Deuteronomy 21:15-16

If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love.

2 Samuel 5:13 (also 1 Ki 11:3)

After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

1 Timothy 3:12 (also 1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:6)

A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Some points to keep in mind:

* The recording of historical acts, including instances of polygamy, is not necessarily an endorsement of it by God. The Bible records both good and bad actions of people, even people considered to be righteous. The fact that David and Solomon had several wives and that it's in the Bible doesn't automatically imply that God was pleased by it, any more than the records of David's adultery and the arguments in the early church implies God's approval of either.

* Monogamy is first mentioned in Genesis 2:24 - it was God's intention from the beginning. While God did allow polygamy for a time, it was probably for the same reason as his allowance of divorce: "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning" (Mt 19:8).

* Rampant polygamy (and possibly all polygamy) was prohibited for kings, because it would cause them to turn from God (Dt 17:17). The Israelites should have reasoned that if this were true for kings, it would be true for others, hence polygamy was something they ought to avoid.

People love sex so much that they would back it up with religious doctrine. How sad.

When a marriage consists of just one wife and one husband it is able to grow richer. You get to know that ONE person very well over the years. Sharing many becomes a problem. Plus, with all of the possible problems in marriage why multiply them?

There are cases of some girls getting caught up with groups of polygamists against their will. Many of these people operate like cults and i think some vulnerable people are tricked into getting involved.

It's interesting how it's the men who are allowed multiple wives, but are women allowed multiple husbands?

It's interesting how it's the men who are allowed multiple wives, but are women allowed multiple husbands?

There are many out there who do not live close to the source, as some I know do. The polygamy problem is just now being recognized in the national spotlight due to the issues in Texas, and the recent trial of Warren Jeffs. These old men are committing crimes on children, and trying to get away with it.

Let's look at the circumstances polygamy occurs under these days. They are usually in very sheltered communities that discourage or outright ban any outside influences.

True the people involved will say they are protecting themselves and their children but I think that whenever someone will not let their child even see a different way of life from their own, deep down they know their child will choose the alternative and the alternative is probably in their best interest.

If you have to lie about and hide a lifestyle from children, it's time to examine your own very carefully.