51 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn , but because he defiled his father's bed , his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel ; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright . 2 Though Judah prevailed over his brothers , and from him came the leader , yet the birthright belonged to Joseph ), 3 the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu , Hezron and Carmi . 4 The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son , Gog his son , Shimei his son , 5 Micah his son , Reaiah his son , Baal his son , 6 Beerah his son , whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile ; he was leader of the Reubenites . 7 His kinsmen by their families , in the genealogy of their generations , were Jeiel the chief , then Zechariah 8 and Bela the son of Azaz , the son of Shema , the son of Joel , who lived in Aroer , even to Nebo and Baal-meon . 9 To the east he settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates , because their cattle had increased in the land of Gilead . 10 In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites , who fell by their hand , so that they occupied their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Chronicles 5:1-10
Chapter Contents
Genealogies.
This chapter gives some account of the two tribes and a half seated on the east side of Jordan. They were made captives by the king of Assyria, because they had forsaken the Lord. Only two things are here recorded concerning these tribes. 1. They all shared in a victory. Happy is that people who live in harmony together, who assist each other against the common enemies of their souls, trusting in the Lord, and calling upon him. 2. They shared in captivity. They would have the best land, not considering that it lay most exposed. The desire of earthly objects draws to a distance from God's ordinances, and prepares men for destruction.