5:1 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn –
(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, 1 his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. 2 5:2 Though Judah was the strongest among his brothers and a leader descended from him, 3 the right of the firstborn belonged to Joseph.)
5:3 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn:
Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
5:4 The descendants of Joel:
His son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei, 5:5 his son Micah, his son Reaiah, his son Baal, 5:6 and his son Beerah, whom King Tiglath-pileser 4 of Assyria carried into exile. Beerah 5 was the tribal leader of Reuben.
5:7 His brothers by their clans, as listed in their genealogical records:
The leader Jeiel, Zechariah, 5:8 and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel.
They lived in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal Meon. 5:9 In the east they settled as far as the entrance to the desert that stretches to the Euphrates River, for their cattle had increased in numbers in the land of Gilead. 5:10 During the time of Saul they attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They took over their territory in the entire eastern region of Gilead. 6
5:11 The descendants of Gad lived near them in the land of Bashan, as far as Salecah.
5:12 They included Joel the leader, Shapham the second in command, Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. 5:13 Their relatives, listed according to their families, 7 included Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia, and Eber – seven in all.
5:14 These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, son of Jaroah, son of Gilead, son of Michael, son of Jeshishai, son of Jahdo, son of Buz. 5:15 Ahi son of Abdiel, son of Guni, was the leader of the family. 8 5:16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and its surrounding settlements, and in the pasturelands of Sharon to their very borders. 9 5:17 All of them were listed in the genealogical records in the time of King Jotham of Judah and in the time of King Jeroboam of Israel.
5:18 The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men in their combined armies, warriors who carried shields and swords, were equipped with bows, and were trained for war. 10 5:19 They attacked 11 the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. 5:20 They received divine help in fighting them, and the Hagrites and all their allies were handed over to them. They cried out to God during the battle; he responded to their prayers because they trusted in him. 12 5:21 They seized the Hagrites’ 13 animals, including 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took captive 100,000 people. 5:22 Because God fought for them, 14 they killed many of the enemy. 15 They dispossessed the Hagrites and lived in their land until the exile. 16
5:23 The half-tribe of Manasseh settled in the land from Bashan as far as Baal Hermon, Senir, and Mount Hermon. They grew in number.
5:24 These were the leaders of their families: 17
Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were skilled warriors, men of reputation, 18 and leaders of their families. 5:25 But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors 19 and worshiped instead 20 the gods of the native peoples 21 whom God had destroyed before them.