1 Chronicles 6:49-81 - Pattern of Redemption in Priests and Servants

1 Chronicles 6:49-81

The Family of Aaron

49 But Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the Most Holy Place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 Now these are the sons of Aaron: Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, 53 Zadok his son, and Ahimaaz his son.

Dwelling Places of the Levites (Joshua 21:1–42)

54 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their settlements in their territory, for they were given by lot to the sons of Aaron, of the family of the Kohathites: 55 They gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, with its surrounding common-lands. 56 But the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave one of the cities of refuge, Hebron; also Libnah with its common-lands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its common-lands, 58 Hilen with its common-lands, Debir with its common-lands, 59 Ashan with its common-lands, and Beth Shemesh with its common-lands. 60 And from the tribe of Benjamin: Geba with its common-lands, Alemeth with its common-lands, and Anathoth with its common-lands. All their cities among their families were thirteen.

61 To the rest of the family of the tribe of the Kohathites they gave by lot ten cities from half the tribe of Manasseh. 62 And to the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, they gave thirteen cities from the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. 63 To the sons of Merari, throughout their families, they gave twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun. 64 So the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands to the Levites. 65 And they gave by lot from the tribe of the children of Judah, from the tribe of the children of Simeon, and from the tribe of the children of Benjamin these cities which are called by their names.

66 Now some of the families of the sons of Kohath were given cities as their territory from the tribe of Ephraim. 67 And they gave them one of the cities of refuge, Shechem with its common-lands, in the mountains of Ephraim, also Gezer with its common-lands, 68 Jokmeam with its common-lands, Beth Horon with its common-lands, 69 Aijalon with its common-lands, and Gath Rimmon with its common-lands. 70 And from the half-tribe of Manasseh: Aner with its common-lands and Bileam with its common-lands, for the rest of the family of the sons of Kohath.

71 From the family of the half-tribe of Manasseh the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands and Ashtaroth with its common-lands. 72 And from the tribe of Issachar: Kedesh with its common-lands, Daberath with its common-lands, 73 Ramoth with its common-lands, and Anem with its common-lands. 74 And from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its common-lands, Abdon with its common-lands, 75 Hukok with its common-lands, and Rehob with its common-lands. 76 And from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its common-lands, Hammon with its common-lands, and Kirjathaim with its common-lands.

77 From the tribe of Zebulun the rest of the children of Merari were given Rimmon with its common-lands and Tabor with its common-lands. 78 And on the other side of the Jordan, across from Jericho, on the east side of the Jordan, they were given from the tribe of Reuben: Bezer in the wilderness with its common-lands, Jahzah with its common-lands, 79 Kedemoth with its common-lands, and Mephaath with its common-lands. 80 And from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its common-lands, Mahanaim with its common-lands, 81 Heshbon with its common-lands, and Jazer with its common-lands.

The familial lines of Aaron and Levi are described as the servants of the LORD ministering in the house of God.  Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices to atone for the sins of God’s people Israel and do the work of the Most Holy Place where the high priest met with God on the mercy seat, a shadow of the mercy seat we now approach (Hebrews 4:16) freely because of the eternally unending (Hebrews 7:25, 26-27, 28, 9:8) atoning work of our great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:5), Jesus Christ now sitting on the mercy seat.  Whereas the Lord is the High Priest, all believers are now the kingdom of priests after the manner of Aaron’s lineage in a spiritual sense of inheritance through Jesus Christ.  The Levites are described here as the keepers and up keepers of the temple in which Aaron and sons served the LORD, much like present day deacons watch over the church’s daily needs to free up the servants such as the pastors and elders for the (Acts 6:2, 3-4) ministry of the new covenant which is the gospel.  The pattern of God’s redemptive work and our spiritual inheritance through the new covenant in God’s Son is clearly seen here for our understanding of God’s sovereign plan of redemption and working out His work within the roles and mission of the church as we are conformed to His image while we come to (Ephesians 4:11-12, 13, 15-16) the common knowledge and wisdom of His word to love out to one another for the world to see and turn from sin to Him. 

