1 Chronicles 4:19
And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְנֵי֙
And the sons
H1121
וּבְנֵי֙
And the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲח֣וֹת
the sister
H269
אֲח֣וֹת
the sister
Strong's:
H269
Word #:
4 of 10
a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)
אֲבִ֥י
the father
H1
אֲבִ֥י
the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 10
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Historical Context
Keilah, located in Judah's Shephelah (lowlands), served as a fortified border town against Philistine incursions. David's rescue of Keilah from Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-13) demonstrated his leadership before becoming king. The town's inhabitants, however, would have betrayed David to Saul, showing political complexity in border regions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the connection between genealogy and geography show that God's promises include both people and place?
- What does it mean that your spiritual inheritance includes both relationship with God's people and place in His kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite—this complex verse navigates familial relationships within Judah. הוֹדִיָּה (Hodiyah) means 'majesty of Yahweh' or 'praise Yahweh,' while נַחַם (Naham) means 'comfort.' Keilah, a fortified town David later rescued (1 Samuel 23), demonstrates how genealogies preserved both family and territorial connections.
The phrase 'father of Keilah' likely means 'founder' or 'chief,' showing patriarchs established settlements bearing their names or governance. This intertwining of genealogy and geography helped post-exilic returnees reclaim ancestral lands. Every name in these lists represented not just individuals but families, clans, and territorial claims rooted in God's covenant land promises.