1 Chronicles 3:2
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;
Absalom is a significant figure in the narrative of King David's family. His story is detailed in 2 Samuel, where he is known for his rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom's mother, Maacah, was the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom northeast of the Sea of Galilee. This marriage likely served as a political alliance, common in ancient times to secure peace and strengthen ties between nations. Absalom's mixed heritage may have influenced his later actions and ambitions. His rebellion and tragic end are seen as a fulfillment of the consequences of David's sin with Bathsheba, as prophesied by Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:10-12).

the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith;
Adonijah, another son of David, plays a crucial role in the succession narrative of the Israelite monarchy. His mother, Haggith, is mentioned several times, but little is known about her beyond her role as Adonijah's mother. Adonijah's attempt to claim the throne is recorded in 1 Kings 1, where he declares himself king while David is still alive. This act of self-exaltation parallels Absalom's earlier rebellion and highlights the ongoing strife within David's family. Adonijah's story underscores the theme of divine sovereignty in the selection of Israel's kings, as ultimately, Solomon, not Adonijah, is chosen by God to succeed David. This narrative also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the true King from the line of David, who establishes an eternal kingdom not through human ambition but through divine appointment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Absalom
The third son of King David, known for his rebellion against his father. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. Absalom's account is a significant account in the life of David, highlighting themes of family conflict and ambition.

2. Maacah
The daughter of King Talmai of Geshur and the mother of Absalom. Her marriage to David was likely a political alliance, as Geshur was a neighboring kingdom.

3. King Talmai of Geshur
The father of Maacah and grandfather of Absalom. Geshur was a small Aramean kingdom, and Talmai's alliance with David through marriage indicates political strategy.

4. Adonijah
The fourth son of David, known for his attempt to claim the throne during David's old age. His mother was Haggith. Adonijah's account is a cautionary tale about ambition and the consequences of seeking power without divine sanction.

5. Haggith
The mother of Adonijah. Little is known about her, but her son’s actions play a significant role in the transition of power from David to Solomon.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Family Dynamics
The accounts of Absalom and Adonijah remind us of the importance of addressing family conflicts and the potential consequences of unresolved issues.

The Dangers of Ambition
Both Absalom and Adonijah's accounts serve as warnings about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of seeking God's will in our pursuits.

The Role of Divine Providence
Despite human failings and ambitions, God's purposes prevail. This is evident in the eventual establishment of Solomon as king, fulfilling God's promise to David.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The accounts of David's sons highlight the need for leaders to be guided by God's principles rather than personal ambition or political maneuvering.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the family dynamics in David's household, as seen in the lives of Absalom and Adonijah, reflect challenges we might face in our own families today?

2. In what ways can unchecked ambition lead to personal and communal downfall, as illustrated by Absalom and Adonijah's accounts?

3. How does the account of Adonijah's attempt to seize the throne challenge us to seek God's guidance in our own ambitions and plans?

4. What lessons can we learn from the political alliances in David's marriages, such as with Maacah, about the intersection of faith and politics?

5. How can we apply the principles of godly leadership, as outlined in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, to our roles in our communities and workplaces today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Samuel 13-18
These chapters provide a detailed account of Absalom's life, including his rebellion against David, which is a direct consequence of the familial tensions hinted at in 1 Chronicles 3:2.

1 Kings 1-2
These chapters describe Adonijah's attempt to usurp the throne and the subsequent establishment of Solomon as king, illustrating the fulfillment of God's promise to David regarding his lineage.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
This passage outlines the laws for kingship in Israel, providing a backdrop for understanding the political and familial dynamics in David's household.
A Family RecordJ. Parker, D. D.1 Chronicles 3:1-9
Checkered LifeW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 3:1-9
Significance of Hebrew NamesW. P. Faunce.1 Chronicles 3:1-9
The Kings of the Royal Line - David and SolomonF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 3:1-9
Genealogy of Israel's Royal HouseholdF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 3:1-24
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abia, Abigail, Abijah, Abital, Absalom, Adonijah, Ahaz, Ahaziah, Ahinoam, Akkub, Amaziah, Ammiel, Amnon, Amon, Anani, Arnan, Asa, Assir, Azariah, Azrikam, Bariah, Bathsheba, Bathshua, Berechiah, Carmelitess, Dalaiah, Daniel, David, Delaiah, Eglah, Eliada, Eliashib, Elioenai, Eliphelet, Elishama, Elishua, Haggith, Hananiah, Hasadiah, Hashubah, Hattush, Hesed, Hezekiah, Hizkiah, Hodaiah, Hodaviah, Hoshama, Ibhar, Igal, Igeal, Isaiah, Ithream, Japhia, Jecamiah, Jeconiah, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jehoshaphat, Jekamiah, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Joash, Johanan, Joram, Josiah, Jotham, Jushabhesed, Maacah, Maachah, Malchiram, Manasseh, Meshullam, Nathan, Neariah, Nedabiah, Nepheg, Nogah, Obadiah, Ohel, Pedaiah, Pelaiah, Pelatiah, Rehoboam, Rephaiah, Salathiel, Shallum, Shammua, Shaphat, Shealtiel, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shelomith, Shemaiah, Shenazar, Shephatiah, Shimea, Shimei, Shobab, Solomon, Talmai, Tamar, Zedekiah, Zerubbabel
Places
Geshur, Hebron, Jerusalem
Topics
Absalom, Ab'salom, Adonijah, Adoni'jah, Daughter, Fourth, Geshur, Haggith, Maacah, Ma'acah, Maachah, Talmai, Third
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 3:1-9

     5119   Solomon, life of

Library
Altar and Temple
'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

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 3:2 NIV
1 Chronicles 3:2 NLT
1 Chronicles 3:2 ESV
1 Chronicles 3:2 NASB
1 Chronicles 3:2 KJV

1 Chronicles 3:2 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 3:1
Top of Page
Top of Page