1 Chronicles 3

1 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 3

Sons of David

        • NLT Illustrated Study Bible explains, “The genealogy of David continues the genealogy of Ram (2:10-17), which included David as the seventh son of Jesse (2:15). David’s genealogy is divided into three sections: David’s sons (3:1-9); the kings of Judah down to Jehoiachin and Zedekiah (3:10-16), who were exiled to Babylon; and the descendants of Jehoiachin down to the time of the Chronicler (3:17-23).”

      • These were David’s sons who were born to him in Hebron:

          • HCSB notes, “David first ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months before coming to power over all Israel (2 Sam 5:5). Because of his desire to emphasize Israel’s unity, the Chronicler did not mention this early period of David’s reign again.”

        • The firstborn was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.

      • The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail from Carmel.

          • Guzik cites Clarke regarding the son listed here as “Daniel,” “In 2 Samuel 3:3, this person is called Chileab; he probably had two names. The Targum says, ‘The second, Daniel, who was also called Chileab, because he was in every respect like to his father.’”

        • The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maakah. She was the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

        • NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible remarks, “Diplomatic marriages were common in the ancient Near East to form alliances between states. During David’s reign in Hebron, Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth had set up a rival kingdom. Centered in Mahanaim in Transjordan, his kingdom included Gilead. An alliance of David with the king of Geshur to the north of Gilead made sound strategic sense, since the war could potentially then be fought on two fronts. If, however, the marriage took place after Ish-Bosheth’s two-year reign was over, it would have aided the consolidation of the kingdom and the pacification of one of Israel’s close neighbors. The land of Geshur can be fixed with a high degree of confidence in the Golan between Mount Hermon on the north, Bashan on the east, and Gilead on the south. The Amarna letters mention a ‘Land of Garu’ (EA 256), a large tract of territory covering the most fertile part of the Golan Heights, identical with Biblical Geshur. The difference between the names can be explained by the scribal omission of a cuneiform sign on the part of the Amarna scribe.”

      • The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.

        • The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

        • The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was David’s wife Eglah.

        • These six were born to David in Hebron, where he ruled for 7 years and six months.

      • David ruled for 33 years in Jerusalem. These were the sons born to him in Jerusalem:

        • Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. The mother of these four was Bathsheba, who was Ammiel’s daughter.

        • A few textual notes on this verse:

          • First, the Masoretic text lists “Shammua” rather than “Shimea.” NET Bible’s text critical notes say, “Shimea” (…shimʿaʾ) is a variant spelling of ‘Shammua’ (…shammuaʿ; see 2 Sam 5:14). Some English versions use the spelling ‘Shammua’ here (e.g., NIV, NCV).”

          • Second, the Masoretic has “Bathshua” as the mother of these four rather than “Bathsheba.” The reasons why this is problematic are obvious- we know that Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba. NET Bible’s text critical notes documents the discrepancy:

          • “Most Hebrew mss read “Bathshua” here, but 2 Sam 12:24 makes it clear Bathsheba was Solomon’s mother. “Bathsheba” is read by one Hebrew ms and the Vulgate. Many English translations (e.g., NAB, NIV, NLT) render the name “Bathsheba” to avoid confusion.”

            • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges is representative of the solution for the majority of commentaries when they say that Bathshua is just an alternative pronunciation of Bathsheba, “[Bathshua] is a slight variation in pronunciation (with a consequent variation in meaning) of Bath-sheba.”

            • There are other difficulties with this solution. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that this is the only place where Bathsheba is said to have any sons other than Solomon. HCSB adds that Solomon seems also to be listed here as the youngest son of Bathsheba, which is even more difficult. If she did have other sons with David, they should be younger than Solomon, “In ancient Israel, birthright (succession to the throne, in this case) and the position of the firstborn were not always synonymous. It is possible that the list was not in birth order, but if so, it would be highly unusual.”

            • Third, if “Bathshua” is indeed an alternate spelling of “Bathsheba,” then there is an issue with the father of Bathsheba listed in the Masoretic text. NET Bible’s text critical notes explain:

            • “In 2 Sam 11:3 Bathsheba is called ‘the daughter of Eliam,’ while here her father’s name is given as ‘Ammiel.’”

            • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges writes, “[the daughter of Ammiel] of Eliam (perhaps a by-form of Ammiel) in 2 Samuel 11:3. An Eliam son of Ahithophel, David’s counsellor, is mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:34; Bath-sheba may therefore have been grand-daughter to Ahithophel. Notice that the Chronicler does not call Bath-sheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite; he nowhere refers to David’s great sin.”

          • Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers offers this reconciliation, “Ammiel and Eliam are transposed forms of the same name, meaning “El is a tribesman” (‘am=gens, el = deus). (Comp. Ahaziah and Jehoahaz, Nethaniah and Jehonathan, and many similar transpositions.) So in Gr. Theodoros and Dorotheos, Philotheos and Theophilos exist side by side.”

        • David’s other nine sons were: Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

        • We have more textual issues with names here. Most Hebrew manuscripts list 2 sons with the name “Elishama” (vv 6 and 8) and 2 sons with the name Eliphelet (vv. 6 and 8). NET Bible’s text critical notes explain:

          • “All but two Hebrew mss read ‘Elishama’ here, but 1 Chr 14:5 lists the name as ‘Elishua,’ and is followed by a number of English versions here (e.g., NAB, NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT). Another son named ‘Elishama’ is listed in 3:8.”

          • “The MT reads ‘Eliphelet’ here, but 1 Chr 14:5 lists the name as ‘Elpelet’ and is followed by some English versions here (e.g., TEV, NLT). Another son named ‘Eliphelet’ is listed in 3:8. “

        • These were all David’s sons, not counting the sons of his concubines. Tamar was their sister.

        • ESV Study Bible writes, “The Chronicler’s narrative omits discussion of the troubles that beset David’s family in later years (2 Samuel 13-19; 1 Kings 1), but mention here of Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, and Tamar implies that the reader is expected to be familiar with these accounts.”

Judah’s Kings

        • For verses 10-16, ESV Study Bible notes, “The complete Davidic line down to the exile is given here, following the spelling used in Kings (Azariah is a variant of ‘Uzziah,’ 2 Chronicles 26). The pattern in altered in 1 Chron 3:15-16 because Josiah was succeeded by three of his sons, but not according to their birth order: Shallum, (throne name: Jehoahaz), replaced by Jehoiakim (succeeded by his own son, Jeconiah [a variant of ‘Jehoiachin’]), the Zedekiah, the last king of Judah.”

      • Solomon’s son was Rehoboam.

      • Rehoboam’s son was Abijah.

      • Abijah’s son was Asa.

      • Asa’s son was Jehoshaphat.

      • Jehoshaphat’s son was Jehoram.

      • Jehoram’s son was Ahaziah.

      • Ahaziah’s son was Joash.

      • Joash’s son was Amaziah.

        • Amaziah’s son was Azariah.

        • Azariah’s son was Jotham.

        • Jotham’s son was Ahaz.

        • Ahaz’s son was Hezekiah.

        • Hezekiah’s son was Manasseh.

        • Manasseh’s son was Amon.

        • Amon’s son was Josiah.

        • Josiah’s sons: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim was the second, Zedekiah was the third, and Shallum was the fourth.

        • Guzik points out, citing Selman, that, “Selman on Shallum, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah: ‘The information here cannot be reconciled with what is said about their ages in 2 Kings 23:31, 26; 24:18, and it is easiest to assume some scribal error in connection with the numbers.’”

        • “The firstborn Johanan…never ascended the throne of his fathers. He may have died early. He is not to be identified with Jehoahaz, who was two years younger than Jehoiakim (2Kings 23:31; 2Kings 23:36), and therefore could not have been the firstborn of Josiah.

