Why would the Lord tell Solomon and David to have more than one wife, when Jacob in the Book of Mormon says that a man shall have only one wife?

Hi,

In my sunday school class we will be studying Jacob in the Book of Mormon. in Jacob 2:24 it says—

Behold, David and Solomon truly had many wives and concubines, which thing was abominable before me, saith the Lord.

Jacob 2:27 says—

…for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.

And Jacob 2:30 says,

For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

Why does Doctrine and Covenants 132:38-39 say that it was ok for David and Solomon to have many wives and concubines? Jacob didn’t think so.

Mike, from Idaho

Dear Mike,

The Nephites were commanded to have only one wife, but the Lord explained to Jacob,

For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.

So Jacob understood that the Lord could command his servants to have more than one wife. The many wives and concubines of David and Solomon referred to by Jacob undoubtedly refer to those that were not given to them by the Lord, as is referenced in D&C 132:38 …and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me.

Gramps