1 Chronicles 1
OGCBIBLE STUDY TEXTBOOK SERIES
The Books Of Chronicles By
Robert E. Black
College Press, Joplin, Missouri · Copyright© 1973
FIRST AND SECOND CHRONICLES
As the Hebrews prepared to leave Mount Sinai and move toward the conquest of Palestine, at Jehovah’s command a census was taken. They declared their pedigrees after their families (Numbers 1:18). The term pedigree literally means a crane’s foot. The leg of the crane terminates in three distinct branches or toes, The crane’s foot is simply the extension of the bird’s leg. In that regard it is similar to the family tree and thus the word pedigree is used to refer to a register of a line of ancestors. Jehovah’s order at Sinai meant a careful counting of the entire assembly along with a detailed registration of ancestors. From the time that God had separated the Hebrews as His peculiar people they were conscious of their spiritual destiny. Names of fathers and sons became very important. Mothers and daughters were important too, but the line of descent through the male was especially emphasized. As the godly line of descent came to be clearly distinguished, Jehovah made certain that there was a succession of Chroniclers and historians who would record and trace the details of the revelation. So the Books of Chronicles begin with Adam and conclude with Cyrus-’ decree liberating the captive Hebrews. These records survey the whole sweep of Jehovah’s self-revelation up to the time of the return from Babylonian captivity. Jerome said that the Books of Chronicles are an epitome of the Old Testament. They are of such high moment and importance, that he who supposes himself to be acquainted with the sacred writings, and does not know the Books of Chronicles, only deceives himself.[1]
[1] Clarke, Adam, A Commentary and Critical Notes, Vol. II, New York, Carlton and Porter, n.d., p. 574.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES
The Books of Chronicles provide a remarkable summary of the entire Old Testament record. Our English Bible (Old Testament) begins with Genesis and concludes with Malachi. The Hebrew Bible begins with Genesis and concludes with the Books of Chronicles. Our Lord knew this same order for the books or canon of the Old Testament. In Matthew 23:35 Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the fact that religious leaders had killed the prophets from the time of Abel (Genesis 4:8) until the murder of Zachariah (2 Chronicles 24:21). The entire Old Testament was included in this wonderful reference. Just as the Book of Revelation brings to fulfillment the purposes of God for all people everywhere, so the Chronicles bring the student of Hebrew history to that vantage point from which he can look for the promised Saviour. Harrison, in his Introduction to the Old Testament says, the two books of Chronicles comprise a history of the Hebrew people from Adam to the time of Cyrus, paralleling the writings from Genesis to Kings, with Ezra and Nehemiah as a conclusion.[2]
[2] Harrison, Ronald K., Introduction to the Old Testament, Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1969, p. 1152.
The title or name of a Bible book is an important key to the content of that particular record, In the Hebrew Bible the two books of Chronicles form a single work and bear the title the words of the days (divere hayyamin). As is seen from 1 Chronicles 27:24, the term is used in the sense of annals. The LXX divided the book into two and called them Paraleipomena, i.e., things omitted or passed over.[3] The original Hebrew title suggests that these were regarded as historical records. The Greek title used in the LXX would tend to regard these records as supplementary to other Old Testament accounts. The English title Chronicles, dates from about the time of Jerome (c. 400 A.D.)[4] The name Chronicles, signifies an historical account of events in the order of time.
[3] Young, Edward J., An Introduction to the Old Testament, Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., 1949, p. 381.
[4] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, I Chronicles, Vol. 13, New Ed., Funk and Wagnalls Co., London, n.d., p ii.
The authorship and date of each of the books of the Bible are matters of primary concern to the Bible student. When one has examined the evidence and has made up his mind with regard to the complete inspiration of the Bible as the Word of God and when he is certain that the books in the Bible are the only authentic records of God’s revelation, a base is established for the examination of the authorship and date of each Bible book. The position held and maintained by this writer is that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God and that the thirty nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty seven books of the New Testament, and these books only, comprise the inspired written record of God’s will for man. There is ample evidence supporting the inclusion of the books of Chronicles in the canon of the Old Testament. The content of these books is credible and well attested in cross references to many other parts of the Old Testament. Archer, in his book, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, presents a good summary with regard to the authorship and date of these books. Like the other historical books, Chronicles does not specify the name of its author. Internal evidence points to a period between 450 and 425 B.C. as its time of composition. It is quite possible that the Talmudic tradition (Baba Bathra 15a) is correct in assigning the authorship to Ezra. As the chief architect of the spiritual and moral revival of the Second Commonwealth he would have had every incentive to produce a historical survey of this sort. As a Levite from the priestly line his viewpoint would have been in perfect agreement with that of the author of this work and he would be very apt to lay the stress just where the Chronicler has.[5]
[5] Archer, Gleason G., Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, p.
The conservative viewpoint is that the books of Chronicles were written by the priestly scribe, Ezra about 450-425 B.C.[6] James Orr in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says that the books of Chronicles were completed within the lifetime of Nehemiah, not later or not much later than 400 B. C.[7] He also holds that since the books of Chronicles conclude the Hebrew Scriptures, their very position would indicate that they are the latest Old Testament writings.
[6] Young, Edward j., An Introduction to the Old Testament, pp. 383, 384.
[7] Orr, James, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, The Howard Severance Co., 1915, p. 633.
