I Chronicles 3 – 5

I Chronicles 3 – 5

In our previous readings, we have read about people up through the time David was made king of Israel. I Chronicles was obviously written way after David died. In fact, in this third chapter we read about the sons and other descendants of Jehoiachin, who was taken prisoner by the Babylonians. A chapter like this must make it difficult if you are trying to read the Bible chronologically because it covers such a long period of time and many, many events.

We do learn from this that David was a prolific man with many wives and concubines, although it looks as if he only had multiple children with Bathsheba. Although his wives are named, his concubines are not, though their sons and one daughter (Tamar) are. We also learn that David ruled from Hebron for seven and one-half years and from Jerusalem for thirty-three years.

Included in the descendants of the tribe of Judah is an interesting story about a man named Jabez who was described as “more honorable than any of his brothers. He was named Jabez, which means affliction because his birth caused his mother a lot of pain. His prayer was short and sweet and to the point: “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” God granted his request.

A descendant of Judah named Mered married and had children with a daughter of Pharaoh named Bithia.

Do you remember the story of Tamar, who was married to two of Judah’s sons, Er and Onan? Both of them died and Judah held off letting her marry his son Shelah. Tired of waiting, Tamar played the prostitute and got pregnant by Judah. I Chronicles 4 refers to Shelah and his children, the oldest of which was named Er like his uncle who died.

The last part of I Chronicles 4 refers to the leaders of Simeon who, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, completely destroyed the homes of the descendants of Ham and of the Meunites.They also destroyed the few surviving Amalekites.

In I Chronicles 5, we see a glimpse of the fate that awaits the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh because they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and worshiped the gods of the nations God had destroyed. They were taken away into exile by King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser).

Tomorrow, it’s Psalm 73, 77, 78

Until next time…