1 Chronicles 2:13
Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third,
Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn;

Jesse of Bethlehem stands in the line of Judah from which David and the Messiah would come. Eliab held the customary dignity of the firstborn, yet God rejected him when Samuel came to anoint Israel’s next king. His impressive appearance did not determine God’s choice, for the Lord looks upon the heart rather than outward stature (1 Samuel 16:6–7).

1Sa 16:6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said,…
1Sa 17:13 Three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle…
1Sa 17:28 Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking…

Abinadab was born second,

Abinadab also passed before Samuel but was not chosen by the Lord (1 Samuel 16:8). He later stood with Eliab and Shimea in Saul’s army during the Philistine conflict in which David defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17:13). God’s selection of David over his older brothers displayed His sovereign purpose in raising up the king after His own heart.

1Sa 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel…
1Sa 17:12 Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite…
1Sa 16:10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel,…

Shimea third,

Shimea is called Shammah in Samuel’s account (1 Samuel 16:9). The record of Jesse’s sons establishes David’s family setting and preserves the line through which God brought the promised King. Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem and known as the Son of David, fulfills the hope bound to David’s house (Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:1).

1Sa 16:9 Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said,…
1Sa 16:11 And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons”…
1Sa 17:14 And David was the youngest. The three oldest…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesse
Jesse is the father of King David and is a significant figure in the lineage of Jesus Christ. He lived in Bethlehem and is often referred to as "Jesse the Bethlehemite."

2. Eliab
Eliab is the firstborn son of Jesse. He was present when the prophet Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king, but God chose David instead.

3. Abinadab
Abinadab is the second son of Jesse. He, like Eliab, was passed over by God when Samuel was sent to anoint the next king of Israel.

4. Shimea
Shimea, also known as Shammah, is the third son of Jesse. He was also present during the anointing of David.

5. Bethlehem
The town where Jesse and his family lived. It is significant as the birthplace of both King David and Jesus Christ.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
God's selection of David over his brothers reminds us that God's criteria for leadership and service often differ from human expectations. We should seek to align our values with God's.

The Importance of Family Lineage
The genealogies in the Bible, including Jesse's family, underscore the importance of family heritage in God's redemptive plan. We should value our spiritual heritage and pass it on to future generations.

Humility in Service
Despite being overlooked initially, David's humility and faithfulness in serving God led to his anointing as king. We should serve faithfully in whatever capacity God places us, trusting in His timing.

God's Plan in Ordinary Lives
Jesse and his sons were ordinary people, yet they played a crucial role in God's plan. This encourages us to recognize that God can use our ordinary lives for extraordinary purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Jesse's sons being passed over for kingship challenge our understanding of leadership and God's criteria for choosing leaders?

2. In what ways can we see God's providence in the genealogies of the Bible, and how does this encourage us in our personal walk with God?

3. How can we apply the lesson of humility from David's anointing to our own lives and ministries today?

4. What role does family heritage play in your spiritual life, and how can you contribute to the spiritual heritage of your family?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt overlooked or undervalued. How can the account of David's anointing encourage you to trust in God's timing and purpose for your life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:1-13
This passage describes the event where Samuel anoints David as king, highlighting the rejection of Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea in favor of David.

Matthew 1:5-6
This genealogy of Jesus Christ includes Jesse and David, emphasizing the Messianic line.

Ruth 4:17-22
This genealogy traces the lineage from Perez to David, showing the providential hand of God in history.
The Character of JesseR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 2:13
The Human FamilyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 2:1-55
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abiah, Abigail, Abihail, Abijah, Abinadab, Abishai, Abishur, Achan, Achar, Achsa, Achsah, Ahban, Ahijah, Ahlai, Amasa, Amminadab, Appaim, Aram, Ardon, Asahel, Asher, Ashur, Atarah, Attai, Azariah, Azubah, Bathshua, Benjamin, Bezaleel, Boaz, Bunah, Calcol, Caleb, Carmi, Chelubai, Dan, Dara, Darda, David, Eker, Elasah, Eleasah, Eliab, Elishama, Ephah, Ephlal, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtaolites, Eshtaulites, Ethan, Gad, Gazez, Gesham, Geshem, Hamul, Haran, Hareph, Haroeh, Hazi-hammana-hethites, Helez, Heman, Hemath, Hezron, Hur, Ishi, Issachar, Ithrites, Jabez, Jada, Jahdai, Jair, Jamin, Jarha, Jehu, Jekamiah, Jerahmeel, Jerioth, Jesher, Jesse, Jether, Jithrites, Joab, Jonathan, Joseph, Jotham, Kenites, Korah, Levi, Maacah, Maachah, Maaz, Machir, Manahathites, Manahethites, Maon, Menahethites, Mesha, Mishraites, Molid, Moza, Nadab, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nathan, Nethaneel, Netophathites, Obed, Onam, Onan, Oren, Ozem, Pelet, Peleth, Perez, Pharez, Puhites, Puthites, Raddai, Raham, Rechab, Regem, Rekem, Reuben, Salma, Salmon, Segub, Seled, Shaaph, Shallum, Shammai, Sheber, Shelah, Shema, Sheshan, Sheva, Shimea, Shimeathites, Shimma, Shobab, Shobal, Shua, Shumathites, Simeon, Sisamai, Sucathites, Suchathites, Tamar, Tappuah, Tirathites, Tireathites, Tirhanah, Uri, Zabad, Zareathites, Zaza, Zebulun, Zerah, Zereathites, Zeruiah, Zimri, Zorathites, Zoreathites, Zorites, Zur
Places
Aram, Edom, Geshur, Gilead, Hammath, Havvoth-jair, Jabez, Kenath
Topics
Abinadab, Abin'adab, Begat, Begot, Eliab, Eli'ab, Firstborn, First-born, Jesse, Oldest, Shimea, Shim'ea, Shimma, Third
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 2:3

     5688   firstborn

Library
Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers.
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Chronicles 2:13 NIV
1 Chronicles 2:13 NLT
1 Chronicles 2:13 ESV
1 Chronicles 2:13 NASB
1 Chronicles 2:13 KJV

1 Chronicles 2:13 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 2:12
Top of Page
Top of Page