I Chronicles 14:3-7 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 14:3-7 Commentary: David's Wives and Sons in Jerusalem
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the Chronicler list David's children born in Jerusalem? Explore the tension with Deut 17:17 and what this passage reveals about God's blessing.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A record of David's children born in Jerusalem, showing dynastic growth and God's blessing on his house.
- Key words: took (H3947, to take in marriage), wives (H0802), again (H5750, signalling additional marriages), sons (H1121), names (H8034), born (H3205).
- Main debate: Why does the Chronicler include this list given the Deuteronomic prohibition against multiplying wives and his tendency to omit negative details?
- Theological theme: God's grace works through human failure; the Davidic line continues despite the king's weakness.
- Best use: A narrative bridge showing domestic stability before the Philistine conflict, and a reminder that God's promises persist through flawed people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
3And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters.
4These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
WEB World English Bible 2000
3David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters.
4These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
7Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
KJV King James Version 1769
3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
3And David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David begat more sons and daughters.
4And these are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,
6and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
3And David taketh again wives in Jerusalem, and David begetteth again sons and daughters;
4and these are the names of the children whom he hath in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
3And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begot more sons and daughters.
4And these are the names of the children which he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,
6and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
3And David took other wives in Jerusalem: and he begot sons, and daughters.
4Now these are the names of them that were born to him in Jerusalem: Samua, and Sobad, Nathan, and Solomon,
5Jebahar, and Elisua, and Eliphalet,
6And Noga, and Napheg, and Japhia,
7Elisama, and Baaliada, and Eliphalet.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 14:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree the Chronicler draws this family list from the same tradition found in 2 Samuel 5:13, 16 and 1 Chronicles 3:5, 8, but he makes editorial choices that shape how readers understand David's reign. The Cambridge Bible notes the Chronicler tends to omit or soften statements that reflect poorly on David. Here he records that David took wives (plural) in Jerusalem, but unlike the parallel in 2 Samuel 5:13 he does not mention concubines. This selective reporting suggests he wants to present David's growing household as a sign of God's blessing rather than a violation of the royal law in Deuteronomy 17:17. Matthew Henry acknowledges David's weakness in taking multiple wives, but he also sees the numerous children as adding to David's honour and strength. The consensus holds that the list itself, thirteen sons with names carefully preserved, functions as evidence of dynastic stability and divine favour on Jerusalem as the royal city.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The Chronicler records a list of David's children born in Jerusalem, which parallels 2 Samuel 5:13–16 and 1 Chronicles 3:5–8, and shows the growth of the royal family in the new capital.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Polygamy in the Old Testament | Polygamy was a known practice among Israel's kings and was regulated, not prohibited in all cases. The Chronicler does not invent it or condemn it in this passage. | Some traditions see the list as a neutral family record; others emphasize that the Chronicler's omission of 'concubines' (present in 2 Samuel 5:13) is a deliberate theological softening to protect David's reputation. The debate is whether the Chronicler endorses David's actions or simply reports them without judgment. |
| The Chronicler's editorial method | The Chronicler selects and arranges material from earlier sources (primarily Samuel, Kings) to shape a theological history for post-exilic Israel. He emphasizes divine sovereignty, temple worship, and the Davidic covenant. | Scholars disagree on how far the Chronicler goes to whitewash David. Some (like the Cambridge Bible) say he consistently omits or modifies negative material. Others argue he retains realistic details and that readers are meant to see both grace and failure. |
| Purpose of the family list | The list shows David's numerous offspring, fulfilling the promise of a great dynasty and connecting to the future kings (Solomon) and priestly/prophetic lines (Nathan). | Does the list primarily serve a political goal (legitimizing David's rule in Jerusalem) or a theological one (demonstrating God's blessing despite human frailty)? Most commentators combine both, but the weighting varies. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Polygamy among ancient Near Eastern kings was a standard practice, used to forge political alliances and demonstrate wealth and power. Yet Israel's covenant law in Deuteronomy 17:17 warned that a king should not multiply wives, lest his heart turn away. The Chronicler writes after the exile, when the lessons of the monarchy's failures were fresh. His audience has seen the consequences of kings who ignored God's commands: the kingdom divided, the temple destroyed, the people sent to Babylon.
In this context, the Chronicler reshapes David's story. He places this family list right after two key affirmations: Hiram of Tyre builds David a house (14:1), and David perceives that the Lord has established him as king over Israel (14:2). The list of children born in Jerusalem then shows that David's kingdom is not just politically secure but also fruitful. The names include Solomon (the future king) and Nathan (an ancestor of Jesus in Luke's genealogy). The list also omits the negative detail that David took concubines, which appears in 2 Samuel 5:13. This editorial choice lets the Chronicler emphasise God's blessing on the Davidic line without drawing attention to the king's disobedience.
