I Chronicles 3:1-9 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 3:1-9 Commentary: David's Sons in Two Cities
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the genealogy of David's sons born in Hebron and Jerusalem, the puzzle of Daniel/Chileab, and the preservation of the royal line.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Chronicler records David's sons to establish the royal lineage from David to Solomon and beyond, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness.
- Key words: Sons (ben), David, Hebron, Jerusalem, Tamar (sister), concubines (pilegesh).
- Main debate: Why is David's second son called Daniel here but Chileab in 2 Samuel? Most likely two names for the same person.
- Theological theme: God's covenant preserved through a sinful and complex family, pointing to Christ.
- Best use: Grounding the Davidic covenant, encouraging post-exilic readers (and us) that God keeps His promises despite human failure.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel;
2the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
3the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah.
4These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,
5and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
6David’s other sons were Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,
7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
8Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet—nine in all.
9These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.
KJV King James Version 1769
1Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
2The third, Absalom the son of Maachah 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.
4These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
5And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath–shua the daughter of Ammiel:
6Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1Now these were the sons of David, that were born unto him in Hebron: the first-born, 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 unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years;
5and these were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;
6and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9All these were the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1And these were sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the first-born Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
2the third Absalom, son of Maachah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth Adonijah, son of Haggith;
3the fifth Shephatiah, of Abital; the sixth Ithream, of Eglah his wife.
4Six have been borne to him in Hebron, and he reigneth there seven years and six months, and thirty and three years he hath reigned in Jerusalem.
5And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon--four, of Bath-Sheba daughter of Ammiel:
6also Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9All are sons of David, apart from sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And these are the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jizreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;
2the third, Absalom the son of Maachah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah his wife:
4six were born to him in Hebron. And there he reigned seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.
5And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;
6and Ibhar, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine:
9all were sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines; and Tamar was their sister.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1Now these were the sons of David that were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn Amnon of Achinoam the Jezrahelitess, the second Daniel of Abigail the Carmelitess.
2The third Absalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tolmai king of Gessur, the fourth Adonias the son of Aggith,
3The fifth Saphatias of Abital, the sixth Jethrahem of Egla his wife.
4So six sons were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And in Jerusalem he reigned three and thirty years.
5And these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Simmaa, and Sobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four of Bethsabee the daughter of Ammiel.
6Jebaar also and Elisama,
7And Eliphaleth, and Noge, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8And Elisama, and Eliada, and Elipheleth, nine:
9All these the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines: and they had a sister Thamar.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 3:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this list serves as the Chronicler's official record of David's sons, grounding the royal line that leads to the Messiah. The second son is called Daniel here but Chileab in 2 Samuel 3:3; Keil & Delitzsch, Gill, and the Cambridge Bible all hold that he simply had two names, a common practice in the ancient Near East. Barnes and Clarke note that the duplicate names Elishama and Eliphelet (vv. 6, 8) almost certainly mean the first sons died young and their names were reused. Clarke adds that Bathshua (v. 5) is a variant spelling of Bathsheba, the 'w' and 'b' sounds being similar. The mention of Tamar as 'their sister' (v. 9) reminds readers of the family tragedy, but the overall thrust is positive: the Davidic line continues despite human sin. Matthew Henry observes that Solomon is named last among Bathsheba's four sons because the genealogy will continue through him. The Chronicler thus gives a theological history, God's covenant preserved through a deeply flawed family.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Two-name explanation: David's second son was given two names (Daniel and Chileab), a common practice in ancient Semitic culture. Parallel examples include Jedidiah/Solomon and Jehoiachin/Jeconiah.
- Alternative source: The Chronicler may have used a different source from the one behind 2 Samuel, leading to divergent name traditions. The LXX's use of 'Dalouia' for both suggests a shared underlying tradition.
