1Ch 2:3 | KingComments | STEP | In the rest of this chapter the descendants of Judah are mentioned. Judah’s genealogy is mentioned first because of the kingship that is associated with this tribe. On the gravestone of Er we read the characteristic of his life: he “was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put him to death” ( ). It is a warning to live and walk before God’s face with fear, praying and watching, because every moment there can be said or done by us something that will characterize our lives. What will be read on my gravestone? Few women are mentioned, but the name of Tamar shows a special grace from God ( ). She gives birth to Perez as a result of a lewd act she committed with Judah ( ). It is God’s special grace that she is mentioned in the book of Ruth ( ) and in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus ( ). Four of Zerah’s five sons, “Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara”, are known for their wisdom ( ). When the Holy Spirit represents the wisdom of Solomon, he declares Solomon wiser than these four men: “For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol” ( ). It is rare that such a testimony can be given of four brothers. It can also be mentioned that a psalm both of Ethan and of Heman is included in the Holy Scriptures ( ). They should not be confused with Heman and Ethan, the musicians of David ( ), for they are of the tribe of Levi and not of the tribe of Judah (cf. ). The inscription on the gravestone of Achar, this is Achan, reads: “The troubler of Israel, who violated the ban” ( ). His sin is described in the book of Joshua ( ). We see here that to the best families, here Judah, people can belong who are a disgrace to the family. The names mentioned in are the direct ancestors of David, to whom the chronicler works in the genealogies (cf. ). This does not mean that all names of the ancestors are mentioned from Ram onward. Three centuries have passed between Ram, the son of Hezron, and Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. Nahshon is “leader of the sons of Judah” in the days of Moses in the wilderness ( ). Nahshon’s son, Salma, marries Rahab, the harlot, after the fall of Jericho ( ). shows that the three men “Abshai, Joab and Asahel”, who we know from David’s army, are the sons of David’s sister and thus his cousins. The same goes for Amasa, who is the son of another sister.

‏ 1 Chronicles 2:3

Descendants From Judah to David

In the rest of this chapter the descendants of Judah are mentioned. Judah’s genealogy is mentioned first because of the kingship that is associated with this tribe.

On the gravestone of Er we read the characteristic of his life: he “was wicked in the sight of the LORD, so He put him to death” (1Chr 2:3). It is a warning to live and walk before God’s face with fear, praying and watching, because every moment there can be said or done by us something that will characterize our lives. What will be read on my gravestone?

Few women are mentioned, but the name of Tamar shows a special grace from God (1Chr 2:4). She gives birth to Perez as a result of a lewd act she committed with Judah (Gen 38:14-18 ; 27-30). It is God’s special grace that she is mentioned in the book of Ruth (Rth 4:12) and in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus (Mt 1:3).

Four of Zerah’s five sons, “Ethan, Heman, Calcol and Dara”, are known for their wisdom (1Chr 2:6). When the Holy Spirit represents the wisdom of Solomon, he declares Solomon wiser than these four men: “For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol” (1Kgs 4:31). It is rare that such a testimony can be given of four brothers.

It can also be mentioned that a psalm both of Ethan and of Heman is included in the Holy Scriptures (Psa 88:1 ; Psa 89:1). They should not be confused with Heman and Ethan, the musicians of David (1Chr 15:19), for they are of the tribe of Levi and not of the tribe of Judah (cf. 1Chr 6:33-44).

The inscription on the gravestone of Achar, this is Achan, reads: “The troubler of Israel, who violated the ban” (1Chr 2:7). His sin is described in the book of Joshua (Jos 7:1). We see here that to the best families, here Judah, people can belong who are a disgrace to the family.

The names mentioned in 1Chr 2:9-12 are the direct ancestors of David, to whom the chronicler works in the genealogies (cf. Rth 4:19-22). This does not mean that all names of the ancestors are mentioned from Ram onward. Three centuries have passed between Ram, the son of Hezron, and Nahshon, the son of Amminadab. Nahshon is “leader of the sons of Judah” in the days of Moses in the wilderness (Num 1:7 ; Num 2:3). Nahshon’s son, Salma, marries Rahab, the harlot, after the fall of Jericho (Mt 1:5).

1Chr 2:16 shows that the three men “Abshai, Joab and Asahel”, who we know from David’s army, are the sons of David’s sister and thus his cousins. The same goes for Amasa, who is the son of another sister.