1 Chronicles Chapters 1-4 (June 3, 2025)

Descendants of David

3:1 These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite, 2 the third, Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; 3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah; 4 six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 5 These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel; 6 then Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet, nine. 9 All these were David's sons, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar was their sister.

10 The son of Solomon was Rehoboam, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14 Amon his son, Josiah his son. 15 The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum. 16 The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; 17 and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, 18 Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah; 19 and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei; and the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister; 20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed, five. 21 The sons of Hananiah: Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, his son[a] Rephaiah, his son Arnan, his son Obadiah, his son Shecaniah. 22 The son[b] of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. And the sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six. 23 The sons of Neariah: Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam, three. 24 The sons of Elioenai: Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani, seven.

Footnotes

[a] Chronicles 3:21 Septuagint (compare Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew sons of; four times in this verse

[b] Chronicles 3:22 Hebrew sons

Summary and Structure

These chapters trace Israel’s genealogical history from Adam to the descendants of Judah, culminating in the tribes of Simeon and others. The genealogy is carefully structured not just to preserve memory, but to interpret history through the lens of God’s covenant faithfulness.

Chapter Focus

1 From Adam to Abraham and the nations, including Esau and Seir

2 Judah’s descendants, focusing on Perez, Hezron, and Caleb

3 The royal line of David, including kings and post-exilic descendants

4 Further descendants of Judah and Simeon, highlighting Jabez’s prayer

Biblical-Theological Reflections

Chapters 1–2 – God’s sovereignty over all history and his election of a covenant line

1 Chronicles begins not with Abraham but with Adam, placing Israel’s story within the context of God’s universal creation and redemptive plan. The genealogy narrows from the nations to Abraham and finally to Jacob and Judah, God’s chosen line.

1 Chronicles 1:1–4

“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. The sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

God is the Lord of all peoples. His redemptive plan begins with humanity as a whole, but moves toward a specific covenantal people.

1 Chronicles 1:34

“Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.”

From Abraham come two lines, but only one carries the covenant. Even though the descendants of Esau and Seir are named (1:35–54), they are not central to the story of redemption. God’s purposes are not limited by geography or power, but unfold according to His sovereign choice.

1 Chronicles 2:3–5

“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death. His daughter-in-law Tamar also bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.”

Even in scandal (Judah and Tamar), God’s grace prevails. Perez becomes the ancestor of David and ultimately of Christ (cf. Matthew 1:3). God's covenant continues through brokenness, not apart from it.

Chapter 3 – The royal line in exile and the persistence of promise

This chapter presents David’s sons, the kings of Judah, and the descendants born in exile. The Chronicler includes names from the darkest era of Israel’s history—the exile—to remind readers that God’s covenant with David remains unbroken.

1 Chronicles 3:17–19

“And the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah; and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. And the sons of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, and Shelomith was their sister.”

Zerubbabel, born in exile, would later lead the people in rebuilding the temple (Ezra 3:8–13). The Davidic line continues even through judgment, affirming God's promise in 2 Samuel 7:16:

“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

Chapter 4 – A Prayer in the Midst of Names: Jabez and the Cry of Faith

Amid genealogical listings comes a striking interlude—a prayer that God hears and answers. Jabez, otherwise unknown, becomes a model of spiritual faithfulness.

1 Chronicles 4:9–10

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”

The placement of this prayer in the middle of genealogies shows us that the heart that turns to God in humble dependence never goes unnoticed. Jabez teaches us to pray boldly and faithfully, trusting in the God of covenant mercy.

Applications

1) History is not random: God directs the line of redemption

The meticulous structure of these genealogies shows that God is writing history with a purpose, ultimately pointing to Christ. We are not forgotten in the vastness of time—we belong to a story written by a covenant-keeping God.

2) God’s grace works through imperfect people

The line of Judah includes scandal (Tamar), exile (Jeconiah), and obscurity (the sons of Simeon), yet God preserves and blesses. His grace is never thwarted by human sin or failure.

3) God invites us to pray boldly, like Jabez

In the midst of a long genealogy, Jabez stands out because he believed God would hear and act. His prayer reflects both humility and faith in God’s goodness. We, too, are invited to call upon the Lord in the middle of life’s obscurity, knowing He listens.