2 Samuel 5 15

2 Samuel 5:15 kjv

Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

2 Samuel 5:15 nkjv

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

2 Samuel 5:15 niv

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

2 Samuel 5:15 esv

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

2 Samuel 5:15 nlt

Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 15 Meaning

This verse lists four of King David's sons who were born to him in Jerusalem, emphasizing the establishment and growth of his royal household after he consolidated his power and made Jerusalem his capital. It signals the burgeoning strength and divine blessing upon his lineage.

2 Samuel 5 15 Context

2 Samuel chapter 5 records pivotal moments in David's reign. It opens with the tribes of Israel anointing David as king over all Israel (v.1-5), finally uniting the kingdom under his rule. Subsequently, David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites, establishing it as his capital city and calling it the "City of David" (v.6-10). This strategic move solidifies his political and soon-to-be religious center. The chapter then highlights Hiram king of Tyre's alliance and provision of materials to build David a royal palace (v.11-12), signaling divine favor and regional recognition of David's sovereignty. Following this, verses 13-16 detail David's expansion of his household by taking more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, resulting in the birth of additional sons. Verse 15 is a specific part of this list, itemizing four of these new sons, which underscores the fertility of David's household and the stability and proliferation of his lineage in the new capital. It's a foundational step in the establishment of the enduring Davidic dynasty, which has profound theological implications for God's covenant with David.

2 Samuel 5 15 Word analysis

• Ibhar (יִבְחָר - Yibḥar):

  • Meaning: "He chooses" or "He selects."
  • Significance: This name reflects God's elective sovereignty. In the context of a king's son, it can implicitly connect to God's choice of David and his royal line. Royal names often carried aspirational or declarative meanings, highlighting divine favor or blessing.

• and Elishua (וֶאֱלִישׁוּעַ - v'Elishu'a):

  • Meaning: "My God is salvation" or "God of abundance." (Combination of 'El' meaning God and 'Yasha' meaning save or deliver, or a related root for abundance).
  • Significance: A Theophoric name, common in Israel, emphasizing dependence on and faith in God for salvation or provision. Notably, in the parallel accounts in 1 Chronicles 3:6 and 14:5, this name is listed as "Elishama," meaning "My God has heard." This variation may point to textual transmission differences or potentially indicate two distinct sons with similar names. Both reflect a foundational trust in Yahweh.

• and Nepheg (וְנֶפֶג - v'Nepheg):

  • Meaning: "Sprout," "offshoot," or "bud."
  • Significance: This name likely symbolizes growth, vitality, new life, or new beginnings. For a newly established dynasty, it conveys the flourishing and future of David's royal line, reflecting prosperity and divine blessing upon his kingdom's expansion.

• and Japhia (וְיָפִיעַ - v'Yafia):):

  • Meaning: "He shines" or "He makes bright." (From the root Yafa, to shine or be beautiful).
  • Significance: Conveys ideas of radiance, glory, prominence, or divine light. It may allude to the increasing renown and glory of David's kingdom or a wish for the son's life to bring honor. It can connect to concepts of God's presence as light.

• Words-group: "Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,"

  • Analysis: This sequential listing of names without additional commentary on the individuals serves primarily to underscore the expanding size and blessing of David's family in Jerusalem. It signals the solidification of his kingdom through numerous male heirs, fulfilling a crucial aspect of ancient Near Eastern kingship—the continuation of a stable dynastic line. The accumulation of these names contributes to the overarching theme of David's divinely sanctioned prosperity and the establishment of his house. The distinct meanings of each name collectively speak of divine favor, salvation, growth, and glory bestowed upon David's progeny.

2 Samuel 5 15 Bonus section

• The enumeration of David's sons born in Jerusalem (including those in verses 14-16) serves as textual proof of David's growing kingdom and the fulfillment of the general blessing of fruitfulness found in God's covenant promises (e.g., Gen 1:28, 17:6). It showcases that David’s rule was not only about conquest but also about the stability and expansion of his personal household, which was intertwined with the nation’s future.
• The fact that these four sons, and most of David's other sons born in Jerusalem, are not given individual narratives suggests their primary function within the biblical account is to collectively demonstrate the vigor and numerousness of David’s royal offspring, rather than individual contributions. This contrasts sharply with the extensive narratives dedicated to sons like Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, and particularly Solomon, whose roles were pivotal to David's personal life and the kingdom's trajectory. These listed sons are a testament to the divine blessing on the Davidic lineage itself.

2 Samuel 5 15 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:15 is a concise, seemingly simple record of names, yet it carries significant weight within the broader narrative of David's rise. Situated directly after David establishes his new capital in Jerusalem and expands his royal harem, this verse serves as concrete evidence of the consolidation and blessing upon his new reign. The birth of numerous sons was vital in ancient monarchies, guaranteeing the continuation of the dynastic line and symbolizing divine favor and national prosperity. Each name listed contributes to the mosaic of a burgeoning royal family, reinforcing David's legitimacy and the promise of a stable succession. While these specific sons are not individually highlighted for their deeds later in Scripture, their inclusion in this roster demonstrates that David’s house was indeed fruitful, establishing the multi-generational "seed" through which God’s covenant promise (articulated more fully in 2 Samuel 7) would ultimately be fulfilled. It reflects God’s blessing on the physical lineage that would one day lead to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, often referred to as "Son of David."