1 Chronicles 4 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 4 Short Summary:

The fourth chapter of 1 Chronicles contains a genealogy of the families of Judah and Simeon. Judah and Simeon were sons of Jacob (Israel). The Tribe of Judah eventually grew into the largest of the 12 Tribes of Israel. The first half of the chapter focuses on Judah’s family, while the second half focuses on Simeon’s descendants.

What is 1 Chronicles 4 About?

WHEN:

• 1 Chronicles is primarily a record of the reign of King David. 1 Chronicles 10 records the death of King Saul (David’s predecessor). The last chapter of 1 Chronicles records the death of David.

• Saul died in approximately 1055 B.C., after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

• David became king over Judah the same year. He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months, before becoming king over all Israel. His reign over all Judah and Israel lasted 33 years.

CHARACTERS:

• 1 Chronicles 4 contains a genealogy of the families of Simeon and Judah, two of Jacob’s sons.

WHERE:

• The families of Judah and Simeon were allotted land in the southern part of the Promised Land, west of the Jordan River and Dead Sea.

OUTLINE:

• THE FAMILY LINE OF JUDAH (4:1-23):

  • The first 23 verses of 1 Chronicles 4 contain a genealogy of the descendants of Jacob’s son Judah.

  • Judah’s children eventually became the Tribe of Judah, which was the largest of the 12 Israelite tribes.

  • Special attention is given to Jabez, a descendant of Judah, whose short prayer to God is recorded in verse 10.

  • In his prayer, he asked God to bless him and keep him safe.

• THE FAMILY LINE OF SIMEON (4:24-43):

  • The genealogy of Simeon, another of Jacob’s sons, is the topic of the second half of the chapter.

  • The Chronicles writer documents the prominent men of Simeon and some of their accomplishments.

APPLICATION:

• Most of us, if we’re remembered at all, will probably only appear in the record of history as a name on an obscure family tree.

• If you stand out at all, try to stand out for a similar reason to Jabez.

• He stood out from of his relatives because of his faith and reliance on God.