Family Tree of King David: Wives, Children, and Outcomes” — Who You Make Babies With Matters! by Dr. Gladys Dark 😮
Sons of David by Wives
1. Michal (Saul’s daughter, Israelite – Benjamin)
Children: None survived (2 Samuel 6:23 says she died childless).
2. Ahinoam of Jezreel (Israelite – Judah)
Son: Amnon — David’s firstborn (2 Samuel 3:2).
Infamously raped his half-sister Tamar.
Killed by Absalom (2 Samuel 13).
3. Abigail (widow of Nabal, Israelite – Judah)
Son: Chileab (also called Daniel in 1 Chronicles 3:1).
Very little is recorded about him.
Seems to have died young or remained outside politics.
4. Maacah (daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur – Aramean/Syrian)
Son: Absalom — third son of David (2 Samuel 3:3).
Handsome, charismatic, and ultimately rebelled against David.
His mother’s foreign royal blood may have fueled his political ambitions.
Daughter: Tamar — the sister violated by Amnon.
5. Haggith (Israelite)
Son: Adonijah (2 Samuel 3:4).
Tried to take the throne after David’s death.
Executed by Solomon for treason (1 Kings 2).
6. Abital (Israelite)
Son: Shephatiah (2 Samuel 3:4).
Mentioned only in genealogies, no major role.
7. Eglah (Israelite)
Son: Ithream (2 Samuel 3:5).
Very little is known about him.
8. Bathsheba (daughter of Eliam, Israelite – Judah)
First child: unnamed, died as infant (2 Samuel 12:18).
Solomon — became David’s heir and king of Israel (1 Kings 1:30).
Also bore Shammua, Shobab, and Nathan (1 Chronicles 3:5).
Notably, Nathan’s line is mentioned in Luke’s genealogy of Jesus, while Solomon’s line appears in Matthew’s.
⚖️ Summary of Lineage
Amnon (Ahinoam, Judah) — firstborn, died due to Absalom.
Chileab (Abigail, Judah) — largely absent from records.
Absalom (Maacah, Geshur/Syrian) — rebel leader, died in battle.
Adonijah (Haggith, Israelite) — attempted coup, executed.
Solomon (Bathsheba, Judah) — became king, line continues to Jesus.
👉 The politics of heritage mattered
Absalom (half-Aramean royalty) leveraged his foreign prestige.
Solomon (through Bathsheba) gained both David’s blessing and prophet Nathan’s support.
The throne ultimately went through Bathsheba’s line, not David’s older sons.
King David’s Family Tree (Wives, Children, and Outcomes)
This document outlines King David’s wives, their heritage, and the children they bore.
It also includes notable outcomes in the lives of David’s sons and daughters, showing how heritage and family dynamics influenced Israel’s history
Michal (Saul’s daughter, Benjamin)
• - No surviving children recorded
Ahinoam (of Jezreel, Judah)
• - Amnon (1st son – killed by Absalom)
Abigail (widow of Nabal, Judah)
• - Chileab/Daniel (little recorded)
Maacah (of Geshur, Aramean)
• - Absalom (rebelled, killed)
• - Tamar (violated by Amnon)
Haggith (Israelite)
• - Adonijah (attempted coup, executed)
Abital (Israelite)
• - Shephatiah (no major role)
Eglah (Israelite)
• - Ithream (no major role)
Bathsheba (daughter of Eliam, Judah)
• - Unnamed son (died in infancy)
• - Shammua (no major role)
• - Shobab (no major role)
• - Nathan (ancestor of Jesus, Luke’s genealogy)
• - Solomon (became king, ancestor of Jesus, Matthew’s genealogy)
