1 Chronicles 3:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 3:10 mean?

1 Chronicles 3:10 lists the direct royal descendants of Solomon, beginning with his son Rehoboam, then Abia, Asa, and Jehoshaphat. This verse is part of a genealogy that traces the line of kings from Solomon, showing the succession within the royal family of Judah.

This verse comes from a section where the writer of Chronicles is recording the family line of King David, specifically focusing on Solomon’s descendants who ruled the southern kingdom of Judah. The list helps the reader see the continuity of leadership and God’s promise to David’s family, as well as providing historical context for the later stories about these kings.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 3:10

• The word for "son" is בֵּן (ben, H1121), which simply means "son" or "descendant." In genealogies like this, it can sometimes mean a direct son or a later descendant, but here it refers to the immediate next generation.
• The names רְחַבְעָם (Rechav‘am, H7346), אֲבִיָּה (Aviyah, H29), אָסָא (Asa, H609), and יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yehoshafat, H3092) are given in their Hebrew forms. Each name has a meaning, but in this context, they are used to mark the historical individuals who were kings in Judah’s royal line.
• The use of Solomon’s name, שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlomo, H8010), at the start of the genealogy emphasizes the connection to David’s son, from whom the kingship continued.

Why 1 Chronicles 3:10 matters

• This verse helps clarify the order of succession among the kings of Judah, which can sometimes be confusing due to similar or repeated names in the Old Testament.
• By listing these names, the verse emphasizes the fulfillment of God’s promise to David that his descendants would continue to rule.
• The genealogy connects the reader to the larger story of Israel’s history, making sense of later events involving these kings and their impact on the nation.