1 Chronicles 4

Chapter context

What is happening in 1 Chronicles 4?

memoryworshipgenealogyDavid

1 Chronicles 4 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as genealogies from Adam onward. First Chronicles surveys Israel through genealogies and then retells David’s reign with special attention to worship, Levites, and preparations for the temple. Read this chapter with the wider themes of memory, worship, and genealogy in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

¹ The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal. ² And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites. ³ And these were of the father of Etam; Jezreel, and Ishma, and Idbash: and the name of their sister was Hazelelponi: ⁴ And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem. ⁵ And Ashur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. ⁶ And Naarah bare him Ahuzam, and Hepher, and Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. ⁷ And the sons of Helah were, Zereth, and Jezoar, and Ethnan. ⁸ And Coz begat Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. ⁹ And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. ¹⁰ And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. ¹¹ And Chelub the brother of Shuah begat Mehir, which was the father of Eshton. ¹² And Eshton begat Bethrapha, and Paseah, and Tehinnah the father of Irnahash. These are the men of Rechah. ¹³ And the sons of Kenaz; Othniel, and Seraiah: and the sons of Othniel; Hathath. ¹⁴ And Meonothai begat Ophrah: and Seraiah begat Joab, the father of the valley of Charashim; for they were craftsmen. ¹⁵ And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephunneh; Iru, Elah, and Naam: and the sons of Elah, even Kenaz. ¹⁶ And the sons of Jehaleleel; Ziph, and Ziphah, Tiria, and Asareel. ¹⁷ And the sons of Ezra were, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon: and she bare Miriam, and Shammai, and Ishbah the father of Eshtemoa. ¹⁸ And his wife Jehudijah bare Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took. ¹⁹ And the sons of his wife Hodiah the sister of Naham, the father of Keilah the Garmite, and Eshtemoa the Maachathite. ²⁰ And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Benhanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Benzoheth. ²¹ The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea, ²² And Jokim, and the men of Chozeba, and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion in Moab, and Jashubilehem. And these are ancient things. ²³ These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work. ²⁴ The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul: ²⁵ Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, Mishma his son. ²⁶ And the sons of Mishma; Hamuel his son, Zacchur his son, Shimei his son. ²⁷ And Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters; but his brethren had not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of Judah. ²⁸ And they dwelt at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual, ²⁹ And at Bilhah, and at Ezem, and at Tolad, ³⁰ And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag, ³¹ And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David. ³² And their villages were, Etam, and Ain, Rimmon, and Tochen, and Ashan, five cities: ³³ And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy. ³⁴ And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah, the son of Amaziah, ³⁵ And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josibiah, the son of Seraiah, the son of Asiel, ³⁶ And Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah, ³⁷ And 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 their names were princes in their families: and the house of their fathers increased greatly. ³⁹ And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks. ⁴⁰ And they found fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable; for they of Ham had dwelt there of old. ⁴¹ And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks. ⁴² And some of them, even of the sons of Simeon, five hundred men, went to mount Seir, having for their captains Pelatiah, and Neariah, and Rephaiah, and Uzziel, the sons of Ishi. ⁴³ And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

