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.
2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
3 The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
4 The sons of Joel; Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
5 Micah his son, Reaia his son, Baal his son,
6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.
7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:
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.
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.
11 And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah:
12 Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan.
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.
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;
15 Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers.
16 And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
17 All these were reckoned by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.
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 skillful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war.
19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.
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.
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.
22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
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.
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 valor, famous men, and heads of the house of their fathers.
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.
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.
The book of 1 Chronicles is a historical account of the Israelites, tracing their lineage from Adam to the time of King David. It also focuses on the establishment of the temple and the worship of God. Chapter 5 is part of the genealogy of the tribes of Israel, specifically the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It also mentions the tribes of Levi and Judah, and their roles in the history of Israel. This chapter serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people and the consequences of disobedience.
The chapter begins by listing the descendants of Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob. The tribe of Reuben lost its birthright as the firstborn due to their father's sin (Genesis 35:22). This chapter serves as a reminder of this loss and the consequences of their ancestor's actions. The tribe of Reuben is described as "mighty men of valor, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war" (1 Chronicles 5:18). However, despite their strength and skill in battle, they were ultimately defeated by the Hagrites, a nomadic tribe from the east. This defeat was a result of the tribe's disobedience to God and their involvement in idolatry.
The tribe of Gad is also mentioned in this chapter, and like Reuben, they were skilled warriors. They were described as "men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains" (1 Chronicles 5:22). However, they too were unfaithful to God and were carried away into exile by the Assyrians. This serves as a warning that even the strongest and most skilled warriors can fall if they do not remain faithful to God.
The half-tribe of Manasseh is also included in this chapter, and they were divided into two clans - the sons of Machir and the sons of Gilead. The sons of Machir were known for their bravery and were described as "valiant men, famous throughout the house of their fathers" (1 Chronicles 5:24). However, like their brothers from Reuben and Gad, they too were unfaithful to God and were carried away into exile by the Assyrians. This highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God, no matter how strong or mighty one may be.
The tribe of Levi is mentioned in this chapter as well, and they were not given their own land but were scattered throughout Israel to serve as priests and Levites. They were responsible for the worship and sacrifices at the temple, and their role was crucial in maintaining the spiritual well-being of the nation. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual leadership and the responsibility of those in positions of authority to remain faithful to God.
The tribe of Judah is also mentioned in this chapter, and they were the tribe from which King David came. They were given the birthright and the responsibility to lead the nation of Israel. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership and the consequences of disobedience for not only the individual but also for the nation as a whole. The tribe of Judah serves as a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who would be born from the line of David.
Chapter 5 of 1 Chronicles serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were strong and mighty, but they fell because they turned away from God and turned to idolatry. This chapter also highlights the role of spiritual leadership and the responsibility of those in positions of authority to remain faithful to God. The tribe of Judah serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership and the foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus Christ, who would be the ultimate leader and Savior.
Furthermore, this chapter also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people. Despite the disobedience of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, God did not abandon them. He continued to protect and provide for them, even in their exile. This is a testament to God's unwavering love and mercy towards His people, even when they turn away from Him.
In conclusion, chapter 5 of 1 Chronicles serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It also highlights the role of spiritual leadership and the faithfulness of God towards His people. This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our relationship with God, and the consequences that come with turning away from Him.
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