1 Chronicles 2

1 Chronicles 2 focuses on the genealogy of the tribe of Judah, which holds special significance because it leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ. The chapter begins by listing the twelve sons of Israel and then narrows down to Judah's descendants, emphasizing key figures such as Perez, Hezron, and Caleb. The genealogies trace the establishment of important towns and cities in Judah, such as Bethlehem, and highlight individuals who played significant roles in Israel’s history. This chapter demonstrates God's preservation of the lineage through which His promises to Israel were fulfilled.

1 Chronicles 2:1-5 (NKJV)
1 These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,
2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
3 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanites. Er, the firstborn of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; so He killed him.
4 And Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.
5 The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.

These verses list the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob), laying the foundation for the tribes of Israel. The focus then shifts to Judah, whose lineage is significant because it leads to David and ultimately to the Messiah. Judah had three sons by a Canaanite woman, but Er was killed due to his wickedness. Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, played a key role in continuing Judah’s line through Perez and Zerah. Perez's lineage, including his sons Hezron and Hamul, is essential in understanding the genealogical path to David.

1 Chronicles 2:6-8 (NKJV)
6 The sons of Zerah were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five of them in all.
7 The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the accursed thing.
8 The son of Ethan was Azariah.

Zerah’s descendants include notable names such as Ethan and Heman, known for their wisdom and contributions to Israel’s music and psalms. Verse 7 highlights Achar (or Achan), who is infamous for his sin during Israel’s conquest of Jericho. His disobedience in taking forbidden items led to Israel’s temporary defeat at Ai, making him a "troubler of Israel." The mention of Azariah in verse 8 ties into the lineage of Ethan, but little is known about him from this passage.

1 Chronicles 2:9-12 (NKJV)
9 Also the sons of Hezron who were born to him were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Chelubai.
10 Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, leader of the children of Judah;
11 Nahshon begot Salma, and Salma begot Boaz;
12 Boaz begot Obed, and Obed begot Jesse.

This section traces the lineage of Hezron, highlighting his descendants that lead directly to King David. Nahshon is particularly important as the leader of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus. His descendant Boaz, known from the Book of Ruth, is a central figure in Israel’s history as he becomes the great-grandfather of David. Jesse, Boaz’s son, is the father of David, and this genealogy emphasizes the continuity of God’s plan through the tribe of Judah.

1 Chronicles 2:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Jesse begot Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third,
14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth,
15 Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh.

This passage lists Jesse’s sons, with David being the youngest. Though David is seventh, his role in Israel’s history is unparalleled as he becomes the nation’s greatest king and the ancestor of the Messiah. Eliab, the eldest, was initially considered for kingship when Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, but God chose David, demonstrating that divine selection is based on the heart, not outward appearance.

1 Chronicles 2:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Now their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel—three.
17 Abigail bore Amasa; and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite.

These verses introduce David’s sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail, and their children. Zeruiah’s sons, Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, were key military leaders during David’s reign. Joab, in particular, was David’s commander-in-chief, though his actions often led to moral conflicts. Abigail’s son Amasa later served as a commander during Absalom’s rebellion, showcasing how David’s family played significant roles in his kingdom’s military affairs.

1 Chronicles 2:18-20 (NKJV)
18 Caleb the son of Hezron had children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth. Now these were her sons: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon.
19 When Azubah died, Caleb took Ephrath as his wife, who bore him Hur.
20 And Hur begot Uri, and Uri begot Bezalel.

Here, Caleb, a descendant of Hezron, is distinguished from the more famous Caleb of the Exodus generation. His lineage through Hur and Uri is significant because Bezalel, Hur’s grandson, was the craftsman appointed by God to design the Tabernacle and its sacred objects during the wilderness journey. This underscores the importance of craftsmanship and divine inspiration in Israel’s worship practices.

1 Chronicles 2:21-24 (NKJV)
21 Now afterward Hezron went in to the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead, whom he married when he was sixty years old; and she bore him Segub.
22 Segub begot Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead.
23 (Geshur and Syria took from them the towns of Jair, with Kenath and its towns, sixty towns.) All these belonged to the sons of Machir the father of Gilead.
24 After Hezron died in Caleb Ephrathah, Hezron's wife Abijah bore him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

This section reveals a late marriage of Hezron to the daughter of Machir, a leader of Gilead, further establishing family ties with this prominent region east of the Jordan. His grandson Jair held significant territory in Gilead, but some of this land was lost to neighboring enemies. The inclusion of Hezron’s wife Abijah and their son Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, provides further insight into the extended family and its regional influence in Judah.

1 Chronicles 2:25-27 (NKJV)
25 The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram, the firstborn, and Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah.
26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam.
27 The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.

Jerahmeel’s descendants are listed, showing his sons through two wives. The inclusion of his second wife, Atarah, and her son Onam reveals the extended family dynamic. Jerahmeel’s lineage highlights another branch of Hezron’s descendants, although these names play a more minor role in Israel’s later history.