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Glossary

Carmi Person v. 1: Vine-dresser. (1. ) The last named of the four sons of Reuben ( Gen. 46:9 ). (2. ) A descendant of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:1 ). He is elsewhere (2:18) called Caleb (q. v. ). (3. ) The son of Zimri, and the father of Achan.
Hur Person v. 1, 4: A hole, as of a viper, etc. (1. ) A son of Caleb ( 1 Chr. 2:19 , 50; 4:1, 4; comp. 2 Chr. 1:5 ). (2. ) The husband of Miriam, Moses’ sister ( Ex. 17:10-12 ).
Shobal Person v. 1-2: Pilgrim. (1. ) The second son of Seir the Horite; one of the Horite “dukes” ( Gen. 36:20 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Caleb, and a descendant of Hur ( 1 Chr. 2:50 , 52; 4:1, 2).
Jahath Person v. 2: Union. (1. ) A son of Shimei, and grandson of Gershom ( 1 Chr. 23:10 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Shelomoth, of the family of Kohath ( 1 Chr. 24:22 ).
Bethlehem Place v. 4: House of bread. (1. ) A city in the “hill country” of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath ( Gen. 35:16 , 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11 ). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah ( Micah 5:2 ), Beth-lehem-judah. Modern identification: Bethlehem.
Ezer Person v. 4: Treasure. (1. ) One of the sons of Seir, the native princes, “dukes,” of Mount Hor ( Gen. 36:21 , 27). (2. ) 1 Chr. 7:21 ; (3. ) 4:4. (4. ) One of the Gadite champions who repaired to David at Ziklag (12:9).
Gedor Place v. 4: A wall. (1. ) A city in the mountains or hill country of Judah ( Josh. 15:58 ), identified with Jedar, between Jerusalem and Hebron. (2. ) 1 Chr. 4:39 , the Gederah of Josh. 15:36 , or the well-known Gerar, as the LXX. Modern identification: Khirbet Jedur.
Hushah Place v. 4: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Husan.
Tekoa Place v. 5: Pitching of tents; fastening down, a town of Judah, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. Modern identification: Khirbet Teku’a.
Ir-nahash Place v. 12: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Dayr Nakhkhas.
Recah Place v. 12: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Bethlehem.
Hathath Person v. 13: Terror, son of Othniel ( 1 Chr. 4:13 ).
Kenaz Person v. 13, 15: Hunter. (1. ) One of the sons of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. He became the chief of an Edomitish tribe ( Gen. 36:11 , 15, 42). (2. ) Caleb’s younger brother, and father of Othniel.
Othniel Person v. 13: Lion of God, the first of the judges. His wife Achsah was the daughter of Caleb ( Josh. 15:16 , 17; Judg. 1:13 ). He gained her hand as a reward for his bravery in leading a successful expedition against Debir (q. v. ).
Seraiah Person v. 13-14, 35: Soldier of Jehovah. (1. ) The father of Joab ( 1 Chr. 4:13 , 14). (2. ) The grandfather of Jehu ( 1 Chr. 4:35 ). (3. ) One of David’s scribes or secretaries ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ). (4. ) A Netophathite.
Ge-harashim Place v. 14: Biblical special. Modern identification: Lod.
Joab Person v. 14: Jehovah is his father. (1. ) One of the three sons of Zeruiah, David’s sister, and “captain of the host” during the whole of David’s reign ( 2 Sam. 2:13 ; 10:7 ; 11:1 ; 1 Kings 11:15 ).
Caleb Tribe v. 15: A dog. (1. ) One of the three sons of Hezron of the tribe of Judah. He is also called Chelubai ( 1 Chr. 2:9 ). His descendants are enumerated (18-20, 42-49). (2. ) A “son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah” ( 1 Chr. 2:50 ).
Jephunneh Person v. 15: Nimble, or a beholder. (1. ) The father of Caleb, who was Joshua’s companion in exploring Canaan ( Num. 13:6 ), a Kenezite ( Josh. 14:14 ). (2. ) One of the descendants of Asher ( 1 Chr. 7:38 ).
Naam Person v. 15: Pleasantness, one of the three sons of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh ( 1 Chr. 4:15 ).
Jehaleleel Person v. 16: Praiser of God. (1. ) A descendant of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:16 ). (2. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( 2 Chr. 29:12 ).
Ezra Person v. 17: Help. (1. ) A priest among those that returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel ( Neh. 12:1 ). (2. ) The “scribe” who led the second body of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem B. C.
Jalon Tribe v. 17: Lodger, the last of the four sons of Ezra, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:17 ).
