A frequent misinterpretation treats this list as biblical approval of polygamy or a model for marital practices today, ignoring the broader scriptural narrative that reveals the relational discord and tragedy stemming from David's multiple wives, such as rivalries among his sons leading to rebellion and murder; the text functions purely as historical genealogy without prescriptive intent.
II Samuel 3:5
King James Version (1769)
5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
This passage catalogs the six sons born to David during his seven-year reign as king over Judah in Hebron, naming each child and his mother, who were David's wives, thereby documenting the expansion of his royal household and lineage at the outset of his kingship before he conquered Jerusalem and unified Israel.