King Rehoboam, a son of Solomon and grandson of David, is explicitly recorded in the Bible as having the most children, with a total of 88 children.
Rehoboam reigned over the Kingdom of Judah after the division of Israel. According to the biblical account in 2 Chronicles 11:21, he had a vast family. The text states: "Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his other wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters." This grand total of 88 children makes his household notably large even among the prolific families mentioned in scripture. His numerous offspring include named sons such as Jeush, Shemariah, Zaham, Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith, in addition to many other unnamed sons and daughters.
Other Notable Prolific Fathers in the Bible
While Rehoboam holds the record for the most explicitly counted children, several other biblical figures were also known for their large families, though their exact numbers might not be fully itemized.
- Gideon: The judge Gideon is noted for having "seventy sons of his own issue, for he had many wives" (Judges 8:30). He also had an illegitimate son named Abimelech, bringing his known son count to at least 71. The number of his daughters is not specified.
- King Ahab: The wicked king of Israel also had a large number of sons. After his death, the Bible mentions that "Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria" (2 Kings 10:1). Similar to Gideon, the count of his daughters is not provided.
- King David: Rehoboam's grandfather, King David, had a multitude of wives and concubines, leading to a large family. While the Bible names several of his sons (e.g., Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, Solomon, Nathan) and mentions daughters, a precise total count of all his children is not explicitly given, making it challenging to compare directly with Rehoboam's quantified number.
Comparing Biblical Families
The following table summarizes some of the biblical figures known for their numerous children:
| Biblical Figure | Number of Sons (Explicit) | Number of Daughters (Explicit) | Total Children (Explicit) | Biblical Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rehoboam | 28 | 60 | 88 | 2 Chronicles 11:21 |
| Gideon | 70 (+1 Abimelech) | Not specified | 71+ | Judges 8:30 |
| Ahab | 70 | Not specified | 70+ | 2 Kings 10:1 |
| Jacob | 12 | 1 (Dinah) | 13+ | Genesis 35:22-26 |
| Heman | 14 | 3 | 17 | 1 Chronicles 25:5 |
| Job | 7 (initially) + 7 (later) | 3 (initially) + 3 (later) | 20 (across his life) | Job 1:2, 42:13 |
Rehoboam's extensive family reflects the societal norms and royal practices of his time, where multiple wives and concubines were common for kings, often to forge alliances and ensure a clear line of succession. His recorded 88 children, with a significant number of daughters, underscores the scale of his royal household.
