The biblical figure of King Solomon is well-known in the Christian faith, with World Book Encyclopedia describing him as “the son and successor of King David, who reigned over Israel from 970 to 930 BC.” Solomon was known for his wisdom and likewise his massive family, with numerous wives and children by both arranged marriages and love matches. Just how many children did he father?
The Old Testament book of 1 Kings provides a quick insight into just how extensive the family of King Solomon was. Having taken Pharaoh’s daughter as a wife, he became an even more powerful ruler amongst many nations for the marriage. Scripture does not say she bore him a son; his heir Rehoboam was born to a different wife, Naamah the Ammonite (1 Kings 14:21). In total, 1 Kings 11:3 mentions that Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines.
With such a sprawling family, it can be speculated that there would be plenty of offspring too, though the Bible does not give a total count of Solomon’s children the way it counts his wives and concubines. What 1 Kings 11:3 actually says is that Solomon “had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.” Scripture does describe the wealth those marriages and alliances brought him; as 2 Chronicles 9:25-27 records, “Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. […] He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.”
How Many Children Did Solomon Have According to the Bible?
Nations far past Jerusalem noted King Solomon’s hospitality with visitors from afar bearing gifts of spices, gold and precious stones; showing off not only his wealth but power (2 Chronicles 9:9).
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Please could you advise me on the comment you made – ‘The New International Version Bible states that in all, King Solomon fathered 700 sons and daughters while married to these various women during his lifetime (1 Kings 11:3)’.
Where in the NIV does it say that – that Solomon fathered so many sons and daughters?
thanks!
David