Chileab כִּלְאָב

Male Tribe of Judah H3609 2 books

Son of David and Abigail the Carmelitess

Who is Chileab in the Bible?

Chileab was one of King David's sons, born to him by Abigail the Carmelitess (2 Samuel 3:3). He is also known as Daniel, a name that appears in the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 3:1, though the reason for the two different names is not explicitly stated in Scripture. Abigail had previously been married to Nabal before becoming David's wife after Nabal's death (1 Samuel 25). Chileab is listed as the second son born to David during his time in Hebron, representing one of several sons born to the future king before he established his dynasty in Jerusalem.

Biography

Chileab, also known as Daniel, was one of King David's sons, born to him by Abigail the Carmelitess. Abigail was originally the wife of Nabal, but after Nabal's death, she became David's wife (1 Samuel 25). In the list of David's sons born in Hebron, Chileab is mentioned as the second son (2Sa.3.3), while in the parallel passage in 1Ch.3.1, he is called Daniel. The reason for this difference in names is not explicitly stated in the Bible.

Family

Siblings

In Scripture

2 biblical books
2 Samuel 1 verse
  • 2 Samuel 3:3

    "his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;"

1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 3:1

    "These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel;"

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew כִּלְאָב
Named Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל
Encyclopedia Article

Chileab

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

>2Sa 3:3). In the corresponding account (1Ch 3:1) he is called "Daniel," the meaning of which name ("God is my judge") points to its having been given in order to commemorate God's judgment upon Nabal (1Sa 25:39; compare Ge 30:6). Some suppose that he bore both names, but the Septuagint reading here Dalouia (Ch Damniel), and the identity of the last three letters of the Hebrew word "Chileab" with the first three of the following word, seems to indicate that the text of Samuel is corrupt.

Horace J. Wolf

kil'-i-on (kilyon, "pining," "wasting away"): One of the two sons of Elimelech and Naomi, "Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah" (Ru 1:2). With his mother and brother