The books of Chronicles contain lists of genealogies in the first seven Chapter s of I Chronicles which go back to the very beginning and proceed through the times of the Babylonian captivity. There is a brief section in 1 Chronicles 9:1-34 which describes the re-establishment of ancient inheritances after the return from the Captivity. The primary content from 1 Chronicles 9:35 to the conclusion of II Chronicles has to do with the history of the kingdom of Judah to the time of the Captivity and the restoration. There is a considerable body of material recorded only in the Books of Chronicles. The same is true with regard to the Books of Samuel and Kings. There are many parallel accounts in the books of Chronicles and Kings.
The materials in the books of Chronicles were not designed merely to supplement the other historical records. The author concerns himself with the great tribe of Judah. It is estimated that five-sixths of the entire work is devoted exclusively to the history of Judah. Much attention is given to the Temple, her priests and services. Looking to the re-establishment of God’s people after the Captivity and return, the books of Chronicles formed an authoritative reference with regard to the Temple, territorial assignments, and civil service. These books formed the charter of the reconstruction of a shattered kingdom on its proper historical basis.[8]
[8] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 13, p. xiii.
A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES
(As presented by Merill F. Unger in Introductory Guide to the Old Testament)[9]
[9] Unger, Merrill F., Introductory Guide to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan Publishing House, 1951, p. 407.
Part I. Genealogies from Adam to David
1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 9:44
a.
From Adam to Jacob
1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 2:2
b.
Jacob’s generation
1 Chronicles 2:3 to 1 Chronicles 9:44
Part II. History of King David
1 Chronicles 10:1 to 1 Chronicles 29:30
a.
The Death of Saul
b.
Capture of Zion and David’s Heroes
1 Chronicles 11:1 to 1 Chronicles 12:40
c.
David’s prosperous reign
1 Chronicles 13:1 to 1 Chronicles 22:1
d.
David’s accomplishments in behalf of ritualistic worship
1 Chronicles 22:2 to 1 Chronicles 29:30
Part III. History of King Solomon
2 Chronicles 1:1 to 2 Chronicles 9:31
a.
Solomon’s wealth and wisdom
b.
His building and dedication of the Temple
2 Chronicles 2:1 to 2 Chronicles 7:22
c.
His various activities and death
2 Chronicles 8:1 to 2 Chronicles 9:31
Part IV. History of the Kings of Judah
2 Chronicles 10:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:23
a.
From Rehoboam to Zedekiah
2 Chronicles 10:1 to 2 Chronicles 36:21
b.
The edict of Cyrus
THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES SCHEDULE OF LESSONS
LESSON ONE I Chronicles, chapter 1-3, The Descendants of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Judah, and David. LESSON TWO I Chronicles, chapter 4-6, The Descendants of Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, Manasseh, and Levi. LESSON THREE I Chronicles, Chapter s 7 and 8, The Descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. LESSON FOUR I Chronicles, Chapter s 9 and 10, Return from Babylon, Tribal Settlements, The Overthrow of Saul’s House.
LESSON FIVE I Chronicles, Chapter s 11 and 12, The Life and Times of David and His Warriors. LESSON SIX I Chronicles, Chapter s 13 and 14, David and the Ark of the Covenant. David’s Family. War with Philistia. LESSON SEVEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 15 and 16, The Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem. David’s Song of Thanksgiving. The Ministers and Worship. LESSON EIGHT I Chronicles, Chapter s 17 and 18, David and the Temple. Israel Goes to War. LESSON NINE I Chronicles, Chapter s 19 and 20, Israel’s Conflict With Ammon. The Conquest of the Philistines. LESSON TEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 21 and 22, A Military Census and a Plague. LESSON ELEVEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 23 and 24, David’s organization of the Levites. LESSON TWELVE I Chronicles, Chapter s 25 and 26, The Appointment of Musicians, Doorkeepers and Stewards of the Temple Treasury. LESSON THIRTEEN I Chronicles, Chapter s 27-29, David’s Military Organization, His Counselors, His Charge to Solomon, His Prayer for the Temple, His Death. LESSON FOURTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 1-4, Solomon’s Kingdom. The Temple and its Furnishings. LESSON FIFTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 5-8, The Ark and The Temple. Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication. A Great Festival. Solomon as King. LESSON SIXTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 9-11, A Queen comes to Jerusalem. Rehoboam and the Kingdom. LESSON SEVENTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 12-14, Egypt Invades Israel. Jeroboam and the Northern Kingdom. Asa and the Ethiopians. LESSON EIGHTEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 15-17, Asa, the Reformer. Hanani, Man of God. Life and Times of Jehoshaphat. LESSON NINETEEN II Chronicles, Chapter s 18-20, Jehoshaphat and Ahab. War with Moab and Ammon. LESSON TWENTY II Chronicles, Chapter s 21-23, The Life and Times of Jehoram. The Reign of Ahaziah. Athaliah’s Death. The Coronation of Joash. LESSON TWENTY-ONE II Chronicles, Chapter s 24-26, The Reign of Joash, Amaziah’s Rise and Fall. Uzziah’s Life and Times. LESSON TWENTY-TWO II Chronicles, Chapter s 27-29, The Reign of Jotham. Ahaz and His Allies. Hezekiah, the Religious Reformer. LESSON TWENTY-THREE II Chronicles, Chapter s 30-33, Hezekiah and the Passover. Reorganization of the Temple Procedures. Assyrian Invasion. The Reign of Manasseh and Amon. LESSON TWENTY-FOUR II Chronicles, Chapter s 34-36, Josiah’s Reformation. The Last Days of the Southern Kingdom. Babylonian Captivity. The Decree of Cyrus.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
THEOLOGICAL WORKS
Eichrodt, Walter, Theology of the Old Testament, Philadelphia, The Westminister Press, 1960
Jacob, Edmond, Theology of the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1955
Kolhler, Ludwig, Old Testament Theology, London, Lutterworth Press, 1953
COMMENTARIES AND DICTIONARIES
Bennett, W. H., The Expositor’s Bible, The Books of Chronicles, New York, Hodder and Stoughton, n.d.
