1 Chronicles 14:7

KJV

And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Elishama {H476}, and Beeliada {H1182}, and Eliphalet {H467}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Elishama, Be'elyada and Elifelet.

Berean Standard Bible

Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

American Standard Version

and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 14:7 meticulously enumerates three more sons born to King David in Jerusalem: Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphalet. This verse is an integral part of the Chronicler's detailed record of David's expanding family and the establishment of his royal household in the newly secured capital, underscoring the divine blessing, stability, and legitimacy bestowed upon his reign as he consolidates power and prepares for the future of the kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial passage (1 Chronicles 14:1-7) that details the consolidation of David's kingdom in Jerusalem. Following the capture of the city and the construction of David's palace by Hiram of Tyre, which signifies international recognition and divine favor ([1 Chronicles 14:1-2](/1_chronicles/14-1-2 "1 Chronicles 14:1-2 - David's Kingdom Established")), the narrative shifts to David's personal life. The enumeration of his wives and children born in Jerusalem ([1 Chronicles 14:3-7](/1_chronicles/14-3-7 "1 Chronicles 14:3-7 - David's Sons Born in Jerusalem")) immediately precedes David's significant military victories against the Philistines ([1 Chronicles 14:8-17](/1_chronicles/14-8-17 "1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - David Defeats the Philistines")), suggesting that the stability and flourishing of his household are foundational to the strength and success of his kingdom. The Chronicler's careful attention to David's lineage sets the stage for the pivotal Davidic covenant, a central theme in both [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant") and its parallel in [1 Chronicles 17](/1_chronicles/17 "1 Chronicles 17 - God's Covenant with David"), emphasizing the divine promise of an enduring dynasty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's relocation to Jerusalem and the subsequent expansion of his family were acts laden with significance in the ancient Near East. For a king, having numerous sons was a potent symbol of divine favor, prosperity, and the promise of a secure and lasting dynasty. Monarchs often engaged in polygamy, taking multiple wives and concubines, not only for personal reasons but also to forge political alliances and produce abundant heirs, thereby ensuring a stable succession. The practice of naming children frequently carried deep theological or commemorative significance, reflecting the parents' faith, hopes, or experiences. Jerusalem, recently captured from the Jebusites, was in the process of being transformed from a foreign stronghold into the political and religious capital of Israel. The growth of David's family within its walls thus powerfully symbolized the flourishing and divine endorsement of the new kingdom under God's chosen king, marking a pivotal transition from a tribal confederacy to a centralized monarchy.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous listing of David's sons in this passage contributes to several overarching themes central to the Chronicler's theological agenda. Firstly, **Lineage and Succession** are paramount, emphasizing the importance of a legitimate and divinely sanctioned royal line, which is crucial for validating the Davidic dynasty for the post-exilic community. This theme is foundational for understanding the future of Israel and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through the [Davidic covenant](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - The Promise of a Dynasty"). Secondly, the growing number of David's children signifies **Divine Blessing and Prosperity**, indicating God's favor upon David's reign and the stability of his kingdom in Jerusalem. This aligns with the Chronicler's broader emphasis on the blessings that accompany obedience and faithfulness to God, a recurring motif throughout [1 Chronicles](/1_chronicles "1 Chronicles - The Book of David's Reign"). Lastly, the detailed **Historical Record** and genealogical information reflect the Chronicler's commitment to preserving the accurate history of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness through generations and His meticulous involvement in the affairs of His people, from the earliest genealogies in [1 Chronicles 1](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1 - Genealogies from Adam to Saul") to the establishment of the kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Elishama (Hebrew, _ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ_):** This Hebrew name translates to "God of hearing" or "My God has heard." It is a theophoric name, incorporating "El" (God), and reflects a common practice of naming children to express gratitude for answered prayer or a recognition of God's attentiveness. The name suggests a deep trust in God's responsiveness to human petitions, possibly indicating a specific prayer or circumstance surrounding his birth where divine intervention was perceived.
* **Beeliada (Hebrew, _Bᵉʻelyâdâʻ_):** Meaning "Baal has known" or "Lord knows." This name presents a notable textual variant compared to parallel passages like [2 Samuel 5:16](/2_samuel/5-16 "2 Samuel 5:16 - David's Sons in Jerusalem") and [1 Chronicles 3:8](/1_chronicles/3-8 "1 Chronicles 3:8 - David's Sons"), where the name is given as Eliada (אֶלְיָדָע, _ʼElyadaʻ_), meaning "God knows." The use of "Baal" here is significant; while "Baal" later became strongly associated with pagan deities, in earlier Hebrew usage, it could function as a more general term for "lord" or "master." The Chronicler, writing after the period of strong anti-Baal polemic, likely preferred "Eliada" to avoid any association with idolatry. The presence of "Beeliada" in this specific text could be a scribal retention of an older tradition or a deliberate choice to record the name as it was originally given, even if its connotations later shifted.
* **Eliphalet (Hebrew, _ʼĔlîypheleṭ_):** This name means "God of deliverance" or "My God is deliverance." Like Elishama, it is a theophoric name incorporating "El." This name speaks powerfully to God's saving power and rescue, possibly commemorating a specific instance of divine protection or liberation experienced by David or his family. It underscores a theological conviction that God is the ultimate source of safety, freedom, and rescue from peril.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Elishama":** This phrase introduces the first of three sons listed in this specific verse, continuing the enumeration of David's children born in Jerusalem. The name itself, "God of hearing," immediately imbues the list with theological significance, suggesting that the very existence of these children is a testament to God's attentive and responsive nature, a divine answer to prayer or a sign of His ongoing care for David's household.
