1 Chronicles 2:15

KJV

Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:

KJV (with Strong's)

Ozem {H684} the sixth {H8345}, David {H1732} the seventh {H7637}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Otzem sixth, David seventh,

Berean Standard Bible

Ozem sixth, and David seventh.

American Standard Version

Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 2:15, a succinct verse embedded within the meticulous genealogies of Judah, precisely identifies Ozem as the sixth son and David as the seventh son of Jesse. This seemingly simple enumeration is profoundly significant, marking the formal introduction of the future king of Israel into the sacred lineage, thereby establishing his rightful place within the tribe of Judah and subtly foreshadowing God's unconventional, sovereign choice for leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the extensive genealogical records that open the book of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9), which serve to re-establish the identity and heritage of the post-exilic community. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 2 focuses on the descendants of Judah, the royal tribe, tracing the lineage through prominent figures like Hezron, Caleb, and Ram, before arriving at Jesse and his sons. Verse 15 follows the listing of Jesse's other sons (Eliab, Abinadab, Shimma, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem) and immediately precedes the mention of David's sisters and his own children, firmly embedding him within the family structure that would eventually produce the royal line. The meticulous detail underscores the Chronicler's intent to demonstrate continuity and legitimacy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely after the Babylonian exile, the genealogies in Chronicles were not merely historical archives but vital documents for the returning Jewish community. They served several critical functions: establishing tribal identity, validating claims to ancestral land, confirming the legitimacy of the priesthood, and, crucially, affirming the continuity of God's covenant promises, especially the Davidic covenant. Culturally, primogeniture—the right of succession belonging to the firstborn son—was the prevailing custom. The explicit mention of David as the "seventh" (or youngest, as implied by [1 Samuel 16:11](/1_samuel/16-11 "1 Samuel 16:11 - David, the Youngest Son")) subtly highlights God's sovereign choice, which often defies human expectations and established social norms, as seen in other biblical narratives like Jacob and Esau.

* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of 1 Chronicles 2:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Election**, demonstrating God's sovereign prerogative to choose His instruments regardless of human convention or birth order, echoing [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). Secondly, it is foundational to the **Davidic Line**, establishing the genealogical basis for the eternal covenant God made with David, promising a perpetual dynasty and kingdom ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant")). This lineage is paramount for understanding the Messiah's identity. Lastly, the verse exemplifies **Genealogical Precision**, a hallmark of Chronicles, emphasizing the importance of historical continuity and the meticulous unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific families and individuals, a precision that would culminate in the detailed genealogies of Jesus Christ found in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ozem (Hebrew, _'Oṣem'_):** This name, meaning "strength" or "power," is given to Jesse's sixth son. While his individual significance is not elaborated upon in scripture beyond his inclusion in this genealogy, his presence here serves to complete the list of Jesse's sons, setting the stage for the pivotal introduction of David. His name, though not highlighted, is part of the meticulous record-keeping that characterizes the Chronicler's work.
* **David (Hebrew, _Dawid'_):** Meaning "beloved" or "darling," this name becomes synonymous with Israel's greatest king and the progenitor of the messianic line. His simple inclusion here, without fanfare, belies the immense theological and historical weight he carries. The name itself foreshadows his relationship with God and his people, being both "beloved by God" and "beloved by his people."
* **Seventh (Hebrew, _shevi'i'_):** The ordinal number "seventh" is highly significant in biblical numerology, often associated with completeness, perfection, or divine intervention. In this context, it highlights David's position as the youngest (or at least not the eldest) among his brothers, a detail that immediately calls to mind God's unconventional choice in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing"). God's selection of the seventh son, bypassing the traditional primogeniture, underscores His sovereign freedom and that He does not choose based on human criteria.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ozem the sixth,"**: This clause simply lists Ozem as the sixth son of Jesse. His inclusion is part of the comprehensive genealogical record, ensuring that all known sons are accounted for. It establishes the numerical order leading up to David, emphasizing that David was not the firstborn, nor the second, but a later son in the sequence. This meticulous counting highlights the Chronicler's commitment to historical accuracy and the completeness of the lineage.
* **"David the seventh:"**: This is the climactic point of the verse. The simple mention of "David" carries profound weight, introducing the central figure through whom God's covenant promises would be channeled. His designation as the "seventh" son is crucial, as it immediately brings to mind the narrative in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing"), where Samuel initially overlooks David, who is out tending sheep, in favor of his older, more outwardly impressive brothers. This numerical position underscores God's counter-cultural choice, demonstrating that His selection is based on His divine will and not on human expectations or societal norms.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 2:15 is **Genealogy**. The entire chapter, and indeed the initial chapters of Chronicles, are structured as a precise listing of descendants. This is not merely a dry historical record but a theological statement, emphasizing continuity, legitimacy, and the unfolding of God's covenant promises through specific bloodlines. Within this genealogical framework, there is a subtle use of **Understatement** or **Subtlety**. The introduction of David, arguably the most significant human figure in Israel's history before Christ, is presented with stark, almost mundane simplicity ("David the seventh"). This understated presentation heightens the impact for the informed reader, who recognizes the immense future significance contained within these few words. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**. The mere mention of David's name, even in a list, immediately points forward to his future kingship, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, the building of the Temple (though completed by Solomon), and, most importantly, the eternal Davidic covenant, all of which are central themes in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 2:15, despite its brevity, serves as a crucial theological anchor, underscoring God's meticulous and sovereign involvement in human history and salvation. It reveals that God's grand plan unfolds not through random chance but through chosen individuals, meticulously recorded in the divine narrative. The selection of David, the seventh son, powerfully illustrates God's freedom to choose the humble and the unexpected, demonstrating that His criteria for leadership and blessing often defy human logic and societal norms. This divine election is not arbitrary but purposeful, laying the foundation for the Davidic covenant and the eventual arrival of the Messiah. For the post-exilic community, this verse was a potent reminder of God's enduring faithfulness to His promises, even when their current circumstances seemed bleak, offering hope rooted in their divinely ordained heritage.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant")
* [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Jesus, Son of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry genealogical entry of 1 Chronicles 2:15 holds profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grand narrative of redemption is meticulously woven through the lives of seemingly ordinary people, often those overlooked by human standards. David, the youngest and least expected, was chosen by God for an extraordinary purpose, demonstrating that God's call is based on His sovereign will and an assessment of the heart, not on outward appearance or human qualifications. This should encourage us to embrace humility, recognize God's ability to use anyone regardless of their background, and trust that even the most obscure details of our lives are known to Him and can be part of His larger, perfect plan. The precision of these records also speaks to God's faithfulness, assuring us that His promises, once made, will be meticulously fulfilled across generations, culminating in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's choice of David, the seventh son, challenge our assumptions about who God uses for His purposes?**
* **What does the meticulous nature of these genealogies teach us about God's attention to detail and His overarching plan for history?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you to trust God's sovereignty in your own life, especially when you feel overlooked or unqualified?**

