1 Chronicles Chapter 3
The Royal Line of David and the House of Jesse
A. The Descendants of David
1. 1 Chronicles 3:1 3, The Wives of David and Their Sons
KJV Scripture
1 Chronicles 3:1 3
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, the third, Absalom the son of Maachah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith, the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital, the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.
Commentary
The chronicler now moves from the broader genealogy of Judah to the central line of the entire book, the royal line of David. Here he begins by listing the sons born to David during his early reign at Hebron, before he ruled over the united kingdom. These sons come from David’s various wives, reflecting the complex domestic life that accompanied ancient Near Eastern monarchy. Although polygamy was tolerated in Israel’s history, it was never endorsed and often produced turmoil, especially in David’s household.
a. Now these were the sons of David
The chronicler records the names of David’s wives and children with precision. David had several wives, seven of whom are mentioned in this chapter, in addition to Bathshua in verse five. Furthermore, 2 Samuel 5:13 notes that David took additional concubines in Jerusalem. Though David was a man after God’s own heart, the Scriptures do not hide his failures or the consequences that followed.
The sons born in Hebron reflect the early years of David’s kingship when he ruled only over Judah for seven and a half years. These sons later played significant roles in Israel’s history, particularly Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah, whose rivalry and rebellion brought deep sorrow into David’s reign.
i. Daniel
Daniel, the second son, is identified in 2 Samuel 3:3 as Chileab. Clarke notes that the Targum explains that Daniel was also called Chileab because he resembled his father so closely. Having two names was common in the ancient world and is seen frequently throughout Scripture.
b. Eglah
Most scholars identify Eglah as another name for Michal, the daughter of Saul. This interpretation arises from the principle that David’s primary wives bore him sons, and Michal was the most prominent wife not otherwise accounted for in the genealogies. If Eglah is indeed Michal, then the chronicler preserves her place in the royal record even though she bore no children according to 2 Samuel 6:23. Some conclude that her barrenness applied only after her confrontation with David, not necessarily prior to this event. Others suggest that Eglah was a distinct wife. The chronicler does not settle the question, but he preserves the line faithfully.
2. 1 Chronicles 3:4 9, Sons Born to David in Jerusalem
KJV Scripture
1 Chronicles 3:4 9
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. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem, Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel. Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, and Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet. These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.
Commentary
The chronicler divides David’s reign into two major periods based on location and authority.
a. And in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years
David’s reign over Judah alone lasted seven and a half years at Hebron, after which he reigned thirty three years over all Israel from Jerusalem. This transition marks the unification of the nation under one king. Jerusalem became both the political capital and the spiritual center once the Ark of the Covenant was brought there. The chronicler highlights this because Jerusalem would later become the location of the Temple, the center of worship, and the focal point of God’s dealings with His people.
b. Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four by Bathshua
David had four sons by Bathshua, the daughter of Ammiel, who is more commonly known as Bathsheba. Selman notes that Bathshua is an alternative pronunciation which may reflect a textual variation or a different spelling used in the chronicler’s era. Bathsheba’s story is well known from 2 Samuel 11 12, where David’s sin and God’s grace are both emphasized.
Solomon is listed fourth among Bathsheba’s sons. This order corresponds to the chronicler’s theological purpose rather than birth order. Solomon’s placement highlights the divine choice of Solomon as David’s successor, consistent with God’s promise in 2 Samuel 7.
c. Nathan
Nathan, another of Bathsheba’s sons, is especially important for understanding the genealogy of Christ. According to Luke 3:31, Mary the mother of Jesus descended from Nathan, not Solomon, which preserved Jesus’ lineage from the curse pronounced on Jehoiachin in Jeremiah 22:30. The chronicler includes Nathan to show that the Davidic line contained multiple legitimate branches through which God could fulfill His promise.
d. Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet
Nine additional sons were born to David in Jerusalem from his other wives. These sons did not play major roles in the biblical narrative, yet their inclusion demonstrates David’s large royal household. The chronicler is meticulous in listing all of them, showing that each child had a rightful place in the royal family and in the record of God’s dealings with Israel.
e. These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister
The chronicler concludes by noting that David had more sons by concubines whose names are not listed. David’s only daughter specifically named is Tamar, who suffered grievous abuse at the hands of her half brother Amnon. Her story in 2 Samuel 13 foreshadows the domestic tragedy that would unfold in David’s house, including Absalom’s rebellion and Adonijah’s attempt to seize the throne. Even in this genealogy the chronicler subtly reminds the reader of the consequences of David’s sins and the turmoil that followed.
