1 Chronicles 5:26

KJV

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the God {H430} of Israel {H3478} stirred up {H5782} the spirit {H7307} of Pul {H6322} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, and the spirit {H7307} of Tilgathpilneser {H8407} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, and he carried them away {H1540}, even the Reubenites {H7206}, and the Gadites {H1425}, and the half {H2677} tribe {H7626} of Manasseh {H4519}, and brought {H935} them unto Halah {H2477}, and Habor {H2249}, and Hara {H2024}, and to the river {H5104} Gozan {H1470}, unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the God of Isra'el stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Ashur and the spirit of Tilgat-Piln'eser king of Ashur; and he carried them away as captives - the Re'uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of M'nasheh - and brought them to Halach, Havor, Hara and to the Gozan River, where they are to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria (that is, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria) to take the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into exile. And he brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day.

American Standard Version

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river of Gozan, unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 5:26 powerfully narrates the divine orchestration of the Assyrian exile of the Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. It emphatically declares God's active sovereignty over world rulers, specifically identifying Pul (Tiglath-Pileser III) and Tilgathpilneser as kings whose spirits He "stirred up" to execute His judgment upon His unfaithful people. This pivotal historical event, resulting in their forced deportation to specific regions within the vast Assyrian Empire, stands as a stark and enduring testament to the severe consequences of covenant disobedience and God's unwavering control over all historical outcomes, even those involving profound national discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to the detailed genealogical record of the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) presented in [1 Chronicles 5](/1_chronicles/5 "1 Chronicles 5 - Genealogies of Transjordanian Tribes"). The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, meticulously traces their lineage, territorial expansion, and military prowess in the preceding verses ([1 Chronicles 5:1-17](/1_chronicles/5-1-17 "1 Chronicles 5:1-17 - Genealogies and Settlements of Reuben, Gad, and Half-Manasseh")). However, the narrative takes a sharp turn in [1 Chronicles 5:25](/1_chronicles/5-25 "1 Chronicles 5:25 - Transgression of the Tribes"), explicitly stating the reason for their downfall: "And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them." Verse 26, therefore, presents the direct, divinely-ordained consequence of this profound spiritual apostasy, bringing the historical account of these tribes to its tragic and devastating fulfillment. It highlights God's immediate and decisive response to covenant unfaithfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in [1 Chronicles 5:26](/1_chronicles/5-26 "1 Chronicles 5:26 - Assyrian Exile of Transjordanian Tribes") occurred during the zenith of the Neo-Assyrian Empire's aggressive expansion in the 8th century BCE. The kings mentioned, Pul and Tilgathpilneser, refer to the same formidable monarch, Tiglath-Pileser III (reigned 745-727 BCE). "Pul" was his Babylonian throne name, while "Tilgathpilneser" was his Assyrian regnal name, reflecting his dual authority. Tiglath-Pileser III was notorious for his brutal yet highly effective policy of mass deportation of conquered peoples. This strategy aimed to crush nationalistic resistance, assimilate diverse populations into the Assyrian imperial structure, and prevent future rebellions. The deportation of the Transjordanian tribes is historically corroborated by Assyrian annals and biblical accounts in [2 Kings 15:19](/2_kings/15-19 "2 Kings 15:19 - Pul's Campaign Against Menahem") and [2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Tilgathpilneser's Campaign Against Pekah"). The specified locations—Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan—were indeed regions within the vast Assyrian Empire, likely situated in Mesopotamia or Media, where the deported Israelites were forcibly resettled, thereby irrevocably severing their ties to the Promised Land. The concluding phrase "unto this day" underscores the enduring reality and permanence of this exile at the time the Chronicler was composing his work, signifying a complete and lasting loss of their ancestral territories.

* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme powerfully articulated in [1 Chronicles 5:26](/1_chronicles/5-26 "1 Chronicles 5:26 - Assyrian Exile of Transjordanian Tribes") is **Divine Sovereignty**. The Chronicler emphatically states that "the God of Israel stirred up the spirit" of these powerful Assyrian kings, unequivocally asserting God's ultimate control over all nations and their rulers, even those who do not acknowledge Him. He uses them as instruments to accomplish His divine purposes, whether for judgment or blessing, a truth echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod") where Assyria is depicted as the "rod of my anger." Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Disobedience**. The exile was not a random misfortune but a direct, divinely orchestrated judgment for the Transjordanian tribes' persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as explicitly stated in [1 Chronicles 5:25](/1_chronicles/5-25 "1 Chronicles 5:25 - The Transgression of the Tribes"). This serves as a potent warning about the gravity of breaking covenant with God. Lastly, the verse highlights **Historical Fulfillment and Divine Purpose**. By meticulously recording the specific kings, tribes, and geographical destinations, the Chronicler affirms the historical accuracy of these catastrophic events and underscores that even devastating national calamities are integral to God's overarching plan for His people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His warnings and promises.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stirred up (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** This verb (H5782) signifies an active, intentional awakening or incitement. It implies that God did not merely permit or allow the Assyrian kings to act according to their own ambitions; rather, He actively influenced their will, motivations, and strategic decisions to align with His divine purpose. This demonstrates God's direct and powerful involvement in human history, even in the actions of pagan rulers, using them as instruments of His judgment and sovereign plan. The root meaning of "opening the eyes" suggests God revealed or prompted a course of action in their minds.
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The term `rûwach` (H7307) here refers to the inner disposition, will, or driving force of the kings. By "stirring up their spirit," God influenced their resolve, determination, and perhaps even their strategic thinking to undertake the military campaigns and deportation policies against Israel. This highlights God's ability to work not just through external circumstances but also internally within the hearts and minds of individuals, including those who are hostile to His people, to achieve His ultimate ends, demonstrating His comprehensive control.
* **Carried them away (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This verb (H1540) carries the primary meaning "to denude," often in a disgraceful sense, and by implication, "to exile" captives who were typically stripped of their possessions and status. It vividly portrays the humiliation and loss inherent in the deportation. God's action of "carrying away" was not just a physical displacement but a stripping away of their land, identity, and covenant blessings, a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes divine agency as the primary cause of the subsequent events. It is not merely the Assyrian kings' ambition or military might but the sovereign God of Israel who actively incites their will. The dual mention of "Pul" and "Tilgathpilneser" emphasizes the formidable power and historical significance of Tiglath-Pileser III, reinforcing the magnitude of the divine intervention that directed such a powerful monarch to fulfill God's purposes. This highlights God's absolute control over even the most powerful earthly rulers.
* **"and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,"**: This clause details the direct and devastating consequence of God's stirring: the forced deportation. The pronoun "he" refers to the Assyrian king, acting as God's instrument of judgment. The specific naming of the Transjordanian tribes underscores the precision of the judgment and the specific identity of those who suffered the consequences of their apostasy. This act of "carrying away" (exile) was a profound and devastating blow, severing their connection to the Promised Land and their covenant heritage.
* **"and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day."**: This final clause specifies the precise geographical locations of their forced resettlement, emphasizing the thoroughness, permanence, and historical veracity of the exile. These geographical markers lend credibility to the account and illustrate the vast reach of the Assyrian Empire. The concluding phrase "unto this day" (H3117) highlights the enduring reality of this exile at the time of the Chronicler's writing, serving as a perpetual and somber reminder to the post-exilic community of the severe and lasting consequences of unfaithfulness to God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several potent literary devices in this verse to convey its profound theological and historical message. **Divine Agency** is paramount, immediately established by the phrase "the God of Israel stirred up the spirit," which places God as the ultimate and decisive actor behind the historical events, contrasting sharply with a purely human-centric view of history. The **Historical Narrative** is meticulously precise, naming specific kings (Pul, Tilgathpilneser), tribes (Reubenites, Gadites, half tribe of Manasseh), and geographical locations (Halah, Habor, Hara, river Gozan), lending undeniable credibility and weight to the account as a factual record of divine judgment. The **Repetition** of the Assyrian king's names (Pul and Tilgathpilneser) serves to underscore the formidable power of the instrument God used, while also perhaps reflecting the Chronicler's integration of multiple historical sources. Finally, the verse contains a subtle element of **Foreshadowing**, as the exile of the Transjordanian tribes anticipates the later, more widespread exiles of the northern kingdom of Israel and eventually Judah, reinforcing the consistent pattern of divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness that permeates Israel's entire history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 5:26 serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty, not just over Israel, but over all nations and their rulers. It challenges any notion of a limited deity, asserting that even the most powerful pagan empires are ultimately instruments in the hands of the God of Israel. This divine control is not merely passive permission but active incitement, demonstrating that God can use even the wicked intentions of human leaders to accomplish His righteous purposes, particularly in executing judgment upon His unfaithful people. This truth provides both comfort in God's ultimate control and a sobering warning regarding the consequences of persistent rebellion against His covenant.

