David's genealogical record uniquely emphasizes his role as family patriarch rather than warrior-king, with six wives producing nineteen sons across two royal capitals.
1 Chronicles 3
The Sons of David
1Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
2the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
4six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem;
5and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four, by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;
6and Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet,
7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
8Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9All these were the sons of David, in addition to the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
The Kings of Judah
10Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
11Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
12Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
13Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
14Amon his son, and Josiah his son.
15The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum.
16The sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, and Zedekiah his son.
The Royal Line After the Exile
17The sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son,
18Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
19The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah; and Shelomith was their sister;
20and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab Hesed, five.
21The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah; the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shecaniah.
22The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
23The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three.
24The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven.
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Theme
This chapter presents the genealogy of David's royal line, tracing his descendants from his sons born in Hebron and Jerusalem through the kings of Judah and into the post-exilic period. The genealogy emphasizes the Davidic covenant's continuity despite the Babylonian exile, highlighting key figures like Solomon, the reformer kings, and post-exilic leaders like Zerubbabel. The careful preservation of these family records demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises regarding David's lineage and the hope of restoration for the Jewish people.
Context
Following the tribal genealogies in chapters 1-2, this chapter specifically focuses on the Davidic royal line, setting the stage for the detailed accounts of David's reign that begin in chapter 10.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 David's Sons Born in Hebron Lists six sons born during David's seven-year reign in Hebron, including Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah.
- 5-9 David's Sons Born in Jerusalem Records thirteen more sons born during David's thirty-three-year reign in Jerusalem, including Solomon through Bathsheba.
- 10-16 The Kings of Judah Traces the royal succession from Solomon through the last kings before the Babylonian exile, ending with Jeconiah and Zedekiah.
- 17-24 The Post-Exilic Davidic Line Continues the genealogy through the exile period, featuring Zerubbabel and extending several generations into the restoration era.
The Sons of David
3:1–3:9 genealogy narration solemn
A record of King David's sons born in Hebron and Jerusalem, listing his children by various wives and noting his reign in both cities.
person_contrast
David's genealogical record uniquely emphasizes his role as family patriarch rather than warrior-king, with six wives producing nineteen sons across two royal capitals.
The Kings of Judah
3:10–3:16 genealogy narration solemn
The royal genealogy of the kings of Judah from Solomon through the final kings before exile, documenting the Davidic dynasty's succession.
person_contrast
Solomon appears here solely as a genealogical link rather than the wise king, reducing Israel's greatest monarch to merely "Rehoboam's father" in this dynastic succession list.
The Royal Line After the Exile
3:17–3:24 genealogy narration solemn
Genealogy of the royal line of David after the Babylonian exile, tracing descendants through Jeconiah to Zerubbabel and beyond. This passage preserves the messianic lineage despite the disruption of exile.
person_contrast
Zerubbabel appears in genealogical succession here rather than his typical role as temple-rebuilding leader, uniquely bridging royal inheritance with post-exilic restoration.
Insights
Solomon appears here solely as a genealogical link rather than the wise king, reducing Israel's greatest monarch to merely "Rehoboam's father" in this dynastic succession list.
Zerubbabel appears in genealogical succession here rather than his typical role as temple-rebuilding leader, uniquely bridging royal inheritance with post-exilic restoration.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Chronicles 3:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 3:2 Lexical
Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2 Samuel 2:2 Lexical
So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1 Samuel 30:5 Lexical
David’s two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1 Samuel 27:3 Lexical
David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam th…
1 Chronicles 8:1 Lexical
Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
1 Chronicles 3:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 3:3 Lexical
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daught…
2 Samuel 13:37 Lexical
But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
2 Samuel 3:4 Lexical
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
1 Kings 2:13 Lexical
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. She said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “P…
1 Kings 1:11 Lexical
Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns…
1 Chronicles 3:3 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 5:5 Lexical
In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Isra…
1 Chronicles 29:27 Lexical
The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three year…
1 Kings 2:11 Lexical
The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three…
2 Samuel 2:11 Lexical
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
2 Kings 15:8 Lexical
In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six mon…
1 Chronicles 3:5 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:6 3 references
1 Chronicles 3:7 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:8 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:9 1 reference
1 Chronicles 3:11 1 reference
1 Chronicles 3:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 26:2 Lexical
Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,
1 Chronicles 26:4 Lexical
Obed-Edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
Jeremiah 46:2 Lexical
Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebu…
Jeremiah 36:1 Lexical
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Jeremiah 45:1 Lexical
The message that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the mout…
1 Chronicles 3:16 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:19 2 references
1 Chronicles 3:21 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Exile
586-538 BCThe forced deportation of Judah's population to Babylon after Jerusalem's destruction. This pivotal event reshaped Jewish identity and theology, leading to the compilation of much of the Hebrew Bible.
The genealogy preserves David's messianic lineage despite the disruption of Babylonian exile.
The Royal Line After the Exile