1 Chronicles 4

This chapter continues the genealogies of the tribes of Israel, specifically focusing on the tribe of Judah and then on the descendants of Simeon. It mentions several notable individuals within these tribes and some brief stories or descriptions of their roles or character traits.

1 Chronicles 4:1-5 (NKJV)
1 The sons of Judah were Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal.
2 And Reaiah the son of Shobal begot Jahath, and Jahath begot Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families of the Zorathites.
3 These were the sons of the father of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi;
4 and Penuel was the father of Gedor, and Ezer was the father of Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem.
5 And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

These verses provide a genealogical list of some of the descendants of Judah, beginning with Perez and continuing with his descendants. It highlights the Zorathites and several key figures, including Penuel, the father of Gedor, and Hur, associated with Bethlehem. These names indicate the clans or families that became prominent in the regions of Judah. The mentioning of both sons and daughters shows the importance of family lineage and how various families contributed to Judah's development. Tekoa, mentioned here, is later known as a place of significance in the Bible.

1 Chronicles 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah.

This verse outlines the children of Ashhur's wife, Naarah, listing her four sons. Though little is known about these sons, their names reflect the ongoing genealogical record, showing how the tribe of Judah continued to expand and settle the land.

1 Chronicles 4:7 (NKJV)
7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan.

This brief verse mentions the children of Helah, the second wife of Ashhur, providing another branch of the family line. By listing these names, the author continues to demonstrate the extensive lineage within the tribe of Judah.

1 Chronicles 4:8 (NKJV)
8 And Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

Here, the genealogy continues with Koz, who fathered Anub and Zobebah. Aharhel, another significant figure, is mentioned as having multiple families, reinforcing the idea that the tribe of Judah was made up of numerous clans.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain."
10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

These verses provide a rare narrative break in the genealogical record, focusing on Jabez, a man noted for his honor. His prayer to God for blessing, protection, and an expanded territory reflects his dependence on God. Jabez’s name, meaning "pain," is contrasted with his desire not to cause pain, and God’s favorable response to his prayer highlights how faithfulness and earnest petition to God are rewarded.

1 Chronicles 4:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Chelub the brother of Shuhah begot Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.
12 And Eshton begot Beth-Rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Ir-Nahash. These were the men of Recah.

This passage returns to the genealogical account, listing Chelub’s descendants. Though not much is detailed about their lives, these names contribute to the broader family structures within Judah, ensuring that various branches of the tribe are remembered.

1 Chronicles 4:13-15 (NKJV)
13 The sons of Kenaz were Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel were Hathath,
14 and Meonothai who begot Ophrah. Seraiah begot Joab the father of Ge Harashim, for they were craftsmen.
15 The sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh were Iru, Elah, and Naam. The son of Elah was Kenaz.

Here, the genealogy focuses on Kenaz and his descendants, including Othniel, a significant figure in the book of Judges. Othniel was Israel’s first judge, and these verses emphasize his heritage. The mention of craftsmen suggests that some of these families had specialized roles, such as Joab, indicating how trades were passed down through generations.

1 Chronicles 4:16-18 (NKJV)
16 The sons of Jehaleleel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel.
17 The sons of Ezra were Jether, Mered, Epher, and Jalon. And Mered's wife bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa.
18 (His wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) And these were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

These verses add more descendants of Judah, particularly focusing on Ezra’s sons. The mention of Mered’s wife, Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, is significant as it shows a cross-cultural marriage, highlighting how Judah's lineage incorporated individuals from outside Israel. This passage also underscores how the different families were connected to various locations, such as Gedor and Zanoah.

1 Chronicles 4:19-22 (NKJV)
19 The sons of Hodiah's wife, the sister of Naham, were the fathers of Keilah the Garmite and of Eshtemoa the Maachathite.
20 And the sons of Shimon were Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-Hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-Zoheth.
21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of the linen workers of the house of Ashbea;
22 also Jokim, the men of Chozeba, and Joash; Saraph, who ruled in Moab, and Jashubi-Lehem. Now the records are ancient.

