The BibleGospel Companion

Abital

אֲבִיטָ֑ל · a.vi.tal · H0037“the father of the dew; or of the shadow” Hitchcock's 18692 mentions in 2 books, most in 2 Samuel (1)

Who she was

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 2 Samuel 3:4 and 1 Chronicles 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).

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

SpouseDavidChildrenShephatiah
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

2 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

2 Samuel 1 mention

2 Samuel 3:4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

1 Chronicles 1 mention

1 Chronicles 3:3the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:

What the dictionary says

Father of dew; i.e., “fresh”, David’s fifth wife (2 Sam. 3:4).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources