2 Samuel 3 4

2 Samuel 3:4 kjv

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

2 Samuel 3:4 nkjv

the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

2 Samuel 3:4 niv

the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

2 Samuel 3:4 esv

and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

2 Samuel 3:4 nlt

The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

2 Samuel 3 verses

2 Samuel 3 4 Meaning

2 Samuel 3:4 records the names of two additional sons born to King David while he reigned in Hebron: Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, and Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital. This verse is part of a list of David's six eldest sons, born to different mothers during his seven-and-a-half-year rule in Hebron, underscoring the growth of his household and the establishment of his lineage in the early phase of his kingship over all Israel.

2 Samuel 3 4 Context

2 Samuel chapter 3 depicts a pivotal stage in David's ascendancy to the throne of all Israel. While David has been anointed king over Judah in Hebron (2 Sam 2:4), war continues between the house of David and the house of Saul, now led by Saul's son Ish-Bosheth and his formidable general, Abner. Throughout this chapter, David's house is consistently growing stronger, while Saul's house is becoming weaker (2 Sam 3:1). Within this narrative of political and military consolidation, verses 2-5 present a seemingly simple but profoundly significant list of David's six sons born during his seven and a half years in Hebron. These verses serve not merely as a genealogical record, but they highlight David's growing domestic sphere and the establishment of heirs, a crucial aspect for solidifying a dynasty in the ancient Near East. The inclusion of the mothers' names also validates the lineage and distinguishes the various lines of succession within David's nascent royal family, laying the groundwork for future events, notably the struggles for succession among these very sons.

2 Samuel 3 4 Word analysis

• and the fourth: This phrase continues the numerical listing initiated in 2 Samuel 3:2, where Amnon, Chileab, and Absalom were identified as the first three sons born to David in Hebron. The orderly numbering signifies a careful record-keeping typical for royal families to track potential heirs and establish birth order.
• Adonijah: Hebrew: אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdoniyāh). The name means "My Lord is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is Lord." It reflects a common Hebrew practice of incorporating God's name (Yah or Yahweh) into personal names, indicating devotion or a blessing invoked at birth. Significantly, Adonijah, despite his pious-sounding name, would later rebel against God's established order by attempting to seize the throne from Solomon, David's designated successor, making his name ironically discordant with his actions (1 Kgs 1:5ff). He was likely the eldest surviving son after Amnon and Absalom, making him a primary contender for the throne in later years.
• the son of Haggith: This identifies Haggith as Adonijah's mother. Her name (Hebrew: חַגִּית, Ḥaggîṯ) likely means "festal" or "feast-born," suggesting she may have been born on a festival. While Haggith herself is only mentioned as Adonijah's mother (2 Sam 3:4; 1 Kgs 1:5; 1 Kgs 2:13), the identification of the mother was crucial in polygamous households to define the specific lineage and standing of the offspring.
• and the fifth: Continues the numbered list, emphasizing that David's family was steadily growing in Hebron, marking his strengthening dynastic claim.
• Shephatiah: Hebrew: שְׁפַטְיָה (Šəfaṭyāh). The name means "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh is judge." Like Adonijah's name, it includes a form of the divine name. Shephatiah is a less prominent figure in the biblical narrative, mentioned primarily in lists of David's sons (2 Sam 3:4, 1 Chr 3:2).
• the son of Abital: This specifies Abital as Shephatiah's mother. Her name (Hebrew: אֲבִיטַל, ʼĂḇîṭal) probably means "my father is dew" or "father of dew," which could metaphorically signify "freshness" or "life-giving." She, like Haggith, is not mentioned outside of her role as mother in the lists of David's wives and their children.

• Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital: This pairing continues the pattern of listing son and mother, reinforcing the established structure of the genealogy. In a society where the legitimacy and succession of the heir were paramount, detailing both the paternal and maternal lineage was a standard practice. It differentiated children who shared the same father but had different mothers, a common occurrence in royal harems. The detailed listing underscores the patriarchal nature of society while still acknowledging the crucial role of the mother in establishing identity. This section subtly anticipates the later issues of succession and familial conflict that would plague David’s house, particularly through the ambition of Adonijah.

2 Samuel 3 4 Bonus section

The sequential listing of David's sons born in Hebron in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 serves not only as a record but also as an understated theological statement. The growth of David's family from a military leader with loyal men (chapter 2) to a monarch establishing a growing lineage reflects the divine favor on his house (2 Sam 7:12-16). Each child born added to the perceived stability and future prospects of his kingdom. The very ordinariness of this genealogical list in the midst of war and political maneuvering (the war between David and Saul's house continues in this chapter) underscores the underlying providential hand shaping David's rise. These early sons represent the embryonic stage of the Davidic dynasty, many of whom, despite their varied destinies, would play a role in the unfolding of God's covenantal plan through David's seed.

2 Samuel 3 4 Commentary

2 Samuel 3:4 provides specific details about two of King David's sons born in Hebron, Adonijah and Shephatiah, along with their respective mothers, Haggith and Abital. While seemingly a dry genealogical record, this verse is essential for understanding the foundations of David's monarchy and the dynamics of his royal household. It's part of a complete list of David's first six sons, marking the growth of his dynastic aspirations during his initial reign in Judah. The meticulous naming of both father and mother was vital in ancient Near Eastern monarchies to establish legitimate claims to inheritance and succession, especially in polygamous households where multiple sons could compete for the throne. The mention of Adonijah here sets the stage for his significant role later in 1 Kings, where he would presumptuously seek the throne against God's appointed successor, Solomon, ironically contradicting the "Yahweh is Lord" meaning of his own name. The verse subtly reflects God's blessing of David with a numerous offspring (Psa 127:3-5), fulfilling the promise of a stable house (2 Sam 7:12).