2 Samuel 3 2

2 Samuel 3:2 kjv

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2 Samuel 3:2 nkjv

Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

2 Samuel 3:2 niv

Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

2 Samuel 3:2 esv

And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

2 Samuel 3:2 nlt

These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron: The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 2 Meaning

This verse explicitly states that David's sons began to be born to him while he reigned in Hebron. It specifically identifies his firstborn son from that period as Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam, from Jezreel. This marks the beginning of the growth of David's royal household in his first capital, underscoring the establishment of his dynastic line.

2 Samuel 3 2 Context

2 Samuel chapter 3 focuses on the period of civil war between the house of David (king over Judah) and the house of Saul (represented by Ish-bosheth, king over the other tribes of Israel, supported by Abner). While war raged between them, David's power steadily grew stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker. A key indicator of David's increasing strength and his consolidation of a future dynasty was the increase of his family. This verse, along with the subsequent ones (vv. 3-5), lists the six sons born to David during his approximately seven-and-a-half-year reign in Hebron. These births signify not only the growth of David's personal household but also the foundational establishment of a lineage critical for his kingdom's stability and future succession, preparing the reader for later internal family conflicts within David's royal line.

2 Samuel 3 2 Word analysis

• And unto David were sons born: The Hebrew phrase וַיִּוָּלְד֧וּ לְדָוִ֛ד בָּנִ֖ים (wa-yīvālḏū lə-dāviḏ bānīm) uses a passive verb form ("were born"), suggesting God's divine provision and the natural unfolding of David's family growth. The plural "sons" indicates the beginnings of a numerous progeny, essential for establishing a lasting dynasty.
• born in Hebron: חֶבְר֥וֹן (Ḥeḇrōwn) was David's initial capital where he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months. Hebron means "association" or "confederacy." It was a strategically important city in Judah, known from Abraham's time as a burial site for patriarchs and matriarchs (Gen 23). Its mention here emphasizes the early and legitimate period of David's reign as king over Judah, associating these foundational births with his established authority.
• and his firstborn was Amnon: וַיְהִ֥י בְכוֹר֖וֹ אַמְנֽוֹן (wa-yhī bəḵōrw Amnōn). "Firstborn" (בכור - bekhor) holds significant legal and societal rights in ancient Israel, often associated with double portion of inheritance and leadership. Amnon's designation as the firstborn carries this expectation, though his later actions will tragically subvert his status. The name Amnon likely means "faithful," "firm," or "reliable," a poignant irony given his character and actions in 2 Samuel 13.
• of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess: אֲחִינֹ֥עַם הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִֽית (ʾĂḥīnoʿam ha-Yizrəʿēlīt). Ahinoam, meaning "my brother is pleasantness," was one of David's two wives at the time he fled from Saul, indicating a marriage predating his full kingship over Israel. Her identity as "the Jezreelitess" (from Jezreel) distinguishes her from Saul's wife, also named Ahinoam. This detail highlights the tribal or geographical connections through marriage that often played a role in consolidating power in ancient Near Eastern monarchies.

2 Samuel 3 2 Bonus section

While "firstborn" traditionally conferred great privilege and the right to inheritance (birthright), biblical narratives often show this pattern subverted by divine choice (e.g., Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph's sons, David himself, and ultimately Solomon over Adonijah despite being younger). This verse introducing Amnon as the firstborn in Hebron establishes his legal claim, which will become relevant in the succession narrative, especially in his violent interactions with Absalom. The details about the mothers' origins also hint at political alliances or territorial connections David forged through marriage. Jezreel, a prominent city, suggests a connection to important northern territories, even if Ahinoam's lineage wasn't directly royal. This practice was typical in ancient kingships, strengthening a ruler's claim and reach across various regions.

2 Samuel 3 2 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:2 marks the beginning of the record of David's family expansion, a key element in solidifying his legitimate kingship. The birth of sons, especially a "firstborn" in Hebron, underscored the stability and potential continuity of his emerging dynasty at a critical time when his authority was limited to Judah amidst ongoing civil strife. While Amnon's position as the firstborn naturally marked him as the principal heir in human terms, this verse subtly foreshadows the future domestic turmoil within David's house. The practice of polygamy, while common for kings in the ancient Near East and accepted in the Old Testament, was not God's ideal (Gen 2:24) and would later prove to be a source of strife and moral failings within David's family, ultimately impacting the kingdom. Yet, even through these imperfect human arrangements, God continued to fulfill His covenant with David, bringing forth the line from which the Messiah would eventually come. This verse sets the stage for both blessing and the challenging realities of sin's effects, even in a chosen household.