Clarke, Adam, A Commentary and Critical Notes, Volume II, New York, Carlton and Porter, n.d.
Cook, F. C, The Bible Commentary, I SamuelEsther, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1915
Curtis, Edward, L., The International Critical Commentary, New York, Charles Scribner’s and Sons, 1910
Elmslie, W. A. L., The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume III, New York, Abingdon Press, 1954
Hastings, James, A Dictionary of the Bible, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1901
Henry, Matthew, The Matthew Henry Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1970
Irvin, C. H. International Bible Commentary, Chicago, The John C. Winston Company, 1928
Keil, C. F., Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 3, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B, Eerdman’s Publishing Company, n.d.
Maclaren, Alexander, Expositions of Holy Scripture, New York, A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1908
Orr, James, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised Edition, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1946
Schaff, Philip, Lange’s Commentary, Chronicles, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1901
Spence and Exell, The Pulpit Commentary, London and New York, Funk and Wagnalls Company, Volumes 13 and 14, First and Second Chronicles, n.d.
Terry, Milton S., Commentary on the Old Testament, Volume 4, New York, 1875
REFERENCE WORKS
Ackroyd, P. R. and Evans, C. F., The Cambridge History of the Bible, Volume 1, Cambridge, University Press, 1970
Ainslie, Peter, Studies in the Old Testament, St. Louis, Christian Publishing Company, 1907
Archer, Gleason, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Chicago, Moody Press, 1964
Beecher, Willis J., The Prophets and the Promise, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1963
Bewer, Julius A., The Literature of the Old Testament in its Historical Development, New York, Columbia University Press, 1928
Bruce, F. F., Israel and the Nations, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1963
Cook, Stanley A., The Old Testament, A Reinterpretation, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1936
Creelman, Harlan, An Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1927
Driver, S. R., An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1891
Elmslie, W. A. L., How Came Our Faith, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1949
Ellison, H. L., The Message of the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1969
Emery, William, First and Second Chronicles, Cambridge, England, The University Press, 1899
Geden, Alfred S., Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Edinburgh, T & T Clark, Morrison & Bibl. Limited, 1909
Gottwald, Norman K., A Light to the NationsAn Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Row, 1959
Gray, George B., A Critical Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1913
Green, William H., General Introduction to the Old TestamentThe Canon, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1905
Grosvenor, Melville B., Everyday Life in Bible Times, Washington, D. C., National Geographic Socity, 1967
Halley, Henry H., Halley’s Bible Handbook, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing Company, 1965
Harman, Henry M., Introduction to the Study of the Holy Scriptures, New York, Phillips and Hunt, 1882
Harrelson, Walter, Interpreting the Old Testament, New York, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1952
Harrison, R. K., Old Testament Times, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1970
Harrison, R. K., Introduction to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1969
Kautzch, E., The Literature of the Old Testament, New York, G. P. Putman’s Sons, 1899
Kraeling, Emil G., The Old Testament Since the Reformation, London, Lutterworth Press, 1955
Larue, Gerald A., Old Testament Life and Literature, Boston, Allyn & Bacon, Inc., 1968
McFadyen, John E., Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906
McGarvey, John W., Biblical Criticism, Cincinnati, The Standard Publishing Company, 1910
Moorehead, W. G., Outline Studies in the Books of the Old Testament, New York, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1893
Moulton, Richard G., The Chronicles, London, The Macmillan Company, 1897
Myers, Jacob M., First and Second ChroniclesOld Testament Translation and Notes, New York, Garden City, Doubleday, 1965
North, Christopher, The Old Testament Interpretation of History, London, The Epworth Press, 1953
Oesterly, W. O. E., and Robinson, Theodore H., An Introduction to the Books of the Old Testament, London, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1937
Painter, F. V. N., Introduction to Bible StudyThe Old Testament, Chicago, Benjamin H. Sanborn and Company, 1920
Payne, J. Barton, An Outline of Bible History, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1954
Pfeiffer, Robert H., Introduction to the Old Testament, New York, Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1941
Pfeiffer, Charles F., The Biblical World, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1966
Pfeiffer, Charles F., The Divided Kingdom, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1967
Raven, John H., Old Testament Introduction, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1941
Rouse, G. H., Old Testament Criticism in New Testament Light, Philadelphia, The Union Press, 1905
Schultz, Samuel, J., The Old Testament Speaks, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1960
Smith, William, The Old Testament History, New York, Harper and Brothers, 1892
Trattner, Ernest R., Unravelling the Book of Books, New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929
Unger, Merrill F., Introductory Guide to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House 1951
Young, Edward J., An Introduction to the Old Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1949
SUMMARY QUESTIONS LESSON ONE 1-3
Where in the Bible is the first record of the orderly listing of the names 1 Chronicles 1:1-4?
