Isaac and Ishmael are only the beginning. Abraham’s family tree branches into peoples and kingdoms that will shape Israel’s history, sometimes as bitter enemies. First Chronicles names sons, chiefs, and kings, including rulers who reigned in Edom before Israel ever had a king. If so many nations descend from Abraham, what makes Israel different? And if other kingdoms get a head start, has God’s promise fallen behind? These unfamiliar branches of a familiar family raise questions about election, earthly success, and the promise that comes by God’s grace rather than by the size or strength of a nation.
The Rev. Warren Woerth, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Arnold, Missouri, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Chronicles 1:28–54.
To learn more about Good Shepherd in Arnold, visit goodshepherdarnold.org.
When everything familiar has fallen apart, where do you begin again? For God’s people returning from exile, that question reaches into their homes, their worship, and even their very identity. First Chronicles answers with generations of names and a history that reminds a battered people whose they are. This study will explore Israel’s family tree, Saul’s tragic fall, David’s reign, and preparations for the temple. Why does worship stand at the center of Israel’s life? How can a holy God dwell among sinful people? And how does God fulfill His promise to establish David’s throne forever? Through familiar accounts and often-overlooked details, 1 Chronicles bears witness to God’s faithfulness despite His people’s failures and points to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom has no end and whose sacrifice brings sinners into God’s presence.
Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.
Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.
1 Chronicles 1:28-54
From Abraham to Jacob
[28] The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael. [29] These are their genealogies: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, [30] Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, [31] Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael. [32] The sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: she bore Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan. [33] The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the descendants of Keturah.
[34] Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel. [35] The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. [36] The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, and of Timna, Amalek. [37] The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
[38] The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. [39] The sons of Lotan: Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. [40] The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. [41] The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. [42] The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
[43] These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel: Bela the son of Beor, the name of his city being Dinhabah. [44] Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. [45] Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. [46] Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith. [47] Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. [48] Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. [49] Shaul died, and Baal-hanan, the son of Achbor, reigned in his place. [50] Baal-hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pai; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. [51] And Hadad died.
The chiefs of Edom were: chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, [52] Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, [53] Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, [54] Magdiel, and Iram; these are the chiefs of Edom.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
