Who was Elishama in the Bible?

Elishama was one of the sons of King David, born to him in Jerusalem after he became king. He is listed among David's children in the historical books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8).

What is the significance of Elishama?

Elishama's primary significance is his lineage as a royal son of King David, which placed him within the Davidic covenant line. While not a major narrative figure, his inclusion in the genealogical records confirms the fulfillment of God's promise to establish David's house (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

What key events was Elishama part of?

The Bible records no specific events in Elishama's life. His key 'event' is his birth in Jerusalem as recorded in the official lists of King David's sons, marking him as part of the royal family during the united monarchy of Israel (1 Chronicles 14:7).

Elishama

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleKingSon

Elishama was a son of King David born to him in Jerusalem (2Sa.5.16; 1Ch.3.8; 14.7).

Elishama

Biography

Elishama was one of the sons born to King David in Jerusalem following the consolidation of his kingdom over all Israel (2 Sam 5:16; 1 Chr 3:8; 14:7). Listed among the children David fathered through his wives in the royal capital, Elishama's name meaning 'God has heard' reflects the devotional piety often embedded in royal naming conventions. The parallel lists in Samuel and Chronicles present slight variations in naming, suggesting possible scribal transmission complexities over the generations. While no individual narrative attaches to this Elishama, his existence as a son of David places him within the larger Davidic household during the height of Israel's golden era, when the promises of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants appeared most visibly in their fulfillment.

Significance

Elishama's place among David's Jerusalem-born sons points toward the theological significance of the Davidic dynasty at its moment of greatest flourishing. The sons born to David in Jerusalem represented the fruit of God's covenant faithfulness, as David had been promised that his throne would endure and his house would be established (2 Sam 7:12–16). Their births in the holy city underscored the connection between the Davidic line and Jerusalem as the center of Israel's worship and governance. Though Elishama does not emerge as a prominent individual, his listing in multiple parallel genealogies demonstrates the Chronicler's concern to document comprehensively the royal family through whom God's promises would ultimately be fulfilled.

Verse Appearances (3)

2Sam

2Sam 5:16

1Chr

1Chr 3:8 1Chr 14:7

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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