Why are Cain and Abel not in this list?
In what way is Enoch unique?
How many sons belonged to Japheth?
Where did Madai and Javan settle?
How is Kittim otherwise identified?
What nation is identified with Mizraim?
Carefully describe the region where Canaan settled.
How are the Philistines identified as this relates to their origin?
To whom were the Jebusites related and where did they live?
In relation to Babylon where did the Hamites settle?
Number the sons of Shem.
Which of these sons of Shem is most important in Jehovah’s plans?
Carefully locate Ophir.
Where in the Bible is the first record of the orderly listing of the names in 1 Chronicles 1:24-27?
How many sons did Ishmael have?
Who was Ishmael?
Locate Jehovah’s promise to Ishmael regarding his family.
What did the name Kedar come to mean?
Who was Keturah and how many sons did she bear?
Name all of the sons of Abraham.
Name Isaac’s sons. Which was the older?
Number the sons of Esau.
Carefully identify Amalek. Relate his people to king Saul’s experiences.
What had Jacob promised Esau in the patriarchal blessing (Genesis 27:39-40)?
Where did the descendants of Esau live? Locate the area carefully.
How many kings and chiefs of Edom are named in 1 Chronicles 1:43-54?
Carefully locate Bozrah.
Locate the region of the Temanites.
Name the sons of Israel. Why are they so important?
Name all of Judah’s sons.
Carefully identify Tamar.
Why is Perez so important in the Biblical record?
Who is the Achar of 1 Chronicles 2:7?
Who was Chelubai?
Identify Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, Name their tribe.
Name the sons of Jesse. Compare this with the account in 1 Samuel 16:10-11.
Name David’s sisters.
Name David’s nephews (1 Chronicles 2:16-17).
Identify Hur. What did he do in the Exodus record?
Who was Bezalel? Relate him to the history in Exodus.
Locate the land of Gilead.
Who was Machir?
Identify Caleb’s tribe. Where did Caleb live? Name his daughter. Whose wife did she become?
Who were the Kenites?
Carefully identify Rechab.
Number David’s children (1 Chronicles 3:1-9).
How did each of these sons of David die: Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah?
Name Solomon’s descendants in order until you come to Zedekiah.
Who was Zerubbabel? What was his work in Bible history?
1 Chronicles 1:1-4
LESSON ONE 1-3
I. GENEALOGIES FROM ADAM TO DAVID (1 Chronicles 1:1 to 1 Chronicles 9:44)
- THE GENEALOGY OF THE HUMAN RACE FROM ADAM TO NOAH AND NOAH’S THREE SONS
INTRODUCTION
The first three Chapter s of I Chronicles cover the list of descendants from Adam until the times of Zerubbabel and the return from captivity. Special attention is given to those of the line of descent which would ultimately lead to Jesus Christ.
TEXT
- Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2. Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3. Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4. Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth.
PARAPHRASE[10]
[10] The Living Bible Paraphrased, Wheaton, Tyndale House Publishers, 1971.
- These are the earliest generations of mankind: Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
COMMENTARY
The record in I Chronicles begins with Adam and lists the patriarchs of whom Noah is the tenth. The chronicler[11] is not primarily concerned about the creation of the heavens and the earth as described in Genesis, Chapter 1. He is concerned with Adam and those of his kind through whom the promised Seed will come. The men named above are very important in God’s plans. It will be clearly evident to the careful student that the chronicler establishes the fact that the house of David will by God’s direction produce the Messiah. Questions will arise. Credentials must be presented. What is this house of David? Who is the Messiah? Can you present historical data to support your conclusions? Both books of Chronicles are designed to answer these questions. Therefore, the first word in the record is Adam.
[11] The human agent used by God to write the Books of Chronicles.
The name Adam means red or ruddy. While it is a personal, name, in the Hebrew it also may mean mankind. A genuine acquaintance must be formed with Adam if one is to come to appreciate man and the eternal God who created him. Adam is mentioned many times in the scriptures. His creation in God’s image (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:7); his appointment in Eden (Genesis 2:15); his marvelous intelligence manifested as he named the animals (Geneis 1 Chronicles 2:20); his participation in the creation of Eve (Genesis 2:23); his temptation and sin (Genesis 3:8); his being driven out of Eden (Genesis 3:23); his role as the father of at least three sons (Genesis 4:25); and his office as he pointed to the second Adam, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:22-47)- all need to be carefully explored. With Adam, God opened the revelation of Himself to mankind. Since all men must trace their origin to Adam, the line of godly descent leading through David to Christ begins with Adam.
Seth comes on the scene as Adam’s son when the father was one hundred thirty years of age sometime after Cain had murdered Abel. His name means setting or appointed. When Abel was killed, Eve said, God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel (Genesis 4:25). Eve was concerned about the seed promised by God in Genesis 3:15. Seth’s main purpose in life was to provide a link in the godly line of descent. At the age of one hundred and five years Seth became the father of Enosh (Genesis 4:26). No other incident in his life is recorded. He died when he was nine hundred and twelve years of age. It was at this time that men began to call upon the name of Jehovah (Genesis 4:26).