* [Amos 9:7](/amos/9-7 "Amos 9:7 - God's Sovereignty Over Nations")
* [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the Transjordanian tribes' exile in [1 Chronicles 5:26](/1_chronicles/5-26 "1 Chronicles 5:26 - Assyrian Exile of Transjordanian Tribes") offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It underscores the unwavering truth of God's sovereignty over all of history and every human endeavor. Even in times of national upheaval, political instability, or profound personal hardship, this verse reminds us that God is not absent, powerless, or indifferent; rather, He is actively orchestrating events, often using unexpected means and unlikely actors to achieve His ultimate purposes. This should inspire both awe and profound trust, knowing that our lives and the grand course of the world are held firmly in His mighty hands. Simultaneously, it serves as a solemn warning: God's justice is real, and persistent unfaithfulness to His covenant—whether through idolatry, spiritual apathy, or moral compromise—will inevitably lead to consequences. Just as the tribes faced exile for "whoring after the gods of the land," we are called to vigilant faithfulness, recognizing that our spiritual health and well-being are intrinsically linked to our obedience and singular devotion to the one true God. This verse compels us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that our allegiances are undivided and our lives reflect genuine commitment to Christ and His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God "stirring up the spirit" of pagan kings challenge or affirm your understanding of divine sovereignty in today's complex world?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Transjordanian tribes, be tempted to compromise our faith or "go a whoring after the gods of the land" in our contemporary culture, perhaps through materialism, secularism, or self-worship?**
* **What specific areas of your life—your priorities, finances, relationships, or time—might need to be brought into greater alignment with God's will, in light of the consequences of disobedience highlighted in this verse?**
* **How can the assurance of God's ultimate control over history provide comfort and hope amidst current global challenges, political uncertainties, or personal difficulties you may be facing?**

### FAQ
**Why does the verse mention two different names for the Assyrian king, Pul and Tilgathpilneser?**

Answer: This verse refers to the same historical figure, Tiglath-Pileser III. "Pul" was his personal name, which he used when he ascended the throne of Babylon, while "Tilgathpilneser" was his regnal name as king of Assyria. The Chronicler, likely drawing from different historical records or traditions, includes both names to emphatically identify the powerful monarch responsible for the deportation. This dual naming reinforces the historical accuracy of the account and highlights the formidable power of the king whom God used as His instrument of judgment, as also seen in [2 Kings 15:19](/2_kings/15-19 "2 Kings 15:19 - Pul's Tribute from Menahem") and [2 Kings 15:29](/2_kings/15-29 "2 Kings 15:29 - Tilgathpilneser's Conquests").

**What was the significance of the "unto this day" phrase at the end of the verse?**

Answer: The phrase "unto this day" (H3117) indicates that at the time the Chronicler was writing (likely during or after the Babylonian exile, centuries after the Assyrian deportation), the Transjordanian tribes had not returned to their ancestral lands. Their exile was a permanent and established reality, signifying a complete and lasting loss of their territory and tribal identity within the land of Israel. This emphasizes the lasting and severe consequences of their disobedience and serves as a somber reminder to the post-exilic community about the critical importance of covenant faithfulness. It underscores that God's judgments, while sometimes delayed, are certain and can have profound, long-term implications for generations.

**Does God still "stir up" the spirits of world leaders today, and how should we understand this?**

Answer: Yes, the biblical narrative consistently portrays God as sovereign over all rulers and nations, actively influencing human affairs to accomplish His purposes. While we may not always perceive His hand directly, passages like [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand") affirm that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." This means God can use any leader, regardless of their personal faith or intentions, to bring about His will—whether for judgment, blessing, or the advancement of His kingdom. For believers, this truth provides a profound foundation for trust and prayer, knowing that even in chaotic geopolitical landscapes, God remains ultimately in control, working all things together for His glory and the good of those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Chronicles 5:26](/1_chronicles/5-26 "1 Chronicles 5:26 - Assyrian Exile of Transjordanian Tribes") details a historical act of divine judgment and exile, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "stirring up" of pagan kings by the God of Israel points to a divine sovereignty that ultimately culminates in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God used an earthly king to bring about judgment for sin, so too did He orchestrate the ultimate judgment for humanity's sin to fall upon His own Son, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The exile of the Transjordanian tribes, a consequence of their spiritual "whoring" and covenant unfaithfulness, powerfully foreshadows humanity's universal spiritual alienation and exile from God due to sin. Christ, through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and victorious resurrection, provides the sole means for true reconciliation and "return" from this spiritual exile, bringing us into a new covenant relationship where we are no longer strangers and aliens but [fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Citizens with the Saints"). Furthermore, the Chronicler's emphasis on God's unwavering control over history, even through seemingly hostile forces, finds its ultimate and most glorious expression in the cross itself. What appeared to be the triumph of evil was, in fact, God's sovereign plan unfolding for the redemption of humanity, demonstrating that [God works all things together for good for those who love him](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good"). In Christ, the pattern of judgment for sin is broken for those who believe, replaced by abundant grace, and the promise of a heavenly inheritance where there will be no more exile, but [eternal dwelling with God](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Man") in the New Jerusalem.

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.

Cross-References

2 Kings 15:19

[And] Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

2 Kings 17:6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Kings 15:29

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

1 Chronicles 5:6

Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away [captive]: he [was] prince of the Reubenites.

2 Kings 18:11

And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:

Isaiah 10:5

¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

Isaiah 10:6

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.