Jether Person v. 17: Surplus; excellence. (1. ) Father-in-law of Moses ( Ex. 4:18 marg. ), called elsewhere Jethro (q. v. ). (2. ) The oldest of Gideon’s seventy sons ( Judg. 8:20 ).
Mered Tribe v. 17-18: Rebellion, one of the sons of Ezra, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:17 ).
Miriam Person v. 17: Their rebellion. (1. ) The sister of Moses and Aaron ( Ex. 2:4-10 ; 1 Chr. 6:3 ). Her name is prominent in the history of the Exodus. She is called “the prophetess” ( Ex. 15:20 ).
Gedor Place v. 18: A wall. (1. ) A city in the mountains or hill country of Judah ( Josh. 15:58 ), identified with Jedar, between Jerusalem and Hebron. (2. ) 1 Chr. 4:39 , the Gederah of Josh. 15:36 , or the well-known Gerar, as the LXX. Modern identification: Khirbet Jedur.
Heber Person v. 18: Passing over. (1. ) Son of Beriah and grandson of Asher ( Gen. 46:17 ; 1 Chr. 7:31 , 32). (2. ) The Kenite ( Judg. 4:11 , 17; 5:24), a descendant of Hobab. His wife Jael received Sisera.
Amnon Person v. 20: Faithful. (1. ) One of the sons of Shammai, of the children of Ezra ( 1 Chr. 4:20 ; comp. 17). (2. ) The eldest son of David, by Ahinoam of Jezreel ( 1 Chr. 3:1 ; 2 Sam. 3:2 ).
Beth-ashbea Place v. 21: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Beit Mirsim.
Shelah Person v. 21: Petition. (1. ) Judah’s third son ( Gen. 38:2 , 5, 11, 14). (2. ) A son of Arphaxad ( 1 Chr. 1:18 ).
Cozeba Place v. 22: ( 1 Chr. 4:22 ), the same as Chezib and Achzib, a place in the lowlands of Judah ( Gen. 38:5 ; Josh. 15:44 ). Modern identification: Tel el Beida.
Joash Person v. 22: Whom Jehovah bestowed. (1. ) A contracted form of Jehoash, the father of Gideon ( Judg. 6:11 , 29; 8:13, 29, 32). (2. ) One of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:3 ).
Jokim People v. 22: Whom Jehovah has set up, one of the descendants of Shelah ( 1 Chr. 4:22 ).
Lehem Place v. 22: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Bethlehem.
Moab Place v. 22: Biblical region. Modern identification: Kerak.
Gederah Place v. 23: The fortress; a fortified place, a town in the plain (shephelah) of Judah ( Josh. 15:36 ). This is a very common Canaanite and Phoenician name. It is the feminine form of Geder (12:13); the plural form is Gederoth (15:41). Modern identification: Khirbet Judraya.
Netaim Place v. 23: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet en Nuweiti.
Jarib Person v. 24: An adversary. (1. ) A son of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:24 ). (2. ) One of the chiefs sent by Ezra to bring up the priests to Jerusalem ( Ezra 8:16 ). (3. ) Ezra 10:18 .
Nemuel Person v. 24: Day of God. (1. ) One of Simeon’s five sons ( 1 Chr. 4:24 ), called also Jemuel ( Gen. 46:10 ). (2. ) A Reubenite, a son of Eliab, and brother of Dathan and Abiram ( Num. 26:9 ).
Simeon Person v. 24, 42: Hearing. (1. ) The second son of Jacob by Leah ( Gen. 29:33 ). He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (34:25, 26).
Mibsam Person v. 25: Fragrance. (1. ) One of Ishmael’s twelve sons, and head of an Arab tribe ( Gen. 25:13 ). (2. ) A son of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:25 ).
Mishma People v. 25-26: Hearing. (1. ) One of the sons of Ishmael ( Gen. 25:14 ), and founder of an Arab tribe. (2. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:25 , 26).
Shallum Person v. 25: Retribution. (1. ) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” ( 2 Kings 15:10 ).
Shimei Person v. 26-27: Famous. (1. ) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi ( Num. 3:18 ; 1 Chr. 6:17 , 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17 .
Beersheba Place v. 28: Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact ( Gen. 21:31 ). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name ( Gen. 26:31-33 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Hazar-shual Place v. 28: Village or enclosure of the jackal, a city on the south border of Judah ( Josh. 15:28 ; Neh. 11:27 ). It has been identified with the ruins of Saweh, half-way between Beersheba and Moladah. Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Moladah Place v. 28: Birth, a city in the south of Judah which fell to Simeon ( Josh. 15:21-26 ; 19:2 ). It has been identified with the modern el-Milh, 10 miles east of Beersheba. Modern identification: Khirbet el Waten.
Bilhah Place v. 29: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tulul el Medbah.
