1 Chronicles 3:15

KJV

And the sons of Josiah [were], the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} were, the firstborn {H1060} Johanan {H3110}, the second {H8145} Jehoiakim {H3079}, the third {H7992} Zedekiah {H6667}, the fourth {H7243} Shallum {H7967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Yoshiyahu: Yochanan the firstborn, Y'hoyakim the second, Tzedekyah the third, and Shalum the fourth.

Berean Standard Bible

The sons of Josiah: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second, Zedekiah the third, and Shallum the fourth.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Josiah: the first-born Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 3:15 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse within the meticulously preserved genealogies of the Chronicler, specifically detailing the four sons of King Josiah, Judah's last reforming monarch. This listing serves as a critical link in the unbroken royal line of David, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises even as the kingdom of Judah hurtled towards its final, devastating exile. It encapsulates a pivotal moment in Judah's history, bridging the era of independent monarchy with the impending Babylonian captivity and the subsequent post-exilic community's need to reaffirm its identity and hope in the Davidic covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the expansive genealogical records of [1 Chronicles 1-9](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles 1-9 - Genealogies of Israel"), which meticulously trace the lineage of Israel from Adam, with a particular focus on the tribe of Judah and the royal line of David. Chapter 3, specifically, is dedicated to the descendants of David, meticulously listing his sons and the subsequent kings of Judah, culminating in the post-exilic period. 1 Chronicles 3:15 appears at the very end of the list of the kings of Judah, just before the Chronicler transitions to the post-exilic Davidic line. This placement is strategic, highlighting the immediate royal family preceding the Babylonian captivity and serving as a bridge between the independent monarchy and the period of exile and return. These genealogies were vital for the post-exilic community, establishing tribal identities, land claims, priestly and Levitical descent, and, most importantly, affirming the continuity of the Davidic covenant and the enduring hope of a future Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned during a critical period in Judah's history (c. 640-609 BC), marked by his significant spiritual reforms and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, as detailed in [2 Kings 22-23](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reforms") and [2 Chronicles 34-35](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34-35 - Josiah's Reign"). His reign was a brief and glorious reprieve from the spiritual decline that characterized much of the late monarchy. However, his untimely death in battle at Megiddo ushered in a rapid succession of his sons, who largely reversed his reforms and led Judah directly into the Babylonian exile. The cultural context emphasizes the paramount importance of lineage and succession in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, where the continuity of the royal line was seen as divinely ordained. The practice of foreign powers renaming conquered kings, as seen with Josiah's sons (e.g., Eliakim to Jehoiakim by Pharaoh Necho in [2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Eliakim Renamed Jehoiakim")), underscores Judah's diminishing sovereignty and increasing subjugation to formidable empires like Egypt and Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **Continuity of the Davidic Line**, emphasizing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promise to David that his descendants would perpetually sit on the throne ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")). Even amidst the turbulent reigns of Josiah's sons and the impending exile, the Chronicler diligently records the lineage, affirming that the divine promise remained intact. Another key theme is **Divine Sovereignty in History**, demonstrating that despite human unfaithfulness, political turmoil, and national catastrophe, God orchestrates events to ensure His overarching purposes are fulfilled, including the preservation of the messianic line. The meticulous **Historical Record-Keeping** evident in this genealogy underscores the biblical emphasis on the importance of ancestry and the tangible, historical nature of God's redemptive plan, which culminates in the genealogy of Jesus Christ ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus")). This also subtly highlights the **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, as the reigns of Josiah's sons directly led to the exile, despite the divine commitment to the lineage itself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bên_ H1121):** This noun, in its plural form, refers to direct male descendants and emphasizes the progeny and continuation of the royal line through Josiah. In a genealogical context, "sons" signifies those who carry forward the family name and, in this case, the royal succession. The Chronicler's inclusion of all four sons, rather than just those who reigned, highlights his comprehensive interest in the complete biological lineage, irrespective of their political prominence or fate.
* **Firstborn (Hebrew, _bᵉkôwr_ H1060):** This term denotes the eldest son, traditionally holding a position of preeminence, inheritance rights, and primary responsibilities within the family. While Johanan is identified as the firstborn, he does not appear in the historical narratives of Kings or Chronicles as a reigning monarch. His inclusion here, therefore, emphasizes a strict birth order, highlighting the Chronicler's meticulous attention to the precise genealogical sequence.
