2 Samuel 3:4
New International Version
the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

New Living Translation
The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

English Standard Version
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Berean Standard Bible
his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;

King James Bible
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

New King James Version
the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

New American Standard Bible
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

NASB 1995
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

NASB 1977
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Legacy Standard Bible
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Amplified Bible
the fourth, Adonijah the son of [his wife] Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of [his wife] Abital;

Christian Standard Bible
the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the fourth was Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, son of Abital;

American Standard Version
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

English Revised Version
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith. The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.

Good News Translation
Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital;

International Standard Version
his fourth was Adonijah by Haggith, his fifth was Shephatiah by Abital,

Majority Standard Bible
his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;

NET Bible
His fourth son was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah, the son of Abitail.

New Heart English Bible
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah, of Abital;

Webster's Bible Translation
And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

World English Bible
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the fourth [is] Adonijah son of Haggith, and the fifth [is] Shephatiah son of Abital,

Young's Literal Translation
and the fourth is Adonijah son of Haggith, and the fifth is Shephatiah son of Abital,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the fourth, Adonijah, son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah, the son of Abital.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the fourth Adonias, the son of Haggith: and the fifth Saphathia the son of Abital:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. And the fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital.

New American Bible
the fourth, Adonijah, son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah, son of Abital;

New Revised Standard Version
the fourth, Adonijah son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah son of Abital;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the fourth, Adonijah, the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah, the son of Abital;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the fourth, Adunia, son of Khagith, and the fifth, Shephtia, son of Aphitala
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the fourth was Ornia, the son of Aggith, and the fifth was Saphatia, the son of Abital.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The House of David Strengthened
3his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; 4his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital; 5and his sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron.…

Cross References
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;

2 Samuel 5:14-16
These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, / Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

1 Kings 1:5-6
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

1 Chronicles 14:3-7
And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ...

1 Kings 1:9-10
And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king. / But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.

1 Kings 1:24-25
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’? / For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’

1 Kings 2:22
King Solomon answered his mother, “Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Since he is my older brother, you might as well request the kingdom for him and for Abiathar the priest and for Joab son of Zeruiah!”

1 Kings 11:1-3
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.

1 Chronicles 29:1
Then King David said to the whole assembly, “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

1 Kings 1:11-14
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ...

1 Kings 1:32-35
Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king. / “Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ ...

1 Kings 1:39-40
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” / All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

1 Chronicles 22:9-10
But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign. / He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’


Treasury of Scripture

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

Adonijah

1 Kings 1:5
Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

1 Kings 2:13-25
And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably…

Jump to Previous
Abital Abi'tal Adonijah Adoni'jah Fifth Fourth Haggith Shephatiah Shephati'ah
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Abital Abi'tal Adonijah Adoni'jah Fifth Fourth Haggith Shephatiah Shephati'ah
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith;
Adonijah, the fourth son of David, plays a significant role later in the narrative of 1 Kings. His name means "my Lord is Yahweh," which reflects the theistic culture of Israel. Adonijah's mother, Haggith, is one of David's wives, indicating the polygamous practices of the time, which were common among kings for political alliances and progeny. Adonijah's later attempt to claim the throne (1 Kings 1) parallels the earlier rebellion of his brother Absalom, highlighting the recurring theme of familial strife within David's house, as prophesied in 2 Samuel 12:10. This foreshadows the internal conflicts that would plague David's lineage, ultimately leading to the division of the kingdom.

his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;
Shephatiah, whose name means "Yahweh has judged," is less prominent in the biblical narrative, with no significant actions recorded. His mother, Abital, is another of David's wives, further illustrating the king's numerous marriages. The mention of Shephatiah and his mother serves to document the lineage and the complexity of David's family, which is crucial for understanding the succession issues that arise later. The listing of David's sons in this passage underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to David regarding his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-16), while also setting the stage for the eventual rise of Solomon, who is not mentioned here but becomes the central figure in the continuation of David's dynasty.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adonijah
The fourth son of King David, born to Haggith. Adonijah later attempted to claim the throne of Israel, which led to significant conflict within David's family.

2. Haggith
One of King David's wives and the mother of Adonijah. Her role is primarily noted in the context of her son's ambitions.

3. Shephatiah
The fifth son of King David, born to Abital. Little is known about Shephatiah beyond his mention in the genealogies.

4. Abital
Another of King David's wives, the mother of Shephatiah. Like Haggith, her significance is tied to her offspring.

5. King David
The second king of Israel, known for his complex family dynamics and the challenges that arose from his multiple marriages and children.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Polygamy
David's multiple marriages led to complex family dynamics and strife. This serves as a cautionary tale about the complications that arise from not adhering to God's design for marriage.

Ambition and Its Dangers
Adonijah's ambition to become king, despite not being chosen by God, led to conflict and division. This highlights the importance of seeking God's will rather than pursuing personal ambition.

The Importance of Parental Guidance
David's lack of intervention in his children's lives, particularly with Adonijah, underscores the need for active and godly parenting.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Despite human attempts to control outcomes, God's sovereign plan prevails, as seen in Solomon's eventual anointing as king.

Family Dynamics and Faithfulness
The account encourages believers to navigate family relationships with wisdom and faithfulness, seeking God's guidance in all interactions.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
his fourth
וְהָרְבִיעִ֖י (wə·hā·rə·ḇî·‘î)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7243: Fourth, a fourth

was Adonijah,
אֲדֹנִיָּ֣ה (’ă·ḏō·nî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 138: Adonijah -- 'my Lord is Yahweh', the name of several Israelites

the son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Haggith;
חַגִּ֑ית (ḥag·gîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2294: Haggith -- 'festal', a wife of David

his fifth
וְהַחֲמִישִׁ֖י (wə·ha·ḥă·mî·šî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 2549: Fifth, a fifth

was Shephatiah,
שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה (šə·p̄aṭ·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8203: Shephatiah -- 'Yah has judged', the name of a number of Israelites

the son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abital;
אֲבִיטָֽל׃ (’ă·ḇî·ṭāl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 37: Abital -- 'my father is (the) dew', a wife of David


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth Adonijah the son (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:3
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