I Chronicles 7: A Legacy of Tribes and Leadership
Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
(And his daughter was Sherah, who built Beth–horon the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen–sherah.)
And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,
Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
And their possessions and habitations were, Beth–el and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth–shean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
I. Though the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, were seated on that side Jordan which Moses and the children of Israel conquered, yet their genealogies are enrolled with the rest, for they were Israelites as long as they continued faithful to God and their brethren, and had an equal interest in the land of promise, though they had their inheritance assigned them in a land not conquered by the sword of Israel. Note, Church-membership and the privileges of it depend not upon the place where we dwell, but upon our profession of the faith and obedience of Christ.
II. The most numerous families were sometimes those that were least considerable. Of Issachar there were more mighty men of valour than of Benjamin, I Chronicles 7:2,7:5. God does not put the greatest honour upon those that make the greatest figure in the world.
III. Some great families declined and dwindled away. The sons of Ulla (of the tribe of Asher), though men of valour, are numbered so few, because, probably, that family was reduced by some disaster, I Chronicles 7:39,7:40. The memory of those that were is perpetuated, to show us how uncertain all earthly grandeur is.
IV. Even those that were of the royal tribe of Judah are here enrolled among the rest, because their descent was to be traced no further than David, who was now the common head of them all.
I Chronicles 7 meticulously details the descendants of several pivotal tribes: Issachar (7:1-5), Benjamin (7:6-12), Naphtali (7:13), Manasseh (7:14-19), Ephraim (7:20-29), and Asher (7:30-40). While we encounter some of these genealogies in the book of Numbers, I Chronicles offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing the lineage and contributions of these tribes to the broader narrative of Israel. This chapter serves as a vital record, demonstrating God's faithfulness in establishing and sustaining His covenant people through generations.
Tribes Beyond the Jordan
It's noteworthy that even though the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in lands conquered by Moses, their genealogies are meticulously recorded alongside the others. This underscores a crucial point: their physical location did not diminish their status as Israelites. As long as they remained faithful to God and their brethren, they maintained their equal interest in the promised land. This highlights a timeless truth: our belonging to the family of God, and the privileges that come with it, are not determined by geography but by our faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Valor and Numbers
The chapter reveals an interesting dynamic: the most numerous families were not always the most prominent. For instance, Issachar boasted more mighty men of valor than Benjamin (I Chronicles 7:2, 7:5). This serves as a reminder that God's favor and honor are not necessarily bestowed upon those who command the most attention or worldly success. True greatness, in God's eyes, is often found in unexpected places.
The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Grandeur
Conversely, some once-great families experienced decline. The sons of Ulla, from the tribe of Asher, though described as men of valor, were relatively few in number (I Chronicles 7:39-40). This likely indicates that the family suffered some form of misfortune or reduction. The inclusion of such details serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of earthly grandeur. It underscores the wisdom of placing our hope and trust not in fleeting circumstances, but in the eternal steadfastness of God.
Asher's Sons: A Model for Leadership
The description of Asher's sons is particularly compelling. They possessed four outstanding qualities: they were heads of their ancestral families, chosen men, valiant warriors, and chiefs among the leaders (I Chronicles 7:40). These qualities speak to a desperate need, not only in ancient Israel but also in our own communities and churches today: the need for godly, committed individuals to step into roles of leadership.
Let's unpack these qualities:
Heads of their families: This implies that Asher raised his sons to be leaders within their own households and beyond. They were not passive observers but active participants, guiding and directing their families with wisdom and integrity. Every man, in a sense, is created to be a leader, particularly as the head of his household. A true leader knows where he is going and inspires others to follow.
Chosen men: This suggests that Asher raised his sons to be the best of the best. They were men of character and strong ethical standards, the kind of men a father would be proud to have his daughter marry. They embraced responsibility and were known for their integrity.
Valiant warriors: These were men of courage and conviction, willing to take a stand for what is right. Like the warriors who fought alongside David, they possessed boldness and were ready to defend their faith and their families.
Chiefs among the leaders: These men stood out even among the princes of Israel. They were exceptional leaders, demonstrating a level of skill and dedication that set them apart. They were, in essence, kings in the making.
Lessons for Today
I Chronicles 7, while a seemingly dry genealogy, offers profound lessons for us today. It reminds us of the importance of faithfulness, the fleeting nature of worldly success, and the critical need for godly leadership. May we strive to emulate the virtues of Asher's sons, becoming men and women of character, courage, and conviction, leading with integrity and serving with humility.
Now the sons of Issachar were, Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
And the sons of Tola; Uzzi, and Rephaiah, and Jeriel, and Jahmai, and Jibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their father’s house, to wit, of Tola: they were valiant men of might in their generations; whose number was in the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred.
And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men.
And with them, by their generations, after the house of their fathers, were bands of soldiers for war, six and thirty thousand men: for they had many wives and sons.
And their brethren among all the families of Issachar were valiant men of might, reckoned in all by their genealogies fourscore and seven thousand.
The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
And the sons of Bela; Ezbon, and Uzzi, and Uzziel, and Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour; and were reckoned by their genealogies twenty and two thousand and thirty and four.
And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.
And the number of them, after their genealogy by their generations, heads of the house of their fathers, mighty men of valour, was twenty thousand and two hundred.
The sons also of Jediael; Bilhan: and the sons of Bilhan; Jeush, and Benjamin, and Ehud, and Chenaanah, and Zethan, and Tharshish, and Ahishahar.
All these the sons of Jediael, by the heads of their fathers, mighty men of valour, were seventeen thousand and two hundred soldiers, fit to go out for war and battle.
Shuppim also, and Huppim, the children of Ir, and Hushim, the sons of Aher.
The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.
