1 Chronicles 2 Commentary
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This chapter is a continuation of the listing of key characters in the storyline of the Bible. Out of Abraham came Isaac. The many other sons of Abraham are ignored. Out of Isaac came Edom and Israel. The history of Edom was summarized yesterday.
Today the focus shifts to Jacob. He is the father of 12 sons. The LORD Jesus Christ had 12 disciples. It was intentional and meant to correspond to the 12 sons that collectively become the nation of Israel.
The narration then zooms into the family of Judah. According to Judah’s blessing, he is the strongest of the 12 sons and the ruler would come from him. By the time this account was written, David was long dead and the scattered nation was finding its feet again. The Bible here is pointing to yet another leader from the tribe of Judah. These lines are looking at the Messiah though several centuries would pass before Christ.
It would look like the Bible is showcasing the prowess of Judah. No doubt. It can be very interesting to look back at what the LORD said concerning Judah. We are looking at history unfolding exactly as the LORD had indicated.
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.
Genesis 49:10. NIV.
Notice how the Bible unashamedly highlights Perez and Zerah as children of Judah’s daughter-in-law, Tamar. The Law would specifically highlight this kind of relationship as sinful yet Judah and Tamar would become key ancestors of the LORD Jesus Christ. The LORD creates righteousness out of sinful humanity. No one is excluded from this glorious hope.
There is also a deliberate effort to give details of the other main characters that we have read about in the Book of Kings. So we know how Joab, Abishai, Asahel, and Amasa, are related to King David.
Notice how the Bible lists the sons of Jesse. David is listed as the seventh son. The order of listing, and the emphasis on who was first, second, and so and so, is intentional. The blessing of the LORD didn’t follow a natural route by landing at the top. The saint is taken back to the Book of Samuel. It is a moment when the great prophet Samuel learns that the LORD looks at the inside and not at the outside.
The opening chapters of Chronicles have this rare beauty about them in the way they draw us to specific points in the scriptures.
The narration would again zoom into David’s line but that is for tomorrow.
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