1 Chronicles - Chapter 5

1 Chronicles 5.1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 1 Chronicles 5.2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:) 1 Chronicles 5.3 The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 1 Chronicles 5.4 The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 1 Chronicles 5.5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son, 1 Chronicles 5.6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. 1 Chronicles 5.7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah, 1 Chronicles 5.8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: 1 Chronicles 5.9 And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness from the river Euphrates: because their cattle were multiplied in the land of Gilead. 1 Chronicles 5.10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. 1 Chronicles 5.11 And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah: 1 Chronicles 5.12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 1 Chronicles 5.13 And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven. 1 Chronicles 5.14 These are the children 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 Jahdo, the son of Buz; 1 Chronicles 5.15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers. 1 Chronicles 5.16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders. 1 Chronicles 5.17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel. 1 Chronicles 5.18 The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. 1 Chronicles 5.19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. 1 Chronicles 5.20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him. 1 Chronicles 5.21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand. 1 Chronicles 5.22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity. 1 Chronicles 5.23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon. 1 Chronicles 5.24 And these were the heads of the house of their fathers, even Epher, and Ishi, and Eliel, and Azriel, and Jeremiah, and Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, mighty men of valour, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers. 1 Chronicles 5.25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them. 1 Chronicles 5.26 And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

1 Chronicles : Chapter 5

Reflection on 1 Chronicles 5 and the Transjordanian Tribes Chapter 5 of the book of 1 Chronicles addresses the Transjordanian tribes, namely Reuben, Gad, and part of Manasseh. This revealing text traces the history and genealogy of these tribes, including their military conquests and eventual exile. Through this chapter, we discover the fundamental themes of faithfulness, apostasy, and the consequences of our choices. 1 Chronicles 5 offers us valuable lessons on the importance of remaining faithful to God. In this regard, let us reflect together on five biblical passages that illustrate the spiritual principles highlighted in this historic chapter.

Genesis 49:3-4

"Reuben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the firstfruits of my manhood, first in honor and first in power. Raging like the waters, you will no longer have preeminence, for you have gone up to your father's bed, to my bed, and have defiled it."

This prophecy of Jacob explains why Reuben lost his birthright, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:1-2.

Genesis 48:5

"Now therefore, the two sons who were born to you in Egypt before I came will be recognized as mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon shall be mine."

This verse refers to the explanation in 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 concerning why Joseph received a double portion.

Numbers 32:33

" Then Moses gave to the tribe of Gad, to the tribe of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, Joseph's son, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan: the land and its cities with their territories, cities of the region surrounding area."

This passage illustrates the description of the territory of the Transjordanian tribes in 1 Chronicles 5:11-22.

2 Kings 15:29

"In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria conquered Ijom, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, and Hazor. He took Gilead and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and deported the people to Assyria."

This verse describes the exile of the northern tribes, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:26.

Hosea 12:1

"Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah still rebels against God, against the Holy One, who is faithful."

This prophecy highlights the unfaithfulness of the northern tribes, which led to their exile, as described in 1 Chronicles 5:25-26.

In conclusion, chapter 5 of 1 Chronicles reminds us of the importance of faithfulness to God and the consequences of our choices. May this reflection encourage us to remain steadfast in our faith and learn from the mistakes of the past.