2 Samuel 5:14

KJV

And these [be] the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

KJV (with Strong's)

And these be the names {H8034} of those that were born {H3209} unto him in Jerusalem {H3389}; Shammua {H8051}, and Shobab {H7727}, and Nathan {H5416}, and Solomon {H8010},

Complete Jewish Bible

Here are the names of those born to him in Yerushalayim: Shamua, Shovav, Natan, Shlomo,

Berean Standard Bible

These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,

American Standard Version

And these are the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 5:14 marks a pivotal moment in David's reign, listing the initial sons born to him in Jerusalem, including Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. This verse, part of a larger enumeration (2 Samuel 5:14-16), signifies the consolidation of David's kingdom and the establishment of his royal household in the newly conquered capital. It underscores the stability and future of the Davidic dynasty, a lineage central to God's covenantal promises and the broader redemptive narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of David's anointing as king over all Israel ([2 Samuel 5:1-5](/2_samuel/5-1 "2 Samuel 5:1-5 - David Anointed King")), his conquest of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and its establishment as the "City of David" ([2 Samuel 5:6-10](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6-10 - David Conquers Jerusalem")). It also comes after David's alliance with Hiram of Tyre and the construction of his palace ([2 Samuel 5:11-12](/2_samuel/5-11 "2 Samuel 5:11-12 - Hiram Helps David Build")). The preceding verse, [2 Samuel 5:13](/2_samuel/5-13 "2 Samuel 5:13 - David Takes More Concubines and Wives"), explicitly states David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, setting the stage for the enumeration of his offspring. Thus, 2 Samuel 5:14 initiates a list that highlights the expansion and consolidation of David's personal and royal household, transitioning the narrative from military conquest and political establishment to dynastic continuity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the birth of many sons was crucial for the stability and continuation of a royal dynasty. Polygamy, while practiced by kings like David, was often a means to secure alliances and produce numerous heirs, ensuring a clear line of succession and preventing internal strife over the throne. The fact that these sons were born "in Jerusalem" is highly significant. Jerusalem, once a foreign stronghold, had just been transformed into the political and religious capital of Israel. The births of royal heirs within its walls cemented its status as the heart of the kingdom and symbolized the permanence and legitimacy of David's reign. These births were not merely domestic events but public affirmations of the strength and future of the Davidic monarchy.

* **Key Themes:** The names listed in this verse contribute to several overarching themes in 2 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **David's Expanding Dynasty** and the **Continuity of the Royal Line**. The proliferation of David's sons ensured the potential for succession, a vital aspect of ancient kingship, though this very expansion would later lead to internal conflicts, as seen in the narratives of Absalom and Adonijah. Secondly, the phrase "born unto him in Jerusalem" highlights the **Significance of Jerusalem** as the newly established royal and spiritual center. It underscores the city's importance as the place where God's chosen king would establish his house and from which he would rule. Finally, and most profoundly, the inclusion of **Nathan and Solomon** subtly points to the **Fulfillment of God's Covenant with David**. While the explicit covenant is detailed later in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), the growth of David's lineage here foreshadows God's promise of an enduring house and kingdom, ultimately culminating in the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yerushalayim'_):** This city, recently conquered by David from the Jebusites, becomes the new political and spiritual capital of Israel. Its mention here signifies a new phase in David's reign, moving from nomadic kingship to a settled, established monarchy. The births occurring in Jerusalem underscore the city's central role as the seat of David's power and the future home of the Temple. It symbolizes stability, divine blessing, and the consolidation of the kingdom.
* **Nathan and Solomon (Hebrew, _Natan'_ and _Shlomo'_):** These two names are profoundly significant. Nathan, meaning "He (God) has given," is notable because one of the two New Testament genealogies of Jesus traces through him ([Luke 3:31](/luke/3-31 "Luke 3:31 - Jesus' Genealogy through Nathan")), distinguishing it from the lineage through Solomon. Solomon, meaning "peaceful" or "peaceable," would succeed David as king, build the first Temple, and usher in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for Israel. Their inclusion here foreshadows their pivotal roles in the history of Israel and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [be] the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem;":** This introductory clause sets the scene, emphasizing the location of these births. The phrase "born unto him in Jerusalem" highlights the establishment of David's royal household in the new capital. It signifies a period of stability and consolidation after years of wandering and warfare. The births symbolize God's blessing on David's reign and the beginning of the dynastic promise.
* **"Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,":** This segment lists the first four of David's sons born in Jerusalem. Shammua means "heard (by God)," and Shobab means "rebellious" or "backturning," though their individual roles in the biblical narrative are minor. The profound significance lies with Nathan and Solomon. Their names, as discussed in the Key Word Analysis, carry immense theological weight, pointing towards the future of the Davidic dynasty and its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah. This listing is a factual record but also a prophetic hint at the unfolding of God's plan through David's lineage.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Samuel 5:14 is **Enumeration**, the listing of names. This straightforward cataloging serves to provide a factual record of David's expanding family, emphasizing the growth and stability of his household in Jerusalem. Beyond simple enumeration, there is subtle **Foreshadowing**, particularly with the inclusion of Nathan and Solomon. Their names, seemingly just part of a list, carry immense future significance, hinting at their pivotal roles in the continuation of the Davidic line and, ultimately, the lineage of the Messiah. The phrase "born unto him in Jerusalem" also functions as **Symbolism**, where the act of birth in the new capital symbolizes the establishment and permanence of David's kingdom and the divine blessing upon his reign. The very existence of these heirs is a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness to His covenantal promises to David.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple list of names in 2 Samuel 5:14 is deeply interwoven with the grand theological narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. The births of these sons, particularly Nathan and Solomon, are not merely biographical details but tangible evidence of God's promise to build David "a house" (a dynasty) that would endure forever. This verse sets the stage for the explicit Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7, where God promises that David's throne would be established forever and that his descendant would build a house for God's name. The continuity of David's lineage, highlighted by these births, becomes the vehicle through which God's redemptive plan would unfold, ultimately leading to the Messiah.

* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David")
* [Psalm 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "God's Promise to David's Seed")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Prophecy of the Messiah's Eternal Reign")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The listing of David's sons in 2 Samuel 5:14, though brief, offers profound insights for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that God works through generations, weaving individual lives into His grand tapestry of history and salvation. Just as God was meticulous in establishing David's physical lineage for His eternal purposes, He is equally attentive to the details of our lives and the legacies we build. This verse invites us to consider the importance of family, not just as a biological unit, but as a sphere where God's purposes can be nurtured and passed down. It calls us to faithfulness in our own "households," whether biological or spiritual, recognizing that our actions and choices can have generational impact. Moreover, the stability symbolized by these births in Jerusalem encourages us to seek and build upon foundations that are rooted in God's promises, trusting that He will establish what He has purposed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "legacy" in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of your own life's purpose and impact?**
* **In what ways do you see God working through generations in your own family or community, similar to how He worked through David's lineage?**
* **What "foundations" (spiritual, relational, vocational) are you building in your life that you hope will endure and bless future generations?**

### FAQ

**Why are only four sons listed here when 2 Samuel 5:15-16 lists more?**

Answer: 2 Samuel 5:14 begins the list of sons born to David in Jerusalem, specifically mentioning Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. The full list of sons born in Jerusalem continues into [2 Samuel 5:15-16](/2_samuel/5-15 "2 Samuel 5:15-16 - More Sons Born to David in Jerusalem"), which adds Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. This verse simply serves as the introduction to that comprehensive enumeration, highlighting the initial and perhaps most prominent births at the outset of David's established reign in the new capital.

**What is the specific significance of Nathan and Solomon being mentioned together in this list?**

Answer: The mention of Nathan and Solomon together is highly significant due to their distinct yet interconnected roles in the Davidic line and, ultimately, in the Messianic lineage. Solomon was the son who succeeded David as king and built the First Temple, fulfilling a key aspect of the Davidic Covenant ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - Solomon to Build the Temple")). Nathan, while not a king, is crucial because the Gospel of Luke traces Jesus' genealogy through Nathan, one of David's sons, rather than through Solomon ([Luke 3:31](/luke/3-31 "Luke 3:31 - Jesus' Genealogy through Nathan")). This highlights the dual lines of descent for Jesus, satisfying both the royal line (through Joseph, via Solomon in Matthew) and the biological line (through Mary, via Nathan in Luke), affirming His full claim as the promised Messiah from David's house.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Samuel 5:14, with its seemingly simple list of names, is a foundational stone in the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan, ultimately finding its Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus. The births of David's sons in Jerusalem, particularly Nathan and Solomon, are direct precursors to the coming of the Messiah. God's covenant with David promised an enduring house and kingdom ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), and this verse shows the tangible beginnings of that promise. Jesus Christ is repeatedly identified as the "Son of David" ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). While Matthew's Gospel traces Jesus' legal lineage through Solomon, the royal heir ([Matthew 1:6-7](/matthew/1-6 "Matthew 1:6-7 - Solomon in Jesus' Genealogy")), Luke's Gospel traces His physical lineage through Nathan ([Luke 3:31](/luke/3-31 "Luke 3:31 - Jesus' Genealogy through Nathan")), another son listed here. This dual lineage ensures that Jesus fulfills every aspect of the Davidic covenant, being both the rightful King and the true descendant. He is the ultimate "peaceful" one, greater than Solomon, who brings true and lasting peace ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Prince of Peace")). The establishment of David's house in Jerusalem foreshadows Christ's eternal reign from the heavenly Jerusalem, where He sits on the throne of His father David, ruling over an everlasting kingdom that will have no end ([Revelation 22:16](/revelation/22-16 "Revelation 22:16 - Jesus, the Root and Offspring of David")).

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 Chronicles 3:5

And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:

1 Chronicles 3:9

[These were] all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

2 Samuel 12:24

And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

2 Samuel 12:25

And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

2 Samuel 12:1

¶ And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2 Samuel 12:7

And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

Luke 2:31

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;