* **Josiah (Hebrew, _Yôʼshîyâh_ H2977):** Meaning "founded of Jah" or "Yahweh supports," Josiah was a pivotal figure, a righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms in Judah. His name here serves as a crucial anchor, marking the end of the line of relatively independent kings of Judah and the beginning of the rapid decline and subjugation under his sons, setting the stage for the Babylonian exile. The contrast between his righteous reign and the unfaithfulness of his successors is implicitly poignant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Josiah [were]:"** This introductory phrase immediately connects the verse to the preceding list of Davidic kings, signaling a focus on the direct heirs of Josiah, who would be the final rulers of Judah before the exile. It establishes the immediate family unit whose actions and fates would largely seal the kingdom's destiny, despite God's overarching plan for the Davidic line.
* **"the firstborn Johanan,"** Johanan is listed as Josiah's eldest son. Despite his primogeniture, he is conspicuously absent from the historical accounts in [2 Kings](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Successors") or [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/36 "2 Chronicles 36 - Final Kings of Judah") as a reigning monarch. His inclusion here, however, underscores the Chronicler's meticulous attention to the complete genealogical record, ensuring no direct descendant is omitted from the royal line, regardless of their historical impact.
* **"the second Jehoiakim,"** Originally named Eliakim, he was renamed Jehoiakim by Pharaoh Necho after Josiah's death and installed as king ([2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Eliakim Renamed Jehoiakim")). His reign was characterized by wickedness, oppression, and rebellion against God and Babylon, leading to the first deportation of Judah to Babylon and the infamous burning of Jeremiah's prophetic scroll ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah's Scroll")).
* **"the third Zedekiah,"** Originally named Mattaniah, he was Jehoiakim's brother (and thus Josiah's son) and was installed as the last king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar ([2 Kings 24:17](/2_kings/24-17 "2 Kings 24:17 - Zedekiah Appointed King")). His reign, marked by disobedience and a failed rebellion against Babylon, led to the final, devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the full Babylonian exile ([2 Kings 25:1-10](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1-10 - Fall of Jerusalem")).
* **"the fourth Shallum."** This son is also known as Jehoahaz in [2 Kings 23:30](/2_kings/23-30 "2 Kings 23:30 - Jehoahaz Becomes King"). Although listed as the fourth by birth, he reigned briefly (three months) after Josiah's death, before Jehoiakim, but was deposed and taken captive to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho. The order in 1 Chronicles 3:15 is understood to be by birth order, not the order of succession to the throne, which was heavily influenced by foreign powers and political maneuvering.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 3:15 is **Genealogy**. This is not merely a dry list of names but a foundational literary structure throughout the Bible, emphasizing continuity, covenant, and the historical progression of God's redemptive plan. In this context, the genealogy serves to bridge the gap between the righteous King Josiah and the final, tragic kings who led Judah into exile, yet simultaneously maintains the unbroken thread of the Davidic line. There is also an implicit **Juxtaposition** between the righteous reign of Josiah, who is the subject of extensive positive commentary in the historical books, and the largely wicked and disastrous reigns of his sons, which are merely listed here but carry the immense weight of the kingdom's downfall. The **Conciseness** of the verse, a simple enumeration of names, belies the profound historical and theological weight it carries, encapsulating the final moments of the independent Davidic monarchy and setting the stage for the exile, while simultaneously affirming God's enduring covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 3:15, though a simple list of names, powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Davidic Covenant. Despite the moral failures of Josiah's sons and the subsequent national catastrophe of the Babylonian exile, the Chronicler meticulously preserves this lineage. This demonstrates that human unfaithfulness, even at the highest levels of leadership, cannot ultimately thwart divine purpose. The very act of recording these names, even those of kings who led Judah to ruin, serves as a testament to God's commitment to maintaining the royal line through which the promised Messiah would eventually come. It offers a profound theological statement: God's plan of salvation transcends and incorporates human sin and failure, always moving towards its ultimate, glorious fulfillment.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "The Davidic Covenant")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Prophecy of the Messianic King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While seemingly a "dry" list of names, 1 Chronicles 3:15 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's grand narrative of redemption is meticulously woven through the seemingly mundane details of history and individual lives. Even in periods of decline, failure, and national crisis, God remains sovereign and faithful to His promises. The preservation of this lineage, despite the unrighteousness of many of its members, testifies to God's steadfastness, providing immense hope that His purposes will prevail even when circumstances seem bleak or human leadership falters. It calls us to consider our own place within God's ongoing story, recognizing that our lives, however ordinary, contribute to His overarching plan. It also challenges us to consider the spiritual legacy we are building, not just for our immediate families, but for the generations that follow, striving to be faithful stewards of the gospel and to live in a manner that honors God's enduring faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness, evident in the preservation of this lineage despite the failures of Josiah's sons, encourage us in times of societal or personal decline?**
* **What significance do we place on our own spiritual heritage, and what kind of legacy are we building for future generations within our families and communities?**
* **In what ways do seemingly insignificant details or "dry" passages in Scripture contribute to our understanding of God's larger redemptive plan and His character?**

