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Today’s reading is from 1 Chronicles 3–5, bringing us back into the once-daunting genealogies of Israel. Yet today, what once seemed tedious comes to life: beyond simply showing that God knows His children by name, these records declare His omniscience, faithfulness, and the reliability of His Word—we can trust Him.

Chapter 3 lays out a detailed account of David’s royal legacy. Verses 1–9 recount the six sons he fathered in Hebron and the thirteen born in Jerusalem. A notable detail appears in verse 5 where Bathsheba is referred to as “Bath-shua.” Scholars suggest this may be a shortened form of her name in Hebrew or a regional variation in spelling or pronunciation. Verses 10–16 trace the royal lineage from Solomon onward, confirming that the line of kings continued through David’s son Solomon. Finally, verses 17–24 follow David’s descendants after the Babylonian exile. This lineage is critical—it connects directly to the messianic genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. The promise God made to David in 2 Samuel 7:16—the Davidic Covenant—comes into view:

“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

Roughly 500 years passed from David’s promise to the return from exile, and nearly 1,000 years passed before the birth of Christ. Yet God was faithful through it all. That’s the God we serve—one whose Word stands the test of time.

We also witness the fulfillment of Jacob’s prophetic blessings over his sons. In Genesis 49:7, Jacob pronounces over Simeon and Levi,

“I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.”

In contrast in verse 10 He prophecies blessing over Judah,

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah….”

In chapters 4 and 5 of 1st Chronicles, we see these declarations fulfilled. Judah’s line remains central, while Simeon’s presence is less mixed into to the whole—scattered among the land.

Chapter 5 highlights both the blessing and consequence tied to faithfulness. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh triumphed over the Hagrites because:

“…they cried out to God in the battle, and He granted their urgent plea because they trusted in Him.” (1 Chronicles 5:20)

But later, when they broke faith and worshiped the gods of the surrounding nations, God allowed the Assyrian king—Pul, a.k.a. Tiglath-pileser III—to carry them into exile (vv. 25–26). This judgment came approximately 700 years after Moses warned them in Deuteronomy 28 that obedience would bring blessing in the land, but disobedience would result in exile.

Some today have grown weary, feeling as though God is slow to act—or even questioning whether He’s real at all. But for those who press into His Word, who “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8), their confidence in Him grows. His faithfulness is never delayed—it is perfectly timed.

Takeaway: God’s promises may span centuries, but they never fail. His Word proves true across generations. Trust in Him, even when the fulfillment seems far off—He is always working, always faithful, and always on time.