Immediately after this family list, the Philistines attack (14:8). The placement sets up a contrast: the domestic peace and growth of David's house versus the external threat. David's many sons represent the future of Israel's leadership, and God's protection over that future is about to be tested on the battlefield.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note minor textual variations between the parallel accounts. The Cambridge Bible states that the names appear better preserved here than in 1 Chronicles 3:5, 8 or 2 Samuel 5:13, 16. Adam Clarke observes that the Septuagint includes twenty-four names in 2 Samuel 5, while the Hebrew text of 1 Chronicles 14 lists thirteen. The name Beeliada (v.7) appears as Eliada in 2 Samuel 5:16 and 1 Chronicles 3:8; Jamieson-Fausset-Brown considers Beeliada and Eliada the same person. No significant manuscript variants affect the meaning of the passage.
Reception History
Early Jewish and Christian readers treated this list primarily as a genealogical record, mining it for messianic connections (especially Nathan and Solomon). Medieval commentators like Rashi passed over the moral tension, focusing on the names' meanings. Reformation-era writers such as Matthew Henry and the Geneva Bible notes were more willing to point out David's infirmity in taking many wives, but they also saw the children as proof of God's continued favour. In modern preaching, this passage is often used to demonstrate that God works through flawed human leaders and that the Chronicler's selective history teaches us to see God's hand even in imperfect circumstances.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God's blessing on David's house, The list of children born in Jerusalem shows that God keeps His promises to establish David's line. Even with human failings (taking many wives), God's grace produces fruit.
- Honesty about human weakness, The Chronicler does not hide that David took more wives, but he places this within the larger story of God's faithfulness. Leaders are never perfect; grace works through imperfect people.
- Legacy that outlasts the leader, The children listed include Solomon, who will build the temple, and Nathan, who will be a prophet. What we leave behind matters more than our immediate success.
Five-Point Outline
- Establishment, Hiram's help and David's perception of God's confirmation (vv.1-2)
- Family, The wives and children born in Jerusalem (vv.3-7)
- Conflict, The Philistine threat (vv.8-9)
- Dependence, David inquires of God before battle (v.10)
- Victory, God breaks the enemies, and David's fame spreads (vv.11-17)
Illustration Hooks
- A church growth chart that shows new families joining even while the pastor has obvious personal flaws
- A family reunion where the names on the family tree include both the famous and the forgotten, each with a story
- A military commander who pauses to list his children before going into battle, what matters most to protect
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Does the Bible approve of polygamy because David had many wives?
- Why does Scripture include long lists of names that seem boring or irrelevant?
- What does this passage say about God's patience with leaders who make poor choices?
Leading a Discussion
Lists of names can feel dry, but they often carry deep theological meaning. The Chronicler includes this family record at a hinge point in David's story: his kingdom is established, his house is built, and now his family multiplies. This small group guide helps you think about what it means to live under God's blessing even when life is complicated.
Discussion Questions
- What do you notice about this list of names? Which ones stand out because they are familiar or strange?
- Compare this passage with 2 Samuel 5:13. What details does the Chronicler leave out? Why do you think he does that?
- Deuteronomy 17:17 warns kings not to multiply wives. How do you reconcile that command with David's actions here?
- Why does the Chronicler place this family list between the news of David's establishment and the Philistine attack?
- What does it mean that God blesses David with children even when David is not obeying every command perfectly?
- How does this passage challenge the way you think about leaders, in the church, in politics, or in your own home?
- What kind of legacy are you building? If someone listed your children or your spiritual children, what would it say about your priorities?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 17:17 | He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. |
| II Samuel 5:13 | David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. |
| I Kings 11:3 | He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away. |
| I Chronicles 3:1 | Now 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; |
| I Chronicles 3:4 | six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem; |
| Proverbs 5:18 | Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. |
| Proverbs 5:19 | A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. |
| Ecclesiastes 7:26 | I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that the number and names of children here differ from other biblical lists. The Hebrew text in 2 Samuel mentions eleven, the Septuagint has twenty-four, and this passage gives thirteen. All ancient versions agree on the number thirteen but vary in the names.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the Chronicler tends to omit or soften details that would embarrass David, unlike the parallel account in Samuel. It also observes that the list of names here appears better preserved than in the other two passages recording David's children.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes simply repeat the full list of David's children born in Jerusalem without adding any comment or explanation. The editors allow the biblical names to stand as recorded, offering no doctrinal or historical observation on the passage itself.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB cross-references the accounts in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, noting that Eliphalet and Nogah appear only in the Chronicles list of David's Jerusalem-born children. He also identifies Beeliada in 1 Chronicles as the same person as Eliada in 2 Samuel, highlighting the variations between the two records.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the Chronicler deliberately rearranges events from 2 Samuel to place the ark’s preparation before David’s palace-building. This theological ordering, not chronological, prioritizes the sanctuary. The closing remark on David’s fame spreading fear among nations is an added reflection absent in Samuel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry stresses that David could not feel secure until he perceived the Lord had confirmed him king, not merely the people's choice. He also notes David's kingdom was lifted up for Israel's benefit, not his own, and that settled prosperity often leads to fleshly indulgence.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley encourages believers to welcome God's ordinances into their homes, trusting that the Lord's presence brings blessing, never loss. He also warns that believers should not let the gospel's offensiveness to others diminish its preciousness to them.