2 Samuel 3:4
“and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;”
What does 2 Samuel 3:4 mean?
This verse is part of a list of King David's sons born during his time in Hebron, before he became king of all Israel. Each son had a different mother, reflecting the polygamous practices of ancient Near Eastern royalty. The names here—Adonijah and Shephatiah—might not mean much to you now, but Adonijah becomes significant later in David's life, as he attempts to claim the throne after his father's death. This passage reminds us that even royal families involved real people with real relationships and rivalries that shaped Israel's history.