1 Chronicles 4

Section: the Tribe of Judah Continues

1 The tribe of Judah had these sons: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, And Shobal.

2 Shobal had a son named Reaiah. Reaiah had Jahath. Jahath had two sons, Ahumai and Lahad. These were the families from Zorah.

3 These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, Idbash. Their sister’s name was Hazzelelponi.

4 Penuel was the father of Gedor. Ezer was the father of Hushah. All these came from Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the one who founded Bethlehem.

5 Ashhur, the one who started Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

6 Naarah gave him: Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, And Haahashtari. These were her kids.

7 Helah gave him: Zereth, Izhar, And Ethnan.

8 Koz had Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel (son of Harum).

The Prayer of Jabez

9 Now Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mama named him “Jabez” because she said, “I gave birth to him in pain.”

10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel and prayed, “Oh God, bless me for real! Expand my territory. Keep Your hand with me. Keep me from evil so I do not cause pain.” And God came through, He granted that man what he asked for.

More Clans from Judah

11 Chelub, Shuhah’s brother, had Mehir. Mehir had Eshton.

12 Eshton had Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah (who started Ir-nahash). These were the men from Recah.

13 The sons of Kenaz wereb: Othniel and Seraiah. Othniel’s son was Hathath.

14 Meonothai had Ophrah. Seraiah had Joab, founder of Ge-harashim (that is “Valley of Craftsmen”), because that is where craftsmen lived.

15 The sons of Caleb (son of Jephunneh): Iru, Elah, Naam. Elah’s son was Kenaz.

16 Jehallelel had: Ziph, Ziphah, Tiria, And Asarel.

17 Ezra had: Jether, Mered, Epher, And Jalon. One of Mered’s wives gave birth to Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah (who started Eshtemoa).

18 His Judean wife gave birth to Jered (founder of Gedor), Heber (founder of Soco), and Jekuthiel (founder of Zanoah). These were sons of Bithiah, Pharaoh’s daughter, whom Mered had married.

Families of Linen Makers and Temple Servants

19 The sons of Hodiah’s wife (sister of Naham) were the fathers of Keilah (the Garmite) and Eshtemoa (the Maacathite).

20 Shimon had: Amnon, Rinnah, Benhanan, And Tilon. The sons of Ishi were Zoheth and Ben-zoheth.

The Tribe of Simeon Begins

21 Sons of Shelah (son of Judah): Er (founder of Lecah), Laadah (founder of Mareshah), And the families of linen workers from Beth-ashbea.

22 Also: Jokim, the men from Cozeba, Joash, and Saraph (who ruled in Moab but came back to Judah). This is all old-school stuff, from way back.

23 They were potters. They lived in places like Netaim and Gederah. They stayed there working for the king, doing his business.

Sons of Simeon

24 Simeon had: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, And Shaul.

25 Shaul’s son was Shallum. Shallum had Mibsam. Mibsam had Mishma.

26 Mishma had Hammuel. Hammuel had Zaccur. Zaccur had Shimei.

27 Shimei had 16 sons and 6 daughters, but his brothers did not have many kids. That clan never grew big like Judah.

Towns Where Simeon’s Clan Lived

28 They lived in Beersheba, Moladah, Hazar-shual,

29 Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,

30 Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag,

31 Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri, and Shaaraim. These were their cities until David became king.

32 Their villages were Etam, Ain, Rimmon, Tochen, and Ashan, five towns.

33 And all the small towns around them, all the way to Baal. This was their family land. That is where they stayed, and their family records were kept.

Simeon’s Warriors Take New Land

34 Some of the clan leaders were: Meshobab, Jamlech, Joshah (son of Amaziah),

35 Joel, Jehu (son of Joshibiah, son of Seraiah, son of Asiel),

36 Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah,

37 Ziza (son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah).

38 These men were top leaders in their family trees. They grew in numbers and strength in their time.

39 They went out looking for new land, toward Gedor in the east valley, trying to find good pasture for their flocks.

40 They found lush, peaceful land with plenty of space. The people there before were from Ham’s family, living there a long time.

41 But during Hezekiah’s time (king of Judah), these Simeon men came and wiped them out. They took their land and lived there. They cleared out everything and stayed there, because the land was right.

42 500 men from Simeon went up to Mount Seir. They were led by: Pelatiah, Neariah, Rephaiah, And Uzziel, all sons of Ishi.

43 They destroyed the few Amalekites left who had escaped, and they have lived there ever since.