What is in a Name?
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. - 2 Samuel 3:2-5
Six sons were born to David in Hebron, each to a different mother. The first was Amnon, whose name means, “uprising, upright or faithful.” He did not live up to his name. He raped his half-sister, Tamar, 2 Samuel 13:1-18, and was killed by his half-brother, Absalom, 2 Samuel 13:19-29.
The second son was Chileab, which means “like his father.” Absalom was next and his name means “my father is peace.” He was not a man of peace. He not only killed Amnon, but he tried to take David’s kingdom.
David’s fourth son was Adonijah, which means “Jehovah is my Lord.” He was not led by the Lord when he tried to take the throne from Solomon. The last two sons born to David are Shephatiah, meaning “Jehovah has judged;” and Ithream, which means “profit of the people.”
Through David’s sons, we see the intent behind the names they were given and who some really turned out to be. The Bible gives us the weaknesses of the Old Testament heroes so we can learn from them. What are your weaknesses? Once you know, you need to be very careful with them, because they can either slow you down or destroy your life.
Our behavior in times of need and crisis proclaims what we really are.
~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones~
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