2 Samuel 5:16

And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

And Elishama {H476}, and Eliada {H450}, and Eliphalet {H467}.

Elishama, Elyada and Elifelet.

Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Commentary

2 Samuel 5:16 is a brief but significant verse, concluding a list of King David's sons born to him in Jerusalem. These names โ€” Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet โ€” are part of the detailed biblical record establishing David's growing household and the foundation of his royal dynasty.

Context of David's Reign

This verse is situated within the narrative of David's consolidation of power. After being anointed king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3) and capturing Jerusalem to make it his capital (2 Samuel 5:7), the text shifts to detailing his family. Verses 2 Samuel 5:13-15 introduce other sons born in Jerusalem, and verse 16 completes this specific list. This enumeration underscores the stability and prosperity of David's early reign in Jerusalem, a period of significant growth for the kingdom.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Dynastic Establishment: The primary significance of this list, including Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphalet, is the establishment and continuation of David's royal line. This was crucial for the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to David, where his house and kingdom would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:16).
  • Divine Blessing: In ancient Israel, a large family was often seen as a tangible sign of God's favor and blessing. The numerous sons born to King David reflect the divine hand on his reign and his household.
  • Biblical Genealogy: The meticulous recording of names and lineages, common throughout the Old Testament, highlights the importance of family and ancestry, particularly in tracing the Messianic line that would eventually lead to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1).

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves often carried meaning, reflecting the hopes or circumstances of the parents, or attributes of God:

  • Elishama (ืึฑืœึดื™ืฉึธืืžึธืข): Means "My God has heard" or "God has heard."
  • Eliada (ืึถืœึฐื™ึธื“ึธืข): Means "God knows" or "God is knowing." This name is also found as Beeliada in the parallel passage of 1 Chronicles 14:7, indicating a textual variation or an alternative name.
  • Eliphalet (ืึฑืœึดื™ืคึธืœึถื˜): Means "God is deliverance" or "God is escape." This name also appears with slightly different spellings in other lists of David's sons, such as 1 Chronicles 3:6 and 1 Chronicles 14:5.

These names collectively speak to a trust in or acknowledgment of God's character and providence within David's family.

Practical Application and Reflection

While a simple list of names, this verse reminds us that God works through specific individuals and their families throughout history. It underscores the precision of biblical record-keeping, ensuring that the lineage through which God's promises would be fulfilled was clearly documented. For the modern reader, it highlights that even seemingly minor details in Scripture contribute to the grand narrative of God's faithfulness and His unfolding plan of salvation, culminating in the Messiah from the line of David.

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

Cross-References