David's Sons Born in Hebron
Study note
David ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years before moving his capital to Jerusalem. During that time, six sons were born to him by different wives. In ancient times, kings often had multiple wives to form alliances with other families and nations.
1 David's sons born in Hebron were as follows: His firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel. His second son was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel. 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 His third son was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, a daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. His fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith:
3 His fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. His sixth was Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
4 These six sons were all born during the seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron. After that, he reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-three more years. 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.
David's Sons Born in Jerusalem
Study note
After David moved to Jerusalem, more sons were born to him. Four sons were born to Bathsheba (here called Bath-shua), including Solomon, who would become the next king. Nine more sons are listed, and the text notes that David also had sons by other wives and a daughter named Tamar.
5 David lived in Jerusalem. Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel gave him four more sons. They were Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel:
6 David also had sons named Ibhar, Elishama, and Eliphelet. Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,
7 He also had Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia. And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
8 He also had Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet -- making nine sons in all. And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.
9 These were David's sons, not counting the sons born to his other wives. Tamar was David's daughter. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
The Kings From Solomon to the Exile
Study note
This section traces the royal line from Solomon through the kings of Judah until the Babylonian exile. Each king is listed as the son of the one before him. The line ends with Jeconiah and Zedekiah, the last kings before Babylon conquered Judah and took the people away as prisoners.
10 Here is the royal line after Solomon. First Rehoboam. Then Abijah. Then Asa. Then Jehoshaphat. And Solomon's son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,
11 Then Joram, then Ahaziah, then Joash. Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
12 Then Amaziah, then Azariah, then Jotham. Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,
13 Then Ahaz, then Hezekiah, then Manasseh. Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,
14 Then Amon, then Josiah. Amon his son, Josiah his son.
15 Josiah had four sons. Johanan was first. Jehoiakim was second. Zedekiah was third. Shallum was fourth. And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
16 Jehoiakim's sons were Jeconiah and Zedekiah. And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
The Royal Line After the Exile
Study note
Even after the exile to Babylon, the author carefully traces David's descendants. Zerubbabel, a key figure in the return from exile, appears in this list. This shows that God's promise to David about an everlasting dynasty was still being tracked. The line continues for several more generations after the return to Jerusalem.
17 Jeconiah, who was carried off as a prisoner to Babylon, had a son named Shealtiel. And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son,
18 He also had sons named Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.
19 Pedaiah's sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel had two sons, Meshullam and Hananiah, and a daughter named Shelomith. And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
20 He also had five other sons: Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed. And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, Jushab-hesed, five.
21 Hananiah's sons were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. After them came the clans of Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, and Shecaniah. And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
22 Shecaniah had a son named Shemaiah. Shemaiah had six sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat. And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
23 Neariah had three sons: Elioenai, Hezekiah, and Azrikam. And the sons of Neariah; Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three.
24 Elioenai had seven sons: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani. And the sons of Elioenai were, Hodaiah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven.