Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

First Chronicles - Chapter 3

David’s Children, Verses 1-9

David was, of course, of the tribe of Judah. Therefore his family, the princes, are named in this genealogical context. First are named the six older sons who were born in Hebron, when David reigned over Judah only, before he was anointed king of all Israel. He reigned here for seven and a half years. All of these sons who are later prominent came to a bad end. Amnon, the oldest, was a rapist of his own sister and was murdered by her full brother, Absalom (2 Samuel ch. 13).

Absalom himself wanted desperately to be king, and was unwilling to wait the death of his father, whom he seemed to despise. He precipitated a rebellion in the late years of David’s reign, which failed, and he was killed in battle by Joab, David’s captain of the host (2Samuel chs. 15-18).

Adonah sought the kingship after the death of Absalom and, as David lay on his deathbed. He wished to anticipate Solomon by getting himself crowned first. When his plans became known David had Solomon crowned, and Adonijah pretended allegiance to Solomon. When he later sought to impel himself into the royal circle around Solomon, by marrying David’s young concubine, Solomon had him executed (1 Kings 2:13-25).

None of the other three older sons of David are mentioned as of particular importance, or even by name elsewhere in the Scriptures (except, of course, in listings).

Nine sons of David are listed as having been born in Jerusalem,

after he became king of all the tribes. Of these Solomon is the most prominent. Solomon was one of four sons (perhaps the youngest) born to David and Bath-sheba (who is called Bath-shua in this passage). Nathan, the full brother of Solomon, headed a prominent family in Judah (see Zechariah 12:12) and was the Messianic line to Mary and Jesus (Lu 3:31).

David had other unnamed sons by his concubines as well as daughters. Only Tamar, the full sister of Absalom, is named of the princesses. She was a very beautiful young woman. The record reveals no further deeds of the fifteen sons of David who are named.

Solomon’s Line, Verses 10-24

The time of the kings is given next, from Solomon to the sons of Josiah, then on to the time of writing of the Chronicles. All the kings of Judah in their order are enumerated to Josiah. Four of Josiah’s sons are named, two sons of Jehoiakim, then eight sons of Jeconiah (or Jehoiachin as he is also called). These are the generations at the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and the beginning of the exile in Babylon.

The line continues through Jeconiah’s son Pedaiah and his son, Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel is the Jewish prince who returned to Jerusalem with the remnant following the seventy years captivity (Ezra 2:2). Two sons and a daughter of Zerubbabel are named, then five more said to be his sons also. His son Hananiah continued the line, after the naming of whose sons the account becomes somewhat confusing, and it is difficult to ascertain how many generations are covered (see verse 21). The line continues with Shechaniah, through Shemaiah, then Neariah, ending with Elioenai and his seven sons.

It is interesting to note that there were eighteen generations from Soloman to Jeconiah, then at least eight more to the time of the compilation of the Chronicles. The problem of definite determination again is the result of properly understanding verse 21, which may refer to as many as two or three other generations. The main purpose appears to have been to show the distinction of David’s line right on through the exile and return of the Jews.