1 Chronicles 6:1-48 - Service to God as Priests and Singers

1 Chronicles 6:1-48

The Family of Levi (Genesis 46:11)

1 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar begot Phinehas, and Phinehas begot Abishua; 5 Abishua begot Bukki, and Bukki begot Uzzi; 6 Uzzi begot Zerahiah, and Zerahiah begot Meraioth; 7 Meraioth begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 8 Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Ahimaaz; 9 Ahimaaz begot Azariah, and Azariah begot Johanan; 10 Johanan begot Azariah (it was he who ministered as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem); 11 Azariah begot Amariah, and Amariah begot Ahitub; 12 Ahitub begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Shallum; 13 Shallum begot Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begot Azariah; 14 Azariah begot Seraiah, and Seraiah begot Jehozadak. 15 Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

16 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 17 These are the names of the sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. Now these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers: 20 Of Gershon were Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, and Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath were Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai and Ahimoth. 26 As for Elkanah, the sons of Elkanah were Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel were Joel the firstborn, and Abijah the second. 29 The sons of Merari were Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.

Musicians in the House of the LORD

31 Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark came to rest. 32 They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.

33 And these are the ones who ministered with their sons: Of the sons of the Kohathites were Heman the singer, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel, 34 the son of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Eliel, the son of Toah, 35 the son of Zuph, the son of Elkanah, the son of Mahath, the son of Amasai, 36 the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, 37 the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, 38 the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, the son of Israel. 39 And his brother Asaph, who stood at his right hand, was Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea, 40 the son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchijah, 41 the son of Ethni, the son of Zerah, the son of Adaiah, 42 the son of Ethan, the son of Zimmah, the son of Shimei, 43 the son of Jahath, the son of Gershon, the son of Levi.

44 Their brethren, the sons of Merari, on the left hand, were Ethan the son of Kishi, the son of Abdi, the son of Malluch, 45 the son of Hashabiah, the son of Amaziah, the son of Hilkiah, 46 the son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer, 47 the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi.

48 And their brethren, the Levites, were appointed to every kind of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

We know of the Levitical priesthood serving the LORD God in the temple, but sometimes overlook the service to God in song in the order set in the temple as a pattern for today.  Our priests are not of a certain religious order as seen in Rome today, or of a certain tribe of ancient Israel, but the family lineage is of Christ in all believers (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10) who serve our Lord.  This is reflected in our worship services through the corporate adoration of the Lord just as we worship in song as a congregation of priests and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and not only a certain team standing to lead us all to honor and praise in worship.  We do, however, see the ministry of preaching and teaching of the word through chosen men qualified by God with their AUG (Approved Under God) degrees issued from heaven and accepted by we His people in our local churches and not just by each of us as priests ministering to one another (Hebrews 10:24-25) together.  We see a pattern set long ago for worship that started as a task of chosen family lines of God’s chosen people Israel in a physical temple that has become a building of chosen people that compose the temple of our worship in service to the Lord in song and mutual sharpening (Proverbs 27:17) of one another as priests given our calling by God and not by man.  We have all been appointed general roles of worship as priests and in voices of praise, and God has also appointed those to lead us in the word and song for His glory, all done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40) to grow the body of Christ in this temple of worship (1 Peter 2:4-5) as we who have been called and chosen as the lineage of Christ by faith according to the promise to Abraham fulfilled in the channel of our redemption through Israel.  Let us worship Him who alone is worthy (Jude 1:25, Revelation 4:11, 5:12) in word and song together as we meet and minister to one another and to Him.  This is our service to God as priests and singers.

1 Chronicles 5:1-26 - Kingdom Rule of Mercy and Grace

1 Chronicles 5:1-26

The Family of Reuben (Genesis 46:8, 9)

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, 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.

The Family of Gad

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 were 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. 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.

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.

The Family of Manasseh (East)

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 family lines of Reuben the firstborn of Israel whose immorality cost him the birthright over Joseph, and of the sons Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh are cove in this chapter.  Joseph was supplanted by Judah ended up ruling even though the birthright was Joseph’s and all three of these tribes cried out in war to God to see victory over the ungodly of the promised land and even dwelt in their respective lands until the captivity to Assyria.  The descendants of Manasseh, however, even though they were mighty men of valor in battle, these ended up running after other gods of the land whom God had destroyed before them instead of being thankful to only worship the one true living LORD who had given them the victory to begin with as one would expect for such a deliverance.  How many name the name of Christ today and yet pursue other gods in worship of self and selfish gain instead of reflecting upon their salvation, their deliverance from God’s just anger on their sin and promise of a far better eternal land (Hebrews 11:16, Revelation 21:2) promised (Luke 12:33, 2 Corinthians 5:1) in the heavens?  We are urged to pursue the Lord (Philippians 3:13-14, 1 John 2:15-16, 17) and not temporary temporal pursuits in place of pleasing God as these examples tell us to avoid or face the consequences of continuing in such idolatrous and even immoral sins which are idolatry (Colossians 3:5, 1 John 5:21) left without repentance.  We can come boldly holding nothing back to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), even our shame and felling of hopeless failure, knowing our admission of sin brings forgiveness (1 John 1:7-8, 9-10) when confessed and laid before His rule over our lives in mercy and grace for His kingdom’s sake.  This kingdom rule of mercy and grace comes through pursuing the one true God through the descendant of promise, His Son Jesus Christ our Lord who rules over us and deserves our wholehearted singleness of worship and devotion (Mark 12:29-30, 32-33) of heart, mind, body, and soul.  points is to the Kingdom Rule of Mercy and Grace in place of self-seeking idolatry of worldly pursuits.

