Verses 1-40

5. Issachar, Naphtali, half Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher

CHAPTER 7

1. Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:1-5)

2. Of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:6-12)

3. Naphtali (1 Chronicles 7:13)

4. Half Manasseh (1 Chronicles 7:14-19)

5. Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-29)

6. Asher (1 Chronicles 7:30-40)

The other tribes are given except Dan and Zebulun, which are missing. Issachar’s had the territory between the highlands and the Jordan valley. Their warriors numbered 87,000 taken most likely from David’s census. Only three sons of Benjamin are mentioned in verse 6; five are given in chapter 8:1. What became of the other five? In Genesis 46:21 we find ten names. The others had most likely become extinct in the awful slaughter recorded in Judges (Judges 20). All these tables are more or less imperfect. This does not in any way affect the question of inspiration. No doubt there are deeper lessons connected with many of these names and arrangement of them, which we do not know.

“These genealogies were imperfect. The condition of Israel bore the impress of the ruin which had befallen them; but also that of the goodness of God who had brought back a remnant, and who had preserved all that was needful to place those who formed it in the record of His people. If the needful proof to give them a title to this were wanting, such as were of the people ceased to enjoy their proper privileges, and the priests their sacerdotal position, until a priest stood up with Urim and with Thummim. For these genealogies served as a means to recognize the people. Happy he who had preserved his own, and who had so appreciated the heritage of Jehovah as to attach value to it! It was a proof of faith; for it might have been said, Of what use are these genealogies in Babylon?” (Synopsis of the Bible)