1 Chronicles2

1 Chronicles 2 begins by listing the twelve sons of Israel, then primarily focuses on the extensive genealogy of Judah, tracing the lineage from his sons, particularly Pharez, down to King David. The chapter also details the descendants of Hezron, including the lines of Caleb and Jerahmeel, highlighting various family branches, marriages, and the establishment of certain towns. This detailed record emphasizes the foundational families of Judah and their historical connections.
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The Twelve Sons of Israel

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

The Sons of Judah

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The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, who put him to death. ​
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Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.
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The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
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The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—five in all.
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The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things. ​
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The son of Ethan: Azariah.

The Line of Pharez Leading to David

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The sons who were born to Hezron: Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb.
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Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of the descendants of Judah. ​
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Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz.
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Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse.
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Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third,
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Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth,
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Ozem sixth, and David seventh. ​
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Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel. ​
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Abigail was the mother of Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite.

Descendants of Caleb, Son of Hezron

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Caleb son of Hezron had children by his wife Azubah and by Jerioth. These were the sons of Azubah: Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. ​
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When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.
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Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri was the father of Bezalel. ​
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Later, Hezron slept with the daughter of Machir the father of Gilead. He had married her when he was sixty years old, and she bore to him Segub.
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Segub was the father of Jair, who had twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. ​
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But Geshur and Aram captured Havvoth-jair, along with Kenath and its sixty surrounding villages. All these were descendants of Machir the father of Gilead.
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After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore to him Ashhur the father of Tekoa.

The Line of Jerahmeel

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The sons of Jerahmeel the firstborn of Hezron:
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Ram his firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. Jerahmeel had another wife named Atarah, who was the mother of Onam.
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The sons of Ram the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker.
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The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai:
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Nadab and Abishur. Abishur’s wife was named Abihail, and she bore to him Ahban and Molid.
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The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim. Seled died without children.
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The son of Appaim: Ishi. The son of Ishi: Sheshan. The son of Sheshan: Ahlai.
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The sons of Jada the brother of Shammai: Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children.
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The sons of Jonathan: Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel.
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Sheshan had no sons, but only daughters; but he did have an Egyptian servant named Jarha. ​
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Sheshan gave his daughter in marriage to his servant Jarha, and she bore to him Attai.
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Attai was the father of Nathan, Nathan was the father of Zabad,
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Zabad was the father of Ephlal, Ephlal was the father of Obed,
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Obed was the father of Jehu, Jehu was the father of Azariah,
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Azariah was the father of Helez, Helez was the father of Elasah,
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Elasah was the father of Sismai, Sismai was the father of Shallum,
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Shallum was the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.

Further Descendants of Caleb

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The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph, and Mareshah his second son, who was the father of Hebron. ​
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The sons of Hebron:
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Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. Shema was the father of Raham the father of Jorkeam, and Rekem was the father of Shammai.
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The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth-zur.
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Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.
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The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.
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Caleb’s concubine Maacah was the mother of Sheber and Tirhanah.
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She was also the mother of Shaaph father of Madmannah, and of Sheva father of Machbenah and Gibea. Caleb’s daughter was Acsah.
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These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah:
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Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim, Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader. ​
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These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim:
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Haroeh, half the Manahathites, and the clans of Kiriath-jearim—the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. From these descended the Zorathites and Eshtaolites.
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The descendants of Salma:
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Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth-beth-joab, half the Manahathites, the Zorites, and the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab. ​

Study Notes for 1 Chronicles 2

Verse 1

The Chronicler begins with the twelve patriarchs to establish the continuity and unity of Israel before focusing on the royal tribe of Judah, emphasizing the foundation of the community.

Verse 3

This verse summarizes the account in Genesis 38, noting the death of Er and Onan due to their wickedness. This serves as a reminder that divine judgment applies even within the chosen lineage.

Verse 7

Achar (Achan in Joshua 7) is specifically named 'the troubler of Israel.' The Chronicler rarely includes negative material, highlighting Achar's transgression concerning the devoted things at Jericho as a severe communal sin.

Verse 10

Nahshon is historically significant as the 'prince' (nasi) of the tribe of Judah during the Exodus period (cf. Numbers 1 and 7). He is also listed in the genealogies of Matthew and Luke.

Verse 15

David is listed as the seventh son, a number often associated with divine completeness or perfection. This selection highlights God's sovereign choice of David over his older, seemingly more qualified brothers (cf. 1 Samuel 16:11–12).

Verse 16

Zeruiah’s sons (Joab, Abishai, Asahel) were David’s formidable nephews and military commanders. Their inclusion shows the tight integration of the royal house with its key military and political support system.

Verse 18

This Caleb is distinct from the famous Caleb, son of Jephunneh (Num 13:6), though they share the name and are both prominent figures in the tribe of Judah. He represents a major clan within the Hezronite line.

Verse 20

Bezaleel is the master craftsman whom God filled with the Spirit to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:2–5). His inclusion links the lineage of Judah to Israel's sacred institutions and artistry.

Verse 22

Jair’s conquest of 23 Transjordan cities is also recorded in Numbers 32:41. This detail demonstrates Judah's influence and claims extending across the Jordan River into the territory of Gilead, stressing the expansive nature of the tribe.

Verse 34

The unusual event of Sheshan marrying his daughter to an Egyptian servant, Jarha, illustrates the incorporation of non-Israelites into the tribal structure. This demonstrates the permeability of social and ethnic boundaries within the community.

Verse 42

This lengthy section shifts focus from individuals to the corporate identity of the families and the founding of key cities in the southern Judean landscape, such as Hebron and Bethzur.

Verse 51

Salma is identified as the founder of Bethlehem. The Chronicler is establishing the historical and geographical roots of the city that would later become famous as the birthplace of David and the Messiah.

Verse 55

The mention of 'families of the scribes' and the Kenites highlights the importance of literary and religious scholarship in post-exilic Judah. The Kenites were a nomadic group often allied with Israel, suggesting diverse groups contributed to leadership.

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