The fifth chapter of Genesis records the generations from Adam to Noah. Considering the age of each father when his son was born, a total of one thousand six hundred and fifty six years passed from the time of Adam to the beginning of the Flood. When Enosh was ninety years old his son Kenan was born. Enosh died at the age of nine hundred and five years. Kenan was the contribution of Enosh to God’s purpose (Genesis 5:9-11). The birth and training of a godly child can be a most important enterprise.
When Kenan was seventy years old he became the father of Mahalalel. As had been true with preceding patriarchs, in addition to the godly seed, other sons and daughters were born (Genesis 5:12-14). Those not in the godly lineage are not named, Kenan died when he was nine hundred and ten years of age.
Mahalalel was only sixty five years old when his son, Jared, was born. So Mahalalel lived and died at the end of eight hundred and ninety five years (Genesis 5:15-17). Jared, at the age of one hundred and sixty two years, became Enoch’s father, Having fathered other unnamed sons and daughters, Jared died in his nine hundred and sixty second year (Genesis 5:18-20). Jared’s love for God is revealed in the character of his son, Enoch.[12] When Enoch was sixty five years of age he became Methuselah’s father. When Enoch was three hundred and sixty five years old God took him. Unlike the patriarchs before him, he did not die. When he was a young man, in comparison with the long lives of those who preceded and followed him, he walked with God and did not experience death (Genesis 5:21-24). This reflects the training which Enoch undoubtedly received in his father’s house. Enoch’s faith qualified him for immortality among the faithful (Hebrews 11:5; Jude 1:14).
[12] Not to be confused with the Enoch of Gen 4:17.
At the age of one hundred and eighty seven years Methuselah became the father of Lamech[13] (Genesis 5:25-27). After that, other sons and daughters were born into his family. Methuselah’s claim to distinction is that he lived nine hundred and sixty nine yearsthe most advanced age for man recorded in scriptures. In this long life there is a hint or foretaste of God’s purpose for those who love him.
[13] Not to be confused with the Lamech of Gen 4:18.
Lamech, at the age of one hundred and eighty two years, became the father of Noah (Genesis 5:28-31). The name Noah means comfort or rest. Lamech said that Noah will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands. Here is a man whose godly son rose up and called him blessed. Lamech died at the age of seven hundred and seventy seven years; but his son was destined to be God’s man in one of the darkest hours of human history.
Considering the promised seed (Genesis 3:15), Noah carried in his life the prospects of a better day. When he was five hundred years old, his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth were born (Genesis 5:32). The Flood came when Noah was six hundred years of age (Genesis 7:6). For one hundred and twenty years prior to the Flood Noah was building the ark and doing the work of a preacher of righteousness (Genesis 6:3; 2 Peter 2:5). When he attained the age of nine hundred and fifty years he died (Genesis 9:29). By his godly life he qualified for the roll of the faithful (Hebrews 11:7). Adam’s relationship to mankind in the beginning is renewed in Noah’s importance in God’s plans after the Flood. From his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, (Genesis 9:18-19), the whole earth was eventually to be populated.
These sons were three in number. God will use only one of them as a vehicle for the Godly seed. Genesis, chapter 10, names the sons and descendants of Noah’s sons. Japheth’s people were the Medes, Greeks, Asians, and Europeans. Ham’s descendants were to live in Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, and Canaan. Shem’s people, called Semites, were to become the Persians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Syrians, and the Hebrews. The godly line will come from Shem through Arpachshad (Genesis 10:22). So it is from this point that the genealogy continues in Genesis, chapter 11 (Genesis 11:10-11) and carries to Abram (Genesis 11:26).
Against this background every name in 1 Chronicles 1:1-4 is very important. In the history bound up in these lives the foundation for Israel’s history is laid. Apart from these patriarchs, David’s life would have no meaning.
1 Chronicles 1:5-54
- THE DESCENDANTS OF NOAH’S SONS AND THE SONS OF ESAU (1 Chronicles 1:5-54)
TEXT
- The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. 6. And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, and Diphath, and Togarmah. 7. And the sons of Javen: Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
- The sons of Ham: Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 9. And the sons of Cush: Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raama, and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba, and Dedan. 10. And Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 11. And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim, 12. and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whence came the Philistines), and Caphtorim. 13. And Canaan begat Sidon his first-born, and Heth, 14. and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite, 15. and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Smite, 16. and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, an the Hamathite.
- The sons of Shem: Elam, and Asshur, and Arpachshad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech. 18. And Arpachshad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber. 19. And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 20. And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, 21. and Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, 22. and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba, 23. and Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 24. Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, 25. Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26. Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27. Abram (the same is Abraham).
- The sons of Abraham: Isaac, and Ishmael. 29. These are their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 30. Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema, 31. Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael, 32. And the sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. 33. And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah. 34. And Abraham begat Isaac. The Sons of Isaac: Esau, and Israel 35. The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. 36. The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek. 37. The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. 38. And the sons of Seir: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan. 39. And the sons of Lotan: Hori, and HOrnan; and Timna was Lotan’s sister. 40. The sons of Shobal: Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. And the sons of Zibeon: Aiah, and Anah. 41. The sons of Anah: Dishon. And the sons of Dishon: Hamran, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. 42. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
- Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 44. And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. 45. And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead. 46. And Husham died, and Hadad the sons of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Avith. 47. And Hadad died, and Samlah of Marekah reigned in his stead. 48. And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead. 49. And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. 50. And Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab. 51. And Hadad died. And the chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth, 52. chief Oholibamab, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 53. chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 54. chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.
