In Today's Email:
I Chronicles 7 Notes
In this chapter we have more of the tribes and their leading families. There are two tribes that have been omitted: Dan and Zebulon. It is not unusual for there to be variations in lists of the 12 tribes. Levi is usually omitted because they did not have territory. Dan being missing from both here and in Revelation 7 has led many to assume they were wiped out through judgment because of their idolatry. However, Ezekiel 48 clearly shows that Dan is still around in the Millennial Kingdom. Whatever the reason God has for these variations is not immediately clear to us and we are only left to speculate.
vs. 1-5 – The chief families of Issachar.
vs. 6-12 – The chief families of Benjamin. If you compare this to Genesis 46:21, you will find 5 names missing. These families were likely destroyed in the civil war of Judges 20.
vs. 13 – The chief families of Naphtali.
vs. 14-19 – The chief families of Manasseh.
vs. 20-29 – The chief families of Ephraim.
vs. 30-40 - The chief families of Asher.
I Chronicles 8 Notes
In this chapter we focus on Benjamin and Saul’s genealogy.
vs. 1-28 – The tribe of Benjamin is discussed in greater detail than the previous chapter. The reason appears to be to highlight the family of Saul.
vs. 29-40 – The house of Saul is emphasized because it was the first royal house of Israel. Yes, it was later eclipsed by David, but even he was married into it. We can also note that the tribe of Benjamin remained allied with Judah after the division under Rehoboam, proving a kinship between the two. The Meribbaal in vs. 34 is Mephibosheth.
Closing Thoughts
It is interesting to see once again the shift in the tribe of Benjamin. In the Book of Judges, the tribe falls into gross sin and is almost wiped out. It remained small even in Paul’s day. Yet God still used that tribe to produce the first king. We still see that tribe honored here. It is yet another example of God’s grace poured out on the most undeserving sinners.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Overcome Evil With Good” by Knowles Shaw, author of “Bringing in the Sheaves”. We have not had a chance to revisit Saul’s history for a few weeks. This hymn challenges us to act like noble David and overcome evil with good.
1 Like David with Saul, who had sought for his life,
Let us overcome evil with good;
Would we conquer our foes 'mid the din and the strife,
We must overcome evil with good.
Chorus:
Overcome evil with good, brother;
Overcome evil with good;
'Tis human to err; divine to forgive;
Then overcome evil with good.
2 When our hearts are oppressed by a wrong that was done,
Let us overcome evil with good;
If we're injured, insulted, oh! quickly we'll run,
And overcome evil with good. [Chorus]
3 If deserted by friends or surrounded by foes,
Let us overcome evil with good;
And trust for our strength in the Savior who knows
How to overcome evil with good. [Chorus]