Jerimoth, Son of David
Who was Jerimoth, Son of David, in the Bible?
A son of King David and a member of the royal house of Judah whose daughter, Mahalath, married King Rehoboam.
This is one of 7 people named Jerimoth in the Bible. See all 7 →
Jerimoth was a prince of Israel during the United Monarchy, identified in the biblical record as a son of King David. Although he is not listed in the primary genealogical rosters of David’s sons found in 2 Samuel 3 or 1 Chronicles 3, his royal lineage is explicitly confirmed in the book of 2 Chronicles. His presence in the biblical narrative highlights the extended family of David and the preservation of the Davidic line through strategic marriages.
Jerimoth’s historical significance is primarily tied to his role as a link between two generations of the Davidic dynasty. By fathering Mahalath, who would go on to marry King Rehoboam, Jerimoth ensured that the lineage of the later kings of Judah remained closely tied to the direct descendants of David and the house of Jesse.
Background and Family
Jerimoth was a son of David, the second king of the United Monarchy of Israel. While the biblical text in 2 Chronicles 11:18 explicitly identifies him as "David’s son," he does not appear in the lists of sons born to David in Hebron or Jerusalem recorded in the books of Samuel and First Chronicles. This has led scholars to conclude that Jerimoth may have been the son of a concubine or a wife not named in those specific genealogies, or perhaps he was a lesser-known prince whose primary contribution to the record was his genealogical link to the subsequent reign of Rehoboam.
Jerimoth married Abihail, who was the daughter of Eliab, King David’s eldest brother. This marriage was significant as it united two branches of the house of Jesse: the line of the youngest son (David) and the line of the eldest son (Eliab). Through this union, Jerimoth fathered a daughter named Mahalath.
Major Life Events
Because Jerimoth is mentioned only once in the Hebrew Bible, his specific deeds, military service, or courtly duties are not recorded. His life is defined by his place within the royal family during the transition from the United Monarchy to the Divided Monarchy. The most significant event associated with his legacy is the marriage of his daughter, Mahalath, to his nephew (or cousin, depending on specific generational counting), King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon.
This marriage took place during the early years of Rehoboam’s reign, a period marked by the secession of the ten northern tribes. By marrying a woman of pure Davidic and Jesseite descent—Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth—Rehoboam likely sought to solidify his legitimacy and strengthen his ties to the core of the tribe of Judah.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Jerimoth occupied a central position in the Judean aristocracy. He was a brother to the famous figures of David’s court, including Solomon, the eventual king; Absalom, who led a famous revolt; and Tamar, David's daughter. His father-in-law was Eliab, the man whom the prophet Samuel initially thought would be king before God chose David (1 Samuel 16:6). This familial web illustrates the tight-knit nature of the Davidic house and the intentional preservation of the family's status through internal marriages.
Spiritual Significance
While Jerimoth is not portrayed as a spiritual leader or prophet, his inclusion in the text serves a structural and theological purpose. The Chronicler emphasizes the legitimacy of the Davidic kings in Jerusalem. By documenting Jerimoth and his daughter Mahalath, the text underscores that the kings of Judah were not merely political rulers but were part of a divinely preserved family tree. Jerimoth represents the quiet continuation of the family of Jesse, fulfilling the covenantal promise that David’s house would endure through successive generations.
Jerimoth’s significance lies in his genealogical contribution to the Davidic dynasty. He serves as the bridge that connects the lineage of David’s brother Eliab back into the main royal line through the marriage of his daughter Mahalath to King Rehoboam. This highlights the importance of tribal and familial purity within the tribe of Judah during the United Monarchy.
Furthermore, Jerimoth represents the wider family of David that existed beyond the primary heirs to the throne. His presence in the record confirms that David’s household was extensive and that even members not involved in the central political dramas of the time played essential roles in the long-term stability and continuity of the Messianic line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jerimoth’s father?
Jerimoth was a son of King David, as stated in 2 Chronicles 11:18.
Who was Jerimoth’s wife?
Jerimoth was married to Abihail, the daughter of Eliab, who was King David's eldest brother.
Did Jerimoth have any children?
Yes, the Bible records that he had a daughter named Mahalath, who became the wife of King Rehoboam.
Why is Jerimoth not listed with David’s other sons in 1 Chronicles?
The Bible does not explain his absence from other lists. It is possible he was the son of a concubine or simply omitted because he did not figure into the primary succession narrative of Solomon.
What tribe did Jerimoth belong to?
He belonged to the Tribe of Judah, as he was a direct descendant of Jesse and David.
