Honored Men of God with Multiple Covenant Women
Throughout sacred history, the Lord has raised up men whose lives were marked by faith, obedience, and covenant. These men did not follow the customs of the world, but lived by the ordinances of heaven. Among them were patriarchs, prophets, judges, and kings—men who led their households with strength, took women into covenant, and built righteous, fruitful families. Many had more than one woman joined to them, not as an indulgence of the flesh, but as a fulfillment of divine order. Scripture does not condemn their household arrangements, but rather honors them for their faithfulness.
Abraham
Abraham, the friend of God and father of the faithful, was joined to three women—Sarai, Hagar, and Keturah—and also had concubines, as the record affirms. Genesis 16:3. These women bore him children who became nations. God established with him the covenant of posterity, priesthood, and property.
When Hagar fled from the household due to strife, the Angel of the Lord appeared to her directly—not to rebuke Abraham or denounce the household structure, but to command her to return and submit to Sarai. In doing so, the Lord upheld the family order, offering no condemnation but rather a blessing: “I will multiply thy seed exceedingly” Genesis 16:9–10. This divine encounter—one of the rare times the Angel of the Lord is sent to speak directly to a woman—could have been the perfect opportunity to condemn their household arrangements if it were evil. Instead, it affirmed God’s favor upon Hagar’s place within the covenant household and upon her son Ishmael, who was also blessed to become a great nation Genesis 17:20.
Jacob
Jacob, servant of the Almighty, entered into covenant with four women—Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah—through whom came the twelve tribes of Israel, the foundation of God’s chosen nation Genesis 29–30. Far from being condemned, Jacob was chosen and renamed Israel by God Himself, declared a prince who had power with God and with men Genesis 32:28. Through his seed came the royal line of David and, in the fullness of time, the Messiah.
Jacob’s household became the covenant family into which all who come unto God are spiritually adopted. As it is written, those who are of faith are “grafted in” and counted as children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Romans 11:17. This affirms that the kingdom of God is built upon the foundation of a righteous family of one man and four covenant women, and every redeemed soul since then becomes part of the house of Israel.
Moses
Moses, the great lawgiver, was joined first to Zipporah Exodus 2:21, and later to a Cushite woman Numbers 12:1. When Miriam and Aaron spoke against him for this second union, the Lord Himself intervened—not to rebuke Moses, but to defend him. God declared Moses His faithful servant and struck Miriam with leprosy for her pride and presumption Numbers 12:6–10. The judgment was not against Moses having more than one woman in covenant, but against challenging God’s chosen order. Moses was vindicated, not condemned. This moment confirms that a man joined in covenant with more than one woman is acceptable before God. It also reveals how seriously the Lord regards His established order, for He would not allow even Miriam and Aaron—both honored leaders in Israel—to oppose it without consequence. The Lord’s defense of Moses demonstrates that joining with more than one woman, when done in covenant righteousness, carries no reproach before heaven. What God condemned was the spirit of rebellion and pride, not the household order of His servant. Thus the story stands as both a warning and a witness: a warning against speaking against those whom God has appointed, and a witness that covenant households with more than one woman have His approval when established in righteousness.
Caleb
Caleb, son of Jephunneh, was one of only two men from his generation to enter the Promised Land because he “wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” Joshua 14:8–9. He stood in faith when others feared and was rewarded with strength, longevity, and an inheritance. Joshua 14:10–13 Scripture records that Caleb had concubines who bore him children 1 Chronicles 2:46-49, and his descendants became leaders in Judah. Far from shameful, his household was fruitful and honored. Caleb’s life proves that a man of great faith may lead a large covenant family and leave a legacy of righteousness.
Ashur
Ashur, father of Tekoa, is mentioned briefly in Judah’s genealogies, but his life quietly affirms the legitimacy of taking more than one woman in covenant. He had two women, Helah and Naarah 1 Chronicles 4:5, and his children became builders and leaders in their generation. Though little is said of his deeds, there is no rebuke. His name is woven directly into the inspired genealogical record, showing that leading multiple covenant women was a recognized and honored part of Israel’s family structure.
Gideon
Gideon, mighty judge of Israel, was chosen not for status, but for humility of heart Judges 6:14–15. He tore down Baal’s altar and delivered Israel with a small company of men. Afterward, he established a great household, taking many covenant women and fathering seventy sons 1 Samuel 1:1-2. Though Hannah was barren for many years, Elkanah loved and honored her, supporting her faith and sorrow 1 Samuel 1:8 . He led his household in worship, making yearly pilgrimages to Shiloh 1 Samuel 1:3–4. From this household came Samuel, one of Israel’s greatest prophets. Elkanah’s life proves that a man can love his women well, walk in faith, and raise children of destiny within a covenant-ordered family.
