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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 3 verses 1–9
1 ¶ Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
2 The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
3 The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
4 These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:
6 Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9 These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
We had an account of David's sons, Sa2 3:2, etc., and Sa2 5:14, etc. 1. He had many sons; and no doubt wrote as he thought, Psa 127:5. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of these arrows. 2. Some of them were a grief to him, as Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah; and we do not read of any of them that imitated his piety or devotion except Solomon, and he came far short of it. 3. One of them, which Bath-sheba bore to him, he called Nathan, probably in honour of Nathan the prophet, who reproved him for his sin in that matter and was instrumental to bring him to repentance. It seems he loved him the better for it as long as he lived. It is wisdom to esteem those our best friends that deal faithfully with us. From this son of David our Lord Jesus descended, as appears Luk 3:31. 4. Here are two Elishamas, and two Eliphelets, Ch1 3:6, Ch1 3:8. Probably the two former were dead, and therefore David called two more by their names, which he would not have done if there had been any ill omen in this practice as some fancy. 5. David had many concubines; but their children are not named, as not worthy of the honour (Ch1 3:9), the rather because the concubines had dealt treacherously with David in the affair of Absalom. 6. Of all David's sons Solomon was chosen to succeed him, perhaps not for any personal merits (his wisdom was God's gift), but so, Father, because it seemed good unto thee.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON FIRST CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The Chronicles also speak about the tabernacle because a temple of the Lord had not yet been built by either Samuel or David. The text also adds that that the holy services were held in the tabernacle. Worship was observed at that time according to the number of the days of the week. For it also says, “and their kindred who were in their villages were obliged to come in every seven days, in turn, to be with them.” With regard to the holy utensils it says, “Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the choice flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.” And about the priests it says, “Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices.” With regard to the tomb of Saul the Chronicles gives us much information, and in the Book of Kings itself we read that his bones were gathered and buried in the land of Jabesh.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
There is abundant information in the books of Chronicles which were written to continue the books of the Kings and to preserve the memory of such important events. The first book begins with a genealogy that sets out to demonstrate how the human race came from a single man. Since it focuses only on the single kingdom of Judah, it can tell us about its cities and the villages, and from where they took their names. Here we come to know Nathan, from whom the blessed Luke constructed the beginning of his genealogy of our Lord and Savior, Son of David and Solomon’s brother4 on his mother’s side: “The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimeah, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, that is, the four children he fathered with Bersabea, daughter of Ammiel.” And Rechab6 herself, who is mentioned in many books of Scripture, is said to have come from the tribe of Judah.It also clearly explains why Reuben lost his birthright and Joseph gained it and also, finally, the reason why the tribe of Judah obtained the highest honor: “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph.” It also explains the reason why such a great honor was conceded to Joseph. By the will of God Judah had the dignity of receiving the Lord who was born from him according to the flesh. This is the sense tacitly expressed with the words “a leader from him.” Indeed the passage seems to assert that not only the kings of the earth derived from Judah, but also the eternal king himself who had no beginning and will never end.
It also describes the situation of the tribes beyond the Jordan, those of Reuben and Gad, and even the tribes of Manasseh which later were received into those of the Hagarites and the Itureans, and talks about the tribes of the Naphiseans, and all those peoples who entered into conflict with them. In addition the text relates how they fought and won, and made the Hagarites flee. And it also reports the reason for the victory: “When they received help against them, the Hagarites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.” It also describes the amount of the spoils of war: “They captured their livestock: 50, of their camels, 250, sheep, 2, donkeys and 100, captives. Many were slain because the war was from God. And they lived in their territory until the exile.”
