1 Chronicles 3: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Chronicles 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Six sons are born to David in Hebron. Each is named with his mother: Amnon of Ahinoam, Daniel of Abigail, Absalom of Maacah, Adonijah of Haggith, Shephatiah of Abital and Ithream of Eglah. David reigns there seven years and six months. Then he reigns thirty-three years in Jerusalem (vv. 1-4). In Jerusalem Bathshua bears him four sons, among them Nathan and Solomon. Nine more sons follow. The sons of the concubines are set apart, and Tamar is named as their sister (vv. 5-9).

Key verse

“Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess;”
1 Chronicles 3:1 (WEB)

Outline

1 Chronicles 3:1–4 David's Sons Born in Hebron
1 Chronicles 3:5–9 Sons Born in Jerusalem
1 Chronicles 3:10–14 Genealogy of the Kings
1 Chronicles 3:15–24 Further Descendants of Josiah

Discussion questions

In v1, who are the first two sons of David mentioned?
What is the total number of sons David had in Hebron according to v4?
In vv. 10-13, what might the succession of kings imply about God's promise to David?
In v19, why is Zerubbabel's lineage particularly significant in the context of exile?
When have you felt the impact of your family's history or lineage in your own life?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 3: Matthew 1, 2 Samuel 5, 2 Samuel 13.

Before next time: read 1 Chronicles 4.