David
David was called by the Lord Himself “a man after mine own heart,” because he sought the will of God and walked before Him in covenant faithfulness 1 Samuel 13:14. The women given to David—including those of Saul’s house—were not seized by ambition, but received by divine appointment, as the Lord testified: “I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s women into thy bosom.” This declaration was not a rebuke, but an affirmation of God’s approval and provision 2 Samuel 12:7–8. David’s righteousness was not measured by the size of his household, nor diminished by the presence of multiple covenant women. His transgression arose when he departed from covenant order by coveting another man’s woman and shedding innocent blood 2 Samuel 11:2–17. For this, the Lord judged David—not for polygyny, but for covetousness and murder. David’s life shows that the taking of another mans wife and murder are sins most grevious to the Lord, but the joining of more than one woman in covenant was upheld as part of God’s divine order 1 Kings 15:3–5.
Solomon
Solomon began in wisdom, and his early reign was marked by peace and blessing. His many women at first were covenant women or from allied tribes, and his household was a symbol of royal stewardship 1 Kings 3:9–12. But Solomon transgressed by taking strange women—foreign women who did not serve the God of Israel. Despite God’s warning, he bound himself in marriage to women who worshiped other gods, and in time they turned his heart away from the Lord 1 Kings 11:1–2. His sin was not in having many covenant women, but in breaking covenant by uniting himself with idolaters 1 Kings 11:9–10. His fall shows that the danger was never in the number of women, but in marrying outside the covenant and compromising faithfulness to the true God 1 Kings 11:4.
Rehoboam
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, reigned during a time of national division. He had eighteen covenant women and sixty concubines, who bore him twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters 2 Chronicles 11:21. Scripture never condemns the size of his household; rather, it draws attention to his failure to remain faithful to the Lord, stating plainly that “when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD” 2 Chronicles 12:1, and that “he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD” 2 Chronicles 12:14. He appointed his sons as leaders, placed them throughout the land, and provided for them abundantly, dispersing them to fortified cities and giving them victuals in abundance 2 Chronicles 11:22–23. Yet his reign was marked by poor stewardship and spiritual neglect, as he ruled harshly, rejected wise counsel, and led the nation into further decline 1 Kings 12 and 14. Rehoboam’s downfall was not in having many covenant women, but in neglecting covenant faithfulness and misusing his stewardship—demonstrating that God’s concern is not the number of women a man leads, but whether his heart remains faithful and his rule righteous, in harmony with the law given to kings Deuteronomy 17:17.
Abijah
Abijah, son of Rehoboam, ruled during a time of war with the northern kingdom 2 Chronicles 13:2. He stood before a larger enemy force, as Judah faced four hundred thousand men against Jeroboam’s eight hundred thousand 2 Chronicles 13:3, and he stood up and proclaimed Judah’s covenant claim, for “Abijah stood up… and said, Hear me… Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom… to David for ever” 2 Chronicles 13:4–5. He declared Judah’s faithfulness to the LORD and the legitimacy of the priesthood, proclaiming, “The LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron” 2 Chronicles 13:8–10. Because of this stand, the LORD gave Judah victory, for “God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah,” and “the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers” 2 Chronicles 13:14–18. Abijah had fourteen women and fathered twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters, and his household is recorded without rebuke 2 Chronicles 13:21. His faithfulness in battle affirms that a man may lead many women and still walk in power and favor before the LORD, when he relies upon God and upholds covenant order 2 Chronicles 13:22.
Joash
Joash (Jehoash), became king as a child and was raised under the care of Jehoiada the priest 2 Chronicles 24:1. In his early years, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord 2 Chronicles 24:2. He restored the temple and reestablished proper worship in Judah 2 Chronicles 24:4–14. As part of this restoration, he was joined to two women under priestly guidance, and through them, raised sons and daughters 2 Chronicles 24:3. His household, formed under covenant and spiritual oversight, reflects the divine pattern: a righteous king building a righteous house.
Permitted and Regulated by God, Not Forbidden
The law of God, delivered through Moses, made provision for a man to be joined to more than one woman as a family structure to regulate with justice and compassion. Exodus 21:10; Deuteronomy 21:15–17
These were men of covenant—builders of houses, fathers of nations, and keepers of God’s order. Their practice of being joined to more than one woman was not a cause for shame, but a sign of strength and obedience when lived within righteousness. The sin lies not in having multiple women joined to them, but in uniting with those who serve other gods, which leads the heart away from the Lord.
