And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

1 CHRONICLES 2:13KJV
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1 Chronicles 2:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 2:13 mean?

1 Chronicles 2:13 lists three of Jesse’s sons by name, identifying Eliab as the firstborn, Abinadab as the second, and Shimma as the third. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing Jesse’s family line in detail.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to record the ancestry of Israel’s tribes, and here it focuses on Jesse, who is known as the father of King David. The verse simply names Jesse’s first three sons in order of birth, which helps set the stage for later verses that will mention David and his significance in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 2:13

  • "begat" (יָלַד, yalad) means to father or bring forth children. The use of this word emphasizes the direct family relationship and the line of descent.
  • "firstborn" (בְּכוֹר, bekhor) refers to the eldest son, which in ancient Israelite culture often carried special status or inheritance rights. Naming Eliab as the firstborn highlights his position in the family, even though David, the youngest, becomes the most prominent later.
  • The names "Eliab" (אֱלִיאָב, Eli’av), "Abinadab" (אֲבִינָדָב, Avinadav), and "Shimma" (שִׁמְעָא, Shimma) are preserved in Hebrew, showing the family’s heritage and connecting the genealogy to other biblical stories where these individuals appear.

Why 1 Chronicles 2:13 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the order of Jesse’s sons, which is important for understanding later stories about David and his brothers, especially in the books of Samuel.
  • By listing these names, the verse connects the genealogy of David to the larger story of Israel, showing how the royal line is rooted in a specific family.
  • The verse also reminds readers that, in the biblical narrative, prominence or blessing does not always go to the firstborn, as David, the youngest, is chosen by God for a special role.

Where else these words appear

“Shimma” Hebrew H8092 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 21:21 And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:
  • 1 Chronicles 6:39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

“Abinadab” Hebrew H41 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

“Eliab” Hebrew H446 · used in 20 verses

  • Numbers 1:9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.
  • Numbers 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
  • 1 Samuel 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
  • 1 Samuel 25:10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.