1 Chronicles 3 11

1 Chronicles 3:11 kjv

Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

1 Chronicles 3:11 nkjv

Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

1 Chronicles 3:11 niv

Jehoram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

1 Chronicles 3:11 esv

Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,

1 Chronicles 3:11 nlt

Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash,

1 Chronicles 3 verses

1 Chronicles 3 11 Meaning

This verse continues the direct patrilineal genealogy of David through his son Solomon, listing four successive kings of Judah: Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, and Jehoshaphat. It simply states the sequence of these rulers, affirming their legitimate claim to the Davidic throne through inherited succession. For the post-exilic community to whom Chronicles was addressed, this unbroken lineage provided an essential anchor for their identity and their hope in God's covenant promises concerning the enduring Davidic dynasty.

1 Chronicles 3 11 Context

First Chronicles chapter 3 details the royal line of David, commencing with his sons born in Hebron and Jerusalem, and then meticulously tracing the lineage through Solomon down to the post-exilic period. This verse, 1 Chronicles 3:11, specifically lists four direct successors to Solomon on the throne of Judah: Rehoboam, Abijah (also known as Abijam), Asa, and Jehoshaphat. This particular sequence of kings ruled during the early centuries of the divided monarchy, focusing solely on the legitimate Davidic succession in Judah and intentionally omitting the northern kingdom of Israel and its kings. For the post-exilic Jewish community, the Chronicler's primary audience, these genealogies served to affirm their continuity with ancient Israel, underscore the enduring nature of God's covenant with David, and highlight the importance of their royal, priestly, and tribal identities as they re-established their society and temple worship. The verse serves as a crucial link in demonstrating the unbroken chain of the promised Davidic line.

1 Chronicles 3 11 Word analysis

• Rehoboam (רְחַבְעָם, Rechab'am): Hebrew meaning "He who enlarges the people" or "the people have enlarged him." He was the son of Solomon. His reign famously led to the division of the united monarchy due to his harsh reply to the northern tribes' pleas for lighter burdens, as recounted in 1 Kgs 12 and 2 Chr 10. His presence here signifies the immediate continuation of the Davidic royal line after Solomon, despite the national catastrophe of the split kingdom. The Chronicler still considers him the rightful heir and king of Judah.
• his son (בְּנֽוֹ, b'nô): This phrase is repeatedly used to emphasize direct patrilineal succession. It's crucial for establishing the legitimacy of the royal line according to ancient Near Eastern dynastic principles and for underscoring the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to David regarding his offspring sitting on the throne (2 Sam 7:12-13). Its constant repetition solidifies the unbroken lineage.
• Abijah (אֲבִיָּה, 'Avîyâ): Also known as Abijam in 1 Kings 15. Hebrew meaning "My Father is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is (my) Father." He was the son of Rehoboam. Though his reign was short, he engaged in a significant war against Jeroboam I of Israel, appealing to God's covenant with David for an enduring kingdom, as narrated in 2 Chr 13.
• Asa (אָסָא, 'Asa'): Hebrew meaning "Healer" or "Physician." He was the son of Abijah. Asa was largely a reforming king, praised for removing idols and foreign worship from Judah, making him a model of faithfulness early in his reign (2 Chr 14-15). His inclusion underscores that even righteous kings were part of this flawed yet chosen lineage.
• Jehoshaphat (יְהוֹשָׁפָט, Yəhôšaphāṭ): Hebrew meaning "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh is judge." He was the son of Asa. Jehoshaphat was known for his extensive religious reforms, military strength, and the establishment of justice throughout Judah (2 Chr 17-20). Despite his many good qualities, he made some unwise alliances with the northern kingdom. His place in this lineage represents continued divine guidance and national leadership through the Davidic line.

• "Rehoboam his son, Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son": This repeated construction signifies strict genealogical continuity. In a context where claiming royal succession was vital, the phrase `his son` provides definitive proof of a legitimate claim. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant with David to establish a continuous line of kings, even amidst the moral failings and political turbulence of these individual rulers. The repetitive, rhythmic naming functions as a litany, reinforcing the unbroken succession from generation to generation and grounding the post-exilic community in their divinely ordained heritage. This meticulous naming served to counter any perceived break in the Davidic line after the exile, emphasizing that God's promises remained valid through their ancestors.

1 Chronicles 3 11 Bonus section

The Chronicler's intense focus on the Davidic lineage, particularly through the line of Judah and specifically from Solomon onwards, underscores his theological agenda: the supremacy of the Davidic dynasty, the importance of proper worship centered in Jerusalem, and the role of the temple and its priesthood. The deliberate exclusion of the kings of the northern kingdom (Israel) from this royal genealogy reinforces the idea that the true, legitimate heirs to God's promises, and the continuation of the covenant, lay exclusively with the southern kingdom of Judah, the inheritors of David's throne. This genealogy also points forward, providing a vital framework for understanding the Messianic prophecies that often emphasize the Davidic descent of the coming Redeemer.

1 Chronicles 3 11 Commentary

First Chronicles 3:11, nestled within the broader genealogies, serves primarily to underscore the direct and legitimate succession of kings from Solomon through to Jehoshaphat, maintaining the Davidic royal line in Judah. This detailed list of "son of" connections wasn't merely historical record-keeping; it was a theological declaration for the post-exilic audience of Chronicles. It confirmed that God's covenant with David for a perpetual dynasty (2 Sam 7) remained intact and operative, despite the intervening national disaster of the Babylonian exile. The consistent emphasis on "his son" in this verse asserts the unbroken chain of divinely appointed kings, thereby providing assurance of their heritage and, crucially, a foundation for hope in a future restoration led by a true Davidic king – ultimately, the Messiah. It links their present existence directly to God's ancient promises. For example, understanding this lineage highlights God's patience with rulers like Rehoboam while preserving the promised line through Asa's reforms and Jehoshaphat's leadership.