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 concise yet profoundly significant verse within the meticulous genealogies of Judah, precisely identifies Ozem as the sixth son and David as the seventh son of Jesse. This seemingly straightforward enumeration is foundational, formally introducing the future king of Israel into the sacred lineage of the tribe of Judah, thereby establishing his rightful place within God's covenant people and subtly foreshadowing God's unconventional and sovereign choice for leadership that often defies human expectations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the extensive genealogical records that commence the book of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9). These initial chapters serve a crucial purpose for the post-exilic community, re-establishing their identity, heritage, and continuity with God's covenant promises. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 2 meticulously traces the descendants of Judah, the royal tribe, through key figures such as Hezron, Caleb, and Ram, before culminating in the household of Jesse. Verse 15 follows the listing of Jesse's other sons—Eliab, Abinadab, Shimma, Nethanel, and Raddai—and immediately precedes the mention of David's sisters and his own children. This precise placement firmly situates David within the familial structure destined to produce the royal line, underscoring the Chronicler's intent to demonstrate an unbroken and legitimate continuity from the patriarchs to the Davidic dynasty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely after the Babylonian exile (circa 450-400 BCE), the genealogies in Chronicles were far more than mere historical archives; they were vital documents for a returning and rebuilding Jewish community. Their functions were multifaceted: to solidify tribal identity, validate claims to ancestral land, confirm the legitimacy of the priesthood, and, most critically, to affirm the enduring continuity of God's covenant promises, particularly the Davidic covenant. Culturally, the principle of primogeniture—where the firstborn son held preeminent rights of inheritance and succession—was the prevailing custom in ancient Israel. The explicit mention of David as the "seventh" son (or youngest, as implied by [1 Samuel 16:11](/1_samuel/16-11 "1 Samuel 16:11 - David, the Youngest Son")) subtly but powerfully highlights God's sovereign choice, which frequently transcends and even subverts human expectations and established social norms, a pattern evident in other biblical narratives such as the selection of Jacob over Esau.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of 1 Chronicles 2:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **Divine Election**, demonstrating God's sovereign prerogative to choose His instruments regardless of human convention, birth order, or outward appearance, echoing the principle articulated in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). Secondly, it is absolutely foundational to the **Davidic Line**, establishing the precise genealogical basis for the eternal covenant God made with David, promising a perpetual dynasty and an everlasting kingdom, as detailed in [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant"). This lineage is paramount for understanding the identity and legitimacy of the Messiah. Lastly, the verse exemplifies **Genealogical Precision**, a hallmark of the Chronicler's work, which emphasizes the importance of historical continuity and the meticulous unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific families and individuals, a precision that would find its ultimate culmination in the detailed genealogies of Jesus Christ presented in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ozem (Hebrew, _ʼÔtsem'_):** From an unused root likely meaning "to be strong," this name signifies "strength" or "power." As Jesse's sixth son, Ozem's individual narrative is not developed in scripture beyond his inclusion in this genealogy. His presence here is crucial for completing the comprehensive list of Jesse's sons, meticulously setting the stage for the subsequent, pivotal introduction of David. His name, while not bearing overt theological weight in this context, is part of the precise record-keeping that defines the Chronicler's work, ensuring the completeness of the lineage.
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to love," this name signifies "beloved" or "darling." This seemingly simple name becomes inextricably linked with Israel's greatest king and the progenitor of the messianic line. His understated inclusion here, without any immediate fanfare, belies the immense theological and historical weight he carries. The name itself subtly foreshadows his unique relationship with God and his people, being both "beloved by God" and "beloved by his people."
* **Seventh (Hebrew, _shᵉbîyʻîy'_):** This ordinal number holds profound significance in biblical numerology, frequently associated with concepts of completeness, perfection, or divine intervention. In this specific context, it highlights David's position as the youngest (or at least not the eldest) among his brothers. This detail immediately calls to mind the narrative in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing"), where God's choice bypasses the traditional primogeniture, selecting the least expected. God's selection of the seventh son powerfully underscores His sovereign freedom and demonstrates that His choices are not based on human criteria or societal expectations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ozem the sixth,"**: This opening clause serves to systematically list Ozem as the sixth son born to Jesse. His inclusion is an integral part of the comprehensive genealogical record, ensuring that all known sons are meticulously accounted for. This precise enumeration 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 unwavering commitment to historical accuracy and the completeness of the divinely ordained lineage.
* **"David the seventh:"**: This is the climactic and focal point of the verse. The simple mention of "David" carries immense theological and historical weight, introducing the central figure through whom God's covenant promises would be channeled and fulfilled. His designation as the "seventh" son is critically important, 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, powerfully demonstrating that His selection is based solely on His divine will and an assessment of the heart, rather than on human expectations, physical appearance, 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 nine chapters of Chronicles, are meticulously structured as a precise listing of descendants. This is far from a dry historical record; it functions as a profound theological statement, emphasizing continuity, legitimacy, and the unfolding of God's covenant promises through specific, divinely chosen bloodlines. Within this overarching genealogical framework, there is a subtle but powerful use of **Understatement**. 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 paradoxically heightens the impact for the informed reader, who immediately recognizes the immense future significance and theological weight contained within these few, unassuming words. Furthermore, the verse employs potent **Foreshadowing**. The mere mention of David's name, even within a seemingly ordinary list, immediately points forward to his future kingship, the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital, the aspiration to build the Temple (though completed by Solomon), and, most importantly, the eternal Davidic covenant, all of which are central, interconnected themes developed extensively 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 powerfully reveals that God's grand plan of redemption unfolds not through random chance or human design, but through divinely chosen individuals, whose lives and lineages are meticulously recorded in the sacred narrative. The selection of David, the seventh son, powerfully illustrates God's freedom to choose the humble, the overlooked, and the unexpected, demonstrating that His criteria for leadership and blessing often defy human logic, societal norms, and conventional expectations. This divine election is not arbitrary but profoundly purposeful, laying the indispensable foundation for the enduring 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 a profound sense of hope rooted in their divinely ordained heritage and the certainty of God's unfolding plan.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart, Not Outward Appearance")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Enduring Davidic Covenant")
* [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ, Son of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry genealogical entry of 1 Chronicles 2:15 holds profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's grand narrative of redemption is meticulously woven through the lives of seemingly ordinary people, often those overlooked or underestimated by human standards. David, the youngest and least expected of Jesse's sons, was chosen by God for an extraordinary purpose, demonstrating unequivocally that God's call is based on His sovereign will and an assessment of the heart, rather than on outward appearance, human qualifications, or societal rank. This truth should profoundly encourage us to embrace humility, recognize God's boundless ability to use anyone regardless of their background or perceived deficiencies, and trust that even the most obscure details of our lives are known to Him and can be part of His larger, perfect, and redemptive plan. The meticulous precision of these ancient records also speaks volumes about God's unwavering faithfulness, assuring us that His promises, once made, will be meticulously fulfilled across generations, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

