1 Chronicles 3 4

1 Chronicles 3:4 kjv

These 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 nkjv

These six were born to him in Hebron. There he reigned seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years.

1 Chronicles 3:4 niv

These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

1 Chronicles 3:4 esv

six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 3:4 nlt

These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven and a half years. Then David reigned another thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 3 verses

1 Chronicles 3 4 Meaning

This verse provides specific historical details about King David's reign and family. It lists the six sons born to David during his initial period of rule in Hebron, specifying that he reigned there for seven years and six months. It then states that he subsequently reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-three years, totaling the significant periods of his kingship in these two pivotal cities. The verse functions as a factual genealogical and historical record within the chronicler's account of Israel's royal lineage.

1 Chronicles 3 4 Context

1 Chronicles 3 opens with a meticulous listing of King David's sons, segmenting them by their place of birth. Verse 4 specifically transitions from merely listing the sons to providing critical details about the duration of David's kingship in the two foundational cities of his reign: Hebron and Jerusalem. Hebron, a revered ancient city, served as David's first capital after the death of King Saul, where he was crowned king over the tribe of Judah. His subsequent capture of Jerusalem from the Jebusites transformed it into the political and spiritual heart of the unified kingdom of Israel. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, emphasizes David's legitimate reign and lineage, crucial for re-establishing identity and hope based on God's covenant with David. The detailed years highlight the Chronicler's commitment to historical accuracy and his intention to portray a comprehensive, reliable account of God's sovereign hand in establishing the Davidic dynasty.

1 Chronicles 3 4 Word analysis

• these six: Refers back to the six sons enumerated in 1 Chronicles 3:1-3: Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream. The precision ("six") confirms a complete set born during that specific period. It emphasizes the foundational stage of David's dynasty and the importance of documenting legitimate heirs from his first royal establishment.

• were born to him: The Hebrew "yullědû lo" (יֻלְּדוּ־לֽוֹ) indicates a passive voice, "were begotten to him." This phrase emphasizes their status as direct, legitimate offspring of David. In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the recording of a king's sons, especially firstborns, was vital for succession planning and legitimizing the royal line.

• in Hebron: The Hebrew "be-ḥevrôn" (בְּחֶבְרוֹן). Hebron (meaning "association" or "confederacy") was a significant ancient city in the hill country of Judah, approximately 19 miles south of Jerusalem. It held deep historical roots, notably as the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob. Spiritually and politically, it was where David was anointed king by the men of Judah (2 Sam 2:4) and where he first established his reign over Judah for seven and a half years before uniting all Israel. Its selection by God for Abraham's burial signifies its early covenant importance, tying David's beginning there to the historical faithfulness of God.

• where he reigned seven years and six months: The Hebrew "wâyimloch sham shavaʿ shanim wāchātsi" (וַיִּמְלֹךְ שָׁם שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וָחֵצִי). This precise duration emphasizes the methodical transition of David's rule. Seven years and six months (half a year) is a specific time indicating David's deliberate consolidation of power in Judah before expanding his control over the northern tribes. It reflects a factual record rather than a symbolic rounding of numbers often found in some biblical narratives, testifying to the meticulous historical documentation the Chronicler had access to or recorded. This period culminates in him being acknowledged as king over all Israel in Hebron (2 Sam 5:3).

• and in Jerusalem: The Hebrew "ûvi-Yerûshālāyim" (וּבִֽירוּשָׁלַ֫yִם). Jerusalem (meaning possibly "foundation of Shalem" or "city of peace") became David's ultimate capital. This marked a strategic and symbolic move:

  • Strategic: It was a neutral city, belonging neither to Judah nor Israel, minimizing tribal rivalries. Its strong natural defenses were also crucial.
  • Symbolic: By conquering it and moving the Ark of the Covenant there, David transformed Jerusalem into both the political and spiritual center of the unified Israel, often called the "City of David." This transition was key to the establishment of the permanent Davidic dynasty and God's dwelling among His people.

• he reigned thirty-three years: The Hebrew "shloshim wĕshalosh shanim malak" (שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים מָלָךְ). This period represents the bulk of David's kingship, spent consolidating the nation, fighting wars, establishing the royal administration, and planning the temple. When combined with the Hebron period, it totals 40 years and 6 months (often rounded to 40 years in other contexts, e.g., 2 Sam 5:4, 1 Kin 2:11). Forty years is a common biblical number representing a full generation or a significant period of testing, reign, or wandering, suggesting the completeness and full extent of David's monumental kingship.

1 Chronicles 3 4 Bonus section

The sum of David's reign years (7.5 in Hebron + 33 in Jerusalem = 40.5 years) is often rounded to "forty years" in other biblical accounts (2 Sam 5:4, 1 Kin 2:11), a common numerical approximation for a generation or a complete period of rule. This rounding illustrates that while the Chronicler meticulously provides exact details for historical accuracy, the broader narrative can use round numbers to signify completeness. The Chronicler's primary theological goal is often seen as presenting a history from the divine perspective, emphasizing God's covenant with David and the sanctity of the Jerusalem temple worship, to offer hope and direction to the community rebuilding after the Babylonian exile. The very presence of such detailed genealogies served as an anchor for identity and a reminder of God's promises in their post-exilic world.

1 Chronicles 3 4 Commentary

1 Chronicles 3:4 provides vital chronological and genealogical data regarding King David's reign, underscoring the shift in his royal seat from Hebron to Jerusalem. The careful enumeration of the six sons born in Hebron confirms the early establishment of his family line while he was king over Judah, validating his heirs. The precise timeline of seven and a half years in Hebron speaks to David's initial consolidation of power in his tribal land. The subsequent thirty-three years in Jerusalem mark his longer, decisive rule over all Israel from the newly captured, centralized capital. This focus by the Chronicler emphasizes the legitimacy, continuity, and completeness of the Davidic dynasty, serving to reassure the post-exilic community of the enduring nature of God's covenant with David and his house, pointing forward to the ultimate, eternal king from this very line.