SUMMARY
While all twelve of Israel’s tribes are represented in these lists, the lists have been carefully arranged to emphasize the royal tribes of JudahJudah was the name of Jacob's fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More (producing DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More) and BenjaminA son of Jacob and tribe of Israel. More (producing SaulThe first king of Israel. More), as well as the priestly tribe of LeviSon of Jacob and Leah, brother to Reuben, Simeon, and Dinah. More.
ANALYSIS
Once again, the Chronicler has skillfully arranged the data to suit his purposes. The order of the tribes in Genesis 29-30 is ReubenThe eldest son of Jacob and Leah, and forefather of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. More, Simeon, Levi, Judah, DanA son of Jacob and tribe of Israel. More, NaphtaliNaphtali was the name of Jacob's sixth son and one of the 12 tribes. More, GadA son of Jacob and one of the 12 tribes. More, AsherThe name of a son of Jacob and tribe of Israel. More, IssacharIssachar was name of a son of Jacob and one of the 12 tribes of Israel. More, ZebulunThe name of a son of Jacob and one of the tribes of Israel. More, Joseph, and Benjamin (compare 1 Chronicles 2:1-2). In 1 Chronicles 2:3-8:40, however, we are presented with a different order. Three tribes are emphasized by this reordering:
- Judah is given pride of place at the head of the list and is by far given the longest genealogy (2:3-4:23), thereby emphasizing the importance of the tribe that produced David (see 1 Chronicles 5:2 “a ruler came from him [Judah]”).
- Benjamin concludes the list (8:1-40, but see 7:6-12 as well). Benjamin was the only other tribe to remain faithful alongside Judah at the time of the national schism after SolomonThird king of Israel who was known for wisdom and building the first Temple. More, and its royal pedigree in having produced Saul, Israel’s first king, is a further link with Judah. The postexilic people of the Chronicler’s day would have understood themselves as direct descendants of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
- Finally, the priestly tribe of Levi anchors the center of the genealogical data (6:1-81). Their descendants served the Temple in the Chronicler’s day.
These three tribes provide the framework for the Chronicler’s presentation. Also of interest, however, is the placement of the northern tribes that broke away in the national schism of 922 BCE One group—Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that occupied the east bank of the Jordan—has been placed between Judah and Levi (4:24-5:26). They are carefully balanced by the placement of the northern tribes that occupied the west bank of the Jordan: Issachar, Benjamin (considered a northern tribe in the civil war between David’s followers and Saul’s in 2 SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel. More 2:8-9), Naphtali, the other half-tribe of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher between Levi and Benjamin (7:1-40). The resulting concentric arrangement looks like this:
Royal tribe of Judah
Northern tribes east of Jordan
Priestly tribe of Levi
Northern tribes west of Jordan
Royal tribe of Benjamin
In this way the Chronicler tips his hand:
- Judah and Benjamin will be the frame of the Chronicler’s presentation for their royal ties and links to the postexilic people.
- The work will center on the importance of proper worship as represented by the central position of the Levites.
- Nevertheless, the concern for an inclusive view of “all Israel” has not been forgotten, as shown by the inclusion of the northern tribes.
