5:1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he
[was] the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his
father's bed, his birthright was given unto the a sons of
Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be
reckoned after the birthright.
(a) Because they were made two tribes, they had a double
portion.
5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him [came]
b the chief ruler; but the birthright [was] Joseph's:)
(b) That is, he was the chiefest of all the tribes according
to Jacob's prophecy, (Ge 49:8), and because Christ
would come from him.
5:6 Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria c
carried away [captive]: he [was] prince of the Reubenites.
(c) That is, in the time of Uzziah king of Israel,
(2Ki 15:23).
5:8 And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel,
who dwelt in d Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon:
(d) These places were beyond Jordan toward the east in the
land given to the Reubenites.
5:10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the e
Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their
tents throughout all the east [land] of Gilead.
(e) The Ishmaelites who came from Hagar Abraham's
concubine.
5:16 And they dwelt in Gilead in f Bashan, and in her towns,
and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders.
(f) Both the whole country and one particular city were
called Bashan.
5:19 And they made war with the Hagarites, with g Jetur, and
Nephish, and Nodab.
(g) These twelve were the sons of Ishmael, (Ge 25:15).
5:20 And they were h helped against them, and the Hagarites
were delivered into their hand, and all that [were] with
them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was
intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
(h) That is, by the Lord who gave them the victory.
5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war [was] of
God. And they dwelt in their steads until the i
captivity.
(i) Meaning, the captivity of the ten tribes under Tiglath
Pileser.
5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the
land: they increased from Bashan unto k Baalhermon and
Senir, and unto mount Hermon.
(k) Otherwise called Baal-gad.
5:26 And the God of Israel l stirred up the spirit of Pul king
of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of
Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and
the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought
them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river
Gozan, unto this day.
(l) Thus God stirred up the wicked and used them as
instruments to execute his just judgment against
sinners, although they were led by malice and ambition.
