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1 Chronicles 3

1 Chronicles 3 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Chronicles 3 lists the family line of David, then follows the royal descendants through Solomon and beyond the exile. The chapter is mostly a record of names, but it shows how the line of kings continued through changing times and national loss.

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What happens in 1 Chronicles 3?

The chapter begins with David's sons born in Hebron and Jerusalem, including Solomon. It then traces the royal line from Solomon through the kings of Judah, from Rehoboam to Josiah and his sons. After the exile, the record continues through Jeconiah and his descendants, ending with the line that includes Zerubbabel and later family members. The chapter presents a careful family history, linking David's house to later generations and showing that the royal line was not forgotten even after Judah's downfall.

This chapter sits in the opening genealogies of 1 Chronicles, where the writer turns from earlier family records to the house of David. It follows the line of Judah and prepares for the focus on Israel's kingship, temple life, and restoration after exile.

Themes to notice

  • David's houseThe chapter records the sons and descendants of David to show the continuity of his family line.
  • Judah's kingsThe genealogy follows the royal line from Solomon through the kings who ruled in Jerusalem.
  • Post-exile hopeThe later names keep the line alive after the exile and point to restoration rather than ending.

Questions for 1 Chronicles 3

  • Why does the writer give so much space to family records in this chapter?
  • What does this chapter show about the continuity of David's royal line?
  • How do the names after the exile encourage faith in God's ongoing purposes?

Read the full text of 1 Chronicles 3 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Chronicles 3

The Descendants of David

1These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron:

The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel;

the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel;

2the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;

3the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital;

and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah.

4These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.

And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

5and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem:

Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.

6David’s other sons were Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,

7Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,8Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet—nine in all.

9These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.

The Descendants of Solomon

10Solomon’s son was Rehoboam:

Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son,

11Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,12Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son,13Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,14Amon his son, and Josiah his son.

15The sons of Josiah:

Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second, Zedekiah the third, and Shallum the fourth.

16The successors of Jehoiakim:

Jeconiah his son, and Zedekiah.

The Royal Line After the Exile

17The descendants of Jeconiah the captive:

Shealtiel his son,

18Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.

19The sons of Pedaiah:

Zerubbabel and Shimei.

The children of Zerubbabel:

Meshullam and Hananiah, their sister Shelomith,

20and five others: Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-hesed.

21The descendants of Hananiah:

Pelatiah, Jeshaiah, and the sons of Rephaiah, of Arnan, of Obadiah, and of Shecaniah.

22The six descendants of Shecaniah were Shemaiah and his sons:

Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat.

23The sons of Neariah:

Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam—three in all.

24The sons of Elioenai:

Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven in all.

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