1 Chronicles 2 Study Notes: The Family of Judah and Line to David
After naming Israel’s twelve sons, the record turns first to Judah, noting Er’s wickedness, the birth of Perez and Zerah through Tamar, and Achar’s sin. It follows the line through Boaz and Jesse to David, then lists the families of Caleb and Jerahmeel, including Bezalel.
General
What does 1 Chronicles 2:7 record about Achar?
Answer: He brought trouble on Israel by taking devoted things
The genealogy stops on one name to record a sin: Achar troubled Israel by breaking God’s ban on what was devoted to Him (2:7). Devoted things were the spoils of Jericho that God had set apart entirely for Himself, and Israel was warned that taking any of them would bring disaster on the whole camp (Joshua 6:18). Joshua tells how Carmi’s son took some of them, and the LORD’s anger burned against Israel (Joshua 7:1). Later Israel remembered that his unfaithfulness brought wrath on the whole community and that he did not die alone in his sin (Joshua 22:20). One person’s disobedience can harm many, and God takes what is holy to Him seriously.
- 1 Chronicles 2:7 (BSB)“The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things.”Achar is remembered as the one who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban.
- Joshua 6:18 (BSB)“But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.”Israel was warned that taking devoted things would bring disaster on the camp.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”Joshua records that Carmi’s son took devoted things and the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
- Joshua 22:20 (BSB)“Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’””Israel later recalled that this unfaithfulness brought wrath on the whole congregation.
Theological
For what is Achar remembered in 1 Chronicles 2:7?
Answer: He brought trouble on Israel by taking devoted things
Achar is singled out for having troubled Israel through his breach of the ban (2:7), the command that Jericho’s spoils were devoted wholly to the LORD on pain of bringing destruction on the camp (Joshua 6:18). His unfaithfulness kindled the LORD’s anger against the whole nation (Joshua 7:1), and Israel later cited the episode as proof that one man’s sin brought wrath on the congregation and that he did not perish alone (Joshua 22:20). Even in the royal tribe the record does not conceal sin; the corporate effects of one act of unfaithfulness display both the holiness of God and the solidarity of His covenant people.
- 1 Chronicles 2:7 (BSB)“The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things.”Achar is remembered as the one who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban.
- Joshua 6:18 (BSB)“But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.”Israel was warned that taking devoted things would bring disaster on the camp.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”Joshua records that Carmi’s son took devoted things and the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.
- Joshua 22:20 (BSB)“Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’””Israel later recalled that this unfaithfulness brought wrath on the whole congregation.
General
Bezalel is named in 1 Chronicles 2:20 as a descendant of Caleb through Hur and Uri. Who was Bezalel, according to Exodus?
Answer: The craftsman God filled for tabernacle work
Hezron’s son Caleb took Ephrath as his wife, and she gave birth to Hur; Hur’s son was Uri, and Uri’s son was Bezalel (2:19-20). Exodus says the LORD called Bezalel of Judah by name and gave him God’s Spirit along with skill in all manner of craftsmanship for building the tabernacle, the tent where God was worshiped (Exodus 31:2-5). God gave Bezalel and his fellow worker Oholiab such skill for all sorts of artistic work (Exodus 35:35). The bronze altar Bezalel made was still in use at Gibeon when Solomon sought the LORD there (2 Chronicles 1:5). Judah’s family record includes a man God equipped for worship.
- 1 Chronicles 2:19-20 (BSB)“When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur. Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri was the father of Bezalel.”Caleb’s wife Ephrath bore Hur, whose grandson was Bezalel.
- Exodus 31:2-5 (BSB)““See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.”The LORD calls Bezalel of Judah by name and fills him with His Spirit and skill for the tabernacle work.
- Exodus 35:35 (BSB)“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers—as artistic designers of every kind of craft.”Moses says God filled Bezalel and Oholiab with skill for every kind of craft.
- 2 Chronicles 1:5 (BSB)“But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there.”The bronze altar Bezalel made stood before the tabernacle at Gibeon in Solomon’s day.
Theological
Bezalel appears in Judah’s genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:18-20). What role did he hold according to Exodus?
Answer: The craftsman God filled for tabernacle work
Through Hezron’s son Caleb and his wife Ephrath came Hur, Uri, and Bezalel (2:19-20), the craftsman whom the LORD called by name and endowed with God’s Spirit for every kind of artistry in constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2-5), as He also equipped his fellow craftsman Oholiab (Exodus 35:35). His bronze altar still stood at Gibeon when Solomon and the gathered people sought the LORD there (2 Chronicles 1:5). The genealogy thus ties Judah’s line not only to kingship but to the worship of God, a concern Chronicles carries throughout.
- 1 Chronicles 2:19-20 (BSB)“When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur. Hur was the father of Uri, and Uri was the father of Bezalel.”Caleb’s wife Ephrath bore Hur, whose grandson was Bezalel.
