One of King David's wives; name means 'My father is dew' or 'Father of dew'
ʾĂḇîṭal (אֲבִיטַל) is a personal name appearing in the genealogical lists of David's wives and sons. The name is composed of ab (father) + tal (dew), conveying the imagery of a father whose presence refreshes like morning dew. She is the mother of Shephatiah, David's fifth son born at Hebron.
The genealogical lists of David's household in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles serve a theological purpose beyond mere record-keeping. They demonstrate God's fulfillment of the covenant promise that David's house would be established. Even names like Abital, meaning 'father of dew,' echo the imagery of divine refreshment (Psalm 110:3; Hosea 14:5) — the dew of God's blessing resting on the Davidic line from which the Messiah would come.