The sons of Joel ,.... Who was either the son of Carmi last mentioned, or rather of Hanoch, Reuben's firstborn, since the descendants of him were the princes of the tribe: his posterity in succession were, Shemaiah, Cog, Shimei, Micah, Reaia, Baal, Beerah; of whom we know no more than their names, and by these the descent is carried down to the captivity by Tiglathpileser, as follows. read more
EXPOSITION THE SONS OF REUBEN . The tribe of Reuben is now taken third in order by the compiler, though Reuben was the first of all the sons of Israel. The distinct statements of 1 Chronicles 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 5:2 , respecting the degradation of Reuben and his loss of the rights of primogeniture, are not to be understood, however, as mentioned in any way to account for his standing third here. That Judah takes in any genealogy the first place needs no other apology than... read more
From which of the four sons of Reuben the line came in which Joel would appear, we do not know. Juntas and Tremellius say Hanoch, others Carmi, while the Syriac Version has Carrot vice Joel. It is to be remarked that in Numbers 26:8-10 a line of descent through Pallu is given, but reaching only to the second generation, Beerah in the present list will be only ninth at furthest from Reuben, so that it is evident that it is a very fragmentary genealogy, whether the hiatus be only one,... read more
The eastern tribes (5:1-26)At the beginning of this section, the writer gives the reason why he listed the genealogy of Judah before that of Reuben, the firstborn. Reuben had lost his rights as the firstborn (see Genesis 35:22), so the ruling power in Israel was given to Judah instead. The firstborn’s double portion of the inheritance went to Joseph, who received two tribes in Israel (Ephraim and Manasseh). The descendants of Reuben, along with those of Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, dwelt... read more
3. The families of Transjordan ch. 5Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. Reuben would have normally been the son of Jacob through whom the greatest blessing would come since he was the first-born. However, because of his sin (1 Chronicles 5:1), God passed him over. God blessed Joseph with the double portion of the birthright. He did this by elevating Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to equality among Jacob’s other sons, Joseph’s brothers. God’s... read more
Genealogies (continued)This chapter gives lists of the descendants of Reuben, the families of Gad, and the families of the eastern division of Manasseh.1. His birthright] This was a portion of the inheritance, twice as great as that given to each of the other sons. The two children of Joseph together received the share which, in right of birth, should have been Reuben’s, each being placed on a level with their uncles, the sons of Jacob: cp. Genesis 48:5. And the genealogy] Joseph, though... read more
(4-6) The sons of Joel.—The connection of this leading house with one of the four sons just mentioned, is implied but not stated. The line of Joel is traced through seven generations to Beerah, who was transported to Assyria by Tiglath Pileser. II., 734 B.C., in the reign of Pekah, king of Israel. Supposing there are no gaps in the series, Joel flourished 280 years (7 x 40) before that date; that is, about 1014 B.C., under David and Solomon. read more
(5) Baal.—Compare the names of Saul’s posterity Eshbaal and Meribbaal; and David’s son Beeliada (Heb., Baalyada). read more
3. Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh CHAPTERS 4:24-5:26 1. The sons of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:24-43 ) 2. The sons of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:1-10 ) 3. The children of Gad and half Manasseh (1 Chronicles 5:11-26 ) The account of the Simeonites is interesting. Some of their families had increased so much that they had no pasture for their flocks. Some went then to Gedor and found fat pasture and quietness. Others went to Mount Seir, and five hundred of them smote the Amalekites. Reuben was... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 5:1-17
We have here an extract out of the genealogies, I. Of the tribe of Reuben, where we have, 1. The reason why this tribe is thus postponed. It is confessed that Reuben was the first-born of Israel, and, upon that account, might challenge the precedency; but he forfeited his birthright by defiling his father's concubine, and was, for that, sentenced not to excel, Gen. 49:4. Sin lessens men, thrusts them down from their excellency. Seventh-commandment sins especially leave an indelible stain upon... read more