1 Chronicles 4:24-43 - Simeon’s Legacy for Vengeance

1 Chronicles 4:24-43

The Family of Simeon (Genesis 46:10)

24 The sons of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul, 25 Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son. 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.

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. 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: 34 Meshobab, Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah; 35 Joel, and Jehu the son of Joshibiah, 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.

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 there. 42 Now 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.

The legacy of Simeon is recorded for us as we look back to his father’s prophetic account of what would become of them (Genesis 49:5-6, 7) and each other son.  His line did not amount to as much as Judah from David as the precursor to the Messiah (Genesis 49:8, 10) as a mighty lion of the tribe of Judah.  Instead he is known for his violence when he and his brother Levi slaughtered the men of Shechem in revenge for the defiling of their sister Dinah, for which they inherited no land of their own but were scattered and then absorbed into the Judah as a nondescript people.  They did not understand that vengeance is the LORD’s (Deuteronomy 32:35, Psalm 94:1, Hebrews 10:30-31) and chose to overcome evil with evil instead of with good (Romans 12:19, 21); he reaped the whirlwind of that act by being scattered and absorbed into the stronger brother’s territory.  This is a lesson for us not only of the end of God’s chosen elect, but also of the consequences of our actions of vengeance instead of showing grace in returning good for evil (Matthew 5:43-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:10, 17) as He has done for us in Christ, the Seed of David of the tribe of Judah.  Remember Simeon’s legacy for his vengeance and seek to do good to those who do the worst to us and our loved ones as we put retribution (Revelation 6:10) in the hand of God where it belongs to avoid sinning against Him and our brother.  Yes, this is a warning for us all who would seek our own vengeance. 

1 Chronicles 4:1-23 - Golden Path of our Salvation

1 Chronicles 4:1-23

The Family of Judah

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. 6 Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7 The sons of Helah were Zereth, Zohar, and Ethnan; 8 and Koz begot Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum.

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.

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 Rechah.

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. 16 The sons of Jehallelel were Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, and Asarel. 17 The sons of Ezrah 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 Sochoh, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah.) And these were the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered took.

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. 23 These were the potters and those who dwell at Netaim and Gederah; there they dwelt with the king for his work.

The lineage of Judah is specially followed here after the previous trail from king David towards the Messiah Jesus to come through the line of David according to the faith of Abraham before him promised in the beginning in Genesis 3:15 to defeat sin’s penalty at the source by the heart made new.  Jesus's lineage is therefore traced back to Jacob's fourth son Judah and David was the descendant of Judah that earned Him the title, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.”  This completes the generations leading to Jesus Christ whose descendant founded Bethlehem where both king David and Jesus Christ were born.  Along the way, a man named Jabez who was born in his mother’s pain asked for blessings to keep him from evil and not cause anyone else pain as he did to his mother.  God answered him.  This is now used out of cont as a rote prayer for demanding blessing and prosperity, which misses the point of a sincere heart seeking to do good to others (Matthew 7:12, Romans 13:8, 10, Galatians 5:14, 6:10) and not hurt them.  It is not a formula to gain blessings of health and wealth for ourselves, but to do to others as we would like them to do to us.  The golden rule, if you will.  That is on the way to our deliverance by the Messiah, the Seed of David, foundation of the faith of Abraham, and the Lion of Judah who fights for our souls, the one who laid down His life for us to do no harm and bless us as He did for Jabez.  What a plan of salvation channeled down through history to us and written down for our wonder and awe, a golden path of deliverance (Romans 8:28-29, 30), designed and executed by the Lord of Himself for us! 

1 Chronicles 3:1-24 - Starting Lineage of King David

1 Chronicles 3:1-24

The Family of David (Matthew 1:6)

1 Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess; 2 the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; 3 the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah.