Family & Relationships
Parents
DavidFather2 Chronicles 11:18Stated
Jerusalem Wives of DavidMother2 Chronicles 11:18Inferred
No verse names Jerimoth and Jerusalem Wives together; the mother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 11:18
Abihail, Daughter of EliabWife2 Chronicles 11:18Inferred
2 Chronicles 11:18 names Jerimoth and Abihail as Mahalath’s parents.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 11:18
Jerimoth, Son of DavidThis page
AbsalomBrother2 Samuel 13:1Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 2 Samuel 13:1 ties David to Absalom. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Absalom directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 13:1; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Adonijah, Son of DavidBrother2 Samuel 3:4Inferred
Reconstructed through Rehoboam and Solomon: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to Rehoboam (itself an inferred link); 1 Kings 12:6 ties Rehoboam to Solomon; 1 Kings 2:22 ties Solomon to Adonijah. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Adonijah directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 3:4; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Amnon, Firstborn Son of DavidBrother2 Samuel 13:1Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 2 Samuel 3:2 ties David to Amnon. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Amnon directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 13:1; 2 Chronicles 11:18
ChileabBrother2 Samuel 3:2Inferred
Reconstructed through David and Absalom: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 2 Samuel 13:1 ties David to Absalom; 2 Samuel 3:3 ties Absalom to Chileab. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Chileab directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 3:2; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Eliada, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:8Inferred
Reconstructed through David and Eliphelet: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 1 Chronicles 3:6 ties David to Eliphelet; 1 Chronicles 3:8 ties Eliphelet to Eliada. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Eliada directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:8; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Eliphelet, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:6Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 1 Chronicles 3:6 ties David to Eliphelet. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Eliphelet directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:6; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Elishama, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:6Inferred
Reconstructed through Eliphelet and David: 1 Chronicles 3:8 ties Elishama to Eliphelet; 1 Chronicles 3:6 ties Eliphelet to David; 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties David to Jerimoth. No verse states the brother link between Elishama and Jerimoth directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:6; 2 Chronicles 11:18
ElishuaBrother1 Chronicles 3:6Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 1 Chronicles 3:6 ties Elishua to David; 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties David to Jerimoth. No verse states the brother link between Elishua and Jerimoth directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:6; 2 Chronicles 11:18
IbharBrother1 Chronicles 3:6Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 1 Chronicles 3:6 ties David to Ibhar. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Ibhar directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:6; 2 Chronicles 11:18
IthreamBrother2 Samuel 3:5Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; 2 Samuel 3:5 ties David to Ithream. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Ithream directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 3:5; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Japhia, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:7Inferred
No verse names Japhia and Jerimoth together; the brother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Nathan, Son of DavidBrother2 Chronicles 11:18Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to David; Luke 3:31 ties David to Nathan. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Nathan directly.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 11:18; Luke 3:31
Nepheg, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:7Inferred
No verse names Jerimoth and Nepheg together; the brother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Shammua, Son of DavidBrother2 Samuel 5:14Inferred
Reconstructed through Rehoboam and Solomon: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to Rehoboam (itself an inferred link); 1 Kings 12:6 ties Rehoboam to Solomon; 2 Samuel 5:14 ties Solomon to Shammua (itself an inferred link). No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Shammua directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 5:14
Shephatiah, Son of DavidBrother2 Samuel 3:4Inferred
No verse names Jerimoth and Shephatiah together; the brother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 2 Samuel 3:4; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Shobab, Son of DavidBrother1 Chronicles 3:4Inferred
Reconstructed through Rehoboam and Solomon: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to Rehoboam (itself an inferred link); 1 Kings 12:6 ties Rehoboam to Solomon; 1 Chronicles 3:5 ties Solomon to Shobab. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Shobab directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:4; 2 Chronicles 11:18
SolomonBrother2 Samuel 12:24Inferred
Reconstructed through Rehoboam: 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties Jerimoth to Rehoboam (itself an inferred link); 1 Kings 12:6 ties Rehoboam to Solomon. No verse states the brother link between Jerimoth and Solomon directly.Evidence: 2 Samuel 12:24; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Tamar, Daughter of DavidSister1 Chronicles 3:9Inferred
Reconstructed through David: 1 Chronicles 3:9 ties Tamar to David; 2 Chronicles 11:18 ties David to Jerimoth. No verse states the brother link between Tamar and Jerimoth directly.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:9; 2 Chronicles 11:18
ElpeletBrother2 Chronicles 11:18Inferred
No verse names Jerimoth and Elpelet together; the brother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 11:18
NogahBrother1 Chronicles 3:7Inferred
No verse names Nogah and Jerimoth together; the brother link is carried from the surrounding genealogy and is not stated in Scripture.Evidence: 1 Chronicles 3:7; 2 Chronicles 11:18
Children
Mahalath, Wife of RehoboamDaughter2 Chronicles 11:18Stated
Extended family
RehoboamSon-in-law2 Chronicles 11:18Inferred
2 Chronicles 11:18 names Rehoboam and Jerimoth in the same verse but does not state a father-in-law tie between them; the link rests on the surrounding narrative.Evidence: 2 Chronicles 11:18
Connected Figures
Family
Father · 2 Chronicles 11:18
The second king of the United Monarchy of Israel, a shepherd-warrior and psalmist known as a man after God's own heart.