### 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, which lists David as the seventh son, and [1 Samuel 16:10-11](/1_samuel/16-10-11 "1 Samuel 16:10-11 - David Brought Before Samuel"), where seven older brothers pass before Samuel before David is brought, has been a subject of scholarly discussion for centuries. Several plausible explanations are commonly proposed. One possibility is that one of Jesse's sons may have 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 a son might have been omitted for other reasons, such as being disqualified or not counted for specific public purposes (e.g., military service or tribal census). It's also conceivable that "seventh" 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 present 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, powerfully emphasizing God's sovereign and unconventional election, which is the central message conveyed by both accounts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 2:15, by succinctly introducing David into the sacred lineage of Judah, serves as a foundational stone for the entire Christ-centered narrative of the Bible. David, the "seventh" son chosen by divine decree, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "Son of David," Jesus Christ. Just as David was chosen not by human merit, birth order, or outward appearance but by sovereign 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 of kings. The meticulous tracing of David's lineage in Chronicles points directly to the New Testament genealogies found 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 unequivocally 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 glorious resurrection, as powerfully proclaimed by Peter in [Acts 2:29-36](/acts/2-29-36 "Acts 2:29-36 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Resurrection of 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 Samuel 17:12

¶ Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.

1 Samuel 17:14

And David [was] the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

1 Samuel 16:10

Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

1 Samuel 16:11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.