Read today’s scripture.

More Genealogies. A look at the tribes and descendants of Israel.

1 Chronicles 3.

The Descendants of David.

David had six sons while he reigned for seven and a half years in Hebron. After he conquered Jerusalem and reigned there, he had thirteen more sons (including Solomon) and a daughter Tamar.

Later when Solomon inherited the throne he had a selfish and pompous son, Rehoboam, who was responsible for tearing the kingdom of Israel in two.  Then there are the list of descendants, all kings in Judah, allowing Judah to become corrupt, and finally be led into captivity in Babylon.

And, the royal line continues in captivity, returning with a descendant named Zerubbabel.  And the line continues.  We will be studying all the kings when we get to 1 and 2 Kings.  It’s mostly a sad tale.

1 Chronicles 4.

Now we get the descendants of the tribe of Judah, through whom the Messiah comes, including a man named Bethlehem! (verse 4) 

Another fellow stands out, named Jabez (Hebrew for pain), because his mother bore him in pain. He was “more honorable than his brothers.”  Jabez called upon the name of the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me … pain.”  And God granted what he asked!!!  Huh!

There were craftsmen, linen workers, and potters named.

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Simeon are listed. They did not have many children and their clan did not multiply like the men of Judah.  They settled in a small rich valley that was good for flocks and had formerly belonged to Ham.  Five hundred of them went over to Mt. Seir and defeated the Amalekites who had escaped (from David’s raid?) and settled there. 

1 Chronicles 5.

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Reuben (Israel’s firstborn).  It mentions here why Reuben did not get the birthright as the firstborn.  Reuben “defiled his father’s bed” by sleeping with one of his concubines.  So Jacob passed the birthright to the firstborn of his other wife, Rachael, to Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh).  One of the descendants, a chief of Reuben’s tribe was carried away into exile by the Assyrians.  Also one of the other descendant’s clan spread far east because they had so much cattle, almost to the Euphrates River!

Next, the descendants of the tribe of Gad. They lived in the cities of Bashan and Gilead, east of the Jordan River. They had all the pasture land to their limits.

Next, the descendants of the half-tribe of Manasseh. This tribe was very numerous, living the east side of the Jordan River, and from Bashan to Mount Hermon. They had many warriors and famous men. But they broke faith with the God of their fathers and went after the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed before them.  So God stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, and he took them into exile. 

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the Eastern tribe of Manasseh had valiant men who carried shield, and sword, and drew the bow; experts in war, carrying off much livestock and many men as spoil.

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3 more Psalms tomorrow!