The beginning of first Chronicles has to be among the most difficult chapters in the Bible. The names are unfamiliar and the ancestral lines difficult to follow. But there were some names in the first few chapters the caught my attention.
In 1:10 the name of Nimrod is mentioned. He was the son of Cush, grandson of Ham, great-grandson of Noah. His mention in Genesis 10:8-9 calls him a warrior (gibbowr) and hunter (gibbowr tsayid) before the LORD. The chronicler refers to him only as a warrior (gibbowr). The Hebrew word is commonly used of an impetuous soldier or hero. I wonder whether Nimrod established his name in the early time of warring among the post-flood people, or because he was skilled at the hunt. If he was the former then such a claim may not be desirable.
Beginning in 2:12 the family line of Boaz is listed. His grandson, Jesse, had seven sons. The youngest was king David. Jesse also had two daughters; Zeruiah and Abigail (2:16). Both of these women had sons as well. I think it is very noteworthy to remember that David had two sisters. We may never know what role these two women played in the formative years of the great king of Israel. However, I have two sisters who have impacted my life in many positive ways. Surely that is why God led the chronicler to include them.
Three obscure people mentioned in the Bible. Yet they were very real and their influence can still be seen in the pages of scripture.
Stuart
No comments:
Post a Comment