Bible Commentaries

Having disposed of what might be called the pre-Israelitish genealogies, the writer passes directly to that which is his main object, the genealogies of the chief houses of Israel. First come the names of “the twelve patriarchs,” (1 Chronicles 2:1-2,) and next, as that which has special interest for the author, the families of the princely tribe of Judah. These Judaic genealogies extend to 1 Chronicles 4:23.

The prominence thus given to the house of Judah is in keeping with the writer’s purpose of furnishing the sacred history of the house of David, who was the “lion” of that tribe. The records of the tribe of Judah would naturally be of special interest to a Jew returned from the Babylonish exile, and filled with Messianic hopes.