What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 3:8? Elishama – “Elishama” is listed earlier in 1 Chronicles 3:6 and again here in 3:8, showing David had two sons by that name. – 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chronicles 14:5-7 place Elishama among the sons born to David in Jerusalem, confirming the historical listing. – Re‐using a name likely means the first Elishama died young and David honored the memory by bestowing the same God-honoring name on a later son. – The repetition is not an error; it reflects real family events and underlines how seriously Scripture records David’s household. Eliada – Verse 8 adds “Eliada,” whom 1 Chronicles 14:7 calls “Beeliada.” Both references describe the same son; the shorter form here avoids the earlier cultural reference to “Baal.” – 2 Samuel 5:16 also names him, placing him alongside Elishama and Eliphelet. – The name affirms that David wanted each child’s identity tied to the Lord (“–iada” points to God’s knowledge and care). – His inclusion reminds readers that every child mattered, even when the biblical spotlight falls on Solomon. Eliphelet – Like Elishama, Eliphelet appears twice (3:6 and 3:8). 2 Samuel 5:15 and 1 Chronicles 14:5-7 also record him once, so Chronicles preserves the detail that another son later bore the same name. – Duplicate naming again fits an ancient practice of commemorating a deceased child. – The careful repetition reinforces Scripture’s reliability: the writer knew there were two different boys, not a scribal mistake. Nine in all – The phrase totals the nine sons in 1 Chronicles 3:6-8 (Ibhar, Elishama #1, Eliphelet #1, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama #2, Eliada, Eliphelet #2). – Adding the earlier four sons of Bath-shua (3:5) brings David’s Jerusalem-born sons to thirteen, harmonizing with 2 Samuel 5:14-16 and 1 Chronicles 14:4-7 once we note the two extra births and the two duplicates. – The tally underscores God’s blessing on David’s house (Psalm 127:3-5) and prepares readers for the royal line that will lead to Messiah (Matthew 1:6). summary 1 Chronicles 3:8 completes the catalog of David’s Jerusalem-born sons by naming Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet and noting that these final listings bring the secondary group to nine. The verse highlights both God’s abundant blessing on David’s family and the meticulous accuracy of Scripture: even repeated names and numerical details are preserved so we can trust the historical record and trace the promised royal lineage with confidence. |
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