- Exodus 31:2-5 (BSB)““See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.”The LORD calls Bezalel of Judah by name and fills him with His Spirit and skill for the tabernacle work.
- Exodus 35:35 (BSB)“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and as weavers—as artistic designers of every kind of craft.”Moses says God filled Bezalel and Oholiab with skill for every kind of craft.
- 2 Chronicles 1:5 (BSB)“But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, was in Gibeon before the tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the assembly inquired of Him there.”The bronze altar Bezalel made stood before the tabernacle at Gibeon in Solomon’s day.
General
What does 1 Chronicles 2:3 record about Er, Judah’s firstborn?
Answer: The LORD took his life for his wickedness
Even in the tribe of the coming king, the record does not hide sin. Er, the firstborn son Bath-shua bore to Judah, was evil in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD ended his life (2:3), just as Genesis reports (Genesis 38:7). God is the judge who holds life and death in His hands (Deuteronomy 32:39). Er’s place in the family did not protect him; Scripture teaches that sin pays out death, while eternal life is God’s free gift in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). The line of promise would continue, but not through Er.
- 1 Chronicles 2:3 (BSB)“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.”Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD put him to death.
- Genesis 38:7 (BSB)“But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death.”Genesis records the same judgment on Er.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (BSB)“See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”The LORD declares that He alone brings death and gives life.
- Romans 6:23 (BSB)“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Paul states that sin earns death, while eternal life is God’s gift in Christ.
Theological
What does 1 Chronicles 2:3 say happened to Er?
Answer: The LORD took his life for his wickedness
The genealogy records judgment within the royal tribe: Er, the firstborn son Bath-shua bore to Judah, was evil in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD put an end to his life (2:3; Genesis 38:7). God alone holds the power of death and life (Deuteronomy 32:39), and birth into the covenant family did not exempt Er from the just penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). The firstborn is set aside, and the promise proceeds through another son, a reminder that the covenant line is preserved by God’s grace and not by the worthiness of those in it.
- 1 Chronicles 2:3 (BSB)“The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.”Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight, and the LORD put him to death.
- Genesis 38:7 (BSB)“But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; so the LORD put him to death.”Genesis records the same judgment on Er.
- Deuteronomy 32:39 (BSB)“See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”The LORD declares that He alone brings death and gives life.
- Romans 6:23 (BSB)“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Paul states that sin earns death, while eternal life is God’s gift in Christ.
General
After naming Israel’s twelve sons (1 Chronicles 2:1-2), whose descendants does the genealogy trace first and most fully?
Answer: Judah’s
Reuben was Israel’s firstborn, but the genealogy starts with Judah (2:3) and follows his family well into chapter 4 (to 4:23), longer than any other tribe. Chronicles itself explains why: Reuben lost his rights as firstborn, and Judah grew strongest among his brothers and produced a ruler (5:1-2). David later says God chose Judah to lead, and from Judah chose his own family and then him as king (28:4). Long before, Jacob had said the scepter, the sign of royal rule, would not leave Judah (Genesis 49:10). Judah comes first because the line of God’s chosen king runs through it.
- 1 Chronicles 2:1-3 (BSB)“These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.”After naming Israel’s twelve sons, the record turns first to Judah’s sons.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (BSB)“These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.”Chronicles explains that Reuben lost the birthright, while Judah prevailed and a ruler came from him.
- 1 Chronicles 28:4 (BSB)“Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.”David says God chose Judah as leader and then chose David from Judah.
- Genesis 49:10 (BSB)“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”Jacob foretold that the scepter would not depart from Judah.
Theological
Which tribe’s genealogy is placed first and given the most space after the list of Israel’s sons in 1 Chronicles 2:1-2?
Answer: Judah’s
Although Reuben was the firstborn, Judah’s line is placed first (2:3) and receives the fullest treatment, running to 4:23. Chronicles supplies the rationale: Reuben forfeited the birthright, while Judah prevailed over the others and gave rise to a ruler (5:1-2). David confesses that God sovereignly appointed Judah to lead, then his father’s house, then him (28:4), in keeping with Jacob’s oracle that the scepter would never leave Judah (Genesis 49:10). The ordering is theological: the genealogy foregrounds the royal line through which God’s covenant promises would be fulfilled.
- 1 Chronicles 2:1-3 (BSB)“These were the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.”After naming Israel’s twelve sons, the record turns first to Judah’s sons.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (BSB)“These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.”Chronicles explains that Reuben lost the birthright, while Judah prevailed and a ruler came from him.
- 1 Chronicles 28:4 (BSB)“Yet the LORD, the God of Israel, chose me out of all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For He chose Judah as leader, and from the house of Judah He chose my father’s household, and from my father’s sons He was pleased to make me king over all Israel.”David says God chose Judah as leader and then chose David from Judah.