These verses introduce various other descendants, including those from Shelah’s line, a son of Judah. The mention of linen workers shows the variety of trades within the tribe. Saraph, ruling in Moab, indicates the interaction with other nations, and the statement that the records are ancient emphasizes the longevity and depth of Judah’s genealogical history.

1 Chronicles 4:23 (NKJV)
23 These were the potters and those who dwell at Netaim and Gederah; there they dwelt with the king for his work.

This verse highlights a specific group within Judah—potters who lived in Netaim and Gederah. Their proximity to the king and involvement in his work suggests they were artisans serving in royal or important capacities. This shows how even tradesmen played a key role in the tribe's society, contributing to the kingdom's functioning.

1 Chronicles 4:24-25 (NKJV)
24 The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul,
25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.

These verses transition to the genealogy of Simeon, another tribe of Israel. The list begins with five sons of Simeon, with Shallum being the most notable descendant in this brief lineage. This section provides a concise family tree, helping preserve the identity of Simeon’s descendants among the tribes of Israel.

1 Chronicles 4:26-27 (NKJV)
26 And the sons of Mishma were Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, and Shimei his son.
27 Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brothers did not have many children, nor did any of their families multiply as much as the children of Judah.

This genealogy emphasizes the descendants of Mishma, son of Simeon. Notably, Shimei, the great-grandson of Simeon, had an exceptionally large family with sixteen sons and six daughters. In contrast, the other families of Simeon did not grow as large, highlighting a difference in the growth between the tribe of Simeon and Judah.

1 Chronicles 4:28-31 (NKJV)
28 They dwelt at Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar Shual,
29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,
31 Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susim, Beth Biri, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities until the reign of David.

These verses detail the cities in which the descendants of Simeon lived. The mention of these specific places, such as Beersheba and Ziklag, is significant because they are important locations in biblical history. These cities belonged to Simeon until David’s reign, showing the territorial influence of the tribe before it became less prominent later in Israel’s history.

1 Chronicles 4:32-33 (NKJV)
32 And their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan—five cities—
33 and all the villages that were around these cities as far as Baal. These were their dwelling places, and they maintained their genealogy.

This section continues to provide a list of Simeon’s cities and surrounding villages. The fact that they maintained their genealogy suggests the importance of preserving their identity, even though Simeon was a smaller tribe compared to Judah. Their adherence to recording their lineage highlights the care taken to ensure their place in Israel’s history.

1 Chronicles 4:34-38 (NKJV)
34 Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah;
35 Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel;
36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, and Benaiah;
37 Ziza the son of Shiphi, the son of Allon, the son of Jedaiah, the son of Shimri, the son of Shemaiah—
38 these mentioned by name were leaders in their families, and their father’s house increased greatly.

This passage lists the leaders of various families within the tribe of Simeon. These men were recognized as heads of their clans, ensuring that Simeon’s legacy continued even as their tribe grew. The mention of their father’s house increasing greatly indicates that despite their smaller numbers initially, the tribe eventually grew in strength and influence over time.

1 Chronicles 4:39-41 (NKJV)
39 So they went to the entrance of Gedor, as far as the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
40 And they found rich, good pasture, and the land was broad, quiet, and peaceful; for some Hamites formerly lived there.
41 These recorded by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and they attacked their tents and the Meunites who were found there, and utterly destroyed them, as it is to this day. So they dwelt in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks.

These verses recount a specific expedition where men from the tribe of Simeon sought out new land for their flocks during the reign of Hezekiah. Finding rich and peaceful pastures, they attacked the Meunites who had lived there and took the land for themselves. This episode illustrates how the Simeonites sought out favorable land to settle, securing a place for their growing families and flocks during this period of expansion.

1 Chronicles 4:42-43 (NKJV)
42 Some of them, five hundred men of the sons of Simeon, went to Mount Seir, having as their captains Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi.
43 And they defeated the rest of the Amalekites who had escaped. They have dwelt there to this day.

In these final verses, a group of five hundred Simeonites went to Mount Seir under the leadership of four captains. They defeated the remaining Amalekites, a group that had been a long-time enemy of Israel. The fact that they dwelt there "to this day" signifies their success in establishing a lasting presence in this region, showing that the tribe of Simeon continued to expand its territory during this period.