Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 5

Verse 1

forasmuch. Compare Genesis 35:22 ; Genesis 49:4 .

not to be reckoned, &c. = not to be enrolled in the place of the firstborn.

birthright . See note on Genesis 25:31 .

Verse 2

Judah prevailed. Compare Genesis 49:8 , referring to intertribal precedence.

came. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis with "is".

chief ruler. Referring to the regal line, and the coming of the Messiah.

Verse 6

carried away. This was the first carrying away, and took place in 654. Compare 1 Chronicles 5:26 . The second was by Tiglath-Pileser (= Pul) in the reign of Pekah (649-629). This was the Galilee-Naphtali carrying away (2 Kings 15:29 . Isaiah 9:1 ) referred to in Matthew 4:15 . The third was the Samaria deportation in the ninth year of Hoshea and sixth of Hezekiah (611 B. c), and ended the kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:3-23 ; 2 Kings 18:9-12 ). It was begun by Shalmaneser and ended by Sargon (613-611).

Verse 8

Azaz. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "Azan", or "Azzan".

Aroer . . . Nebo . . . Baal-meon. All east of Dead Sea. See Numbers 32:34 , Numbers 32:38 . Deuteronomy 2:36 .

Verse 10

Hagarites. Tracing their descent from Hagar through Ishmael. Compare 1 Chronicles 5:19 with 1 Chronicles 1:31 , and Psalms 83:6 .

Verse 11

children = sons.

Verse 13

Heber. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Septuagint, read "Hehed", mistaking Resh , ("r") for Daleth, ("d").

Verse 16

in Gilead: i.e. in part of it, other parts having been allotted to the halftribes of Reubenites and Manassites (Numbers 32:39-40 . Deuteronomy 3:13 .Joshua 13:31; Joshua 13:31 ).

Verse 17

Jotham . . . Jeroboam. Jotham (647-631) and Jeroboam II (728-687). See App-50 . Consequently, the statement here refers to consensusses at different times.

Verse 18

valiant men = sons of valour.

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 . These two and a half tribes, east of Jordan, chose their own portions, but were nearest to the enemy, and were the first to be carried away. Compare Lot, Genesis 13:10 , Genesis 13:11 , and Genesis 14:11 , Genesis 14:12 . Better to have our "lot" chosen for us by Jehovah (Genesis 13:14 , Genesis 13:15 ).

Verse 20

helped: i.e. by God (2 Chronicles 26:17 . Psalms 28:7 ). This victory should have shown them that there could have been no captivity had they obeyed God (see note on 1 Chronicles 4:43 ).

trust. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

Verse 21

men. Hebrew "souls ( nephesh ) of men ( adam )". App-13 and App-14 .

Verse 22

until the captivity. Compare 2 Kings 15:29 ; 2Ki 17:6 ; 2 Kings 18:9-12 : i.e. that of Tiglath-pileser.

Verse 23

half: i.e. the half beyond Jordan.

Verse 24

even. Septuagint and Vulgate omit this word "even".

mighty men. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 25

transgressed = acted faithlessly.

people = peoples.

Verse 26

God of Israel. Note Elohim: not Jehovah, as dealing with Gentiles; but Israel, as not forgetting His covenant-relation though stirring up enemies.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Pul . . . and . . . Tilgath-pilneser. Two names of one person: Pul, the original and official name in Babylon of this usurper; Tilgath, his official name in Assyria, which he assumed from an earlier king. Compare 2 Kings 15:19 .

Halah . . . Gozan. Whither the Israelites west of Jordan were deported by Sargon (2 Kings 15:29 , 2 Kings 17:6 ; 2 Kings 18:11 ).

unto this day. See note on 1 Chronicles 4:43 .