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King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines

11K views 46 replies 28 participants last post by  MattMatt 
#1 ·
That's a thousand women right there, and no men on earth could satisfy 1000 beautiful women. He used the vast wisdom that God gave him and forged alliances and treaties with many kingdoms and tribes, and every time a treaty was sealed, he would receive an attractive woman as a present. He wrote some very erotic poems about his beautiful women.

What he did was wrong in the sight of God but God allowed him to exercise his free will to chase after his lust. Even though he had many gorgeous women at his beck and call, King Solomon never mentioned finding that virtuous woman he described in Proverbs 31 10:31. Somewhere in Ecclesiastes, I believe, he said he searched but did not find even one. He had quantity, not quality.

What are the things you look for in a wife/husband?
 
#2 ·
Not crazy, not lazy, fun, slow to anger, thoughtful, great in bed,
Attractive, clean, loyal, faithful, has something other than me that she does that brings her happiness, likes taking care of a family and home, not a spendthrift, believes in God, treats people with respect, has a nice smile and uses it a lot, not arrogant, not vengeful, likes being outside, not a complAiner, industrious, good cook, takes care of things she owns, appreciates little things I do for her and shows it, motivates me/encourages me to be a better person, doesn't drink or do drugs, no addictions of any kind, honest, serious
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#10 ·
That's a thousand women right there, and no men on earth could satisfy 1000 beautiful women. He used the vast wisdom that God gave him and forged alliances and treaties with many kingdoms and tribes, and every time a treaty was sealed, he would receive an attractive woman as a present. He wrote some very erotic poems about his beautiful women.

What he did was wrong in the sight of God but God allowed him to exercise his free will to chase after his lust. Even though he had many gorgeous women at his beck and call, King Solomon never mentioned finding that virtuous woman he described in Proverbs 31 10:31. Somewhere in Ecclesiastes, I believe, he said he searched but did not find even one. He had quantity, not quality.

What are the things you look for in a wife/husband?
Interesting post.. I will never understand why it was OK or why any man would need all these wives, concubines, or even if this was anywhere near true, this is rather insane & makes one question everything in the Bible ... What happened to the Adam & Eve thing, taking his rib.. one woman to satisfy?

Was it all GREED... Lust turned to GREED... I wonder if it's just like another "Parable" .. illustrating that none of these things, the never ending beauties can satisfy.. using Solomon's example....

My husband would say 1 woman is enough.. .. I asked him once if he ever wondered if the grass was greener.. he said something like "No No".. and spoke how it was over loaded with fertilizer here.. with a happy :D

The things I wanted, hoped, dreamed in a husband :

We'd both put "faithful" at the very top.. without this. it all crumbles , and renders the relationship without a foundation to build upon..

A man with Work Ethic.. it was never about riches, or climbing ladders of success but faithfulness on the job, as an employee & in how he handles $$, not wasting it.. this would allow for us to build a responsible life together, paying our bills, saving for the future etc..

A Family man.. a woman needs to be sure the man is the "family man" type..if she wants some little ones... enjoys kids, doesn't see them as a burden, or that is barking up the wrong tree !

An affectionate caring man, easy to talk to , one who listens too! ...Communication is so vital in a healthy relationship...it's another form of intimacy....

So many other little things, having a shared vision on where to live (we both loved the country)...enjoying ENOUGH of the same things -to keep us close...similar values, beliefs - very important for harmony... that's at the top of my head.
 
#11 ·
Interesting thing, this.

He may have been outdone by Genghis Khan. Historians and genetic [genome] researchers have recently said [2003] that his genes are in [1 in 200] modern men.

Actions have consequences. How has this played out in the grand scheme of things. Did his pelvic action advance mankind, or did it hold us back?
 
#13 ·
I'm not sure what the point is of the OP. There have always been people who have done bad things. Some of them were wise in some areas but they were not good people.

Much of the Bible are stories about what should not be done. Solomon might have done some good, but he is also seen as a sinner... marrying many foreign women and allowing them to bring idolatry and him even practicing adulatory are some of the sins that he committed.
 
#28 ·
1. I highly doubt he was concerned about pleasing 1000 women, let alone one woman.

2. Funny how he never seemed to find his Proverbs 31 gal. I fail to see how he could have got to know any of those women beyond the bedroom.

Regarding virtues, ones I look for in a husband...

Honesty (with God, self and others)
Transparency and being forthcoming
Emotional intimacy (which in largely equate with honesty)
Has integrity and does the right thing, even when no one's watching
On their own journey with God and working on improving themselves
Values my contributions and efforts at home or things i to to help him
Finds me funny and we can laugh together
Supports me in my dreams
Has a good work ethic
Loves God

My H is these things . Not always perfectly, but who is? :)
 
#30 ·
That's a thousand women right there, and no men on earth could satisfy 1000 beautiful women.
Israeli archaeologists have been excavating areas near Jerusalem for many years, but no evidence of the existence of King Solomon has been found. Outside of the old testament, his name has not been found, yet there have been ample evidence of rulers in the area that had power before the supposed time of King Solomon.

"The conclusion accepted by a majority of the new archaeologists and Bible scholars was that there never was a great united monarchy and that King Solomon never had grand palaces in which he housed his 700 wives and 300 concubines.”
"The Invention of the Jewish People" by Shlomo Sand (2009)

I guess that he could satisfy 1000 women in the same way that Superman can bend steel with his bare hands.
 
#32 ·
If you look at the historical context there was a political reason why Solomon took these women, and as one poster said before, many of these concubines represented a pact between Solomon and the hundreds of various kingdoms he made treaties with.

But I think, and this is just my speculation, much of it has to do with Solomon wanting to evoke a powerful masculine hegemony to the competing kingdoms who were hostile to him. These wives were a living representation of his personal and political virility. A king who has made alliances with hundreds of kingdoms is not a king you want to go to war with.

Many of the children born by these women were most likely sent back the home countries of their mothers to act as ambassadors, to cement relations, and to send back vital information as spies.

The Edomites, the Egyptians and Sheba all wanted a piece of Solomon's kingdom...if not outright subjugation of the Israelites. Solomon was not a warrior like his father David was. Solomon was a politician. So instead of waging war and overthrowing his neighbors, he made alliances and bought them off.
 
#39 ·
Above all, faithfulness and undying loyalty to spouse! They must be Godly, intelligent, and never self-centered!

Followed by empathy, love, and understanding toward all!
 
#44 ·
Something he wrote towards the end of his life, 'Be faithful to the wife of your youth'. Better late than never.
A man in his position may well have been very lonely, with no real close intimate relationship with a woman, which in the end he realised was very important.
 
#43 ·
What he did was wrong in the sight of God but God allowed him to exercise his free will to chase after his lust.
There can be no love without choice. Contrary to popular belief God doesn't strike one down as soon as he/she disobeys. That's like your parents deciding to commit infanticide at your first infraction. Human race would be extinct. You must make your own choices and live with them.

It's like a man holding a gun to a woman's head, "If you don't love me I'll kill you." Not going to be true love, ever. If Solomon wanted to lead a sinful life that was a choice he had the power to make. That is where grace comes in. Unmerited favour. Solomon did eventually repent. Thank God he wasn't struck down.
 
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