1 Chronicles 5:1

Reuben’s Descendants

5:1 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn –

(Now he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s bed, ¹  his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph, Israel’s son. So Reuben is not listed as firstborn in the genealogical records. ² 

1 Chronicles 22:19

22:19 Now seek the Lord your God wholeheartedly and with your entire being! ³  Get up and build the sanctuary of the Lord God! Then you can bring ⁴  the ark of the Lord’s covenant and the holy items dedicated to God’s service ⁵  into the temple that is built to honor the Lord.” ⁶ 

¹ sn The phrase when he defiled his father’s bed refers to Reuben having sexual relations with his father Jacob’s concubine Bilhah. This incident is recorded in Gen 35:22.

² tn Heb “and not to be listed in the genealogical records as (having) the right of the firstborn.”

³ tn Heb “now give your heart and your being to seek the Lord your God.”

⁴ tn Heb “to bring.”

⁵ tn Heb “items of holiness of God.”

⁶ tn Heb “for the name of the Lord.”