The long lists of names that characterize Chronicles may not make interesting reading for us today, but they were important to the original readers. First, these genealogies proved to those who returned that they were a true continuation of the former kingdom. Second, they indicated who among the people had to carry out various religious duties and who among them were of the royal family of David. The lists recorded the origin and development of each tribe in some detail, so that people would know the tribe to which they belonged.
All the tribes came from a common ancestor, Jacob, and through him from Abraham. Abraham was the true father of the nation and a key figure in God’s purposes for the human race (cf. Gen 12:1-3; Gen 13:14-17; Mat 1:2-16).
The origins of Israel (1:1-54)
As in many of the genealogies of the Bible, the genealogy here is simplified. That is, it does not list the name of every person descended from one ancestor, but selects certain people and certain generations according to the purpose of the writer. In this genealogy the writer is concerned mainly with only one line of descent from Adam.
To begin with, the writer records the line of descent from Adam to Noah (1:1-4). Although he records the descendants of Noah’s three sons (5-23), he is particularly concerned with the line through Shem that produced Abraham (24-27). The nation Israel was descended from Abraham through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, but before dealing with Israel, the writer lists people descended from Abraham’s other children (28-33) and from Isaac’s other son (34-54).
1Ch 1:1. Adam, Sheth, Enosh- Adam was the father of Sheth, and Sheth the father of Enosh, and so on to the sons of Noah. No mention is made of the posterity of Cain or Abel, nor of the other sons of Adam, because the sacred writer was only engaged to give a detail of the Patriarchs in the direct line from Adam to Noah. The history of the Bible was not designed as a history of the world, but a history of the church, and of the deduction of the sacred promise of the seed of the woman.
1Ch 1:17. And Lud, and Aram, and Uz- Lud and Aram. The sons of Uz, &c. Houbigant. See Gen 10:23.
REFLECTIONS.-Adam begins and Abraham closes this first genealogical line. The one, our common father after the flesh; the other, the common father of the faithful. By the guilt of Adam's sin, the universal curse descended on man: by Abraham's promised seed, the curse is removed; and all who believe on him are re-instated in the favour of God.
The line of Christ, for whose sake the rest are preserved, reaches in the four first verses as far as Shem; and from him, in the four last, to Abraham: the others are more lightly passed over. Japhet's posterity originally peopled Europe; Ham's, Africa, Canaan, and Philistia; Shem's posterity, Asia; and, probably, from the northern parts of Asia, America received its first inhabitants. Note; As we are originally of one stock, we should, undoubtedly love all mankind as brethren.
1Ch 1:32. Now the sons of Keturah, &c.- These sons of Keturah. Keturah, Abraham's concubine, bare Zimran, &c. Houb.
1Ch 1:36. Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek- Kenaz. And Timna, the concubine of Ehiphaz, bare to him Amalek. Houbigant and Cappellus. See Gen 36:12.
REFLECTIONS.-Before the sacred historian passes on to the line of the Messiah, he dwells a moment on the descendants of Abraham after the flesh. Ishmael, according to Gen 17:20., becomes the father of twelve princes. Midian, of the sons of Keturah, is most taken notice of, because with his descendants the people of God had especial contests. Esau's posterity, and their dignity, are particularly remarked. While the children of promise were suffering in Egypt, the children of the rejected Esau were reigning in Edom. The sons of wickedness have often in this world the chief portion; God has prepared a better country for the heirs of salvation.
