Bible Commentaries

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:

Ver. 1. Which were born unto him in Hebron.] During the time of his exile, we read not of any child he had: and so he had the less to care for.

The second, Daniel.] Alias Chileab. See 2 Samuel 3:3.

1 Chronicles 3:3 The fifth, Shephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife.

Ver. 3. By Eglah his wife.] Alias Michal, Saul’s daughter, as some hold, his first and chief wife. See 2 Samuel 3:5.

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:

Ver. 5. And Solomon, four.] Not fourth: for he was the eldest of the four, and therefore the only beloved in the sight of his mother. [Proverbs 4:3]

1 Chronicles 3:6 Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet,

Ver. 6. And Elishama, and Eliphelet.] David had two Elishama’s and two Eliphelet’s: either because by different wives, or because these two were dead before the other were born.

1 Chronicles 3:8 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine.

Ver. 8. And Elishama.] See 1 Chronicles 3:6.

1 Chronicles 3:9 [These were] all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

Ver. 9. And Tamar their sister.] She was David’s only daughter, as Dinah also was Jacob’s; whose grief therefore was the greater for the violation of them.

1 Chronicles 3:10 And Solomon’s son [was] Rehoboam, Abia his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

Ver. 10. Abia his son, Asa his son.] These Books of Chronicles pursue the genealogy and history of the kings of Judah only: and yet are more sparing in relating the sins of David and Solomon. Those things which are here set down in this chapter were chiefly written in reference to the genealogy of Christ.

1 Chronicles 3:15 And the sons of Josiah [were], the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

Ver. 15. Johanan.] Alias Jehoahaz, [2 Kings 23:30] alias Shallum. [Jeremiah 22:11] See on 2 Kings 23:31. Some think that Johanan was a distinct son from Jehoahaz: and conjecture that he was slain in battle together with his father Josiah.

1 Chronicles 3:16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.

Ver. 16. Zedekiah his son.] Not his natural son, as being his uncle, but his legal son, that is, his successor.

1 Chronicles 3:17 And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son,

Ver. 17. And the sons of Jeconiah.] Natural sons Jeconiah had, [Jeremiah 22:28] but because none of them succeeded him in the kingdom, therefore he is said to be written childless. [Jeremiah 22:30]

Assir, Salathiel his son.] Salathiel might be called Assir, that is, one in bonds; because Jeconiah begat him in his bonds. See the like, Exodus 2:22.

1 Chronicles 3:18 Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

Ver. 18. Malchiram also.] It is doubtful whether these were the sons of Jeconiah, or of Salathiel.

1 Chronicles 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.

Ver. 21. And the sons of Hananiah.] It is thought that these were the families of the blood royal, after the captivity. And some do here hence gather, that these Books of Chronicles were last written of all the Old Testament: by the Hebrews they are placed last.

1 Chronicles 3:22 And the sons of Shechaniah; Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah; Hattush, and Igeal, and Bariah, and Neariah, and Shaphat, six.

Ver. 22. Neariah, and Shaphat, six,] sc., Reckoned together with their father Shemalah.