Bible Commentaries

Adam, ^a Sheth, Enosh,

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.

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.

And Cush begat ^c Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.

(c) Who first lifted himself above others.

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.

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.

^f 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.

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.

(h) Read (Genesis 25:4).

The sons of Esau; ⁱ Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

(i) These were born from three different mothers, read (Genesis 36:4).

The sons of Eliphaz; Teman, and Omar, Zephi, and Gatam, Kenaz, and ^k Timna, and Amalek.

(k) Which was Eliphaz's concubine, read (Genesis 36:12).

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, (Genesis 36:20).

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.

And when Bela was dead, Jobab the son of Zerah of ⁿ Bozrah reigned in his stead.

(n) Which was the principal city of the Edomites.