April 25, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

1 Chronicles 3 - This chapter gives the list of David's descendants.  When he started as king in Hebron he had six sons born to him.  Then we he moved to Jerusalem he had at least thirteen more, four from Bathsheba which included Solomon.  It should be noted that Solomon was Bathsheba's fourth child.  The baby that died as recorded in 2 Samuel 12, is not listed.

1 Chronicles 4 - Sons born to Judah and then to Simeon are highlighted.  Two interesting observations come in this chapter.  First is the prayer of Jabez in verse 10.  Some have noted the practical nature of this prayer, especially as it deals with the subject of pain.  Jabez's name actually means "pain" and the prayer either says that he doesn't want to experience more pain in his life, or, he doesn't want to cause pain.  He also boldly asks the Lord for His blessing and enlargement of his land.  The second observation is regarding the sons of Simeon.  Note in verse 27 where Simeon's descendants were not that large in number.  Remember, his territory was within the land of Judah.  All this goes back to Jacob's prediction in Genesis 49:7 that both Levi and Simeon would face a curse because of their ungodly behavior in Gen. 34. 

1 Chronicles 5 - The descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh are highlighted.  These two and a half tribes would be the ones who settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River.  They would eventually sin against the Lord and they were conquered by the Assyrians and deported before Babylon conquered the rest of the land of Israel.  Don't miss the historical record given in this chapter.  1 Chronicles 1-9 is not just a list of names!