1 Chronicles 3:5

And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath–shua the daughter of Ammiel:

1 Chronicles 3:5 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the royal genealogy of King David, recorded in 1 Chronicles. The book was written after the exile to remind Israel of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. Here the writer lists four sons born to David in Jerusalem, the city he had captured and made his capital. Their mother is Bath-shua, also called Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel, who is named Eliam in 2 Samuel 11:3.

Meaning

Shimea, also called Shammua or Shimeah, appears only in genealogical lists. Shobab likewise receives no further mention in Scripture. Their inclusion shows that the record is complete, preserving every son, not only the famous ones. Nathan is more prominent; he is the prophet who confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12). Solomon, the fourth son, became king after David and built the Temple in Jerusalem. Bath-shua’s name reminds readers of the painful beginning of this family line, yet God still worked through it.

Biblical connections

God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that his throne would endure forever finds its fulfillment through this very lineage. Despite human failure, including David’s adultery and murder, God preserved the royal line. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles leads ultimately to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, as shown in Matthew 1:6. Jerusalem, named as the birthplace of these sons, became the site of the Temple and the center of worship, tying the royal family to God’s dwelling place.

Application

This list teaches that God works through imperfect people and difficult histories. No family line is too broken for His purposes. Believers can trust that God’s plans are not defeated by human sin. The verse also encourages faithfulness in small, unnoticed roles; not every person in God’s story is famous, but each one matters. The completeness of the record assures readers that God remembers every person in His covenant community.

Reflection

Consider how God has been faithful through generations, even when the path was painful. This genealogy invites gratitude for a Savior who entered human history through a real family, with all its flaws. It also calls for humility, recognizing that God’s redemptive work often moves quietly through ordinary lives. The verse ends with hope: the line of David continues, and God’s promise stands secure.