What is clear: All Christians agree that this passage preserves the royal lineage of David, including Solomon and the line leading to the Messiah, and that God's covenant promise remained intact through David's family.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel vs. Chileab | The second son of David by Abigail is the same person; he had two names. | Why two names? Some suggest Daniel was a birth name and Chileab a nickname ('like his father'). Others say the Chronicler used a different source. No definitive explanation. |
| Duplicate names (Elishama, Eliphelet) | The first sons with these names died young, and David reused the names for later sons. | A few wonder whether the same two sons are simply listed twice due to a scribal error, but most reject that because the lists are carefully ordered. |
| Bathshua vs. Bathsheba | Both refer to the same woman, wife of David and mother of Solomon. | The spelling difference (shin vs. sin, vav vs. bet) is seen as phonetic; some think 'Bathshua' may have been her original name. |
| Eglah's identity | Eglah is the mother of Ithream, one of David's wives. | The Targum and some Jewish commentators identify Eglah with Michal, Saul's daughter, but this contradicts 2 Samuel 6:23: 'Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.' Most commentators reject the identification. |
| Number of sons born in Jerusalem | The Chronicler lists nine sons plus mention of concubines' sons; 2 Samuel lists eleven (or thirteen if including duplicates). | Why the difference? Most agree that early deaths or lack of heirs led the Chronicler to omit some names. Barnes shows that the three lists contain 13 distinct names total. |
Historical & Cultural Context
David reigned in Hebron for seven and a half years, then in Jerusalem for thirty-three years. The list is divided by these two cities, reflecting the geographical and political shift of his kingdom. Hebron was the patriarchal seat of Judah; Jerusalem became the religious and political center once captured. The mothers of David's sons represent key alliances and stories: Ahinoam from Jezreel in Judah, Abigail from Carmel (the former wife of Nabal, 1 Samuel 25), Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (an Aramean state east of the Sea of Galilee), and Bathsheba (Bathshua) whose story with David is one of sin and grace (2 Samuel 11-12). The genealogy also includes 'the sons of the concubines' without naming them, a reminder that David married many wives, a practice the Chronicler neither condemns nor commends but simply records.
Post-exilic readers of Chronicles would have been especially interested in this list. The exile had interrupted the Davidic monarchy, but the Chronicler shows that the family line survived. By tracing the royal house from David through Solomon to Zerubbabel (ch. 3 later continues), the Chronicler encourages the returned exiles that God has not abandoned His covenant. The list is not merely antiquarian; it is a statement of hope.
The literary context of 1 Chronicles 3 follows the lineage of Judah (ch. 2) and precedes the longer king list (vv. 10-24). This genealogy is placed at a strategic juncture, emphasizing that the promise to David (2 Samuel 7) rests on real historical people with names, mothers, and imperfections.
Textual Notes
The primary textual issue is the variation of David's second son's name between 1 Chronicles 3:1 (Daniel) and 2 Samuel 3:3 (Chileab). The LXX manuscripts show further variation, with Codex Vaticanus reading Δαμνιήλ and Codex Alexandrinus reading Δαλουιά for Chronicles. For Samuel, the LXX reads Δαλουιά for Chileab. This suggests the Hebrew tradition behind the LXX knew both forms. The duplicate names Elishama and Eliphelet at verses 6 and 8 also appear in other lists (2 Samuel 5:14-16; 1 Chronicles 14:4-7) with some variations, pointing to a history of transmission. No significant variants affect the theological meaning of the passage.
Reception History
Throughout church history, 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 has been read as part of the larger Davidic genealogy that establishes Jesus' messianic credentials. Early Christian interpreters, like Eusebius, saw the list as confirming Matthew's genealogy. Medieval Jewish commentators such as Rashi (Jarchi) offered explanations for the name variations, suggesting that Chileab was a nickname meaning 'like his father'. The inclusion of Tamar also reminded readers of the tragic story in 2 Samuel 13, prompting reflection on sin and its consequences within the royal family. Reformation-era commentators like Matthew Henry emphasized the comforts of God's covenant in the midst of a troubled household. Modern readers continue to return to this passage to see that God's plan moves forward through ordinary, and often troubled, human lives.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God works through real, messy families. David's sons include Amnon (rapist), Absalom (rebel), Adonijah (usurper), and Solomon (the heir). The list does not sanitize; it shows God's sovereignty in a broken household.
- Names matter, and so does memory. The duplicate Elishama and Eliphelet suggest that David honored deceased sons by reusing their names. The mention of Tamar (the only named daughter) preserves the memory of a victim of sexual violence. God remembers the forgotten.