### FAQ
**Why does 1 Chronicles list Shallum as the fourth son when Jehoahaz (Shallum) reigned before Jehoiakim?**

Answer: The Chronicler's list in 1 Chronicles 3:15 is primarily concerned with the birth order of Josiah's sons, not necessarily their chronological order of succession to the throne. While Shallum is listed as the fourth son by birth, he is indeed the same person as Jehoahaz, who reigned briefly for three months after Josiah's death ([2 Kings 23:30-33](/2_kings/23-30 "2 Kings 23:30-33 - Jehoahaz's Reign")). He was then deposed by Pharaoh Necho, who installed Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim) as king. Jehoiakim was older than Jehoahaz/Shallum, being the second born. Zedekiah (Mattaniah), the third born, was installed later by Nebuchadnezzar. This discrepancy highlights the political instability and foreign interference that plagued Judah in its final years, where the order of succession was dictated by external powers rather than traditional primogeniture. The Chronicler's focus remains on the genealogical continuity of the Davidic line, regardless of who actually held power or for how long.

**What is the theological significance of the names of Josiah's sons in this list, given their historical outcomes?**

Answer: The names of Josiah's sons—Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum—represent the tragic final chapter of the independent Davidic monarchy before the Babylonian exile. While Josiah was a righteous king, his sons largely failed to follow in his footsteps, leading to the kingdom's downfall. Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, in particular, are remembered for their wickedness and rebellion against God and foreign powers, which directly led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Shallum (Jehoahaz) also reigned briefly and was quickly taken into exile. The inclusion of their names, even with their negative historical associations, underscores the Chronicler's commitment to recording the complete lineage, demonstrating God's faithfulness to preserve the Davidic line even through periods of profound human failure and national judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness, even within the royal family, while simultaneously affirming God's steadfast commitment to His larger redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly dry list of names in 1 Chronicles 3:15 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment as it meticulously preserves the lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would ultimately come. Despite the personal failures of Josiah's sons and the subsequent national catastrophe of the Babylonian exile, God's covenant promise to David—that his throne would be established forever ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - David's Throne Endures"))—remained unbroken. The genealogies in the New Testament, such as [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus"), explicitly trace this very line, demonstrating that even through periods of decline, judgment, and human unfaithfulness, God was faithfully working to bring forth the ultimate King. The earthly Davidic monarchy failed, culminating in the exile, but this failure paved the way for the coming of a heavenly King whose kingdom would be eternal and whose reign would be perfectly righteous. Jesus, the "seed" of David according to the flesh ([Romans 1:3](/romans/1-3 "Romans 1:3 - Jesus, Descendant of David")), is the true and eternal fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly political structures and offers salvation and eternal life to all who believe ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Kingdom of His Beloved Son"); [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

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

2 Kings 23:34

And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.