2:1 the sons of Israel The previous section (1 Chron 1:28–53) mainly listed descendants of Abraham who were not the heirs of God’s promise. The rest of the genealogies (2:1–9:44) focus on the descendants of Israel (Jacob) by tribe. (Israel is first identified as Isaac’s son in 1:34.)

2:3 The sons of Judah Compare Gen 46:12–13; Num 26:19–22.

and he put him to death The account in Genesis does not explain what Er did to incur divine wrath (Gen 38:7). His brother, Onan, also was killed by God for refusing to fulfill his responsibilities to his brother’s wife, Tamar (Gen 38:8–11).

2:4 Tamar his daughter-in-law The wife of Er, then Onan. Eventually she bore Perez and Zerah to Judah, deceiving him after he mistreated her by refusing to give her as a wife to his third son Shelah (following the customs of levirate marriage; Deut 25:5–10). The story in Gen 38 centers around Tamar’s mistreatment in Judah’s household. See Gen 38:1–30 and note.

2:7 Achar, the troubler of Israel Achan sinned by taking devoted things from Jericho. His sin caused Israel to be defeated at Ai. See Josh 7:1–26 and notes.

2:9 Hezron The list of the descendants of Perez through Hezron takes up the rest of the chapter (1 Chron 2:9–55). The line of descent through Hezron’s son Ram is significant as the pedigree for King David (vv. 10–17). Compare Ruth 4:18–22. The genealogical information for Jerahmeel and Caleb (also called Chelubai) comes primarily from this passage.

2:10 Nahshon The chief of the tribe of Judah during the period of wandering in the wilderness (Num 1:7; 2:3; 7:12; 10:14).

2:12 Boaz fathered Obed Boaz fathered Obed with Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. See Ruth 4:13–17.

2:15 David the seventh David was Jesse’s youngest son. The rise of a younger son to prominence over his older brothers is a recurring theme in the ot. The theme is used to show that divine calling trumps traditional leadership customs. David alludes to this himself when he says that Yahweh chose him to be king out of all his father’s sons and has chosen Solomon as king out of all of his sons (1 Chron 28:4–5). See note on 1:35.

2:16 The sons of Zeruiah David’s nephews—Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—were trusted members of his army (2 Sam 2:18; 18:2; 21:17). Joab was commander of David’s army (2 Sam 8:16; 1 Chr 11:6).

2:18 Caleb Also called Chelubai (v. 9). Not the Caleb who spied out Canaan and participated in the conquest (Num 13:30; Josh 14:6–15).

2:20 Bezalel The craftsman chosen by Yahweh to build the ark and the tabernacle (Exod 31:1–5).

2:21 the daughter of Makir Later in life, Hezron married a daughter of Machir of Manasseh (1 Chron 2:21–23; Num 26:29). The marriage creates a link between the Judahite clan of the Hezronites and the Gileadites from the territory of Manasseh in the Transjordan (Num 32:39–40). Hezron married into one of the most prominent clans of Manasseh (Gen 50:23). His son from this marriage—Segub—is otherwise unknown.

2:25 Jerahmeel Outside of this passage, the only references to the descendants of Jerahmeel are found in 1 Samuel, where they are presented as seminomadic peoples dwelling in the Negev desert (1 Sam 27:10; 30:29).

2:34 Sheshan had no sons A puzzling statement since 1 Chr 2:31 identifies Ahlai as the son of Sheshan. It is possible that sons referred to in the Hebrew text of v. 31 is meant in the sense of “descendants of” and that Ahlai is the unnamed daughter mentioned in v. 35.

2:49 Acsah This reference to Caleb having a daughter named “Achsah” is likely meant to draw a connection to Caleb, son of Jephunneh (Judg 1:12–13).

2:55 Kenites A clan of distant relatives of the Israelites who settled in the territory allotted to Judah (Judg 1:16; 1 Sam 15:6).