1 Chronicles 2:13

KJV

And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jesse {H3448} begat {H3205} his firstborn {H1060} Eliab {H446}, and Abinadab {H41} the second {H8145}, and Shimma {H8092} the third {H7992},

Complete Jewish Bible

and Yishai fathered Eli'av his firstborn, Avinadav second, Shim'a third,

Berean Standard Bible

Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third,

American Standard Version

and Jesse begat his first-born Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse, 1 Chronicles 2:13, introduces three of Jesse's sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimma—as part of the extensive genealogical records that open the book of 1 Chronicles. It serves as a crucial link in establishing the lineage of King David, meticulously tracing the ancestry within the tribe of Judah. While seemingly a simple list of names, this verse lays foundational groundwork for understanding God's sovereign plan in selecting David and fulfilling His covenant promises through a specific, divinely preserved family line.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 2:13 is situated within the lengthy genealogical section that comprises the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles. Specifically, it falls within the detailed lineage of Judah, which receives particular emphasis due to its connection to the Davidic monarchy. The Chronicler meticulously traces the descendants of Jacob, focusing on Judah's line, then narrowing to Jesse's family in Bethlehem. This verse immediately precedes the listing of Jesse's other sons, including David, and sets the stage for the subsequent narrative focus on David's reign and the establishment of the temple. Unlike the books of Samuel and Kings, which offer more narrative accounts, 1 Chronicles prioritizes these detailed genealogies to establish legitimacy, continuity, and the fulfillment of divine promises, particularly for a post-exilic audience seeking reassurance of their heritage and God's faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, genealogies were far more than mere lists of names; they were vital documents for establishing tribal identity, land inheritance rights, eligibility for priestly service, and royal succession. Jesse, a man from Bethlehem in the territory of Judah, was a relatively obscure figure until God chose one of his sons, David, to be king. The cultural norm of primogeniture, where the firstborn son (Eliab in this case) held preeminent status and inheritance, makes the subsequent divine rejection of Eliab and selection of David a profound theological statement. The Chronicler, writing centuries later, likely in the post-exilic period, uses these records to affirm the historical continuity of Israel, the legitimacy of the Davidic line, and the enduring nature of God's covenant promises, providing hope and a sense of belonging to a people recently returned from exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Genealogical Precision**, highlighting the meticulous record-keeping that validates Israel's identity and the divine promises tied to specific lineages. Secondly, the explicit mention of Eliab as "firstborn" subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty in Selection**, foreshadowing God's unconventional choice of David over his older, seemingly more qualified brothers, a concept powerfully articulated in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart, Not Appearance"). This demonstrates that God's choices are not based on human expectations or societal norms, but on His own wise and sovereign purpose. Finally, this verse is a foundational piece in establishing the **Legitimacy and Continuity of the Davidic Line**, which is central to the Chronicler's theological agenda. By meticulously tracing David's direct ancestry, the text affirms his rightful place as king and reinforces the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant, which ultimately points to the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Begat (Hebrew, יָלַד, _yalad'_):** This verb is a standard and frequently used term in biblical genealogies, meaning "to father," "to give birth to," or "to beget." Its consistent use throughout these lists emphasizes the direct, lineal descent and the unbroken chain of generations. In this context, it underscores the biological and familial connection that establishes Jesse as the patriarch of this particular branch of Judah's lineage, leading directly to David.
* **Firstborn (Hebrew, בְּכוֹר, _bekor'_):** This term designates the eldest son, who traditionally held a position of honor, authority, and a double portion of the inheritance in ancient Israelite society. The explicit mention of Eliab as "firstborn" here is significant because, in the subsequent narrative found in 1 Samuel, God famously rejects him as king in favor of his younger brother, David. This detail, though seemingly minor in a list, sets up a contrast that highlights God's sovereign choice over human custom or expectation.
* **Shimma (Hebrew, שִׁמְעָא, _Shim'a'_):** This name, meaning "rumor" or "fame," refers to Jesse's third son. He is also known as Shammah in [1 Samuel 16:9](/1_samuel/16-9 "1 Samuel 16:9 - Shammah, Jesse's Third Son") and Shimeah in [2 Samuel 13:3](/2_samuel/13-3 "2 Samuel 13:3 - Jonadab, Son of Shimeah"). The variation in spelling is common for biblical names across different texts and translations, but it refers to the same individual, further anchoring David's family within the broader genealogical record.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab":** This clause establishes Jesse as the father and Eliab as his eldest son. The emphasis on "firstborn" sets up a cultural expectation of prominence, which the broader biblical narrative will later subvert through God's unexpected choice of David.
* **"and Abinadab the second":** This continues the enumeration of Jesse's sons, listing Abinadab as the second in birth order. Along with Eliab and Shimma, he is presented to Samuel as a potential king before David is called.
* **"and Shimma the third":** This completes the initial list of three sons, providing a precise numerical sequence of Jesse's offspring. The inclusion of these names, along with their ordinal positions, contributes to the meticulous detail of the Chronicler's genealogical record, affirming the historical reality of David's family line.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 2:13, and indeed throughout the opening chapters of the book, is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a dry list of names but a purposeful structuring of information designed to establish lineage, validate claims, and demonstrate continuity. The Chronicler employs **Enumeration**, systematically listing each son and their birth order ("firstborn," "second," "third"), which provides a clear, precise, and verifiable record. While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the mention of Eliab as "firstborn" subtly employs **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the later narrative in 1 Samuel where God's rejection of Eliab and selection of David will become a pivotal moment, demonstrating God's sovereign and often counter-intuitive choices. This seemingly simple verse, therefore, serves as a foundational building block in the larger theological and historical narrative of God's unfolding plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple listing of names in 1 Chronicles 2:13 is pregnant with theological significance. It underscores God's meticulous care for history and His faithfulness in preserving the lineage through which His covenant promises would be fulfilled. The very act of recording these names, particularly within the tribe of Judah and the family of Jesse, affirms the divine orchestration behind the unfolding of redemptive history. It highlights that God works through specific individuals and families, meticulously preparing the way for His grand purposes. The implicit contrast between the cultural expectation of the firstborn (Eliab) and God's eventual choice of David foreshadows a recurring biblical theme: God often chooses the overlooked, the humble, and the unexpected to accomplish His will, demonstrating that His power is perfected in weakness and His wisdom transcends human understanding. This verse, therefore, is not just a historical record but a testament to God's sovereign hand guiding the course of human events towards His ultimate redemptive goal.

