📖WEB · 1 Chronicles 2:13
What does 1 Chronicles 2:13 mean?
"and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,"
— 1 Chronicles 2:13 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, prince of the children of Judah;
and Nahshon became the father of Salma, and Salma became the father of Boaz,
and Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse;
and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimea the third,
Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;
and their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah: Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three.
Explanation
This verse is part of a genealogical record found in 1 Chronicles chapter 2, which traces the lineage of Judah's tribe down to the family of Jesse, the father of King David. In plain language, it simply states that Jesse had a firstborn son named Eliab, a second son named Abinadab, and a third son named Shimea (elsewhere called Shammah). It is a straightforward historical record, listing sons in birth order, with no additional commentary or narrative attached to this particular verse.
The book of 1 Chronicles was likely written after the Babylonian exile, compiled by a writer (traditionally associated with Ezra) for the Jewish community that had returned to the land. Its purpose was to remind the people of their identity, their covenant history, and especially the legitimacy of David's royal line and the temple worship associated with it. Long genealogies like this one served a very practical function in that setting: they established tribal identity, land rights, priestly and royal legitimacy, and continuity with Israel's past despite the trauma of exile. By carefully recording Jesse's sons, the Chronicler is setting the stage for the emergence of David, who appears later in the chapter as Jesse's seventh son (2:15).
Theologically, this verse is significant not for what it says on its own, but for its place in the larger story. It shows that David—God
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