PARAPHRASE,
1 Chronicles 1:5-9. The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras, The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah, The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.
- The sons of Ham: Cush, Misream, Canaan, and Put. The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca, The sons of Raama were Sheba and Dedan. 10. Another of the sons of Cush was Nimrod, who became a great hero. 11, 12. The clans named after the sons of Misream were: the Ludim, the Anamin, the Lehabim, the Naphtuhim, the Pathrusim, the Caphtorim, and the Casluhim (the ancestors of the Philistines). 13-16. Among Canaan’s sons were: Sidon (his first-born) and Heth. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathitee.
- The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18. Arpachshad’s son was Shelah, and Shelah’s son was Eber. 19. Eber had two sons: Peleg (which means Divided, for it was during his lifetime that the people of the earth were divided into different language groups), and Joktan. 20-23. The sons of Joktan: Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abima-el, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Joab. 24-27. So the son of Shem was Arpachshad, the son of Arpachshad was Shelah, the son of Shelah was Eber, the son of Eber was Peleg, The son of Peleg was Reu, the son of Reu was Serug, the son of Serug was Nahor, the son of Nahor was Terah, the son of Terah was Abram (later known as Abraham.) 28-31. Abraham’s sons were Isaac and Ishmael. The sons of Ishmael: Nabaioth (the oldest), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 32. Abraham also had sons by his concubine Keturah: Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan’s sons were Sheba and Dedan. 33. The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were the descendants of Abraham by his concubine Keturah. 34. Abraham’s son Isaac had two sons, Esau and Israel. 35. The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. 36. The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. 37. The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. 38-39. The sons of Esau also included Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan; and Esau’s daughter was named Timna. Lotan’s sons: Hori and HOrnan. 40. The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam, Zibeon’s sons were Aiah and Anah. 41. Ahan’s son was Dishon: The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 42. The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. Dishan’s sons were Uz and Aran.
- Here is a list of the names of the kings of Edom who reigned before the kingdom of Israel began: Bela (the son of Beor), who lived in the city of Dinhabah. 44. When Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah from Bozrah became the new king. 45. When Jobab died, Husham from the country of the Temanites became the king. 46. When Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedadthe one who destroyed the army of Midian in the fields of Moabbecame king and ruled from the city of Avith. 47. When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah came to the throne. 48. When Samlah died, Shaul from the river town of Rehoboth became the new king. 49. When Shaul died, Baal-hanan the son of Achbor became king. 50. When Baal-hanan died, Hadad became king and ruled from the city of Pai (his wife was Mehetable, the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Mezahab). 51-54. At the time of Hadad’s death, the kings of Edom were: Chief Timna, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth, Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, Chief Kenza, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, Chief Magdi-el, Chief Iram.
COMMENTARY
Japheth’s descendants are listed in verses five through seven. He was the father of seven sons. Their names are Gomer, Magog, Madai, javan, Tubal, Meschech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer and Javan are also listed. The initial record is in Genesis 10:2-5. The descendants of Gomer settled in the coastlands of the Black and Caspian Seas and spread westward across Europe. Magog was the father of ferocious warriors identified with the Scythians who lived in the regions beyond the Caspian Sea to the north, Madai is the father of Medes who lived near the south-west shore of the Caspian Sea. Javan was the father of the Greeks who settled near the Aegean Sea. The descendants of Tubal found their place in Asia Minor, while Meschech settled on the south-east shores of the Black Sea in northern Armenia. Tiras is believed to have been the founder of the Thracian people on the west coast of the Black Sea.
The sons of Gomer are named in 1 Chronicles 1:6. Ashkenaz settled between the Black and the Caspian Seas. There is a possibility that the Germans may have come from him. Diphath, called Riphath in Genesis 10:3, probably settled on the north shores of the Caspian Sea. The Armenians most likely can trace their ancestry to Togarmah. Javan’s sons named in 1 Chronicles 1:7 settled in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. Elishah is associated with the islands of the Aegean Sea. Tarshish is usually identified with Tartessus in Spain far to the west. The island of Cyprus is identified with Kittim. Rodanim, called Dodanim in Genesis 10:4, settled at the south-west shore of the Black sea and was probably the father of the Trojans.
The sons of Ham are named in verses eight through sixteen. He was the father of four sons, namely, Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. Cush is identified with Ethiopia. Egypt is often called Mizraim. Put was the father of the Libyan people. Canaan settled in the tract of land between Sidon and the Philistine country at the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean Sea. Cush’s sons were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabteca. These would have settled in the regions of Ethiopia and Africa. The sons of Raama, namely, Sheba and Dedan located in Arabia on the shore of the Persian Gulf. Nimrod, descendant of Cush, is named in Genesis 10:8. His name means rebel. He is identified as a mighty warrior and hunter. He may have been one of earth’s earliest kings ruling over many people in the Tigris-Euphrates valleys. The descendants of Mizraim were Ludim, Anamin, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim. We would expect to locate most of these in the environs of Egypt and the Delta country. Pathros usually refers to Upper Egypt. The name Philistine, according to an Ethiopic root, means emigrants. Jeremiah 47:4 and Amos 9:7 relate the Philistines to Caphtorum. The Philistines may have come partly from Egypt and partly from the Mediterranean region.
