1 Chronicles 5

1 Chronicles 5 focuses on the genealogies of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes settled on the east side of the Jordan River. The chapter discusses their ancestry, their conquest of land, their battles, and their eventual exile because of their unfaithfulness to God.

1 Chronicles 5:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—he was indeed 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;
2 yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph’s—
3 the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son,
5 Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son,

Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn, but because he sinned by sleeping with his father’s concubine, his birthright was passed to Joseph’s sons. However, Judah became the leading tribe as kingship came through his line. The genealogical focus here is still on Reuben’s descendants, despite the shift in leadership and birthright. The names listed trace Reuben’s lineage through multiple generations, showing the importance of ancestry in establishing identity and historical continuity.

1 Chronicles 5:6-10 (NKJV)
6 and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria carried into captivity. He was leader of the Reubenites.
7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was registered: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
8 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.
9 Eastward they settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness this side of the River Euphrates, because their cattle had multiplied in the land of Gilead.
10 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.

These verses continue the genealogy of Reuben’s descendants. Beerah, one of Reuben’s leaders, was taken captive by Tiglath-Pileser, an Assyrian king, during a time of conquest. The other leaders and members of the tribe of Reuben are noted for their settlements in the region east of the Jordan River, where they prospered due to their cattle. They engaged in conflict with the Hagrites during Saul’s reign, securing land and expanding their territory in the east.

1 Chronicles 5:11-15 (NKJV)
11 And the children of Gad dwelt next to them in the land of Bashan as far as Salcah:
12 Joel was the chief, Shapham the next, then Jaanai and Shaphat in Bashan,
13 and their brethren of their father’s house: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jachan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all.
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, was chief of their father’s house.

The tribe of Gad lived in the region next to Reuben’s territory. This passage lists key leaders within the tribe, showing the prominence of the family structure and the importance of genealogical records. Gad's settlements were in the land of Bashan, an area known for its fertile land and resources. The genealogy presented here highlights the continuity and prominence of Gad’s descendants as leaders of their people.

1 Chronicles 5:16-17 (NKJV)
16 And the Gadites dwelt in Gilead, in Bashan and in its villages, and in all the common-lands of Sharon within their borders.
17 All these were registered by genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

The Gadites lived in an extensive territory that included the land of Gilead and the fertile regions of Bashan and Sharon. The registration of these genealogies occurred during the reigns of Jotham, king of Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Israel. This underscores the importance of maintaining detailed records of the tribes during significant historical periods, even when the kingdom was divided.

1 Chronicles 5:18-22 (NKJV)
18 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 skillful in war, who went to war.
19 They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.
20 And 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 heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.
21 Then they took away their livestock—fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys—also one hundred thousand of their men.
22 For many fell dead, because the war was God’s. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity.

This passage highlights the military strength of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, with over 44,000 skilled warriors. They waged war against several nomadic tribes, including the Hagrites. Because they trusted in God and cried out to Him, He granted them victory. They captured vast amounts of livestock and took many captives. The phrase “the war was God’s” emphasizes that their success came from divine intervention. This victory established their control over the region, which they maintained until the exile.

1 Chronicles 5:23-26 (NKJV)
23 So the children of the half-tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land. Their numbers increased from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir, or Mount Hermon.
24 These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men of valor, famous men, and heads of their fathers’ houses.
25 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.
26 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.

The half-tribe of Manasseh settled in a large region extending from Bashan to Mount Hermon. Their leaders were known for their bravery and fame, yet despite their successes, they turned away from God. They worshipped the idols of the nations around them, which led to their downfall. In response to their unfaithfulness, God allowed the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser to conquer them, and the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh were taken into exile. This punishment serves as a reminder of the consequences of abandoning God’s commandments.