1 Chronicles Chapter 3 — The Genealogy of King David
This chapter lists the sons of King David born in Hebron and Jerusalem, followed by the succession of the kings of Judah and the post-exilic family of Zerubbabel.
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.
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.
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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 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;”
This verse provides a chronological summary of David's reign in both Hebron and Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 3:5
“and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four, by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;”
It identifies Solomon, the heir to the throne, among the sons born to David in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 3:19
“The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei.”
Zerubbabel is a pivotal historical figure who led the Jewish people back from the Babylonian exile.
Chapter Summary
1 Chronicles Chapter 3 provides a meticulous record of King David’s descendants, documenting the preservation of the royal line of Judah. The chapter begins by listing David's sons born during his seven-year reign in Hebron, followed by those born during his thirty-three-year reign in Jerusalem, including his successor Solomon. The narrative then shifts to the succession of the kings of Judah, tracing the royal line from Solomon through the end of the monarchy with Josiah and his sons. The final section of the chapter follows the lineage during and after the Babylonian captivity, focusing on the family of Jeconiah and specifically Zerubbabel, a central figure in the return to Jerusalem. This genealogical account serves to demonstrate the historical continuity of the Davidic dynasty throughout Israel's history.
Frequently Asked Questions
The chapter mentions several sons, including his firstborn Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, and Solomon. It distinguishes between those born in Hebron and those born in Jerusalem.
According to verse 4, David reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-three years, following a seven-year and six-month reign in Hebron.
Zerubbabel is listed as a descendant of King David through the line of Jeconiah. He is a significant figure in biblical history for leading the return of the exiles from Babylon and helping to rebuild the Temple.
Study Note
The inclusion of Zerubbabel's family at the end of the chapter bridges the gap between the fallen monarchy and the post-exilic restoration.
Related Chapters
2 Samuel 5
This chapter describes the start of David's reign in Jerusalem which is summarized in 1 Chronicles 3.
Matthew 1
The New Testament genealogy of Jesus shares many names with this list, tracing the same royal Davidic line.
Ezra 3
Ezra 3 details the actions of Zerubbabel, who is listed in the post-exilic genealogy of this chapter.
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