* [1 Samuel 16:6-7](/1_samuel/16-6 "1 Samuel 16:6-7 - God Looks on the Heart")
* [Matthew 1:1-6](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-6 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")
* [Luke 3:31-32](/luke/3-31 "Luke 3:31-32 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed genealogies in 1 Chronicles, including this verse, remind us that God is a God of meticulous detail and sovereign purpose. Even seemingly insignificant names or historical facts are part of His grand, unfolding narrative. For believers today, this means that our lives, though perhaps feeling ordinary or overlooked, are not inconsequential to God. He knows our lineage, our story, and our place within His larger plan. Just as God chose David, the youngest and least expected, over his older, more prominent brothers, this verse encourages us to trust God's unconventional ways. It challenges our human tendency to value outward appearance, status, or conventional qualifications. Instead, we are called to embrace humility, recognizing that God often uses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise. Our spiritual heritage in Christ connects us to a vast family of faith, rooted in God's faithfulness across generations, providing a profound sense of belonging and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's choice of David over Eliab challenge your assumptions about what qualifies someone for God's service or blessing?**
* **In what ways do you see God working through seemingly ordinary or overlooked details in your own life or in the community around you?**
* **How does understanding your spiritual heritage, as part of God's continuous plan, impact your sense of identity and purpose today?**

### FAQ
**Why does 1 Chronicles spend so much time on genealogies?**

Answer: The extensive genealogies in 1 Chronicles serve several crucial purposes for the Chronicler's original audience, who were likely a post-exilic community. They established tribal identity and land rights, particularly for those returning to their ancestral lands. They validated the legitimacy of the priesthood and the temple worship by tracing the lineage of the Levites and priests. Most importantly, they affirmed the continuity of God's covenant promises, especially the Davidic covenant, by meticulously tracing the royal line to David. These records provided a historical anchor and a sense of continuity for a people who had experienced displacement and disruption, reassuring them of God's faithfulness to His promises and their place within His ongoing plan.

**Who were Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimma?**

Answer: Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimma were three of Jesse's sons, and thus older brothers of David. Eliab was the firstborn, and when Samuel came to anoint a new king from Jesse's sons, Eliab was initially considered due to his impressive stature. However, God famously rejected him, stating, "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). Abinadab was the second son, and Shimma (also known as Shammah or Shimeah in other texts like [1 Samuel 16:9](/1_samuel/16-9 "1 Samuel 16:9 - Shammah, Jesse's Third Son")) was the third. While they were not chosen for kingship, their inclusion in the genealogy is vital for precisely tracing David's direct lineage and highlighting God's sovereign and often surprising choice of the youngest, David.

**Is "Shimma" the same as "Shammah" or "Shimeah"?**

Answer: Yes, "Shimma" in 1 Chronicles 2:13 refers to the same individual who is called "Shammah" in [1 Samuel 16:9](/1_samuel/16-9 "1 Samuel 16:9 - Shammah, Jesse's Third Son") and "Shimeah" in [2 Samuel 13:3](/2_samuel/13-3 "2 Samuel 13:3 - Jonadab, Son of Shimeah"). These variations are common in biblical names due to different transliterations from Hebrew into English or slight textual variations across ancient manuscripts. Regardless of the spelling, it consistently refers to Jesse's third son, one of David's older brothers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous recording of Jesse's sons in 1 Chronicles 2:13, leading to David, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The entire purpose of these detailed genealogies in Chronicles is to establish the legitimacy and continuity of the Davidic line, a lineage through which God promised an eternal kingdom. Jesus is repeatedly identified in the New Testament as the [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), the one who perfectly embodies and fulfills the Davidic covenant. The subtle foreshadowing in this verse, where Eliab, the firstborn, is passed over for David, the unexpected choice, powerfully prefigures God's unconventional method of salvation through Christ. Jesus, though the eternal Son of God, came not in worldly power or kingly pomp, but in humility, born in Bethlehem, a descendant of this very Jesse and David. He was rejected by the religious elite and crucified, yet through His death and resurrection, He established an eternal kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 2:13 is thus a vital thread in the tapestry of redemptive history, affirming the historical reality of the lineage from which the [Savior of the world](/john/4-42 "John 4:42 - Savior of the World") would come, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and His sovereign plan to redeem humanity through the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 Samuel 17:13

And the three eldest sons of Jesse went [and] followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle [were] Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

1 Chronicles 20:7

But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.

1 Samuel 16:6

¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him.

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

1 Chronicles 27:18

Of Judah, Elihu, [one] of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael:

1 Samuel 17:28

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.