1 Chronicles

Chapter 5

Summary

The history of the Transjordan tribes, Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, is chronicled, noting how Reuben lost his birthright because of his unfaithfulness. It describes their military successes against the Hagrites and their prosperity in the rich pastures east of the Jordan. However, the chapter ends on a sobering note, recounting how their spiritual unfaithfulness eventually led to their exile by the kings of Assyria.

Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that the genealogy is not listed according to the birthright;

yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s,

the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,

Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried into captivity. He was a leader of the Reubenites.

And his brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was registered: Jeiel the chief, and Zechariah,

and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal-Meon.

Toward the east he dwelt as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle had multiplied in the land of Gilead.

Now in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they dwelt in their tents throughout the entire area east of Gilead.

The children of Gad dwelt next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salcah:

Joel was the chief, Shapham the next, then Jaanai and Shaphat in Bashan.

Their brothers of their father’s house were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jachan, Zia, and Eber, seven.

These were the sons of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Janai, the son of Buz;

Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was chief of their father’s house.

And they dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the common-lands of Sharon within their borders.

All these were registered by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

The sons of Reuben, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh had forty-four thousand seven hundred and sixty valiant men, men able to bear shield and sword, to shoot with the bow, and trained for war, who went out to battle.

They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.

They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He granted their request because they put their trust in Him.

Then they took away their livestock, fifty thousand camels, two hundred and fifty thousand sheep, and two thousand donkeys, and one hundred thousand people.

For many fell dead, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.

The children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. Their numbers increased from Bashan to Baal-Hermon, that is, to Senir and Mount Hermon.

These were the heads of their father’s houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of their father’s houses.

And they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers, and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them.

So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria). He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan to this day.

Summary