Bible Commentaries
1 Chronicles 7

Verse 1

CONTENTS

The same subject is prosecuted through this chapter, namely, the genealogy of Israel. Here is contained the register of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, and Ephraim.

Verses 1-5

The genealogy of Issachar is here rehearsed, and the number of their soldiery and brethren; by which, it should seem, that Jacob's prophecy concerning this tribe was fulfilled, when the Patriarch compared it to that of a strong ass couching between two burthens. Genesis 49:14 .

Verses 6-12

The genealogy of Benjamin next comes to be registered! but it is only in part set down in this place. In the next chapter we find a further enumeration. Benjamin, as a tribe, seems to have been pointed out as a warlike people by their father Jacob, who described Benjamin, ravening as a wolf. Genesis 49:27 .

Verse 13

We have but a short account of this tribe of Naphtali: Perhaps on account of its not being interesting in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verses 14-18

The Reader will remember that we had the register of the half-tribe of Manasseh, which dwelt in the land of Canaan, before, 1 Chronicles 5:23 . What is here recorded of Manasseh, means the other half-tribe which remained on the other side of Jordan.

Verses 19-29

The tribe of Ephraim had but a small beginning, and, as appears from the relation in this place, under very discouraging circumstances. Yet the father of Ephraim prophesied on his death-bed, that this tribe should be a multitude of nations. Genesis 48:19 . And so it proved in the end. Joshua, the son of Nun, was of this tribe, and his conquests we are well acquainted with. And if we look through the historical part of it to the contemplation of the spiritual, as Joshua both by name and office was a lively type of the Lord Jesus, here we see Ephraim, indeed, a multitude of nations; for in Jesus all the nations of the earth are blessed.

Verses 30-40

The tribe of Asher; Jacob said, should be fat, and yield royal dainties. And from the mighty men of valour which belonged to this tribe, we see the prediction fulfilled; for from the blood of the slain, and the fat of the mighty, like the bow of Jonathan, Asher derived his royal dainties, no doubt. Genesis 49:20 .

Verse 40

REFLECTIONS

IT is hardly possible to trace the subject of the genealogy of men, in the succession of fathers and sons, through so many generations, without feeling the mind drawn out and exercised in the contemplation of the insignificancy of man in all his boasted strength and power. Well may everyone exclaim with the apostle, in the view of it, for what is your life? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away!

But, Reader, is there no relief to the mind under the exercise of such humiliating views of human life? Is there no resource, no comfort, no asylum, or house of mercy, to take shelter in, from the universal wreck of our poor dying and dead nature? Oh thou, precious, ever-living, and life-giving Jesus! Oh! thou who hast proclaimed thyself, and proved thyself to be the resurrection and the life; who hast said, and confirmed it also by the most palpable evidence, that he who believeth thee, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in thee, shall never die: dost thou ask me, dearest Jesus, as thou didst the sorrowful sister, whether I believe this? Yes yes? thou Almighty Lord, I do, I do believe! Blessed be thy name, it is thou which hast given me to believe. And do thou at all times help mine unbelief. The consciousness that thou livest, and that because thou livest all thy people shall live also, bears up my soul above all the dying circumstances of myself, and a world around me. Though this body of mine goeth daily down to the grave, yet in thee, my soul forever liveth, and shall never die. Thou art the Author of life, the Restorer and Maintainer of my spiritual life, and thou wilt, by and by, be the Perfecter of my eternal life, both soul and body together. Hail then, thou glorious, gracious, lovely, and loving Lord Jesus! Thy love is better than wine. For though wine may comfort the heavy heart, yet no wine can raise the dead: but thy love hath done both. And when flesh, and heart, and all things shall fail, thou wilt be the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.