2 Samuel 3:3

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

And his second {H4932}, Chileab {H3609}, of Abigail {H26} the wife {H802} of Nabal {H5037} the Carmelite {H3761}; and the third {H7992}, Absalom {H53} the son {H1121} of Maacah {H4601} the daughter {H1323} of Talmai {H8526} king {H4428} of Geshur {H1650};

his second, Kil'av, whose mother was Avigayil the widow of Naval from Karmel; the third, Avshalom, whose mother was Ma'akhah the daughter of Talmai king of G'shur;

his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Commentary

2 Samuel 3:3 continues the enumeration of King David's sons born in Hebron, providing crucial details about their mothers, which often sheds light on the political and social dynamics of David's early reign.

Context of David's Sons in Hebron

This verse is part of a list (2 Samuel 3:2-5) detailing the six sons born to David during his seven-and-a-half-year reign in Hebron, before he captured Jerusalem and established it as his capital. These births signify the consolidation of David's power and the establishment of his royal household in the nascent kingdom. The naming of the mothers is significant, as it highlights the various alliances and relationships David formed, reflecting the common practice of polygamy among ancient Near Eastern monarchs.

Key Figures and Their Significance

  • Chileab: Also known as Daniel in 1 Chronicles 3:1, he is the second son mentioned. His mother is Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. Abigail was a wise and discerning woman who became David's wife after Nabal's death, preventing David from taking vengeance into his own hands. Her inclusion in David's household brought not only a capable wife but also a connection to the wealthy and influential region of Carmel.
  • Absalom: The third son listed, Absalom is arguably the most infamous of David's children, known for his beauty and ultimately for his rebellion against his father. His mother, Maacah, was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. This lineage is highly significant: Geshur was an Aramean kingdom located east of the Jordan River, and David's marriage to Maacah was likely a political alliance. This foreign connection would later play a role when Absalom fled to Geshur after murdering his half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:37) and also provided him a base for his eventual uprising against David (2 Samuel 15:1).

Linguistic Insights and Cultural Nuances

The names themselves often carried meaning. While "Chileab" (or Daniel) means "perfection of the father" or "God is my judge," "Absalom" means "father of peace." The irony of Absalom's name, given his tumultuous life and rebellion, is striking. The mention of "Carmelite" for Abigail highlights her geographical origin and the wealth associated with Carmel, a fertile region. "Geshur" signifies a foreign, yet allied, kingdom, illustrating the complex political landscape of ancient Israel.

Reflection and Application

This seemingly simple genealogical verse offers several insights. It reminds us that even great figures like David lived complex lives, often entangled in the social and political norms of their time, such as polygamy, which later led to significant strife within his family (e.g., Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom's tragic story). The origins of David's sons, particularly Absalom's foreign royal lineage, foreshadow future events and conflicts. It underscores how personal relationships and political alliances shaped the early monarchy and had lasting consequences, reminding us that God works through imperfect human families and circumstances to fulfill His purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 27:8

    ¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:1

    ¶ 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:

  • 1 Samuel 25:3

    Now the name of the man [was] Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and [she was] a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man [was] churlish and evil in his doings; and he [was] of the house of Caleb.

  • Deuteronomy 3:14

    Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

  • Joshua 13:13

    Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

  • 1 Samuel 25:42

    And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

  • 2 Samuel 13:37

    But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [David] mourned for his son every day.
← Back