Common misinterpretations treat this neutral genealogical note as moral endorsement of David's polygamy, overlooking biblical critiques of such arrangements elsewhere like in Deuteronomy 17:17; others project later events onto it, such as Adonijah's failed usurpation in 1 Kings 1, reading intrigue into a simple list; or dismiss it as irrelevant trivia, missing its role in tracing the Davidic line central to Israel's monarchy and messianic promises.
II Samuel 3:4
King James Version (1769)
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
This verse lists two more sons born to King David in Hebron during his reign over Judah: Adonijah, the fourth son by Haggith, and Shephatiah, the fifth by Abital, continuing the genealogy from preceding verses to establish David's royal progeny and familial structure before his unification of Israel, highlighting the political and dynastic foundations of his kingdom amid multiple marriages common to ancient monarchs.