          • *** As a side note: Did Johanan die early? A gentleman by the name of Nathan Hoffman has put forth a fascinating theory concerning Johanan that actually solves a very serious objection put forth by Bible skeptics which involves the genealogy of Jesus given in Matthew 1. More specifically, it is a Jewish argument against Jesus as a legitimate heir of David based on what is known as the “curse of Jeconiah” which is explained in Jeremiah 22:28-30. Could there be 2 Jeconiah’s? One that was cursed and one that was not? Could this son of Josiah named Johanon here in Chronicles actually be the son of Josiah named Jeconiah in Matthew 1:11? The link to his video, “The Curse of Jeconiah” is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4v1UEZb3Z0&list=PL6P6ysO2XSKIcu–7aV8fB_78JrTKL_aI&index=6&t=0s

          • “The third Zedekiah.—Zedekiah was much younger than Shallum. Shallum was twenty-three when he came to the throne, which he occupied eleven years. Zedekiah succeeded him at the age of twenty-one (2Kings 23:31; 2Kings 24:18). The order of 1Chronicles 3:15 is not wholly determined by seniority any more than by the actual succession. If age were considered, the order would be Jehoiakim, Shallum, Zedekiah; if the actual succession, it would be, Shallum, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah. The order of the text may have been influenced by the two considerations—(1) That Jehoiakim and Zedekiah each enjoyed a reign of eleven years, while Shallum reigned only three months; (2) That Shallum and Zedekiah were full brothers, both being sons of Hamutal, whereas Jehoiakim was born of another of Josiah’s wives, viz., Zebudah.”

        • Jehoiakim’s successors: His son Jehoiachin, and Jehoiachin’s son Zedekiah.

David’s Line After the Exile

        • On verses 17-24 ESV Study Bible notes, “Although the monarchy ceased to function as a political fact with the fall of Jerusalem (586 BC), the continuation of David’s line after the exile still testified to God’s promise of an enduring ‘house’ for him, through which God’s kingdom would be eternally established (17:10b, 14). Zerubbabel played a central role in the restoration of the temple (Ezra 5:2; Hag 1:12-15). Possibly Ezra 3:2, which calls Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, implies an adoption or levirate marriage…It is unclear from 1 Chron 3:21 whether this list runs for six generations or more into the postexilic period, but in either case it appears to extend down to, or close to, the Chronicler’s own day. The preservation of the Davidic line in the family of Elioenai (v. 24) should inspire trust among the postexilic community in God’s ancient promises, although no particular individual is identified here as David’s successor. The Chronicler holds to the ancient messianic hope focused on the house of David, but does not specify how or through whom it will be fulfilled.”

      • The sons of Jehoiachin the captive: Shealtiel, Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

        • NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible writes, “The presence of Jehoiachin and five of his sons (seven are mentioned here) in Babylon was established beyond doubt by the discovery of four ration lists, one of which dates from the 13th year of Nebuchadnezzar (i.e., the 6th year of Jehoiachin’s captivity…) If Jehoiachin was only 18 when he became king, his sons must have been very young at this point…Of the names given in the list [the entire list comprising all Jehoiachin’s descendants from verses 17-24), only two are mentioned elsewhere: Zerubbabel (v. 19) was one of the initial returnees, while Hattush (v. 22) returned with Ezra (Ezr 8:2). Given Ezra’s efforts to ensure that all classes of officiators were present with him so that the temple could function effectively, it is possible that a ‘son of David’ was included so that, should an opportunity arise, the monarchy could be restored. The seven generations listed here show the preservation of the Davidic line down to the end of the fifth or the beginning of the fourth century BC. Given that Hattush himself returned from Babylon, it is probable that the majority of the individuals listed here resided in Babylon.”

      • The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei.

        • This appears to contradict multiple passages including Hag 1:1, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 5:2, and Matthew 1:12, which say that Zurubbabel was Shealtiel’s son rather than Pedaiah’s son. According to this text, Shealtiel would be Zerubbabel’s uncle, not his father. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers proposes a possible reconciliation, “If Zerubbabel, for reasons unknown, became adopted son and heir of Shealtiel, his uncle, the seemingly discordant statements of the different passages before us are all reconciled; while that of our text is the more exact.” The site Defending Inerrancy hypothesizes that, “Although the Bible does not record the death of Pedaiah, it is reasonable to assume that he died shortly after Shimei was born, and Shealtiel, the oldest of the sons of Jeconiah, adopted Zerubbabel as his own son.”

