Abital אֲבִיטָ֑ל
One of David's wives; mother of Shephatiah
Biography
Abital was one of the wives of King David, the second king of Israel. She is mentioned in the lists of David's wives and children in both 2Sa.3.4 and 1Ch.3.3. Abital gave birth to one of David's sons, named Shephatiah.
The biblical text does not provide any further information about Abital's background, her relationship with David, or her role in the royal household. She is one of several wives mentioned in the genealogies, highlighting David's practice of polygamy, which was common among kings in the ancient Near East.
Abital's son Shephatiah is listed among David's sons born in Hebron, where David reigned over Judah for seven years before becoming king over all Israel (2Sa.2.11; 5.5).
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 3:4
"and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;"
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 3:3
"the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִיטָ֑ל | H0037 |
Abital
orn to David in Hebron are mentioned and numbered, the fifth is said to be Shephatiah the son of Abital.
ab'-i-tub, a-bi'-tub ('abhiTubh, "father of goodness," or, "my father is goodness"): In the King James Version Ahitub. A descendant of Benjamin and son of Shaharaim and Hushim, born in the field of Moab (<ref osisRef="