would happen to any king who married many women, we read in (1 Kings 11:4) that as Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other Gods. It goes on to say his heart was not fully devoted to God, as the heart of David his father had been.
Disobedience Comes With A Price
There is a price to pay for not following God’s instructions. As a result of Solomon’s disobedience God tells him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.” (1 Kings 11:11) It wasn’t a matter of God letting Solomon have many wives. It was Solomon choosing not to listen to God.
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