1 Chronicles 3:1-9·~1 min

The Descendants of David

David’s sons born in Hebron are listed through the years of his reign there, tying the first branch of his family to his first royal city.

T¹hese were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: ²the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; ³the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; ⁴These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.

The chapter then names David’s sons born in Jerusalem, counts them, and notes both the sons by concubines and Tamar their sister.

⁵And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: ⁶David’s other sons were Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, ⁷Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, ⁸Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet— nine in all. ⁹These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.

Section summaryThe chapter begins by naming David’s sons according to where they are born, first in Hebron and then in Jerusalem. The list presents David’s house in its breadth, including sons by different mothers and Tamar as their sister.

Role in the chapterThis opening section establishes the scope of David’s family before the chapter follows the royal line more narrowly. It sets David himself at the center, then prepares for the shift from many sons to the line of succession.