Canaan’s descendants were Sidon, Heth, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. The Canaanite people all settled at the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean Sea. The personal name Sidon is immortalized in the famed Phoenician city. Heth’s people were called Hittites and were one of the seven nations which had to be overcome in the conquest of Canaan. The Jebusites very early settled in Jerusalem and had to be displaced in David’s day. The Amorites were mountain people and were located east and west of the Jordan River. The Girgashites were one of the seven nations occupying Canaan in Joshua’s day. The Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites settled in the regions of Phoenicia and the Lebanon mountains.
The sons of Shem are of greatest interest to the Chronicler. According to the record in Genesis 10:22, Shem was the father of five sons: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. Elam settled beyond the Tigris River to the east near the Persian Gulf. Asshur is recognized as the ancestor of Assyria and settled in the upper region of the Tigris River. Terah and Abram were Arpachshadites. They lived in ancient Ur, about one hundred and fifty miles north of the Persian Gulf. Lud probably settled in the Euphrates River valley. Later his people moved westward into the regions of Asia Minor. The Syrian people trace their beginnings to Aram. Their ancient capital was Damascus which was located about one hundred and thirty miles NNE of Jerusalem. Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meschech are identified as the sons of Aram.
Of all the sons of Shem (Semites) the writer of this record is most concerned with Arpachshad. The godly line of descent is located in 1 Chronicles 1:24-27. Shelah was Arpachshad’s son. Eber was Shelah’s son. Eber had two sons, Peleg and Joktan. The sons of descendants of Joktan were Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All of these most likely settled in Arabia. Sheba settled at the south-west extremity of Arabia near the Red Sea. From this place the queen came to visit Solomon. Ophir and Havilah were the names of places in the same general area as Sheba. Both of these were renowned as places which provided the finest gold.[14]
[14] Pfeiffer, Charles F., Baker’s Bible Atlas, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1961, pp. 37-44.
In one brief statement the chronicler moves from Shem to Abram. All the persons named in 1 Chronicles 1:24-27 are Shem’s direct descendants. The original genealogy is recorded in Genesis 11:10-26. These people are all Semites. Eber is regarded by some as the founder of the Hebrews. The name Eber means regions beyond or to pass over. The Hebrews passed over the Euphrates River. Abraham is the first person in Bible record who is called a Hebrew (Genesis 14:13).
1 Chronicles 1:28-31 tell about Isaac and Ishmael. God’s promise is bound up in Isaac, the son of the promise. Ishmael, the child of worldly wisdom, became the father of twelve sons and a great desert chieftain. Kedar, Teman, and Dumah are mentioned on occasion in the Bible record. They lived on the edge of the desert adjacent to Palestine and Syria.
Late in life Abraham married another wife, Keturah. She was the mother of six of Abraham’s sons. Like Ishmael, they took up their abode in the desert. Midian, Abraham’s son, settled east of the Sinai penninsula beyond the Gulf of Aqaba. Moses married among these people.
Isaac’s sons were Esau and Israel, or Jacob. God’s purpose was to be worked out through Jacob and his seed. David came through Jacob’s line. Nevertheless, Esau was Isaac’s son and he was destined to have a place in history. The sons of Esau and the kings of Edom (Esau’s country) are named in 1 Chronicles 1:35-54. Genesis 36:1-5 lists the five sons of Esau. Esau’s country was Mount Seir and the land of Edom south of the Dead Sea. All of these persons named in 1 Chronicles 1:35-54 settled in that general region. The descendants of Seir are listed in 1 Chronicles 1:38-42. Seir means rough. He is to be identified as a person and he is known as the ancestor of the Horites who had lived in what became the Edomite country. These sons of Seir are not important from the Messianic viewpoint. They are listed here to underscore the fact that Esau was not completely disinherited. His people were numerous and they inhabited an important territory.
The kings and dukes, or chiefs, of Edom are listed in 1 Chronicles 1:43-54. This information is initially recorded in Genesis 36:31-43. The author of this account is not primarily interested in Esau and his people; but they were a people with whom Israel had to reckon. The genealogies of this chapter with their parallels in Genesis are notable for standing unique in all the world’s writing and in rising far above all the world’s mythology. They retrace the pedigree of the wide family of men and especially of the now scattered family of the Jew to its original.[15]
[15] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary., I Chronicles, Funk and Wagnalls, London, n.d., p. 6.
Chapter two proceeds to present the genealogy of Jacob and Judah. Verses one and two list the twelve sons of Jacob, here called Israel, the name Jacob received at Peniel (Genesis 32:28). First listed are Leah’s six sons, namely Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Bilhah’s elder son, Dan, then is named. The sons of Rachael, Joseph and Benjamin, follow. Bilhah’s second son, Naphtali, is listed. Finally, Gad and Asher, Zilpah’s sons complete the twelve names. It is of interest to note that the usual listing of Ephraim and Manasseh does not appear and that their father Joseph is listed in his own place.
The evident design of the chronicler here is to emphasize the importance of Judah. 1 Chronicles 1:3-54 give attention to Judah and his descendants. Jacob had said (Genesis 49:10) that the sceptre would not depart from Judah until Shiloh should come. Shiloh is a descriptive term signifying a prince of peace, a kingly seed. God’s messianic purpose certainly involves the tribe of Judah. Judah’s five sons are named in 1 Chronicles 1:3-6. They are named originally in Genesis, chapter 38. Sua was a Canaanite, Judah married his daughter who is not named. She bore him three sons, namely, Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er and Onan were stricken down by God. Judah promised Shelah as a husband to Tamar who had been wife to Shelah’s older brothers. Judah neglected to fulfil his promise. Tamar joined herself to a heathen temple and played the part of a religious prostitute. Judah visited this Temple and Tamar became the mother of Judah’s last two sons, Perez and Zerah. The line of messianic descent came through Perez (Matthew 1:3).