Nowhere does the Lord forbid a man from taking multiple covenant women. The warnings of Scripture are not against plurality, but against marrying strange women—those outside the covenant, whose loyalty is not to the God of Israel. These are the unions that lead to spiritual downfall, as seen in Solomon. But a righteous man, joined to righteous women, can build a house that honors the Lord and multiplies His glory in the earth.
References
Genesis 16:3 — “And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her Covenant Man Abram to be his wife.” Genesis 16:3 — “Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.” ↩ Back to Text
Genesis 16:9–10 — “And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.” ↩ Back to Text
Genesis 17:20 — “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.” ↩ Back to Text
Genesis 29–30 — “Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east...And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled...And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast...he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him...And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah…Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also...And Jacob did so...he gave him Rachel his daughter...And Laban gave to Rachel...Bilhah his handmaid...Rachel...said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die...Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her...And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son...Leah…took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife...And Zilpah...bare Jacob a son…And God remembered Rachel...and opened her womb...she conceived, and bare a son...And she called his name Joseph…Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away...Give me my wives and my children…And Laban said...tarry...for I have learned...that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake...And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.” ↩ Back to Text
Genesis 32:28 — “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” ↩ Back to Text
Romans 11:17 — “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;” Galatians 3:29 — “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” ↩ Back to Text
Exodus 2:21 — “And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.” ↩ Back to Text
Numbers 12:1 — “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” ↩ Back to Text
Numbers 12:6–10 — “And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.” ↩ Back to Text
Joshua 14:8–9 — “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.” ↩ Back to Text
Joshua 14:10–13 — “And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Chronicles 2:46-49 — “And Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Haran, and Moza, and Gazez: and Haran begat Gazez. And the sons of Jahdai; Regem, and Jotham, and Geshan, and Pelet, and Ephah, and Shaaph. Maachah, Caleb’s concubine, bare Sheber, and Tirhanah. She bare also Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah, and the father of Gibea: and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Chronicles 4:5 — “And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.” ↩ Back to Text
Judges 6:14–15 — “And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?x And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Samuel 1:1-2 — “Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Samuel 1:8 — “Then said Elkanah her Covenant Man to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?” ↩ Back to Text
1 Samuel 1:3–4 — “3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:” ↩ Back to Text
1 Samuel 13:14 — “The LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart...” Acts 13:22 — “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Samuel 12:7–8 — “I anointed thee king over Israel...And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom...and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Samuel 11:2–17 — “And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David…walked upon the roof...he saw a woman washing herself…very beautiful to look upon…David sent and inquired after the woman...Bath-sheba, the wife of Uriah...David sent messengers, and took her…he lay with her...And the woman conceived...David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah...David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house...But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house...David said...why then didst thou not go down unto thine house?...Uriah said...the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house...?...David said...Tarry here to day also...he made him drunk...he...went out to lie on his bed with the servants...And it came to pass...David wrote a letter to Joab...saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle...that he may be smitten, and die...Joab...assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were...Uriah the Hittite died also.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 15:3–5 — “David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD… save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 3:9–12 — “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people...And God said unto him...lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 11:1–2 — But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 11:9–10 — “And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel...And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 11:4 — “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 11:21 — “And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines;) and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 12:1 — “And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 12:14 — “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 11:22–23 — “And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren...And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.” ↩ Back to Text
1 Kings 12:13–16 — “And the king answered the people roughly...Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD...” 1 Kings 14:21–24 — “And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD...and they built them high places, and images, and groves...” ↩ Back to Text
Deuteronomy 17:17 — “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away...” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:2 — “He reigned three years in Jerusalem… And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:3 — “And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:4–5 — “And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim...and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel; Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever...” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:8–10 — “And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD...But as for us, the LORD is our God, and we have not forsaken him; and the priests, which minister unto the LORD, are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites wait upon their business.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:14–18 — And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah...Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:21 — “But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 13:22 — “And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 24:1 — “Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 24:2 — “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 24:4–14 — “And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness? For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim. And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD. And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end. Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD. So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it. And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.” ↩ Back to Text
2 Chronicles 24:3 — “And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.” ↩ Back to Text
Exodus 21:10 — “If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.”
Deuteronomy 21:15–17 — “If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.”
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