United MonarchyFirst: Ruth 4:17998 versesKing of Israel, Shepherd, Musician, WarriorJudah
Mother · 2 Chronicles 11:18
A group of women from the tribe of Judah who married King David after his move to Jerusalem, mothering several of his sons.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 5:136 versesRoyal ConsortsJudah
Wife · 2 Chronicles 11:18
A woman of the tribe of Judah and the daughter of Eliab, notable as the mother of Mahalath in the royal lineage of King David.
Divided MonarchyFirst: 2 Chronicles 11:183 versesNoblewomanJudah
Daughter · 2 Chronicles 11:18
Mahalath was a royal wife of King Rehoboam and a descendant of King David through two distinct lineages.
Divided MonarchyFirst: 2 Chronicles 11:182 versesQueen consortJudah
Brother · 2 Samuel 13:1
The third son of King David, Absalom was a charismatic prince who staged a major rebellion against his father and was ultimately killed in battle by Joab.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 3:3104 versesPrince / Rebel LeaderJudah
Brother · 2 Samuel 3:4
The fourth son of King David, Adonijah attempted to seize the throne of Israel during his father's final days, ultimately failing and meeting his execution under King Solomon.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 3:434 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Brother · 2 Samuel 13:1
The firstborn son of King David, Amnon is primarily known for the violation of his half-sister Tamar, an act that triggered a bloody cycle of revenge within the royal family.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 3:232 versesPrince and heir apparentJudah
Brother · 2 Samuel 3:2
Chileab was the second son of King David, born in Hebron to Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel during the United Monarchy.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 3:313 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 3:8
Eliada was a son of King David born in Jerusalem, listed among the children of the United Monarchy period.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 5:1616 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 3:6
Eliphelet was a son of King David, born in Jerusalem during the United Monarchy, and is listed among the royal children in the books of Samuel and Chronicles.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 5:1615 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 3:6
A son of King David born in Jerusalem during the United Monarchy and listed among the royal descendants in the books of Samuel and Chronicles.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 5:1616 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Brother · 1 Chronicles 3:6
A son of King David born in Jerusalem during the early years of the United Monarchy.
United MonarchyFirst: 2 Samuel 5:1514 versesPrince of IsraelJudah
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 2 Samuel7
- 1 Chronicles3
- 2 Chronicles1
- Luke1
Scripture References
All 12 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
2 Samuel · 7
- 2 Samuel 3:2Partial
And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel;
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 3:4Partial
his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 3:5Partial
and his sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 5:13Partial
After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 5:14Partial
These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 12:24Partial
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 2 Samuel 13:1Partial
After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
1 Chronicles · 3
- 1 Chronicles 3:4Partial
These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 3:6Partial
David’s other sons were Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
- 1 Chronicles 3:9Partial
These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
2 Chronicles · 1
- 2 Chronicles 11:18
And Rehoboam married Mahalath, who was the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab.
Luke · 1
- Luke 3:31Partial
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.
Others Named Jerimoth
Compare all 7 bearers →Jerimoth, Overseer of the Divided Monarchy2 Chronicles 31:13
An official and overseer during the reign of King Hezekiah, Jerimoth was responsible for managing the sacred tithes and contributions in the Temple.
Jerimoth son of Azriel1 Chronicles 27:19
A tribal leader of Naphtali who served as a high-ranking official during the administration of the United Monarchy.
Jerimoth of the Divided Monarchy1 Chronicles 12:5
One of the mighty men who defected from Saul's army to support David at Ziklag during the early years of the United Monarchy.
Jerimoth, Levite Musician of the United Monarchy1 Chronicles 25:4
A Levite musician and son of Heman the king's seer, Jerimoth was chosen by lot to lead the fifteenth division of musicians in the temple during the reign of King David.
Jerimoth, Levite of the Egypt and Wilderness Era1 Chronicles 23:23
A Levite of the Merarite clan and son of Mushi, Jerimoth served as a head of a household during the wilderness period and tribal organization of Israel.
Jerimoth, Son of Bela1 Chronicles 7:7
A Benjamite leader and son of Bela, recognized as a head of a family and a mighty man of valor during the era of the Egyptian sojourn and the early formation of the tribes.