1 Chronicles 5

CHAPTER 5

Reuben (5:1–10)

1–10 In this chapter, the writer discusses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh; these two and a half tribes were given their allotment of land on the east side of the Jordan River, an area that later became known as Gilead (Numbers 32:33–42).

Verses 1–9 list the descendants of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn son. Because Reuben slept with his father’s concubine, he lost his rights as the firstborn (Genesis 35:22; 49:4); these were given to Joseph¹² (verses 1–2).

In verse 10, the writer mentions that the Reubenites defeated the Hagrites, whose land was east of Gilead. The Hagrites were descended from Hagar’s son Ishmael, the brother of Isaac (Genesis 16:15–16).

Gad (5:11–22)

11–22 Verses 11–17 list the descendants of Gad. In verses 18–22, the writer describes a campaign waged jointly by the two and a half eastern tribes against the Hagrites. The Israelite tribes were victorious because they cried out to [God] during the battle (verse 20). This is a theme presented over and over in the Old Testament, and especially in the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles: victory comes to those who trust in God, while defeat comes to those who are unfaithful.

The Half-Tribe of Manasseh (5:23–26)

23–26 Here the eastern half-tribe of Manasseh is described. Generally its people were unfaithful to God, as was the rest of the northern kingdom. For this reason, the two and a half tribes in Gilead were the first to be defeated by the Assyrian invaders and sent into exile (verse 26).