The sons of Manasseh; Ashriel, whom she bare: (but his concubine the Aramitess bare Machir the father of Gilead:
And Machir took to wife the sister of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maachah;) and the name of the second was Zelophehad: and Zelophehad had daughters.
And Maachah the wife of Machir bare a son, and she called his name Peresh; and the name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
And the sons of Ulam; Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
And his sister Hammoleketh bare Ishod, and Abiezer, and Mahalah.
And the sons of Shemida were, Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam.
And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.
And Ephraim their father mourned many days, and his brethren came to comfort him.
And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.
(And his daughter was Sherah, who built Beth–horon the nether, and the upper, and Uzzen–sherah.)
And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,
Laadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
Non his son, Jehoshua his son.
And their possessions and habitations were, Beth–el and the towns thereof, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer, with the towns thereof; Shechem also and the towns thereof, unto Gaza and the towns thereof:
And by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth–shean and her towns, Taanach and her towns, Megiddo and her towns, Dor and her towns. In these dwelt the children of Joseph the son of Israel.
The sons of Asher; Imnah, and Isuah, and Ishuai, and Beriah, and Serah their sister.
And the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith.
And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister.
And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
And the sons of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal.
The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah,
Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.
And the sons of Jether; Jephunneh, and Pispah, and Ara.
And the sons of Ulla; Arah, and Haniel, and Rezia.
All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes. And the number throughout the genealogy of them that were apt to the war and to battle was twenty and six thousand men.
I. Though the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, were seated on that side Jordan which Moses and the children of Israel conquered, yet their genealogies are enrolled with the rest, for they were Israelites as long as they continued faithful to God and their brethren, and had an equal interest in the land of promise, though they had their inheritance assigned them in a land not conquered by the sword of Israel. Note, Church-membership and the privileges of it depend not upon the place where we dwell, but upon our profession of the faith and obedience of Christ.
II. The most numerous families were sometimes those that were least considerable. Of Issachar there were more mighty men of valour than of Benjamin, I Chronicles 7:2,7:5. God does not put the greatest honour upon those that make the greatest figure in the world.
III. Some great families declined and dwindled away. The sons of Ulla (of the tribe of Asher), though men of valour, are numbered so few, because, probably, that family was reduced by some disaster, I Chronicles 7:39,7:40. The memory of those that were is perpetuated, to show us how uncertain all earthly grandeur is.
IV. Even those that were of the royal tribe of Judah are here enrolled among the rest, because their descent was to be traced no further than David, who was now the common head of them all.
I Chronicles 7 meticulously details the descendants of several pivotal tribes: Issachar (7:1-5), Benjamin (7:6-12), Naphtali (7:13), Manasseh (7:14-19), Ephraim (7:20-29), and Asher (7:30-40). While we encounter some of these genealogies in the book of Numbers, I Chronicles offers a fresh perspective, emphasizing the lineage and contributions of these tribes to the broader narrative of Israel. This chapter serves as a vital record, demonstrating God's faithfulness in establishing and sustaining His covenant people through generations.
Tribes Beyond the Jordan
It's noteworthy that even though the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in lands conquered by Moses, their genealogies are meticulously recorded alongside the others. This underscores a crucial point: their physical location did not diminish their status as Israelites. As long as they remained faithful to God and their brethren, they maintained their equal interest in the promised land. This highlights a timeless truth: our belonging to the family of God, and the privileges that come with it, are not determined by geography but by our faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Valor and Numbers
The chapter reveals an interesting dynamic: the most numerous families were not always the most prominent. For instance, Issachar boasted more mighty men of valor than Benjamin (I Chronicles 7:2, 7:5). This serves as a reminder that God's favor and honor are not necessarily bestowed upon those who command the most attention or worldly success. True greatness, in God's eyes, is often found in unexpected places.
The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Grandeur
Conversely, some once-great families experienced decline. The sons of Ulla, from the tribe of Asher, though described as men of valor, were relatively few in number (I Chronicles 7:39-40). This likely indicates that the family suffered some form of misfortune or reduction. The inclusion of such details serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of earthly grandeur. It underscores the wisdom of placing our hope and trust not in fleeting circumstances, but in the eternal steadfastness of God.
Asher's Sons: A Model for Leadership
The description of Asher's sons is particularly compelling. They possessed four outstanding qualities: they were heads of their ancestral families, chosen men, valiant warriors, and chiefs among the leaders (I Chronicles 7:40). These qualities speak to a desperate need, not only in ancient Israel but also in our own communities and churches today: the need for godly, committed individuals to step into roles of leadership.
Let's unpack these qualities:
Heads of their families: This implies that Asher raised his sons to be leaders within their own households and beyond. They were not passive observers but active participants, guiding and directing their families with wisdom and integrity. Every man, in a sense, is created to be a leader, particularly as the head of his household. A true leader knows where he is going and inspires others to follow.
Chosen men: This suggests that Asher raised his sons to be the best of the best. They were men of character and strong ethical standards, the kind of men a father would be proud to have his daughter marry. They embraced responsibility and were known for their integrity.
Valiant warriors: These were men of courage and conviction, willing to take a stand for what is right. Like the warriors who fought alongside David, they possessed boldness and were ready to defend their faith and their families.
Chiefs among the leaders: These men stood out even among the princes of Israel. They were exceptional leaders, demonstrating a level of skill and dedication that set them apart. They were, in essence, kings in the making.
Lessons for Today
I Chronicles 7, while a seemingly dry genealogy, offers profound lessons for us today. It reminds us of the importance of faithfulness, the fleeting nature of worldly success, and the critical need for godly leadership. May we strive to emulate the virtues of Asher's sons, becoming men and women of character, courage, and conviction, leading with integrity and serving with humility.