4 These six were born to him in Hebron. There he reigned seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years. 5 And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon—four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel. 6 Also there were Ibhar, Elishama, Eliphelet, 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet—nine in all. 9 These were all the sons of David, besides the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister.

The Family of Solomon (Matthew 1:7–11)

10 Solomon’s son was Rehoboam; Abijah was his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son, 11 Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son, 12 Amaziah his son, Azariah his son, Jotham his son, 13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son, 14 Amon his son, and Josiah his son. 15 The sons of Josiah were Johanan the firstborn, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum. 16 The sons of Jehoiakim were Jeconiah his son and Zedekiah his son.

The Family of Jeconiah

17 And the sons of Jeconiah were Assir, Shealtiel his son, 18 and Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. 19 The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam, Hananiah, Shelomith their sister, 20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed—five in all.

21 The sons of Hananiah were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah, the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, and the sons of Shechaniah. 22 The son of Shechaniah was Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six in all. 23 The sons of Neariah were Elioenai, Hezekiah, and Azrikam—three in all. 24 The sons of Elioenai were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani—seven in all.

The starting lineage of King David emphasized his son Solomon and Solomon’s son Rehoboam and then Abijah and Asa and so on to Jeconiah and twelve more descendants, all in the lineage of the Messiah Jesus (Matthew 1:6, 7-11) recorded for us to see the channel of God’s redemption in Christ to come.  This genealogy has immense value for us therefore.  The recording of the lineage of Jeconiah covers those sent into captivity in Babylon but not in the Messianic lineage, yet nonetheless still important to understand the history of God’s people as the channel of redemption to come, just as a picture of our bondage to sin before being set free (Romans 6:17-18) by Him who is the Seed of David according to the flesh and the seed of God as His Son (Isaiah 9:6, 7, Romans 1:1-2, 3-4) in the Spirit.  How wonderful that the LORD God recorded all these details for us to grasp His plan of redemption in Jesus Christ for us from our need of redemption in the Fall at Eden through the channel of redemption in Israel to the purchase of redemption in Christ until the future consummation of redemption in eternity!  May we engage in the proclamation of this redemption until His return with the historical facts as it is written and the confirmation of His Spirit giving understanding to see and hear Him in this gospel of hope.  The starting lineage of king David leads to the eternal lineage of all born again in his Seed and our Savior, Jesus the Christ.  Amen. 

1 Chronicles 2:1-55 - The Lineage of Eternal Life

1 Chronicles 2:1-55

The Family of Israel (Genesis 35:23–26; 46:8–25)

1 These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

From Judah to David (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:2–6; Luke 3:31–33)

3 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by the daughter of Shua, the Canaanitess. 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. 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.

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; 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.

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.

The Family of Hezron

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.

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.

The Family of Jerahmeel

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. 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. 31 The son of Appaim was Ishi, the son of Ishi was Sheshan, and Sheshan’s son 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.

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.

The Family of Caleb

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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 Manahethites, and the Zorites.

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.

The genealogical record continues in chapter 2 with the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob) and then follows the son Judah through Ruth to David the king through whom the Seed who is the Messiah (Romans 1:2-4, 2 Timothy 2:8, Galatians 3:16) would come as the Lion (Revelation 5:5) of the tribe of Judah.  Other notable branches are covered as well that validate the historical accuracy of scripture and explain the lines that endured for a while while others died out due to sin as before Noah and his kin survived to bring these into existence.  The most important it the line of David (Matthew 1:17, Luke 3:31, 38) of course, as through him came the divine Jesus Christ in the flesh like our own, prepared (Hebrews 9:5) from before time (Psalm 90:2, John 1:1, 14, 17:24, 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 1:9) as God planned our redemption through His Son for we who also have a lineage according to the flesh but more importantly, through the spiritual rebirth into Christ the Son of Man and Son of God.  We therefore can understand the plan of God from before creation and Adam’s fall that brought sin to us all (Romans 5:12, 18-19) through the channel of redemption for all He will call to Himself through His Son, the Seed of David, by the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6-7, 8-9) called to inherit the promised land which is but a whiff of our own heavenly kingdom inheritance to come.  This is the lineage of eternal life though the channel of redemption in the people of Israel to the Christ destined to come for us.

1 Chronicles 1:1-54 - Beginning of the Thread of Redemption

1 Chronicles 1:1-54

The Family of Adam—Seth to Abraham (Gen. 5:1–32; 10:1–32; 11:10–26; Luke 3:34–38)

1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, 2 Cainan, Mahalalel, Jared, 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Diphath, and Togarmah. 7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshishah, Kittim, and Rodanim.

