The Argument - The laws comprehend both these books in one,
which the Grecians because of the length, divide into two:
and they are called Chronicles, because they note briefly
the history from Adam to the return from their captivity in
Babylon. But these are not the books of Chronicles which are
mentioned in the books of the kings of Judah and Israel,
which set forth the story of both kingdoms, and later
perished in the captivity, but an abridgement of the same,
and were gathered by Ezra, as the Jews write after their
return from Babylon. This first book contains a brief
rehearsal of the children of Adam to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
and the twelve patriarchs, chiefly of Judah, and the reign
of David, because Christ came from him according to the
flesh. Therefore it sets forth more amply his acts both
concerning civil government, and also the administration and
care of things concerning religion, for the good success of
which he rejoices and gives thanks to the Lord.
(a) Meaning, that Seth was Adam's son, and Enoch was Seth's
son.
1:4 Noah, b Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
(b) It would have been sufficient to have named Shem of whom
came Abraham and David, but because the world was
restored by these three, mention is also made of Ham and
Japheth.
1:10 And Cush begat c Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the
earth.
(c) Who first lifted himself above others.
1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud,
and d Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
(d) Of whom came the Syrians, and therefore they are called
Amramites throughout all scripture.
1:18 And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat e Eber.
(e) Of him came the Hebrews who were later called
Israelites of Israel, who was Jacob and Jews of Judah
because of the excellency of that tribe.
1:24f Shem, g Arphaxad, Shelah,
(f) He repeats Shem again because he would come to the
stock of Abraham.
(g) Who came from Shem, and of him Shelah.
1:32 Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's h concubine: she bare
Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and
Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
1:35 The sons of Esau; i Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and
Jaalam, and Korah.
(i) These were born from three different mothers,
read (Ge 36:4).
1:36 The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam,
Kenaz, and k Timna, and Amalek.
(k) Which was Eliphaz's concubine, read (Ge 36:12).
1:38 And the sons of l Seir; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon,
and Anah, and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan.
(l) He is also called Seir the Horite, who inhabited mount
Seir, (Ge 36:20).
1:43 Now these [are] the m kings that reigned in the land of
Edom before [any] king reigned over the children of Israel;
Bela the son of Beor: and the name of his city [was]
Dinhabah.
(m) He makes mention of the kings that came from Esau
according to God's promise made to Abraham concerning
him, that kings would come from him. These eight kings
reigned one after another in Idumea to the time of
David who conquered their country.
1:44 And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of n
Bozrah reigned in his stead.
