The Descendants of Reuben
Reuben is named as Israel’s firstborn, yet his birthright passes to Joseph after his offense, while Judah rises to preeminence and rule. The family order remains visible, but its privileges are redistributed.
T1hese were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. 2And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.
The genealogy starts with Reuben’s sons and narrows through Joel’s line down to Beerah, whose story ends in Assyrian exile under Tiglath-pileser. The family record already carries the mark of later judgment.
3The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: 4The descendants of Joel: 5Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried into exile.
Beerah’s clan is listed with its leaders, settlements, and expanding range in Gilead. In Saul’s time the Reubenites defeat the Hagrites and take over their dwellings east of Gilead.
7Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites. His relatives by their clans are recorded in their genealogy: 8Jeiel the chief, Zechariah, and Bela son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel. They settled in Aroer and as far as Nebo and Baal-meon. 9They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead. 10During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.