For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 21
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Our last Mishna taught that a king may not have too many wives. But what does this mean? It is understood to mean that a king must limit himself 18 wives. Rabbi Yehuda said that he could have more as long as they did not divert his heart from God. Rabbi Shimon said that he does not marry even one who would divert his heart from G-d. Avigail was said to be a good influence in this way, but even she should not be a wife if she diverts the king from God.
The Gemara attempts to understand why 18 is the number of wives allowed by looking at King David's wives.
In explanation of the pasuk‘s reference to nashim (wives) and pilagshim (concubines), Rav Yehuda quotes Rav as explaining that nashim are properly married with ketuba and kiddushin, while pilagshim have neither ketuba nor kiddushin.
We explore concubinage and the character of Abigail.