I Chronicles 5 (NIV)

Summary:

Key: [] = Mother
         + = Firstborn Son
         * = Son
        d  = Daughter
        w = Wife
Reuben
Verses 1-10

Reuben was the firstborn.  He defiled his father's marriage bed, so his birthrights were given to Joseph.  So, he can't be listed in the genealogical record according to his birthright.  Judah was the strongest and produced a ruler for Israel, but Joseph has the rights of the firstborn.

His sons:  Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, Carmi

Joel -> *Shemaiah -> *Gog -> *Shimei -> *Micah -> *Reaiah -> *Baal -> *Beerah, the leader of the Reubenites, whom Tiglath-Pileser, the king of Assyria, took into exile

These are his relatives by clans, according to the genealogical records: Jeiel the chief, Zechariah, and Bela
- Bela* <- Azaz* <- Shema* <- Joel
- they settled in the area from Aroer to Nebo, and Baal Meon
- to the East, the land reached the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates, because their livestock increased in Gilead
- during Saul's reign, they waged war against the Hagrites and defeated them
- they occupied the Hagrites' dwellings throughout Gilead

Gad
Verses 11-22

The Gadites lived next to the Reubenites, in Bashan through Salecah.  Joel was the chief, Shapham the second-in-command, then Janai and Shaphat.

His relatives listed by families: Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber

Buz -> *Jahdo -> *Jeshishai -> *Michael -> *Gilead -> *Jaroah -> *Huri -> *Abihail -> *Guni (head of the family) -> *Abdiel -> *Ahi

They lived in Gilead, Bashan, their outlying villages, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon.

All of this information was recorded during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jereboam king of Israel.

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh collectively had 44,760 men ready for military service.  These men could handle the shield and sword, use the bow, and were trained for battle.  They waged war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.  God handed the Hagrites and their allies over to them, because they cried out to Him for help.  He answered their prayers because they trusted Him.  They seized the Hagrites' livestock, gaining 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys.  They took 100,000 people captive.  The rest were slain, because the battle belonged to God.  They occupied the Hagrites' land until the exile of the Israelites.

The Half-tribe of Manasseh
Verses 23-26

The people were numerous.  They settled in Bashan through Baal Hermon (aka Senir or Mt. Hermon).

Heads of the families: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel
- brave warriors, famous men

This half-tribe was unfaithful to God.  They prostituted themselves to the gods of the people whom God had destroyed.  God stirred up the spirit of Tiglath-Pileser (aka Pul) king of Assyria, who took Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe into exile.  They were taken to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan.  They are there to this day.

Lori's Thoughts:

The birthright swap from Reuben to Joseph is an example of how God can change our destinies, for the better, if we are devoted to Him.  Being of a high station in the world's eyes doesn't matter to God.  We can be like the adopted Prince of Persia, being know for our integrity of heart.

The Israelites thrived when they obeyed God.  They had a lot of land and a lot of livestock, which is the equivalent to having a lot of money and power.  They were great warriors and had much battle success with God.  They trusted Him, so He protected them and helped them thrive.  He wants to do the same for us, today.  Let Him fight your battles and see how much He cares for you.  Just make sure you completely let go of the reins.

Against God, the Israelites were no longer blessed.  They were exiled.  It's not that God wants to hurt us, it's that He cannot bless us if we reject Him.  And He does everything He can to give us opportunities to come back to Him.