1 Chronicles 3 · a question people ask
Was David's second son Daniel or Chileab?
Here he is "the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess" (3:1). 2 Samuel has "his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite" (2 Samuel 3:3). Both lists put Abigail's son second among the six born in Hebron (3:4; 2 Samuel 3:5), and the other five names are the same in both: Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah and Ithream (3:1-3; 2 Samuel 3:2-5). Neither book explains the two names.
The verses
“Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of 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 of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife: six were born to him in Hebron; and he reigned there seven years and six months. He reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem;”
“Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.”