Chileab

Biblical Record

Chileab was a son born to David while David reigned as king of Judah in Hebron. 2 Samuel 3:2-3 lists, in order, the sons born to David in Hebron. The firstborn was Amnon, son of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and the second was Chileab. Chileab's mother was Abigail, "the wife of Nabal the Carmelite." The third was Absalom, "the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur."

In the corresponding list in 1 Chronicles 3:1, the second son is recorded as "Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess." Chileab and Daniel are therefore understood to be the same person. This Daniel is not to be confused with the prophet Daniel of the Babylonian exile.

Scripture records nothing about Chileab beyond his name and his place in the birth order. There is no account of his deeds or of his death.

Significance Within Scripture

Although Chileab was David's second son, he does not appear in the later narrative of the royal succession. The succession narrative in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings centers on the firstborn Amnon, the third son Absalom, the fourth son Adonijah, and Solomon. Commentators have long noted that Chileab, who ranked ahead of all but Amnon in birth order, is never mentioned.

The New Testament does not mention Chileab. His name does not appear in the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, which trace the line through David's sons Solomon and Nathan, respectively.

Interpretations and Issues

• The difference in names: One view holds that the same person bore two names. Some scholars suggest that the name may have changed in the course of scribal transmission. The form of the name is also known to differ between the Hebrew manuscripts and the Septuagint.
• Supposed early death: Because he does not appear in the succession narrative, it is commonly conjectured that he died in childhood or youth. The biblical text, however, says nothing on the matter, so this view should be recognized as interpretive conjecture.
• Jewish tradition: Rabbinic literature preserves several interpretations concerning Chileab. According to one, Chileab so closely resembled his father David that any suspicion that Abigail's son was actually Nabal's child was dispelled. Another counts him among those who lived without sin. These accounts belong to later tradition, not to the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

Chileab is rarely treated as a subject in his own right in sermons or Sunday school lessons. He is usually mentioned briefly as a sequel to the story of Abigail (1 Samuel 25). He is also discussed in connection with David's sons and the question of royal succession.