1Adam, Sheth, Enosh,

2Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,

3Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,

4Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

5The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.

6And the sons of Gomer; Ashchenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.

7And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

8The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

9And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.

10And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.

11And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,

12And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (of whom came the Philistines,) and Caphthorim.

13And Canaan begat Zidon his firstborn, and Heth,

14The Jebusite also, and the Amorite, and the Girgashite,

15And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,

16And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.

17The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.

18And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber.

19And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg; because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother's name was Joktan.

20And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,

21Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah,

22And Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,

23And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.

24Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,

25Eber, Peleg, Reu,

26Serug, Nahor, Terah,

27Abram; the same is Abraham.

28The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael.

29These are their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

30Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,

31Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael.

32Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.

33And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Henoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these are the sons of Keturah.

34And Abraham begat Isaac. The sons of Isaac; Esau and Israel.

35The sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

36The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and Timna, and Amalek.

37The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

38And the sons of Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezar, and Dishan.

39And the sons of Lotan; Hori, and Homam: and Timna was Lotan's sister.

40The sons of Shobal; Alian, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. and the sons of Zibeon; Aiah, and Anah.

41The sons of Anah; Dishon. And the sons of Dishon; Amram, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.

42The sons of Ezer; Bilhan, and Zavan, and Jakan. The sons of Dishan; Uz, and Aran.

43Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel; Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

44And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

45And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.

46And when Husham was dead, Hadad the son of Bedad, which smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

47And when Hadad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

48And when Samlah was dead, Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.

49And when Shaul was dead, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

50And when Baalhanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pai; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

51Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom were; duke Timnah, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,

52Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

53Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

54Duke Magdiel, duke Iram. These are the dukes of Edom.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Ezra

Date Penned: (430 BC)

Overview: A History of God's Chosen People (c 1-29)

Theme: The Genealogies of Israel (c 1-9)

Message: Ancestry of the Nation (v 1-53)

1 Chronicles 1 Commentary

(1:1) A Recorded Heritage - This long list of names was compiled after the people of Judah, the southern kingdom, were taken captive to Babylon. As the exiles looked forward to the day when they would return to their homeland, one of their biggest fears was that the records of their heritage would be lost. The Jews placed great importance upon their heritage because each person wanted to be able to prove that he or she was a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. Only then could that person enjoy the benefits of the special blessings God had promised to Abraham and his descendants (see Genesis 12:1-3 and

17:2-8 for what these blessings were) This list reconstructed the family tree for both Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, before their captivities and served as genealogical proof for those who claimed to be Abraham's descendants. (For more information on why the Bible includes genealogies, see the notes on Genesis 5:1-32; Matthew 1:1; and Luke 3:23-38.)

(1:1-9) The Genealogy of the Savior - There is more to this long genealogy than meets the eye. It holds importance for us today because it supports the Old Testament promise that Jesus, the Messiah, would be a descendant of Abraham and David. This promise is recorded in Genesis 12:1-3 and 2 Samuel 7:12-13.

(1:4) History in a Timeline - Adam's story is found in Genesis 1-5. Noah's story is found in Genesis 6-9. This record of names demonstrates that God is interested not only in nations but also in individuals. Although billions of people have lived since Adam, God knows and remembers each person's face and name. Each one of us is more than a name on a list; we are special and significant persons whom God knows and loves. As we recognize and accept his love, we discover both our uniqueness as individuals and our solidarity with the rest of his family.

(1:5-9) How Biblical Genealogy was Penned - The word translated "sons" can also mean "descendants"; thus, a biblical genealogy may skip several generations. These lists were not meant to be exhaustive but rather to give adequate information about the various family lines.

(1:10) Nimrod - Nimrod is also mentioned in Genesis 10:8-9.

(1:11-12) The Philistines - The Philistines had been Israel's constant enemy since the days of the judges. King David finally weakened them, and by this time they were no longer a threat. (For more information on the Philistines, see Judges 13:1 and 1 Samuel 4)

(1:13-16) The Canaanites - Canaan was the ancestor of the Canaanites, who inhabited the Promised Land (also called Canaan) before the Israelites entered under Joshua's leadership. God helped the Israelites drive out the Canaanites, a wicked and idolatrous people. The land's name was then changed to Israel. The book of Joshua tells that story.

(1:19) The Tower of Babel - The phrase "the earth was divided" refers to when the earth was divided into different language groups. At one time, everyone spoke a single language. But some people became proud of their accomplishments and gathered to build a monument to themselves- the tower of Babel. This building project was brought to an abrupt conclusion when God caused the people to speak different languages. Without the ability to communicate with one another, the people could not be unified. God showed them that their great efforts were useless without him. Pride in our achievements must not lead us to conclude that we no longer need God. This story is told in Genesis 11:1-9.

(1:24-27) The Story of Abraham - Abraham's story is found in Genesis 11:26-25:10.

(1:28-31) The Story of Ishmael - Ishmael's story is found in Genesis 16 and 21. See his profile.

(1:34) The Story of Jacob - Israel is another name for Jacob, given to him by God (Genesis 32:28). It may mean "God fights," indicating that God would be present and fighting for Israel and his descendants. Israel's (Jacob's) 12 sons became the nation of Israel. The descendants of Esau, his brother, became the nation of Edom, a constant enemy of Israel. (To learn more about the lives of Isaac and his two sons, Jacob and Esau, read their stories in Genesis 21-36 and 46-49)

(1:36) Amalek and the Amalekites - Amalek, Esau's grandson, was the son of his father's concubine (Genesis 36:12). He was the ancestor of the vicious tribe known as the Amalekites, the first people to attack the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land.

The Israelites were winning this battle as long as Moses kept his arm raised, and they ultimately gained the victory (Exodus 17:8-16). (For more about the Amalekites, see the note on Exodus 17:8.)

(1:43-54) Edom and the Edomites - Why are we given information in this genealogy about the descendants of Edom, who were Israel's enemies? Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, was Isaac's oldest son and thus a direct descendant of Abraham. As Abraham's first grandson, he deserved a place in the Jewish records. It was through Esau's marriages to pagan women, however, that the nation of Edom began. This genealogy shows the ancestry of enemy nations; they were not a part of the direct lineage of King David and thus of the Messiah. This listing further identifies Israel's special identity and role.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we start in the book of 1 Chronicles with Chapter 1. In our text today we see the genealogy of Israel. The Lord found it important to keep an account fo the life and ancestry of these indiiduales as He does the same with you and me today. Your birthday is important to our Savior, as is the account of every soul being saved which is recorded in the Lambs Book of Life. In making application we see how the Lord is on His Throne. He does keep an account of your life. He records all of your actions and fi you have been born again. How about you? Do you see the Lord is keeping an account of your life? Let us learn from our text today and the account in the book of 1 Chronicles to remember that the Lord is keeping an account of your life