1 Chronicles 2 13

1 Chronicles 2:13 kjv

And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

1 Chronicles 2:13 nkjv

Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third,

1 Chronicles 2:13 niv

Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; the second son was Abinadab, the third Shimea,

1 Chronicles 2:13 esv

Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third,

1 Chronicles 2:13 nlt

Jesse's first son was Eliab, his second was Abinadab, his third was Shimea,

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 13 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:13 meticulously lists the initial three sons of Jesse, beginning with his firstborn, Eliab, followed by Abinadab, and then Shimma. This verse is part of a broader genealogical record tracing the lineage of Judah, precisely establishing the ancestral line of King David. It sets the stage by naming David's elder brothers, implying the continuation of Jesse's family and foreshadowing God's subsequent, unconventional choice of the youngest son for the throne.

1 Chronicles 2 13 Context

First Chronicles chapter 2 provides a detailed genealogy of the tribe of Judah, leading up to the line of King David. The book of Chronicles, written for the post-exilic community, emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant with Israel and the importance of lineage for land inheritance, temple service, and national identity. This particular verse (1 Chr 2:13) narrows the focus to Jesse, whose household becomes central to the subsequent narrative because it produced King David. The detailed naming of Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimma serves to establish the exact sequence of Jesse's sons, making the future divine choice of the youngest (David, mentioned in 1 Chr 2:14) more profound. It silently prefigures God's unexpected method of choosing leaders, not based on conventional expectations like primogeniture or impressive stature, a point clearly illustrated in 1 Samuel.

1 Chronicles 2 13 Word analysis

• and: (Hebrew: וְ־, w^e- ) - A conjunction indicating sequence and continuity. It links this phrase to the preceding lineage of Judah's descendants.

• Jesse: (Hebrew: יִשַׁי, Yishai) - A personal proper noun. His name likely means "my gift" or "wealthy." He is introduced here as the direct ancestor of David, crucial for establishing the royal line of Judah, through which the Messiah would come (Matt 1:6, Luke 3:32).

• begat: (Hebrew: יָלַד, yalad) - To beget, bear, or bring forth. This verb signifies a direct biological and paternal relationship, central to genealogical records, emphasizing legitimate descent and lineage continuity. It underpins the validity of family claims and tribal affiliations.

• his firstborn Eliab:

  • firstborn: (Hebrew: בְּכוֹר, b^ekhōr) - Denotes the son born first, typically holding significant status and rights in ancient Israelite society (Deut 21:17).
  • Eliab: (Hebrew: אֱלִיאָב, ʾEliʾav) - "My God is father." Eliab's naming first is significant, as he was naturally expected to be chosen by Samuel for kingship due to his impressive appearance. However, God famously rejected him, stating, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7), setting a critical precedent for God's selection criteria beyond human convention.

• and Abinadab:

  • Abinadab: (Hebrew: אֲבִינָדָב, ʾAvinadav) - "My father is noble" or "father of generosity." He is the second son, also presented before Samuel, but likewise not chosen (1 Sam 16:8). His presence further highlights God's choice not resting on birth order.

• the second: (Hebrew: שֵׁנִי, shēni) - Clearly defines his position as the second son in the birth order.

• and Shimma:

  • Shimma: (Hebrew: שִׁמְעָא, Shim‘aʾ) - "Report" or "fame." This name is spelled differently in other contexts (e.g., Shammah in 1 Sam 16:9, Shimeah in 2 Sam 21:21). This variation is common in Hebrew manuscripts. As the third son, he is also presented to Samuel (1 Sam 16:9) but bypassed. One of his sons, Jonathan, later kills a giant (2 Sam 21:21), showcasing valor from Jesse's wider family.

• the third: (Hebrew: שְׁלִישִׁי, shlishi) - Indicates his position as the third son born to Jesse.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Jesse begat": This phrase introduces a new, pivotal sub-lineage within Judah's tribal record, specifically linking the succeeding individuals directly to Jesse as their progenitor. This is foundational for the subsequent narrative of the Davidic dynasty.
  • "his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third": This detailed enumeration of the elder sons establishes their respective positions and birth order. The emphasis on listing the elder sons by birth order underscores the conventional expectation that a firstborn (or early born) would assume prominence, an expectation that God decisively subverts in His selection of David. It meticulously documents the early branches of Jesse's family, forming a complete record that frames David's later, extraordinary designation by God.

1 Chronicles 2 13 Bonus section

The consistent listing of Jesse's elder sons across various biblical books (1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles) despite slight orthographical variations for Shimma (Shimeah, Shammah) attests to the established nature and accuracy of these genealogies within the biblical tradition. The Chronicler's primary goal in 1 Chronicles 2, following other biblical genealogical accounts, is to demonstrate continuity of God's people and His covenant promises. For the post-exilic community reading Chronicles, these precise records reaffirmed their identity, land claims, and spiritual heritage, ensuring they understood their place in God's continuing plan which centered on the re-establishment of the Davidic line.

1 Chronicles 2 13 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:13 is a concise genealogical entry, seemingly straightforward, yet it carries significant weight within the broader biblical narrative. It acts as a deliberate transition point in the extensive lineage of Judah, bringing the focus directly to Jesse, the father of David. By listing the three elder sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimma—by their precise birth order, the Chronicler sets the stage for David's introduction in the following verse. This seemingly simple list subtly emphasizes divine sovereignty over human expectations. The initial placement of Eliab, Jesse's firstborn, inherently recalls his striking appearance and subsequent rejection by God as potential king (1 Sam 16:6-7), reminding the informed reader that God’s choice is based on the heart, not outward impressive qualities or traditional primogeniture. This verse affirms the true and verifiable lineage of David, critical for establishing the legitimacy of the Davidic monarchy, the continuity of the covenant promises, and ultimately, the anticipation of the Messiah from this very line.