* **"and Beeliada":** The second son mentioned, Beeliada, carries a name that, while potentially problematic in later theological contexts due to its "Baal" component, originally signified "Lord knows." This name, when considered alongside its variant "Eliada" ("God knows"), highlights the meticulous nature of the Chronicler's record-keeping and the subtle textual complexities within the biblical tradition. It signifies divine omniscience and oversight in the lives of David's offspring, affirming that God is intimately aware of every detail of His covenant people's lives.
* **"and Eliphalet":** The final son named in this verse, Eliphalet, whose name means "God of deliverance," powerfully concludes this segment of the list. It speaks to God's active role as a rescuer and deliverer, a theme central to David's own life and reign, marked by numerous instances of divine intervention and salvation from enemies. The inclusion of this name reinforces the idea that God's hand was upon David's household, ensuring its safety, establishment, and continued flourishing.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 14:7, and indeed in the broader passage of 1 Chronicles 14:3-7, is **Enumeration** or **List**. The Chronicler meticulously records names, emphasizing the order, structure, and divine blessing upon David's expanding family. This detailed listing serves several crucial purposes: it provides a precise historical record, validates the legitimacy of David's burgeoning lineage, and underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to build David a "house" or enduring dynasty. The repetition of such genealogical lists throughout 1 Chronicles (e.g., [1 Chronicles 3](/1_chronicles/3 "1 Chronicles 3 - David's Descendants") and [1 Chronicles 8](/1_chronicles/8 "1 Chronicles 8 - Genealogies of Benjamin")) highlights the Chronicler's deep concern for **Order** and **Continuity**, demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations. Furthermore, the very act of naming each child, often with a **Theophoric Element** (a divine name within the personal name), functions as a subtle yet profound **Theological Statement**, embedding expressions of faith and divine attributes directly into the fabric of the historical record, turning a simple list into a confession of God's character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While a simple list of names, 1 Chronicles 14:7 profoundly contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. The expansion of David's family in Jerusalem is a tangible sign of God's blessing and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, a crucial step in the unfolding of redemptive history. Each name, with its inherent theological meaning ("God of hearing," "Lord knows," "God of deliverance"), subtly reinforces the attributes of the God who is actively involved in the lives of His people and their leaders. This meticulous record underscores the divine sovereignty that orchestrates even the seemingly mundane details of lineage to achieve His grand purposes, ultimately pointing towards the coming Messiah, the true Son of David.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant and Promise of an Enduring Dynasty")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalm/89-3-4 "Psalm 89:3-4 - God's Covenant Oath to David")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Eternal Reign")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly simple verse, a mere list of names, invites us to consider the profound theological truth that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, just as He was in the meticulous establishment of David's household. The names themselves serve as mini-confessions of faith: "God of hearing," "Lord knows," "God of deliverance." This reminds us that our very existence and the circumstances of our lives are not random, but are known and overseen by a sovereign God who hears our prayers, knows our paths, and is our ultimate deliverer. We are called to trust in His meticulous care, even when our lives feel like a mere list of events or when our circumstances seem insignificant. Furthermore, this verse highlights the importance of spiritual lineage and the legacy of faith. What "names" or testimonies of God's character are we building into our own lives and passing on to future generations? Our lives, like these names, can become living declarations of God's faithfulness and active presence in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping of David's family encourage your trust in God's attention to detail in your own life?**
* **Considering the meanings of the names (God hears, God knows, God delivers), what aspect of God's character do you need to lean into most today?**
* **In what ways can your own life and family become a "list" that testifies to God's faithfulness and blessing to those around you?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Chronicler list David's sons in such detail?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary purpose in writing 1 Chronicles was to affirm the legitimacy and importance of the Davidic dynasty, especially for the post-exilic community. Listing David's sons in detail, as seen in [1 Chronicles 14:3-7](/1_chronicles/14-3-7 "1 Chronicles 14:3-7 - David's Sons Born in Jerusalem"), serves several crucial functions. It establishes the continuity and stability of David's "house" (dynasty), which was foundational to God's covenant promise to David in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). It also demonstrates divine blessing and prosperity upon David's reign, as a large family was a sign of favor and divine approval in ancient cultures. Furthermore, it provides a meticulous historical record, emphasizing the Chronicler's commitment to accurate genealogy, which was vital for understanding lineage, land rights, and the priestly succession in Israel, ensuring the proper order and identity of the restored community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 14:7 is a simple list of names, it contributes profoundly to the grand narrative of God's faithfulness in establishing the Davidic line, which ultimately culminates in Jesus Christ. The very existence of these sons, born to David in Jerusalem, signifies the stability and growth of the dynasty from which the Messiah would come. Each name, with its inherent theological meaning, subtly foreshadows aspects of Christ's person and work: "Elishama" ("God of hearing") points to Jesus as the one through whom God fully hears and answers the cries of humanity, offering salvation and reconciliation, for He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") who perfectly reveals the Father. "Beeliada" ("Lord knows" or "God knows") speaks to Christ's divine omniscience and His intimate knowledge of every individual, as the [Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and is known by them](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"). "Eliphalet" ("God of deliverance") powerfully prefigures Jesus as the ultimate deliverer, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing freedom from sin, death, and the power of darkness. Thus, this seemingly mundane verse, by meticulously tracing the lineage of David, quietly yet profoundly points to the coming of the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), Jesus Christ, through whom all God's promises find their resounding "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 3:8

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.

2 Samuel 5:16

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.