        • If you watched Hoffman’s video above, then you know that according to his theory the texts are correct as written- he lays out a very compelling case that there were 2 Zerubbabels. One that was the son of Shealtiel and one that was the son of Pedaiah. So, the lineage of Shealtiel that Haggai, Ezra, and Matthew refer to is a different lineage than the lineage of Pedaiah referred to here in Chronicles 3.

      • The sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam, and Hananiah. Sheromith was their sister. His five other sons were: Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab Hesed.

        • On Zerubbabel’s sons, ESV Study Bible remarks, “Matthew 1:13 and Luke 3:27 both trace Jesus’ descent from David through other sons of Zerubbabel than those mentioned here. Apparently they were using other historical records than those preserved in 1 Chronicles.” (Again, this doesn’t take Hoffman’s theory into consideration.)

      • The descendants of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah, and of Shekaniah.

        • Different manuscript traditions disagree on the rendering of this verse (v. 21). The result is a massive discrepancy in the number of generations this verse covers. This in turn has impact on the dating for the entire book:

          • NLT Illustrated Study Bible says, “In Hebrew, all the names are listed as ‘the sons’ of Hananiah, all in one generation. However, many ancient manuscripts and translations support viewing the list as covering several generations (as in the NLT) by translating ‘sons of’ (Hebrew beney, four times) as ‘son of’ (Hebrew beno). The resulting genealogy extends several generations from the time of Zerubbabel and his son Hananiah.”

        • In their introduction to the book of Chronicles, HCSB writes, “First Chronicles 3:19-24 records Zerubbabel’s descendants for two (not, as it might appear, four) generations.” They add, “…since Zerubbabel can be dated to around 520 BC, this means Chroncles was compiled around 400 BC or slightly later.”

        • Pulpit Commentary offers this extensive discussion, “The Hebrew text, followed by the Vulgate, not followed by the Septuagint, reads here…Yet some manuscripts have the plural ‘sons,’ from which comes our Authorized Version. The indication is important. It is doubly interesting, as the only indication in our Hebrew text that tends to give confirmation to the very noteworthy differences of the Septuagint Version. For although this last, apparently somewhat perversely, begins its version with ‘sons,’ which plural does not so well suit its sequel, instead of the ‘son’ of our Hebrew text, which would suit it, yet it proceeds with a translation which must have been obtained from another text, such text again suiting properly the singular – ‘son’ – of our Hebrew. The form of its translation is analogous to that marked in the words of vers. 10-14. ‘The sons [sic son] of Ananiah, Pelatiah, and Jesaiah his son, Rephaiah his son, Arnan his son, Obadiah his son, Shechaniah his son,’ making six (presumably) consecutive generations. This, therefore, is the reading which (if correct) might carry down the genealogy to the times of Alexander the Great, and indeed to a time a quarter of a century later. And in doing so, it would certify this entry as of later date than probably any other of the canon! If we reject this position and reading, we have to get over the term, repeated several times, the sons of. To do this, Bertheau suggests that the intention of our passage was, from the name Rephaiah inclusive, not to mention the individual four brothers’ names, but to mention them as four distinguished families among the posterity of David – an attempt at explanation certainly not satisfactory. The conclusion of the matter is, that in this twenty-first verse we have difficulties in either alternative, not satisfactorily explained. Either we have the names in all of six brothers, being ‘sons of Hananiah’ – the last four of whom are styled, not by their individual names, but as heads of families; or we have six lineal descendants from Hananiah. If this last supposition were correct, calculate a royal succession at the lowest average (say something under twenty years), and the genealogy, including what follows in the remaining verses of the chapter, will bring us, as above, to a date that covers the whole life of Alexander the Great.”

      • The descendants of Shekaniah: Shemaiah and his sons: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat- six in all.

      • The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam- three in all.

      • The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani- seven in all.

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