1 Chronicles 2
AOSN1 Chronicles 2:3-15
The genealogies show all the people of Israel (1 Chronicles 2:1–2), but they focus more on David's ancestors from the tribe of Judah.
1 Chronicles 2:3-8
The genealogy of Judah is detailed, including background information on David's ancestors. Compare Genesis 46:12.
1 Chronicles 2:3
Er and Onan, the first two sons of Judah, faced destruction because of their sins (Genesis 38:6–10). The descendants of Shelah appear as an addition at the end of Judah's genealogies (1 Chronicles 4:21–23).
1 Chronicles 2:4-5
The main ancestral line of David comes from Perez, one of Tamar's sons. Tamar was Judah's widowed daughter-in-law.
Hamul, one of Perez's sons, is not mentioned at all. The Chronicler might not have had information about him.
1 Chronicles 2:6-8
For the family history of Zerah, compare Joshua 7:1, 17; 1 Kings 4:31 (Mahol might be another name for Zerah).
1 Chronicles 2:7
devoted things: See “Complete Destruction” Theme Note.
1 Chronicles 2:9-55
The descendants of Hezron are listed up to the time of David in several sections:
The direct line from Hezron to David (1 Chronicles 2:9–17; compare Ruth 4:18–22)
The other descendants of Hezron (1 Chronicles 2:18–41)
The descendants of Hezron’s son Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42–55)
1 Chronicles 2:9
Caleb was the most notable direct descendant of Hezron, so the author describes his descendants in detail (1 Chronicles 2:42–55). This Caleb was apparently different from Caleb, son of Jephunneh, who was a descendant of Kenaz (see study note on 1 Chronicles 4:13–15).
1 Chronicles 2:10-17
The passage about Ram's descendants shows a direct line from Ram to Jesse and then lists Jesse's children.
1 Chronicles 2:14-15
The Chronicler lists David as the seventh son of Jesse, while Samuel lists him as the eighth (1 Samuel 16:6–13; 17:12). Samuel does not mention the names of David’s fourth, fifth, or sixth brothers:
Nethanel
Raddai
Ozem
Later, the Chronicler mentions a brother named Elihu, who might have been an additional son (see study note on 1 Chronicles 27:18). The number seven, considered the “perfect” number, might symbolize that God chose David to rule.
1 Chronicles 2:20
The Lord selected Bezalel, a craftsman from Hezron's family, to build the Tabernacle (see Exodus 31:1–2).
1 Chronicles 2:21-23
Some families from Gilead, who are listed as part of the tribe of Manasseh (see Numbers 32:39–42), also had ties to the tribe of Judah.
1 Chronicles 2:24
Tekoa was a small village in Judea, located southeast of Bethlehem (see also 1 Chronicles 4:5–8).
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