1 Chronicles 1:46

KJV

And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Avith.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Husham {H2367} was dead {H4191}, Hadad {H1908} the son {H1121} of Bedad {H911}, which smote {H5221} Midian {H4080} in the field {H7704} of Moab {H4124}, reigned {H4427} in his stead: and the name {H8034} of his city {H5892} was Avith {H5762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After Husham died, Hadad the son of B'dad, who attacked Midyan on the plains of Mo'av, took his place as king; the name of his city was 'Avit.

Berean Standard Bible

When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith.

American Standard Version

And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Avith.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 1:46 continues the meticulous genealogical record of the Edomite kings, specifically detailing the succession from Husham to Hadad, son of Bedad. This verse provides a concise yet rich historical snapshot, identifying Hadad's lineage, his significant military victory over Midian in the field of Moab, and the name of his capital city, Avith. It serves as a testament to the Chronicler's commitment to historical accuracy and subtly underscores God's sovereignty over all nations, even those outside of Israel's direct covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the extensive genealogies that open the book of 1 Chronicles (chapters 1-9), which trace humanity from Adam through the patriarchs and the tribes of Israel. More specifically, 1 Chronicles 1:35-54 focuses on the descendants of Esau, the progenitor of Edom, detailing their chiefs and kings. This section closely parallels and expands upon the Edomite king lists found in [Genesis 36](/genesis/36 "Genesis 36 - The Generations of Esau"), demonstrating the Chronicler's reliance on and affirmation of earlier biblical traditions. The inclusion of these non-Israelite genealogies serves to establish the broader historical and geopolitical backdrop against which the history of Israel, particularly the Davidic monarchy, will unfold, affirming the historical reality of these nations and their rulers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were a significant neighboring kingdom to ancient Israel, located southeast of the Dead Sea in the region of Seir. Their relationship with Israel was often complex and adversarial. The list of Edomite kings in 1 Chronicles 1:43-54 describes rulers who reigned "before there reigned any king over the children of Israel," indicating a period prior to the Israelite monarchy. In the ancient Near East, a king's legitimacy and power were often demonstrated through his lineage, military prowess (like "smiting Midian"), and the establishment of a capital city. The mention of "the field of Moab" provides geographical precision, indicating the sphere of Hadad's influence and military operations, highlighting the interconnectedness of these ancient kingdoms.
* **Key Themes:** The inclusion of 1 Chronicles 1:46, along with the other Edomite kings, contributes to several overarching themes within Chronicles. Firstly, it underscores the **historical veracity and meticulous record-keeping** of the biblical narrative, affirming the reality of these nations and their rulers as part of God's unfolding plan. Secondly, it subtly but powerfully highlights **God's universal sovereignty**; even these non-covenant kings and their accomplishments are recorded as part of a larger divine tapestry, demonstrating that God's rule extends over all earthly powers, as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"). Thirdly, these genealogies, including those of Edom, provide crucial **background for the subsequent narrative of Israel**, establishing the historical context for future interactions between Israel and its neighbors, and ultimately setting the stage for the lineage of the Davidic monarchy, which is the Chronicler's primary focus. The continuity with [Genesis 36:31](/genesis/36-31 "Genesis 36:31 - Kings of Edom Before Israelite Kings") further emphasizes the unity and consistency of God's historical narrative across the biblical canon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hadad (Hebrew, _Ḥaḏaḏ'_):** A common Semitic name in the ancient Near East, often associated with a storm god (Hadad/Adad) in various regional pantheons. However, in this biblical context, it functions purely as a personal name for an Edomite king, without any direct theological implication of deity worship. Its commonality suggests a typical name for the period and region.
* **Midian (Hebrew, _Miḏyān'_):** A nomadic people descended from Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:2). They frequently appear in biblical narratives, often in conflict with Israel (e.g., Numbers 25, Judges 6-7). Hadad's act of "smiting Midian" signifies a decisive military victory, establishing his strength and authority as a ruler. This victory would have been a significant achievement for his reign.
* **Avith (Hebrew, _ʿĀwîṯ'_):** The name of Hadad's capital city. While its exact location is debated among scholars, its mention confirms the established nature of Hadad's rule and the existence of a central administrative hub for his kingdom. The presence of a capital city was a hallmark of organized, sovereign states in the ancient world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Husham was dead":** This clause marks the end of the preceding king's reign, Husham of the land of Temani (1 Chronicles 1:45). It serves as a standard formula for royal succession in ancient Near Eastern king lists, indicating a transition of power and the continuation of the Edomite monarchy.
* **"Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead":** This is the core of the verse, introducing the new king, Hadad. His lineage ("son of Bedad") provides his identity and legitimacy. The phrase "which smote Midian in the field of Moab" highlights his most notable achievement—a significant military victory over the Midianites, a nomadic group often active in the Transjordan region. The geographical detail "in the field of Moab" further specifies the location of this decisive battle, adding historical precision to the record. This victory would have solidified his rule and demonstrated his power.