- Genesis 49:10 (BSB)“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.”Jacob foretold that the scepter would not depart from Judah.
General
Where does the line traced through Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse lead (1 Chronicles 2:10-15)?
Answer: To David, the seventh son of Jesse
From Hezron the record follows Ram’s line through Amminadab and Nahshon, who led the people of Judah, then Salmon, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, and ends with David, listed seventh among Jesse’s sons (2:10-15). The book of Ruth closes with the same family line ending in David (Ruth 4:18-22). Matthew uses it in the family record of Jesus, calling David the king (Matthew 1:5-6), and the angel told Mary that God would give her Son the royal seat of His ancestor David (Luke 1:32-33). Chapter 2 is pointing toward David, and through David toward Christ.
- 1 Chronicles 2:10-15 (BSB)“Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of the descendants of Judah. Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, Ozem sixth, and David seventh.”The line runs from Ram through Boaz and Jesse to David, Jesse’s seventh son.
- Ruth 4:18-22 (BSB)“Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.”Ruth closes with the same line from Perez to David.
- Matthew 1:5-6 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,”Matthew follows this line from Salmon to David the king in the genealogy of Jesus.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel says God will give Jesus the throne of His father David.
Theological
Where does the line traced from Hezron through Ram lead in 1 Chronicles 2:9-15?
Answer: To David, the seventh son of Jesse
The Ram branch of Hezron’s descendants is the spine of the chapter: Amminadab, Nahshon the leader of Judah, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, and Jesse, culminating in David, the seventh son (2:10-15). Ruth ends with the identical line (Ruth 4:18-22), and Matthew incorporates it into Christ’s genealogy, naming David the king (Matthew 1:5-6). The angel’s promise that God would give Jesus David’s throne and an endless reign (Luke 1:32-33) shows where this royal line is heading.
- 1 Chronicles 2:10-15 (BSB)“Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, a leader of the descendants of Judah. Nahshon was the father of Salmon, and Salmon was the father of Boaz. Boaz was the father of Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, Nethanel fourth, Raddai fifth, Ozem sixth, and David seventh.”The line runs from Ram through Boaz and Jesse to David, Jesse’s seventh son.
- Ruth 4:18-22 (BSB)“Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David.”Ruth closes with the same line from Perez to David.
- Matthew 1:5-6 (BSB)“Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,”Matthew follows this line from Salmon to David the king in the genealogy of Jesus.
- Luke 1:32-33 (BSB)“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!””The angel says God will give Jesus the throne of His father David.
General
According to 1 Chronicles 2:4, who bore Perez and Zerah to Judah?
Answer: Tamar, his daughter-in-law
Bath-shua bore Judah’s first three sons (2:3), but Perez and Zerah were born to Judah by Tamar, his own daughter-in-law (2:4). Genesis 38 tells the story: Judah failed to give Tamar to his son Shelah as he should have, and she conceived by Judah himself. Judah admitted that she was more in the right than he was (Genesis 38:26). Yet God carried His promise forward through this troubled family. The line that leads to David runs through Perez (2:5, 2:9-15); Bethlehem’s elders even blessed Boaz by naming Perez, Tamar’s son by Judah (Ruth 4:12), and Matthew names Tamar in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3). God’s grace, not human goodness, keeps the promised line going.
- 1 Chronicles 2:4 (BSB)“Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.”Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah.
- Genesis 38:26 (BSB)“Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.”Judah admits Tamar was more righteous than he, since he had not given her to Shelah.
- Ruth 4:12 (BSB)“And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.””The elders bless Boaz by the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.
- Matthew 1:3 (BSB)“Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.”Matthew includes Tamar by name in the genealogy of Jesus.
Theological
Through whom were Perez and Zerah born to Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4)?
Answer: Tamar, his daughter-in-law
Perez and Zerah were born to Judah by Tamar, his daughter-in-law (2:4), after Judah had withheld Shelah from her and she conceived by Judah himself (Genesis 38). Judah confessed that she was more righteous than he (Genesis 38:26). Remarkably, it is through Perez that the royal line runs (2:5, 2:9-15), a house remembered in the elders’ blessing on Boaz (Ruth 4:12), and Matthew deliberately names Tamar in Christ’s genealogy (Matthew 1:3). The messianic line is not a record of human merit; God sovereignly advances His covenant purpose through sinful people, magnifying His grace.
- 1 Chronicles 2:4 (BSB)“Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all.”Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah.
- Genesis 38:26 (BSB)“Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again.”Judah admits Tamar was more righteous than he, since he had not given her to Shelah.
- Ruth 4:12 (BSB)“And may your house become like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring the LORD will give you by this young woman.””The elders bless Boaz by the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.
- Matthew 1:3 (BSB)“Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram.”Matthew includes Tamar by name in the genealogy of Jesus.