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
QUESTIONS ON 1 CHRONICLES, PROLOGUE
The genealogy of the priests and the Levites comes after this. It relates that Zadok, who was high priest at the time of David, had been the eleventh from Aaron; that Azariah, nephew of Zadok, had been the first to receive the priestly anointing in the temple built by Solomon. Among them there was also Jehozadak, who was brought to Babylon as a war prisoner. Jesus9 was his son, a high priest as well, who delivered the people from bondage together with Zerubbabel, and built a temple for the Lord. Here we also learn that Korah, who revolted against the great Moses, was a nephew of Isaar, son of Caath and brother of Amram, Aaron’s and Moses’ father. According to this lineage he was related to the first legislator. But he himself paid in the desert for his errors, although his children did not share the punishment of their father. From here Samuel13 came and then Aeman, who intoned Psalms and was a nephew of the prophet Samuel. In fact he was the son of Joel, son of Samuel. On the other hand, Asaph, one of the singers, came from the lineage of Gerson, son of Levi and brother of Caath. Aetham, who also belonged to the group of the singers, had Merari, the third son of Levi, as great-grandfather.The text also explains the difference between the priests and the Levites. It relates that the Levites were initiated into all the ministries of the holy altar of God: “But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, doing all the work of the most holy place, to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.” It seems to me, in fact, that this book was written after the return from Babylon. For this reason it also talks about the bondage and explains its cause: “So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to live again in their possessions in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.” These accounts show that the book was begun after the captivity. Indeed no historian ever relates facts that happened afterwards, but what happened before or during his times. And actually only the prophets have the power to foretell the future. In addition it says that also those who had inhabited that land before them had been enslaved. And actually many of them still live with them: the Canaanites, Chettites, Jebusites, who had been their companions in such a misfortune. Also the priests and the Levites were brought into captivity with the Israelites. I believe that those who were called “the saints’ servants” were then called Nathinim. Many of them, in fact, consecrated themselves to the ministries of the priests and the Levites. There were among them also those who were entrusted with the carrying of the water, the gathering of wood and other necessary duties. Indeed, if it was imposed to the Gabaonites, who were foreigners, to follow Joshua in the praises and to perform some works as porters or carpenters, this task was even more the duty of the Israelites. As a proof of this I have found in the interpretation of Hebrew names that this name means “house of Iaō,” that is, “of the God who is.” The text, in fact, mentions the children of Israel and among them Judah and Benjamin, and Ephraim18 and Manasseh. It also mentions the priests and the Levites, who inhabited those cities. About the Korēnites it says that they derived from Korah. It also says that among them there had been the guardians of the temple of God as well, and it seems that this custom had been introduced by Samuel and David. “All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and the prophet Samuel established them in their office of trust. So they and their descendants were in charge of the gates of the house of the Lord, that is, the house of the tent, as guards. The gatekeepers were on the four sides, east, west, north, and south.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 3:8 concludes a specific enumeration of King David's sons born to him in Jerusalem, meticulously listing Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, and summing the total to nine. This verse is an integral part of the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles, serving to precisely document the lineage of David, thereby affirming the legitimacy of the Davidic dynasty and establishing the historical framework for God's covenant promises concerning his royal line and the ultimate Messiah.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 3:8, and indeed in the broader genealogical sections of 1 Chronicles, is Genealogy itself, functioning as a structured narrative. The Chronicler employs Enumeration and Listing to meticulously record the lineage, providing a precise count ("nine") to emphasize completeness and accuracy. The names themselves, such as Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, are examples of Theophoric Names, which incorporate a divine element (El, meaning God), subtly embedding theological statements about God's character and involvement within the very identity of David's descendants. This repetitive naming convention highlights the importance of divine connection within the royal line. The overall effect of these devices is to establish a sense of historical continuity and divine purpose, grounding the narrative in a verifiable past and pointing towards a future fulfillment of God's promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 3:8, though a seemingly dry list of names, is profoundly theological. It underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His faithfulness in preserving the lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. The very act of recording these names and their precise number demonstrates that God's promises are not abstract but are anchored in concrete historical realities and specific individuals. This verse contributes to the overarching theme of the Davidic Covenant, showing the proliferation of David's house as a testament to God's blessing and commitment to establish his kingdom forever. It reminds us that even in the seemingly mundane aspects of life, God is at work, orchestrating events and preserving lines for His ultimate purposes, culminating in the Messiah.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While a simple enumeration of names, 1 Chronicles 3:8 invites us to reflect on the profound significance of God's faithfulness and His intricate involvement in human history. It reminds us that every detail, every individual, and every generation plays a part in God's grand narrative. Just as God meticulously preserved David's lineage for His redemptive purposes, He is intimately involved in the details of our lives, orchestrating circumstances and relationships for His glory. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when parts of it seem obscure or merely "listed." It challenges us to see our own lives and family histories as part of a larger divine story, recognizing that our heritage, while not defining our worth, connects us to a legacy of God's faithfulness. Ultimately, it points us to the enduring promise of a King who would come from this very line, whose reign is eternal and whose kingdom will never end.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are there variations in the names of David's sons when compared to other biblical accounts (e.g., 2 Samuel 5:14-16)?
Answer: Variations in biblical genealogies are common and can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, ancient Hebrew names often had multiple forms or spellings, or individuals might have been known by different names at various points in their lives. Secondly, some variations might arise from scribal transmission over centuries, where minor errors or different textual traditions emerged. Thirdly, the purpose of each list could differ; for example, one list might focus on sons who survived to adulthood, while another might include those who died young. In the case of 1 Chronicles 3:6-8 and 2 Samuel 5:14-16, the Chronicler's list is generally more comprehensive, and names like Elishama and Eliphelet appear twice, possibly indicating different sons with the same name or a textual nuance that has been preserved. The overall intent, however, remains consistent: to establish the legitimate lineage of David and his descendants.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 3:8, a seemingly dry genealogical entry, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The meticulous preservation of David's lineage, culminating in the precise count of his sons, serves as a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His Davidic Covenant, promising an eternal throne and kingdom through David's descendant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Every name listed, including Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, forms a vital link in the chain that ultimately leads to the Messiah. The New Testament genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 confirm that Jesus is indeed the "Son of David," the rightful heir to the throne, fulfilling centuries of prophecy. Thus, this verse, far from being an isolated historical detail, is a foundational piece in the grand narrative of redemption, underscoring God's sovereign plan to bring forth the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), from the very lineage so carefully recorded in the Old Testament.