* **"and the name of his city [was] Avith":** This final clause identifies Hadad's capital city. The mention of a capital signifies a settled, organized kingdom with an administrative center, further underscoring the established nature of the Edomite monarchy and Hadad's reign.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Chronicles 1:46, and indeed throughout the opening chapters of the book, is **Genealogy**. The Chronicler meticulously records the lineage and succession of rulers, even non-Israelite ones, to establish historical continuity and validate the historical claims of the narrative. This verse also employs a **Succession Formula**, common in ancient Near Eastern royal annals, where the death of one king is immediately followed by the introduction of his successor and a brief summary of their reign. This formula provides a clear, concise, and orderly progression through the list of kings. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Conciseness** or **Brevity**, packing significant historical details—name, lineage, a major military achievement, and capital city—into a single, compact statement, demonstrating the Chronicler's efficient historical reporting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
While 1 Chronicles 1:46 might seem like a mere historical footnote, its inclusion within the divinely inspired text carries profound theological weight. It subtly but powerfully affirms God's universal sovereignty, reminding the reader that His providential hand extends over all nations and their rulers, not just His covenant people. The rise and fall of kings, even those outside of Israel, are part of God's overarching plan for history, setting the stage for the unfolding of His redemptive purposes. This meticulous record-keeping also underscores the reliability and historical accuracy of Scripture, assuring us that the biblical narrative is grounded in real historical events and figures.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons") - "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding."
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities") - "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Humbles") - "For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes exaltation, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of a verse like 1 Chronicles 1:46, seemingly a dry list of names and events, challenges us to appreciate the depth and purposefulness of every part of Scripture. It reminds us that God is intimately involved in all of history, orchestrating events and establishing rulers, even in nations seemingly far removed from His direct covenant. This truth encourages us to look for God's hand not only in the grand, miraculous narratives but also in the seemingly mundane details and historical records of our world. It fosters a worldview where no event is outside of God's sovereign purview, inviting us to trust in His comprehensive plan, even when we don't fully understand the "why" behind every historical detail. It also reinforces the Bible's commitment to historical truth, building confidence in its reliability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's meticulous record-keeping, even of non-Israelite kings like Hadad, deepen your trust in the historical reliability of Scripture?**
* **In what ways does the subtle revelation of God's sovereignty over all nations, as seen in this verse, provide comfort or challenge in today's complex global landscape?**
* **What "mundane" or seemingly insignificant details in your own life or in current events might God be orchestrating for a greater, unseen purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why does Chronicles include such detailed genealogies of non-Israelite peoples like the Edomites?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed genealogies for non-Israelite peoples, such as the Edomites in 1 Chronicles 1:46, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides historical validation and context for the subsequent narrative of Israel. By establishing the historical reality of surrounding nations and their rulers, the Chronicler grounds the history of Israel within a broader, verifiable ancient Near Eastern context. Secondly, it subtly demonstrates God's universal sovereignty; even kings outside of the direct covenant line are part of His overarching plan and under His authority. Thirdly, it highlights the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive narrative, which ultimately encompasses all humanity. Finally, it reinforces the continuity of biblical history, connecting the Chronicler's account back to earlier records, particularly the Edomite king lists found in [Genesis 36](/genesis/36 "Genesis 36 - The Generations of Esau"), thereby emphasizing the unity and consistency of God's historical revelation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 1:46 speaks of an earthly king and his temporal reign, its presence within the broader biblical narrative points to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. The meticulous genealogies of Chronicles, though detailing figures like Hadad, ultimately serve to trace the lineage that culminates in David, from whom the Messiah would come (e.g., [Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). The sovereignty of God subtly displayed in the rise and fall of kings like Hadad, who "smote Midian" and established an earthly kingdom, foreshadows the absolute and eternal reign of Christ. Jesus is the true King who "smotes" the ultimate enemy, sin and death, not merely in a physical battle but through His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His kingdom is not limited to a geographical city like Avith, but extends over all creation ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")), and His reign is eternal, unlike the transient reigns of earthly monarchs ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). Thus, even in these ancient records of foreign kings, we find echoes of God's providential hand guiding history towards the glorious manifestation of His Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.