8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raama, and Sabtecha. The sons of Raama were Sheba and Dedan. 10 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. 11 Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 12 Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and the Caphtorim). 13 Canaan begot Sidon, his firstborn, and Heth; 14 the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite; 15 the Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite; 16 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

17 The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. 18 Arphaxad begot Shelah, and Shelah begot Eber. 19 To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. 20 Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 22 Ebal, Abimael, Sheba, 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.

24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27 and Abram, who is Abraham. 28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.

The Family of Ishmael (Genesis 25:12–16)

29 These are their genealogies: The firstborn of Ishmael was Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

The Family of Keturah (Genesis 25:1–4)

32 Now the sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. 33 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

The Family of Isaac (Genesis 36:10–14)

34 And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel. 35 The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. 36 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek. 37 The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

The Family of Seir (Genesis 36:20–28)

38 The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. 39 And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; Lotan’s sister was Timna. 40 The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Ajah and Anah. 41 The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 42 The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran.

The Kings of Edom (Genesis 36:31–43)

43 Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 44 And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. 45 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 46 And when Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. 47 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 48 And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. 49 When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 50 And when Baal-Hanan died, Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. 51 Hadad died also. And the chiefs of Edom were Chief Timnah, Chief Aliah, Chief Jetheth, 52 Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, 53 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, 54 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.

The record of the lineage of man from the first Adam until Jacob called Israel is in this first chapter chronicling the plan for man from the Fall to eventual redemption in the Messiah through the seed of David later (Matthew 1:17, Galatians 4:4, 3:16) in history’s fullness.  This detailed account is necessary to show and know the reality of man’s creation, fall, and redemption according to God’s sovereign plan.  We may not know or remember each and every name outlined here, yet the LORD knows each one intimately and has worked through their choices for good or evil as taking the knowledge of that tree (Genesis 2:9, 17, 3:6, 17) instead of listening and learning from God (Hebrews 5:14) has corrupted each and grace has delivered a remnant out of them all to accomplish His purposes.  We see here the account of the first man Adam who did not trust and obey God to Abraham the man who took God at His word and accepted it by faith as intended, who then is the example for our faith in Christ (Galatians 3:6, 9, James 2:23) now who hear and believe the word of the gospel and obey it with that same willing trust.  We take God at His word like Abraham because we have this lineage of failings and trust in God’s word to consider that points to our deliverance from sin’s penalty in His work for us as our own imperfect (Romans 3:23, 6:23) works always fail to achieve.  The foundation is of Abraham’s sons Isaac of promise and Ishmael of worldly gain alone, to their son Jacob later called Israel (Genesis 32:28, “God prevails”) as the bedrock of the chosen people for our channel of redemption culminating in the Messiah-Christ Jesus.  This account then is critical to und the story of the gospel and our hope by faith in God’s work (John 5:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:1, 8) to bring us to Himself.  This genealogy then is the beginning of the scarlet thread of redemption woven through the scriptures to convict and convince us of the truth of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

2 Kings 25:22-28 - Captivity in Hope

2 Kings 25:22-28

Gedaliah Made Governor of Judah (Jeremiah 40:5—41:18)

22 Then he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left. 23 Now when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Careah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men. 24 And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, and said to them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”

25 But it happened in the seventh month that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck and killed Gedaliah, the Jews, as well as the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 26 And all the people, small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose and went to Egypt; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

Jehoiachin Released from Prison (Jeremiah 52:31–34)

27 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. 28 He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon.

The end of the kings in this book is seen in captivity to Babylon.  Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had set Gedaliah as governor over the remnant of Judah.  This governor told the people to submit to Babylonian rule to have peace in the land (Jeremiah 21:9, 10, 40:9), but a conspiracy formed contrary to God’s word and will and he was assassinated.  The rebellion led to the perpetrators running away to Egypt in fear and then the captive Judean king Jehoiachin was released from prison to dine with the new king of Babylon and was treated well, a foretaste of a future restoration of Jerusalem in Judah to come.  We find that sometimes sin leads to a judgment and exile of captivity as a consequence, yet there is still hope of a remnant being restored to grace.  The end of some evil kings may yet lead to a chance to be redeemed as ultimately seen in the coming of the King of kings to redeem we the remnant out of all nations to serve and worship Him.  This is captivity in hope.