1 Chronicles
Chapter 5
Descendants of Reuben
The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn (Now, he was the firstborn, but when he had defiled his father’s bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records.
Though Judah was the strongest among his brothers and a leader descended from him, the right of the firstborn belonged to Joseph.
Sons of Reuben, firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi.
Sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,
Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried off into exile. He was a prince of the tribe of Reuben.
His relatives, grouped by clans, were Jeiel, the chief, Zechariah,
Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. These lived in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal-Meon.
These extended to the east toward the River Euphrates, reaching the desert because their flocks had multiplied in the land of Gilead.
In Saul’s days, they waged war against the defeated Hagrites and occupied their homes east of Gilead.
Descendants of Gad
The sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan, as far as Salecah.
Joel was chief, Shapham was second in command, and Janai was a judge in Bashan.
The other families of the tribe were those of Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber.
These are the descendants of Abihail, whose ancestors were traced back as follows: Abihail, Huri, Jaroah, Gilead, Michael, Jeshishai, Jahdo, and Buz.
Ahi, the son of Abdiel and grandson of Guni, was the head of these clans.
They had settled in the territory of Gilead and Bashan, in the towns there, and all over the pasturelands of Sharon.
(All were listed in the family records in the days of King Jotham of Judah and King Jeroboam of Israel).
The people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were , valiant men, well-trained in shields, swords, and bows, ready for service.
They waged war against the Hagrite tribes of Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab, and as they put their trust in God and called on him for help,
they were victorious over the Hagrites and all their allies.
They took with them from the Hagrites’ livestock , camels, , sheep, and , donkeys.
They took , prisoners of war, but many of the enemies had been killed, for it was God’s war. And they settled in what had been Hagrite territory until the exile.
Descendants of Manasseh
The half-tribe of Manasseh settled in the land between Bashan and Baal-Hermon, Senir and Mount Hermon, and they were very numerous.
These are the heads of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. These were famous warriors and leaders of their clans.
But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and worshiped the gods of the peoples whom God had driven out of the land.
So the God of Israel brought against them the anger of Pul, king of Assyria, and of Tilgath-pilneser, king of Assyria, who deported the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They were taken to Halah, near Hara, and the river Gozan. They are still there today.
DESCENDANTS OF LEVI
Sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.
Sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
Sons of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
The descendants of Eleazar from one generation to the next are as follows: Phinehas, Abishua, Bukki, Uzzi,
Zerahiah, Meraioth,
Amariah, Ahitub,
Zadok, Ahimaaz,
Azariah, Johanan,
Azariah (the one who served as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem),
Amariah, Ahitub,
Zadok, Shallum,
Hilkiah, Azariah,
Seraiah, Jehozadak.
Jehozadak was deported when the Lord, through King Nebuchadnezzar, sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem into exile.
Commentaries
Genealogies.
The first nine chapters list genealogies starting with Adam and ending with David. They include detailed names representing individuals, groups, territories, and cities, reflecting the historical context of the Chronicler’s time. Key to these genealogies are the tribe of Judah, from which King David comes, and the priestly tribe of Levi. This shows the Chronicler’s emphasis on God’s plan for creation and humanity, from the first human, to whom all history points, through David, the priesthood (represented by Levi), and an Israel united around the tribe of Judah.
Simeon and the Transjordan Tribes.
After Judah, the tribes of Simeon and those from Transjordan are listed: Reuben, Gad, and part of Manasseh, whose disobedience to God is highlighted, leading to their exile.
Descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.
These tribes were deported in 734 B.C. by Tiglath-Pileser. However, the Chronicler confuses this deportation with that of Shalmaneser (2 Kgs 17:6). The sin is depicted as sacred prostitution with other gods. According to prophetic preaching, God uses foreigners to punish the people.
Descendants of Levi – Levitical Cities.
This section mainly discusses the descendants of Kohath, the lineage through which Aaron and later the high priests are traced back to the exile period. The list of high priests confirms the ongoing priestly service of Israel and supports the legitimacy of the Zadokite priesthood (1 Kings 2:26f, 35). The list continues past Numbers 3:17-20, detailing the descendants of Levi and their roles as singers, temple servants, and priests. Finally, it provides a detailed list of Levitical settlements, taken from Genesis 31 and Joshua 21:5-8. The cities mentioned are located within the territories of other tribes.