What about Eglah?

There are women in the bible, protagonists from whom great lessons are learnt but whose names remain unknown and then there are other women who are named but have done little to nothing other than being mentioned. Enter Eglah, she belongs to the latter list.

Why was Eglah mentioned? What was her role in the scheme of things? How has she or does she impact our lives?

Long story extremely short…

Eglah’s name appears in 2 Samuel 3:5,

and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron. (ESV)

and again in 1 Chronicles 3:3 which gives us the same information,

the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah (ESV)

So now we know for sure that Eglah was David’s wife and the mother of his sixth and last son born in Hebron. That’s it.

But there must be more since nothing in God’s Word is without significance.

You see, Jesus the Messiah came from the lineage of David, the second king of Israel and one of the most commanding figures in the Old Testament.

God was building David’s house and establishing his dynasty therefore the names of those involved were important, even if their roles were not expanded.

Shortly after the death of Saul, David’s forces advanced into Hebron where David was declared king over Judah.

And it was in Hebron that David solidified his kingship, established political bonds and expanded his family. All of David’s actions were calculated and his marriages, strategic, as they strengthened his alliances.

We may not know much about Eglah but her being named in the narrative of king David’s descendants simply highlights the part she played in the king’s legacy.

Beloved, there are times when you may not be named, or known only as a member of your family, like my younger cousin, the middle child of three, who says, “Nobody knows me.”

That is how she feels, but that isn’t how we feel about her. We all know her and love her dearly but because she has lived abroad for many years, we seldom interact with her.

Her absence has not devalued her in any way whatsoever, she is a cherished and valued part of the whole.

Do you feel as she does? Unknown, overlooked perhaps? Are you, like Eglah, mentioned only as the wife of or mother of?

Eglah was an integral part of the whole; her role in David’s legacy was an important one in the establishment of the Davidic Covenant (see Psalm 132:12 and 1 Chronicles 17:11-14). God’s covenant with David mediated salvation for all, which began in the Old Testament and was accomplished in the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” – Isaiah 55:3 (NLT)

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” – Revelation 22:16 (NIV)

Eglah’s mention may not have been memorable, but her role was noteworthy, for she contributed to the bigger picture of salvation as adding to David’s line of descendants, highlighting the value and significance of family in God’s redemptive plan.

Beloved, as Eglah was, you are special to God, created as a noteworthy contributor to God’s plan of redemption, here on this earth for such a time as this.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “What about Eglah?” ©2026 May 13, 2026