1 Chronicles 2:28-30 (NKJV)
28 The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur.
29 And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid.
30 The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim; Seled died without children.

These verses describe the descendants of Onam, Jerahmeel’s son. The genealogical record shows how names continue to be preserved, although some, like Seled, did not have children. The line of Abishur continues through his sons Ahban and Molid, showing how different branches of the family developed.

1 Chronicles 2:31-33 (NKJV)
31 The son of Appaim was Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan, and Sheshan’s child was Ahlai.
32 The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan; Jether died without children.
33 The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the sons of Jerahmeel.

The genealogy continues with the descendants of Jada and Jonathan. Notably, Sheshan’s line continues through his child Ahlai, and Jonathan’s lineage extends through Peleth and Zaza. The record of those who died without children shows the importance placed on family continuity in the genealogy.

1 Chronicles 2:34-41 (NKJV)
34 Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. And Sheshan had an Egyptian servant whose name was Jarha.
35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as wife, and she bore him Attai.
36 Attai begot Nathan, and Nathan begot Zabad;
37 Zabad begot Ephlal, and Ephlal begot Obed;
38 Obed begot Jehu, and Jehu begot Azariah;
39 Azariah begot Helez, and Helez begot Eleasah;
40 Eleasah begot Sismai, and Sismai begot Shallum;
41 Shallum begot Jekamiah, and Jekamiah begot Elishama.

Sheshan, lacking a male heir, gave his daughter to his Egyptian servant Jarha in marriage. This unusual situation shows that even though Jarha was a servant, his role in the family became vital as he continued Sheshan’s lineage. Through this union, their descendants flourished, beginning with Attai and continuing for several generations. The genealogy focuses on preserving family lineage, despite non-traditional circumstances like this one, where a servant was elevated through marriage. Each name represents a link in the genealogical chain, emphasizing the importance of continuity in Israelite family structures.

1 Chronicles 2:42-43 (NKJV)
42 The descendants of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.
43 The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema.

Caleb’s descendants are mentioned here, though this Caleb is not the famous Caleb from the Exodus. Mesha is highlighted as the father of Ziph, a region in Judah. The focus on Hebron is significant, as it was a major city in the territory of Judah. Caleb’s descendants play an important role in establishing key towns and cities in Judah’s territory, showing the strength and influence of his line.

1 Chronicles 2:44-45 (NKJV)
44 Shema begot Raham the father of Jorkoam, and Rekem begot Shammai.
45 And the son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur.

This section continues with the descendants of Hebron. Raham, the father of Jorkoam, and Rekem’s son Shammai are named, and Maon is noted as the father of Beth Zur, a significant fortress in Judah. These verses highlight the importance of these family lines in the establishment of important locations within Judah.

1 Chronicles 2:46-48 (NKJV)
46 Ephah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran begot Gazez.
47 And the sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
48 Maachah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah.

Here, Caleb’s concubine Ephah and Maachah are mentioned along with their children. These descendants continue to show the extended family connections of Caleb, which include several children from concubines. The inclusion of concubines’ children in the genealogical record reflects the social customs of the time, where children born to concubines still held significance in the family structure.

1 Chronicles 2:49 (NKJV)
49 She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea. And the daughter of Caleb was Achsah.

Achsah, Caleb’s daughter, is mentioned along with Shaaph, who was the father of Madmannah. These figures contributed to the establishment of towns and cities within Judah. Achsah’s name holds particular significance in the biblical narrative, as she appears in the Book of Joshua, where she boldly requests and receives land from her father Caleb, demonstrating her role in Judah’s history.

1 Chronicles 2:50-51 (NKJV)
50 These were the descendants of Caleb: The sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, were Shobal the father of Kirjath Jearim,
51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader.

Caleb’s lineage through Hur is crucial as it links to Shobal, Salma, and Hareph. Salma’s mention as the father of Bethlehem is significant because Bethlehem is the birthplace of King David and, later, Jesus Christ. These verses emphasize the importance of Caleb’s descendants in the establishment of key cities in Judah’s history.

1 Chronicles 2:52-54 (NKJV)
52 And Shobal the father of Kirjath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, and half of the families of Manuhoth.
53 The families of Kirjath Jearim were the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from these came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
54 The sons of Salma were Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, half of the Manahathites, and the Zorites.

These verses provide further details on the descendants of Shobal and Salma. The town of Kirjath Jearim and the city of Bethlehem are central locations, and the genealogies show how the leadership and establishment of these places were tied to the descendants of Caleb. This highlights the strategic and cultural significance of these towns in Israel’s history.

1 Chronicles 2:55 (NKJV)
55 And the families of the scribes who dwelt at Jabez were the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and the Suchathites. These were the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

This final verse mentions the families of the scribes who lived in Jabez, a place possibly associated with wisdom and learning. The mention of the Kenites, particularly those related to the house of Rechab, adds a broader ethnic element to the genealogy, showing that some non-Israelite groups, like the Kenites, played a role in Israel’s history and society.