Who was Elpalet?

Elpalet was one of the sons of David, listed in the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah in the Old Testament. His name appears in 1 Chronicles 14:5 (not 13, as there is no mention of him in chapter 13), where he is mentioned as a child born to King David in Jerusalem after David had established his reign there. The Hebrew name Elpalet (אֶלְפָּלֶט, Elpālet) means “God is deliverance” or “God is escape”, indicating trust in God as a source of salvation and refuge.

Elpalet is listed among the sons of David born to his wives in Jerusalem, reflecting the fulfillment of God‘s promise to establish David’s house and lineage (cf. 2 Samuel 5:13-16; 1 Chronicles 3:5-8; 1 Chronicles 14:3-7). Although no specific deeds or narratives are attached to Elpalet in the biblical text, his inclusion in the royal lineage underscores his role in the broader covenantal story of Israel.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• 1 Chronicles 14:5 – “Elpalet, Nogah, Nepheg, and Japhia,”

• 1 Chronicles 3:6 – “Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet,” (some manuscripts list variations of names that may include or reflect Elpalet)

• 2 Samuel 5:16 – “Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet” (parallel account with variant names)

The repetition of names such as Eliphelet and Elpalet across different passages has led to some debate about whether these are the same individuals or different sons with similar names. However, they consistently represent children of David and therefore part of the royal heritage through which God‘s covenant was unfolding.

What Happened in the Bible?

Elpalet was born in Jerusalem during the period of David’s kingship after the Ark of the Covenant had been brought to the city (cf. 2 Samuel 6). This was a time of relative peace and the consolidation of the kingdom. The mention of Elpalet and other sons serves primarily to document David’s growing house and the fulfillment of God‘s promises to him.

Though Elpalet himself is not given a narrative role, his existence contributes to the larger biblical motif of God establishing a dynasty through David, out of which the Messiah would one day come (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Elpalet, though obscure and silent in Scripture, still holds theological significance. His name—“God is deliverance”—reminds believers that salvation comes from the Lord, not from human strength or earthly power. His place in David’s lineage also reinforces the idea that every person in God’s plan matters, even when their role is quiet or unseen.

Today’s Christians can take comfort in knowing that God includes the obscure and the unnamed in His sovereign purposes. Elpalet’s inclusion shows that legacy in God‘s kingdom is not always about prominence, but faithfulness in being where God has placed you.

How His Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

Elpalet, as a son of David, belongs to the royal line that ultimately led to Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) and the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:23-38) trace Jesus’ genealogy back through David, affirming Jesus as the rightful heir to David’s throne. Though Elpalet is not specifically mentioned in these genealogies, his position as one of David’s sons illustrates how God preserved the Messianic line through the generations.

Elpalet’s name, meaning “God is deliverance,” points directly to Jesus, whose very name means “The Lord saves” (Matthew 1:21). In Jesus, the true and final deliverance from sin and death has come.

Broader Biblical Themes

God’s Faithfulness in Covenant

Elpalet’s inclusion in the list of David’s sons highlights God’s covenantal faithfulness to David. God promised to build David a house and to raise up his offspring to reign forever (2 Samuel 7). Each son born was part of that unfolding promise.

The Value of the Individual in God’s Plan

Even individuals with no recorded achievements in Scripture are not forgotten. Elpalet’s mention is a testament to God’s care over every life and His inclusion of the unknown in His divine purposes.

Salvation Belongs to the Lord

Elpalet’s name is a theological declaration: God alone is the source of escape, rescue, and salvation. This truth runs throughout Scripture—from the Exodus to the cross—and remains central to the Christian faith.

Reflection Questions

1. What does Elpalet’s name—“God is deliverance”—teach us about who God is?

2. How does the inclusion of lesser-known figures like Elpalet in the Bible encourage us about our own place in God’s story?

3. In what ways do we see God‘s covenantal promises unfold in both well-known and obscure parts of Scripture?

4. How can we, like Elpalet, trust that God is at work in our lives even when we’re not in the spotlight?

5. How does tracing Jesus’ lineage through individuals like Elpalet reinforce the truth of God’s sovereign planning through history?

Though Elpalet appears only briefly in Scripture, his name and lineage remind us that God is the author of salvation, and every detail of His redemptive plan matters—even the quiet ones.