The report of David’s concubines and wives is a summary of his time in Jerusalem as a ruler. He did not have all these wives and children from the start.1 The fact that they are mentioned serves two purposes. First, similar to 2 Samuel 5:1–5, they show the strength of David as he was blessed with fertility and had many children (see Leviticus 26:9; Deuteronomy 28:11).2 Unfortunately, they also reveal his folly as he moved further and further away from God’s ideal for marriage (Genesis 2:23–24).3
13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.