ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Chronicles 5

5:1–26 The Transjordanian Tribes. By the Chronicler’s time, Reuben (vv. 1–10), Gad (vv. 11–17), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (vv. 23–26) had largely lost their identities after Assyrian invasions in the eighth century b.c. Nonetheless, the Chronicler included within “all Israel” whatever remnants of the northern tribes still existed (see 2 Chron. 30:10–20).

1 Chron 5:1–2 Because of his grave sin, Reuben forfeited his birthright as Israel’s firstborn to Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh (see Gen. 35:22; 49:3–4). The Chronicler expresses a receptive openness to the non-Judahite Israelites by stressing that the birthright belonged to Joseph, whose descendants would form the core of the northern kingdom. Leadership of the nation, however, passed from Reuben to Judah, from whose tribe David (a chief) arose.

1 Chron 5:3–10 This is a partial genealogy of Reuben’s line, extending to their exile by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III, in his conquest of Gilead (Transjordanian Israel) in 733 b.c. See also 2 Chron. 28:19–21. These verses recount an earlier expansion of the Reubenites into Gilead, which was recaptured by the Moabites (in the 9th century b.c.). The Hagrites were linked with the Moabites (Ps. 83:6) and were descendants of Hagar (Genesis 16).

1 Chron 5:11–17 The information about Gad in Bashan (northeast of the Sea of Galilee) is from records (possibly a military census; see v. 18) dating from the eighth-century b.c. reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel (v. 17).

1 Chron 5:18–22 for they cried out to God. God answers his people and grants them victory when they cry out to him (compare 2 Chron. 14:9–15; 20:5–12). They prevailed over them may be, “they were helped to prevail over them” (see esv footnote, and 2 Chron. 25:8; 32:8). because the war was of God. See also 2 Chron. 20:15 and 32:8 for the idea that God fights for his people.

1 Chron 5:23–24 The half-tribe of Manasseh lived east of the Jordan between Gad’s territory (Bashan) and Mount Hermon in Lebanon. Their large numbers and extensive lands indicate divine blessing.

1 Chron 5:25–26 The half-tribe of Manasseh was defeated and exiled, along with the Reubenites and Gadites, into Assyrian lands by Tiglath-pileser (see note on 2 Kings 15:16–22). The Chronicler attributes this to God’s initiative in human affairs: the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul (see also 2 Chron. 21:16; 36:22). The writer’s brief account is based on 2 Kings 17:7–23, along with details from 2 Kings 15:29; 17:6; 18:11. These idolatrous Israelites broke faith. Judah will be exiled for the same reasons (1 Chron. 9:1; 2 Chron. 36:14–20).