### FAQ
**Why is David listed as the seventh son here, when 1 Samuel 16:10-11 implies he was the eighth?**

Answer: The apparent discrepancy between 1 Chronicles 2:15 listing David as the seventh son and 1 Samuel 16:10-11 suggesting he was the eighth (where seven older brothers pass before Samuel, and then David is brought) has been a subject of scholarly discussion. Several explanations are commonly proposed. One possibility is that one of Jesse's sons died young without issue and was therefore not included in the genealogical record of 1 Chronicles, which typically focused on those who contributed to the ongoing lineage. Another theory suggests that one son might have been omitted for other reasons, such as being disqualified or not counted for specific public purposes (e.g., military service). It's also possible that "seven" in 1 Chronicles refers to his position among those who survived and had descendants, while [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing") counts all living sons at the time of Samuel's visit. Regardless of the exact numerical reconciliation, the core theological point remains consistent and paramount: David was not the eldest or most obvious choice by human standards, emphasizing God's sovereign and unconventional election, which is the central message of both accounts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 2:15, by succinctly introducing David into the sacred lineage, serves as a foundational stone for the Christ-centered narrative of the Bible. David, the "seventh" son chosen by God, foreshadows the ultimate "Son of David," Jesus Christ. Just as David was chosen not by human merit or birth order but by divine election, so too did Jesus enter the world in a humble, unexpected manner, born in a manger rather than a palace, yet He was the divinely appointed King. The meticulous tracing of David's lineage in Chronicles points directly to the New Testament genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), both of which affirm Jesus's direct descent from David, thereby fulfilling the eternal Davidic Covenant promised in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). Jesus, the true "beloved" (the meaning of David's name), establishes a kingdom not of this world, but an eternal spiritual reign that transcends all earthly dynasties, ultimately fulfilling the promise of a perpetual throne and an everlasting kingdom through His sacrificial death and resurrection, as proclaimed in [Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29-36 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Resurrection").

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.