The sons and descendants of Perez and Zerah are named in 1 Chronicles 1:5-8. Since the promised seed will come through Perez, his son Hezron is named in 1 Chronicles 1:5, then Hezron’s line is continued in 1 Chronicles 1:9. The sons of Zerah are named in 1 Kings 4:31. In this connection Solomon’s great wisdom is contrasted with the wisdom of these men. Achar (Achan, Joshua 7:1), is identified with the man who took the devoted things at the time of the overthrow of Jericho. The sons of Hezron are listed in 1 Chronicles 1:9-24. There are some persons of outstanding importance who are members of this family. Chelubai is identified with Caleb, the faithful spy and great warrior. Boaz became the husband of Ruth and father of Obed. Obed was Jesse’s father and Jesse was the father of eight sons (1 Samuel 16:10-11), of whom David was the youngest. Probably one of David’s brothers died in infancy (1 Chronicles 1:16). David’s sister, Zeruiah, is renowned in the Bible record as the mother of Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, David’s sister, Abigail, was the mother of Amasa who once was Absalom’s captain and later was David’s captain of the host (2 Samuel 17:25). Hur (1 Chronicles 1:20) was the man who along with Aaron supported Moses-’ arms in the conflict with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:12). Bezalel, Hur’s grandson, was a master craftsman in the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2). There was intermarriage between the tribes of Judah and Manasseh as Hezron married a daughter of Machir.
The family of Jerahmeel, Hezron’s son, is listed in 1 Chronicles 1:25-41. Several of the names in this table are familiar Hebrew names: Nadab, Jonathan, Nathan, Jehu, Azariah, and Shallum. Nothing more definitive is known concerning any of these beyond the fact that they are in the line of descent from Perez through Hezron and Jerahmeel.
Hezron’s sons were Jerahmeel, Ram and Chelubai (Caleb1 Chronicles 2:9). 1 Chronicles 1:42-49 list the sons of Caleb.[16] This Caleb is the one we know as the faithful spy and the one who took his inheritance in Hebron in the tribe of Judah. We are told that his daughter was named Achsah (1 Chronicles 2:49). She was given as a wife to Caleb’s nephew, Othniel (Judges 1:12-13). There were villages in Judah, such as Ziph and Maon, which probably were named after persons in Caleb’s family. Hur, who was a son of Caleb, evidently had a son named Caleb. His people, also, lived in the Judah country. Ephrath was an old name for Bethlehem. Kiriath-jearim was in the environs of Jerusalem. Eshtaol (1 Chronicles 1:53) was the village near Samson’s birthplace in the tribe of Dan. The Kenites[17] were a branch of the Midianite people and they lived in Judah toward the southern and western borders of the Dead Sea. Rechab was founder of a people called Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:2). They were a people whose moral standards were so high that they shamed the Hebrews.
[16] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, I Chronicles, p. 22.
[17] Cook, F. C., The Bible Commentary, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich., I Samuel-Esther, 1967, p. 321.
David’s sons and family are listed in 1 Chronicles 3:1-9. This third chapter is concerned only with the families of David and Solomon. All that has gone before in the record in Chronicles is preparatory for this account. 1 Chronicles 1:1-4 list David’s wives and sons during the seven and one-half years he was in Hebron. David’s wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel (there was a town in Judah by this nameJos 15:56); Abigail from Carmel (also a village in JudahJos 15:55); Maacah from Geshur (a district beyond the Jordan in the Bashan country); Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. Each of these six wives bore David a son. These were his sons born in Hebron: Amnon, Daniel (or Chileab2 Samuel 3:3), Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream. Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah figure prominently in the history of David’s reign as king of Israel.
The sons of David born in Jerusalem were Shimea (Shammua), Shobab, Nathan and Solomon.[18] These were David’s sons by Bathsheba. In addition to these, Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Eliada, Elishama (Elishua - 1 Chronicles 14:5), and Eliphelet (Elpelet - 1 Chronicles 14:5) were born to David in Jerusalem. The mothers of these sons are not identified. A daugher, Tamar, was born in Jerusalem to Maacah. The record in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 2 Samuel 5:13-16 lists seventeen sons of David and states that he was also the father of daughters. The record here says that David had sons of the concubines. Of the children of David born in Jerusalem, Solomon and Tamar are the most important in the Bible records. Tamar was humiliated by her half-brother, Amnon (2 Samuel 13:14). Solomon succeeded David on Israel’s throne.
[18] Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, I Chronicles, p. 33.
The descendants of Solomon are listed in 1 Chronicles 3:10-24. Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Only one son, Rehoboam, is identified in the Bible as Solomon’s son. Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Ahaziah, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah make up the roll-call of the kings of Judah. Josiah’s sons were Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum. Jehoiakim’s son was Jeconaiah. Redaiah, Jeconiah’s son, was the father of Zerubbabel, the Davidic prince who led the Jewish refugees back from Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel’s descendants figured prominently in the history of the post-exilic period.