King David's Brothers

Question
King David had seven brothers. What were their names?
Answer
King David's first six brothers are listed in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15: Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai and Ozem. His other brother is not named anywhere in the Bible. Elsewhere, we learn that David had a brother named Elihu (1 Chr. 27:18), which may be the name of his seventh brother, or which may simply be a variant form of "Eliab." Also, the Bible speaks of "Shammah/Shimeah/Shimei" as David's brother, but all these are most likely variants of "Shimea" (without doubt this is the case with at least "Shammah" [1 Sam. 17:13]). If his seventh brother is not named in the genealogies, it may be because he died without children.

Answer by Ra McLaughlin

Ra McLaughlin is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Third Millennium Ministries.