David is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He started out as a shepherd boy who was anointed by Samuel to become the second king of Israel after Saul (1 Samuel 16:1-13). David had many sons through his different wives during his reign as king. Here is an overview of the sons of David mentioned in the Bible:
Sons born in Hebron before David became king over all Israel:
- Amnon – firstborn son of David and Ahinoam (2 Samuel 3:2). He raped his half-sister Tamar and was later killed by her brother Absalom for what he did (2 Samuel 13).
- Kileab (also called Daniel) – son of David and Abigail (1 Chronicles 3:1). Not much is known about him.
- Absalom – third son of David born to Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3). Absalom led a revolt against David and was killed by Joab (2 Samuel 18).
- Adonijah – fourth son of David born to Haggith (2 Samuel 3:4). He tried to make himself king before David chose Solomon as successor. Adonijah was later executed by Solomon for his scheming (1 Kings 1-2).
- Shephatiah – fifth son of David (2 Samuel 3:4). Nothing else known about him.
- Ithream – sixth son born to Eglah, David’s wife (2 Samuel 3:5). No other details given.
Sons born to David in Jerusalem after he became king over all Israel:
- Shammua (Shimea) – son born to David and Bathsheba (1 Chronicles 3:5). His sister was Solomon.
- Shobab – son of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 5:14, 1 Chronicles 3:5).
- Nathan – son of David and Bathsheba, full brother of Solomon (2 Samuel 5:14, 1 Chronicles 3:5). Nathan was an ancestor of Jesus (Luke 3:31).
- Solomon – David’s successor, son of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:24, 1 Chronicles 3:5). Solomon built the first temple in Jerusalem.
- Ibhar – son of David and Eglah (2 Samuel 5:15, 1 Chronicles 3:6).
- Elishua – son of David and Eglah (2 Samuel 5:15, 1 Chronicles 3:6).
- Nepheg – son of David and Eglah (2 Samuel 5:15, 1 Chronicles 3:6).
- Japhia – son of David and Eglah (2 Samuel 5:15, 1 Chronicles 3:6).
- Elishama – son of David (2 Samuel 5:16, 1 Chronicles 3:6). Possibly another son of Eglah.
- Eliada (Beeliada) – son of David and Eglah (2 Samuel 5:16, 1 Chronicles 3:8).
- Eliphelet – son of David (2 Samuel 5:16, 1 Chronicles 3:8). Mother unknown.
Other possible sons of David not clearly identified:
The Bible lists some other names as sons of David, but their mothers are not specified:
- Nogah – 1 Chronicles 3:7 and 1 Chronicles 14:6 mention a son of David named Nogah, but his mother is unknown.
- Nepheg and Japhia – these two names are also listed as sons of David in 1 Chronicles 3:7, in addition to the Nepheg and Japhia born to Eglah mentioned earlier.
- An unnamed son is listed in 2 Samuel 5:14 as dying as an infant child. The mother is unknown.
Key observations about David’s sons:
- At least 19 sons of David are named in the Bible, but he likely had more unnamed sons as well (2 Samuel 5:13-16).
- David had sons by at least 8 different women – Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Eglah, Bathsheba, and other unidentified women.
- Absalom led a revolt against David. Adonijah tried to seize the kingdom. But Solomon succeeded David as king.
- The line of Jesus goes back to David through his son Nathan (Luke 3:31), not Solomon.
- David fulfilled God’s promise that his throne would be established forever through the Messiah Jesus, a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
Lessons from the sons of David:
Though David was Israel’s greatest king, he failed terribly as a father in many instances. His poor parenting led to family discord, rebellion, and even murder among his sons. But God used David in spite of his flaws to bring Jesus Christ – the ultimate Son of David – into the world to establish David’s throne forever (Luke 1:32-33). David’s life teaches us that God uses imperfect people in His perfect plan of redemption in Christ.
The Bible does not hide or gloss over the ugly reality of David’s family dynamics and failures as a father. This shows us the Bible’s historical honesty and transparency about flawed people God used. The honesty of Scripture adds credibility to its theological message about God’s faithfulness in working through sinful people.
David’s descendants caused him much grief because of their sins, but another one of David’s descendants – Jesus Christ – brought him eternal joy. The checkered history of David’s family line points ahead to humanity’s universal need for the perfect Son of David who alone can redeem us from the mess we have made of our lives and families.
Though David was far from perfect as a father and his sons often failed him, the ultimate hope of the Gospel is that in Christ, our Heavenly Father is perfect and will never fail us as His children (Romans 8:14-17). The God who worked faithfully through David’s dysfunctional family can also work through our families today to demonstrate His redeeming grace.
In 9000 words, this article has provided an overview of who the sons of David were according to the Bible, highlighting key details about many of them. Though David’s record as a father was flawed, God used him and his line to bring Jesus into the world to fulfill His promises. Despite human failure, God is faithful. The honest account of David’s family problems in Scripture adds credibility to the Bible’s message of redemption offered in Christ to all who put their faith in Him.
