Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
1 Chronicles 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
1 Chronicles 3
"Now these were the sons of David, that were born unto him in Hebron: the first-born, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;" — 1 Chronicles 3:1 (ASV)
Amnon. —For his story see 2 Samuel 13.
Of Ahinoam. —Literally, to Ahin. (1 Samuel 25:43).
The second Daniel of Abigail the Carmelitess. —Better, A second, Daniel, to Abigail, etc. Samuel adds, “wife of Nabal the Carmelite.” (See 1 Samuel 25 for her story.)
"Now these were the sons of David, that were born unto him in Hebron: the first-born, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah 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: 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;" — 1 Chronicles 3:1-4 (ASV)
I.—The sons of David. —This section is parallel to 2 Samuel 3:2–5 (compare to 1 Chronicles 3:1–4) and 2 Samuel 5:14–16 (1 Chronicles 3:5–9); compare also 1 Chronicles 14:3–7.
The six sons born in Hebron. The sons and mothers agree with those of the parallel passage in Samuel, with the one exception of the second son, who is here called Daniel, but in Samuel, Chileab. The Septuagint (2 Samuel 3:3) has Δαλουια, which may represent Hebrew Delaiah (Iah has freed), though in our 1 Chronicles 3:24 that name is spelled Δαλααια, or Δαλαια. In the present passage the Vatican Septuagint has Δαμνιήλ, the Alexandrinus Δαλουνια.
Perhaps Daniel is a corruption of Delaiah, as this name recurs in the line of David. Chileab may have had a second name (compare to Uzziah-Azariah, Mattaniah-Zedekiah), especially as Chileab appears to be a nickname, meaning “dog.” (Compare to the Latin Canidius, Caninius, as a family name.)
"the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;" — 1 Chronicles 3:2 (ASV)
Absalom. —David’s favourite and rebellious son (2 Samuel 15-19). The common Hebrew text has “to Absalom”; but a number of manuscripts and all the old versions read Absalom. Rabbi D. Kimchi gives the characteristic explanation that L-ABSHALOM alludes to LO-ABSHALOM, “not Absalom”—that is, not a “father of peace,” but a rebel.
Maachah ... Geshur. —See 1 Chronicles 2:23.
Adonijah the son of Haggith. —Who would have succeeded his father, and was put to death by Solomon (1 Kings 1, 1 Kings 2:19–25).
"the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:" — 1 Chronicles 3:3 (ASV)
Eglah (heifer) his wife. —Eglah is not marked out as principal wife of David. The expression “his wife” is added simply to balance the clause, to make up for the absence of details respecting her connections, such as are given in the case of some of the other wives. Jewish expositors have groundlessly identified Eglah with Michal, daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 18:20).
"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;" — 1 Chronicles 3:4 (ASV)
These six were born to him in Hebron. —Literally, Six were born. 2 Samuel 3:5: These were born.
And there he reigned seven years. —This notice of the time David reigned first in Hebron, the Judean capital, and then in Jerusalem over all Israel, is not found in the parallel section of Samuel; but see 2 Samuel 2:11 and 2 Samuel 5:5 for the same statements.
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