Who was Mahalath in the Bible?

Mahalath was a wife of King Rehoboam of Judah and a granddaughter of King David. She was the daughter of Jerimoth, one of David's sons, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 11:18.

Why is Mahalath's marriage to Rehoboam significant?

Her marriage strengthened political alliances within the kingdom of Judah. By marrying a descendant of David, Rehoboam sought to consolidate his rule and maintain unity within the royal family line.

What do we know about Mahalath's life and family?

The Bible only mentions her lineage and marriage. She was the mother of Rehoboam's sons Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham, as listed in 2 Chronicles 11:19, but no specific events from her life are detailed.

Mahalath

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyFemaleWife

Mahalath was one of King Rehoboam's wives, a granddaughter of David through his son Jerimoth (2Ch.11.18).

Mahalath

Biography

Mahalath was a wife of King Rehoboam of Judah, identified in 2 Chronicles 11:18 as the daughter of Jerimoth son of David and of Abihail daughter of Eliab son of Jesse. This double Davidic and Jessean lineage made her a woman of distinguished royal pedigree. Rehoboam married her alongside other wives, most notably Maacah daughter of Absalom, whom he favored above all his wives and concubines (2 Chr. 11:21). Mahalath bore Rehoboam three sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. Though she held a less prominent position in the royal household than Maacah, her marriage to Rehoboam served to consolidate Davidic family ties during the turbulent early years of the divided monarchy, when the northern tribes had already broken away under Jeroboam.

Significance

Mahalath's story illuminates the political and dynastic complexities of the early divided kingdom. Her marriage to Rehoboam strengthened internal Davidic alliances at a time when the house of David had lost authority over ten of the twelve tribes. The text's note that Rehoboam preferred Maacah over Mahalath (2 Chr. 11:21) foreshadows the recurring biblical theme of favoritism within royal households and its destabilizing consequences. Mahalath's presence in the narrative reminds readers that God's purposes advance through imperfect human institutions, and that the Davidic line endured not because of political maneuvering but because of God's covenant faithfulness to David.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherIshmaelSpouseEsauSiblingNebaiothSiblingDumah

Verse Appearances (1)

2Chr

2Chr 11:18

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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