- The line to Christ is unbroken. From Solomon (Matthew's genealogy) and from Nathan (Luke's genealogy), the Chronicler's list connects to Jesus. The covenant promise holds.
Five-point outline
- Place as promise: Hebron and Jerusalem mark stages of God's plan.
- Identity and legacy: Daniel/Chileab shows names can change; what matters is inclusion in the family.
- Inclusion of the marginalized: Tamar and the unnamed concubines' sons are acknowledged.
- Sin cannot thwart grace: Bathsheba appears in the line (a forgiven woman).
- Genealogy as gospel: The list points forward to the true King.
Illustration hooks
- A family photo album where some pictures are torn but the lineage is still traced. The Chronicler includes the painful stories but keeps the line intact.
- A teacher taking attendance and finding two students with the same first name because the first one moved away. David named two sons Elishama and two Eliphelet, a sign of love and memory.
- A leader's biography that lists both achievements and scandals. The Bible does the same with David.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible include long lists of names? Are they boring or important?
- What does this genealogy tell us about God's plan for families that aren't perfect?
- How does knowing David's family background affect the way we read the Christmas story?
Leading a Discussion
This genealogy may seem dry at first, but it is packed with theology and human drama. As you work through these questions, notice how the Chronicler weaves together names, places, and relationships to tell the story of God's faithful promise.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 aloud. List every name you hear. Which ones do you recognize from other Bible stories?
- Compare this list with 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 5:14-16. What differences do you see? What might explain why David's second son is called Daniel here but Chileab in Samuel?
- Why do you think the Chronicler mentions Tamar as their sister? How does her story (2 Samuel 13) affect how you read this list?
- The passage says David had sons by his concubines, but they are not named. Why might the Chronicler include them but not give names?
- How does the division between sons born in Hebron and in Jerusalem reflect David's journey as king? What does it say about God's timing?
- In verse 5, Bathsheba is called Bathshua. Why do you think the name is spelled differently? What does her presence in the genealogy tell us about grace?
- This genealogy eventually leads to Jesus (Matthew 1 and Luke 3). How does knowing the family history, with all its flaws, deepen your trust in God's plan?
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)
| Joshua 15:56 | Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, |
| I Samuel 25:39 | When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. Yahweh has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to himself as wife. |
| I Samuel 25:42 | Abigail hurriedly arose and rode on a donkey with her five maids who followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. |
| I Samuel 25:43 | David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they both became his wives. |
| I Samuel 27:3 | David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife. |
| II Samuel 3:2 | Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; |
| II Samuel 3:3 | and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; |
| II Samuel 3:5 | and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. |
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 notes that David's second son is called both Daniel and Chileab, drawing on Jewish traditions that explain the double naming. The name Chileab means "like the father," suggesting a strong resemblance. Jarchi adds that the names reflect David's appeal to God as judge concerning the child's paternity after Abigail's hasty marriage.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes compares the three biblical lists of David's sons born in Jerusalem and points out several textual variations. He notes that two sons, Eliphelet and Nogah, likely died in childhood, and that Eliada was also called Beeliada, since Baal
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator focuses on the many name variations between 1 Chronicles and 2 Samuel, noting that the Chronicler sometimes altered or omitted names. He highlights that Bathsheba is called Bathshua, and the Chronicler never refers to David's sin with Uriah's wife.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill focuses on reconciling the differences between the genealogies in Chronicles and Samuel. He notes that the second son here is called Daniel instead of Chileab, and that Bathsheba appears as Bathshua with a different father's name. He also points out that Chronicles lists more sons born in Jerusalem than Samuel does, adding details the earlier account omits.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that the timing and place of each son's birth shaped David's family conflicts, since Eastern custom made the firstborn born after a king's accession the rightful heir. He identifies Eglah as possibly Michal, noting she is called "wife" because she was David's proper spouse. He explains repeated names as memorials for deceased sons and omitted names as early deaths or childlessness.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch notes that the second son of David is called Daniel in Chronicles but Chileab in Samuel, and insists this difference is not a copyist's mistake but shows the man had two names. They also observe that the chronicler did not simply copy from Samuel, as other name variations and omissions confirm.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the scribes in this passage as Kenites living among Judah, not Lev