1 Chronicles 2:52
These were the descendants of Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim: Haroeh, half the Manahathites,
These were the descendants of Shobal

Shobal belonged to the line of Hur and Ephrathah within Judah, preserving the record of clans through whom Judah’s inheritance and influence were established.

Gen 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living…
1Ch 1:38 The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah…

the father of Kiriath-jearim:

Shobal was the founder or leading ancestor of the clan associated with Kiriath-jearim (“City of Forests”), a Judahite city near Benjamin. The ark of the covenant later remained there for many years before David brought it to Jerusalem.

1Sa 6:21 So they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim,…
1Sa 7:1 Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD…
Jos 9:17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day…

Haroeh,

Haroeh, meaning “the seer” or “the visionary,” was counted among Shobal’s descendants and represented a branch of the family connected with Kiriath-jearim. His inclusion shows the care given to preserving the distinct households within Judah.

1Sa 9:9 Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God…
2Sa 24:11 When David got up in the morning, the word of the LORD…
1Ch 29:29 Now the acts of King David, from first to last,…

half the Manahathites,

This branch of Shobal’s family was associated with one portion of the Manahathites, indicating that the clan had divided lines or settlements. Such records established family identity, territorial connections, and covenant membership among the people of Judah.

1Ch 1:40 The sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.…
Gen 36:23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath…
1Ch 8:6 These were the descendants of Ehud who were…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shobal
A descendant of Judah, Shobal is noted as the father of Kiriath-jearim, a significant city in the tribal territory of Judah. His lineage is part of the genealogical record that traces the heritage and tribal affiliations of the Israelites.

2. Kiriath-jearim
A city in the territory of Judah, known for its association with the Ark of the Covenant, which was kept there for a time before being moved to Jerusalem by King David.

3. Haroeh
A descendant of Shobal, mentioned in the genealogical records. The name Haroeh can be linked to the Hebrew root "ra'ah," meaning "to see" or "to shepherd," suggesting a role or characteristic of leadership or oversight.

4. Manahathites
A group or clan associated with the descendants of Shobal. The term "half of the Manahathites" indicates a division or subset within this group, possibly reflecting a familial or territorial distinction.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy in Scripture
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect individuals to the larger account of God's people, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises through generations.

Significance of Places in God's Plan
Locations like Kiriath-jearim are not just geographical markers but are integral to the unfolding of God's redemptive history, reminding us of the importance of place in our own spiritual journeys.

Leadership and Legacy
The mention of Haroeh and the Manahathites highlights the roles of leadership and community within God's people. We are called to consider how our own lives contribute to the legacy of faith in our families and communities.

God's Faithfulness Across Generations
The genealogical records remind us of God's faithfulness to His promises, encouraging us to trust in His continued work in our lives and the lives of future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogical record in 1 Chronicles 2:52 help us understand the broader account of Israel's history?

2. What is the significance of Kiriath-jearim in the context of Israel's worship, and how can this inform our understanding of the importance of place in our spiritual lives?

3. In what ways can we see the theme of leadership and legacy in the mention of Haroeh and the Manahathites, and how can we apply this to our own roles in our communities?

4. How do the genealogies in 1 Chronicles encourage us to reflect on God's faithfulness in our own family histories?

5. Considering the connections to other scriptures, how does the account of Kiriath-jearim and the Ark of the Covenant inspire us to seek God's presence in our lives today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 7:1-2
This passage describes the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Kiriath-jearim and staying there for twenty years, highlighting the city's significance in Israel's religious history.

Joshua 15:60
Lists Kiriath-jearim as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, connecting the genealogical records to the territorial divisions established during the conquest of Canaan.

1 Chronicles 13:5-6
Describes King David's efforts to bring the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem, emphasizing the city's role in the broader account of Israel's worship and the centralization of religious practices.
The Human FamilyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 2:1-55
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abiah, Abigail, Abihail, Abijah, Abinadab, Abishai, Abishur, Achan, Achar, Achsa, Achsah, Ahban, Ahijah, Ahlai, Amasa, Amminadab, Appaim, Aram, Ardon, Asahel, Asher, Ashur, Atarah, Attai, Azariah, Azubah, Bathshua, Benjamin, Bezaleel, Boaz, Bunah, Calcol, Caleb, Carmi, Chelubai, Dan, Dara, Darda, David, Eker, Elasah, Eleasah, Eliab, Elishama, Ephah, Ephlal, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtaolites, Eshtaulites, Ethan, Gad, Gazez, Gesham, Geshem, Hamul, Haran, Hareph, Haroeh, Hazi-hammana-hethites, Helez, Heman, Hemath, Hezron, Hur, Ishi, Issachar, Ithrites, Jabez, Jada, Jahdai, Jair, Jamin, Jarha, Jehu, Jekamiah, Jerahmeel, Jerioth, Jesher, Jesse, Jether, Jithrites, Joab, Jonathan, Joseph, Jotham, Kenites, Korah, Levi, Maacah, Maachah, Maaz, Machir, Manahathites, Manahethites, Maon, Menahethites, Mesha, Mishraites, Molid, Moza, Nadab, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nathan, Nethaneel, Netophathites, Obed, Onam, Onan, Oren, Ozem, Pelet, Peleth, Perez, Pharez, Puhites, Puthites, Raddai, Raham, Rechab, Regem, Rekem, Reuben, Salma, Salmon, Segub, Seled, Shaaph, Shallum, Shammai, Sheber, Shelah, Shema, Sheshan, Sheva, Shimea, Shimeathites, Shimma, Shobab, Shobal, Shua, Shumathites, Simeon, Sisamai, Sucathites, Suchathites, Tamar, Tappuah, Tirathites, Tireathites, Tirhanah, Uri, Zabad, Zareathites, Zaza, Zebulun, Zerah, Zereathites, Zeruiah, Zimri, Zorathites, Zoreathites, Zorites, Zur
Places
Aram, Edom, Geshur, Gilead, Hammath, Havvoth-jair, Jabez, Kenath
Topics
Half, Haroeh, Haro'eh, Hazi-hammenuhoth, Jearim, Kiriath, Kiriath-jearim, Kir'iath-je'arim, Kirjathjearim, Kirjath-jearim, Manahathites, Manahethites, Menuhoth, Menu'hoth, Menuhothite, Shobal, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 2:46-48

     5672   concubines

Library
Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers.
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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