Who were the wives who gave birth to David’s sons and in which order were they born?
Question:
Who were the wives of King David who gave birth to Amnon, Absalom, Killiam, and Adonijah? I am guessing, but it seems as if Amnon was the first, Absalom second, Killiam, and then Adonijah. Adonijah being the last before Solomon because he had the right to the throne before Solomon.
Answer:
"Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron" (II Samuel 3:1-5).
"And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet" (II Samuel 5:13-16).
Lists, such as the one given above are generally in birth order. It also appears that the early Israelites often used multiple names, so you will find some lists with variations.
"Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah. These six were born to him in Hebron. There he reigned seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon-four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel. Also there were Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet-nine in all. These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister" (I Chronicles 3:1-9).
Solomon was David's tenth son and the fourth son he had by Bathsheba, not counting the one who died days after his birth. So your conclusion that the kingship passed to the eldest son is not true.