B. The Royal Line of Judah After David
1. 1 Chronicles 3:10 16, The Line of David Until the Exile
KJV Scripture
1 Chronicles 3:10 16
And Solomon’s son was Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, Amon his son, and Josiah his son. And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. And the sons of Jehoiakim, Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
Commentary
The chronicler now traces the direct royal succession from Solomon through the kings of Judah until the Babylonian exile. This lineage forms the backbone of Israel’s monarchy, showing the continuity of God’s covenant with David despite the spiritual failures of many of these kings. The chronicler’s purpose is theological as well as historical. By listing every Davidic king, he affirms that God’s promise to David remained intact even when the nation fell under judgment.
a. Solomon’s son was Rehoboam
The royal line continues through Rehoboam, whose foolish decision fractured the kingdom and led to the rise of the northern tribes under Jeroboam. Yet even in Rehoboam’s failure, the line of the Messiah remained protected within the tribe of Judah.
Selman notes that all the Davidic kings are included here, with only Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, omitted. Her omission is deliberate. Athaliah was an illegitimate usurper, not a rightful heir of David. By excluding her, the chronicler emphasizes the purity and legitimacy of the Davidic line.
The kings listed include many righteous men, such as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, as well as deeply wicked rulers such as Ahaz, Manasseh in his early years, and Amon. Their varying faithfulness demonstrates the spiritual decline of Judah and underscores the need for a righteous and eternal King, fulfilled only in Jesus Christ.
i. Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum
The sons of Josiah are listed next. Josiah was Judah’s last righteous king. Selman and Payne point out that Josiah’s firstborn, Johanan, is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture and likely died before ascending to the throne.
The chronicler also lists Shallum among Josiah’s sons. In the historical books he is better known as Jehoahaz. Selman notes that the ages and reign lengths recorded in Kings differ from this genealogical structure, and therefore some scribal variations in numbers are likely.
b. The sons of Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim fathered Jeconiah, also known as Jehoiachin, and another son named Zedekiah. These kings ruled during the final years of Judah’s existence. Their decisions, particularly Jehoiakim’s rebellion against Babylon, accelerated the nation’s collapse.
The chronicler’s listing shows that though the monarchy was under judgment, the Davidic line continued.
2. 1 Chronicles 3:17 24, The Line of David After the Exile
KJV Scripture
1 Chronicles 3:17 24
And the sons of Jeconiah, Assir, Salathiel his son, Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazzar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei, and the sons of Zerubbabel, Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister, and Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechiah, and Hasadiah, and Jushabhesed. And the sons of Hananiah, Pelatiah, and Jesaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah. And the sons of Shechaniah, Shemaiah, and the sons of Shemaiah, Hattush, and Igal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six. And the sons of Neariah, Elioenai, and Hezekiah, and Azrikam, three. And the sons of Elioenai, Hodaviah, and Eliashib, and Pelaiah, and Akkub, and Johanan, and Dalaiah, and Anani, seven.
Commentary
The chronicler now turns to the descendants of Jeconiah after the exile. These names represent the continuation of the Davidic line even when Judah had no king and no throne. The royal family lived in obscurity, yet the covenant promise lived on.
a. And the sons of Jeconiah
Jeconiah, also known as Coniah or Jehoiachin, was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon. Jeremiah 22:30 pronounced a judgment on him:
“Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.”
Clarke wisely notes that this judgment did not mean Jeconiah had no children. Rather, it meant none of his descendants would prosper sitting on the throne of David in Judah. The line was preserved, but the right to rule was cut off until the coming of Christ.
Significantly, the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 includes Jeconiah, showing Christ’s legal right to the throne through Joseph. Luke’s genealogy bypasses Jeconiah by tracing Christ’s bloodline through Nathan, the son of David, through Mary. This dual genealogy fulfills both the promise to David and the curse on Jeconiah.
b. The sons of Pedaiah
Pedaiah fathered Zerubbabel, one of the most important leaders in the post exilic period. Zerubbabel led the first return of the exiles to Judah, laid the foundation of the Second Temple, and served as governor under Persian authority. Though he never sat on the throne, God used him to preserve the line and prepare the nation for the coming Messiah.
c. The sons of Zerubbabel
The chronicler lists eight sons and one daughter, Shelomith. These descendants carried the Davidic line forward at a time when Israel had no monarchy and lived under Persian rule. Their very existence demonstrated that God’s election of David’s house remained unbroken.
d. The later generations
The remainder of the genealogy traces the line through the sons of Hananiah, Rephaiah, Arnan, Obadiah, Shechaniah, Neariah, and finally Elioenai, whose seven sons conclude the genealogy.
Selman notes that these names, though largely unknown, testify to the ongoing work of God. Even in exile, God maintained His covenant and watched over the royal line. This genealogy is the chronicler’s affirmation that the promise to David was alive, even without a throne or a kingdom.
