CHAPTER 5
These were the sons
of Reuben
the firstborn
of Israel.
Though he
was the firstborn,
his birthright
was given
to the sons
of Joseph
son
of Israel,
because Reuben defiled
his father’s
bed.
So he is not
reckoned
according to birthright.
And though
Judah
prevailed
over his brothers
and a ruler
came from him,
the birthright
belonged to Joseph.
and Beerah
his son,
whom
Tiglath-pileser
king
of Assyria
carried into exile.
Beerah
was a leader
of the Reubenites.
and Bela
son
of Azaz,
the son
of Shema,
the son
of Joel.
They
settled
in Aroer
and as far as
Nebo
and
Baal-meon.
They also settled
in the east
as far as
the edge of the desert
that extends
to the Euphrates
River,
because
their herds
had increased
in the land
of Gilead.
During the days
of Saul
they waged
war
against
the Hagrites,
who were defeated
at their hands,
and they occupied
the homes of the Hagrites
throughout
the region
east
of Gilead.
Their kinsmen
by families were
Michael,
Meshullam,
Sheba,
Jorai,
Jacan,
Zia,
and Eber—
seven in all.
These
were the sons
of Abihail
son
of Huri,
the son
of Jaroah,
the son
of Gilead,
the son
of Michael,
the son
of Jeshishai,
the son
of Jahdo,
the son
of Buz.
All of them
were reckoned in the genealogies
during the reigns
of Jotham
king
of Judah
and
Jeroboam
king
of Israel.
The Reubenites,
the Gadites,
and the half-tribe
of Manasseh
had 44,760
warriors—
valiant warriors
who carried
shield
and sword,
drew
the bow,
and were trained
for battle.
And because
they cried out
to God
in battle,
they were helped
against their enemies,
and the Hagrites
and all
their allies
were delivered
into their hands.
Because
they put their trust
in God,
He answered their prayers.
They seized
the livestock of the Hagrites—
50,000
camels,
250,000
sheep,
and 2,000
donkeys.
They also took 100,000
captives,
and
many others
fell
slain,
because
the battle
belonged to God.
And they occupied
the land
until
the exile.
Now the people
of the half-tribe
of Manasseh
were numerous.
They settled
in the land
from Bashan
to
Baal-hermon (that is,
Senir
or Mount
Hermon).
These
were the heads
of their families:
Epher,
Ishi,
Eliel,
Azriel,
Jeremiah,
Hodaviah,
and Jahdiel.
They were mighty warriors,
famous
men,
and heads
of their families.
But they were unfaithful
to the God
of their fathers,
and they prostituted
themselves with
the gods
of the peoples
of the land,
whom
God
had destroyed
before them.
So the God
of Israel
stirred up
the spirit
of Pul
king
of Assyria
(that is,
Tiglath-pileser
king
of Assyria)
to take the Reubenites,
Gadites,
and the half-tribe
of Manasseh
into exile.
And he brought
them to Halah,
Habor,
Hara,
and the river
of Gozan,
where they remain to
this
day.