Eltolad Place v. 29: Productive, a town of Simeon, in the south of Judah ( 1 Chr. 4:29 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Ezem Place v. 29: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Asan.
Bethuel Place v. 30: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet ar Ras.
Hormah Place v. 30: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Masos.
Ziklag Place v. 30: A town in the Negeb, or south country of Judah ( Josh. 15:31 ), in the possession of the Philistines when David fled to Gath from Ziph with all his followers. Modern identification: Tell esh Sharia.
Beth-biri Place v. 31: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jebel el Biri.
Beth-marcaboth Place v. 31: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Tatrit.
David Person v. 31: Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
Hazar-susah Place v. 31: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet esh Shamsaniyat.
Shaaraim Place v. 31: Two gates. (1. ) A city in the plain of Judah ( 1 Sam. 17:52 ); called also Sharaim ( Josh. 15:36 ). (2. ) A town in Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:31 ). Modern identification: Tall al Ajjul.
Ain Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Halif.
Ashan Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Asan.
Etam Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet el Khokh.
Rimmon Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Halif.
Tochen Place v. 32: Measured, a town of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:32 ). Modern identification: Khirbet el Ater.
Baalath-beer Place v. 33: Baalah of the well. Modern identification: Beer Yeroham.
Amaziah Person v. 34: Strengthened by Jehovah. (1. ) A Levite, son of Hilkiah, of the descendants of Ethan the Merarite ( 1 Chr. 6:45 ). (2. ) The son and successor of Joash, and eighth king of the separate kingdom of Judah ( 2 Kings 14:1-4 ).
Jehu Person v. 35: Jehovah is he. (1. ) The son of Obed, and father of Azariah ( 1 Chr. 2:38 ). (2. ) One of the Benjamite slingers that joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:3 ).
Joel Person v. 35: Jehovah is his God. (1. ) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba ( 1 Sam. 8:2 ). (See VASHNI. ) (2. ) A descendant of Reuben ( 1 Chr. 5:4 , 8). (3. ) One of David’s famous warriors.
Adiel Person v. 36: Ornament of God. (1. ) The father of Azmaveth, who was treasurer under David and Solomon ( 1 Chr. 27:25 ). (2. ) A family head of the tribe of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:36 ). (3. ) A priest ( 1 Chr. 9:12 ).
Benaiah Person v. 36: Built up by Jehovah. (1. ) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest ( 1 Chr. 27:5 ). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites ( 2 Sam. 8:18 ; 1 Kings 1:32 ; 1 Chr. 18:17 ).
Elioenai Person v. 36: Toward Jehovah are my eyes, the name of several men mentioned in the Old Testament ( 1 Chr. 7:8 ; 4:36 ; Ezra 10:22 , 27). Among these was the eldest son of Neariah, son of Shemaiah, of the descendants of Zerubbabel.
Jaakobah People v. 36: Heel-catcher, a form of the name Jacob, one of the descendants of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:36 ).
Jedaiah Person v. 37: (1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.
Shemaiah Person v. 37: Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .
Shimri Person v. 37: Watchman. (1. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) The father of one of the “valiant men” of David’s armies ( 1 Chr. 11:45 ). (3. ) Assisted at the purification of the temple in the time of Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:13 ).
Ziza Person v. 37: Splendour; abundance. (1. ) A Simeonite prince ( 1 Chr. 4:37-43 ). (2. ) A son of Rehoboam ( 2 Chr. 11:20 ).
Gedor Place v. 39: A wall. (1. ) A city in the mountains or hill country of Judah ( Josh. 15:58 ), identified with Jedar, between Jerusalem and Hebron. (2. ) 1 Chr. 4:39 , the Gederah of Josh. 15:36 , or the well-known Gerar, as the LXX. Modern identification: Tel Haror.
Hezekiah Person v. 41: Whom Jehovah has strengthened. (1. ) Son of Ahaz ( 2 Kings 18:1 ; 2 Chr. 29:1 ), whom he succeeded on the throne of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned twenty-nine years (B. C. 726-697).
Mount Seir Place v. 42: Biblical mountain range. Modern identification: Jebel esh Shera.
Pelatiah Person v. 42: Deliverance of the Lord. (1. ) A son of Hananiah and grandson of Zerubbabel ( 1 Chr. 3:21 ). (2. ) A captain of “the sons of Simeon” (4:42). (3. ) Neh. 10:22 .