1 Chronicles – Chapter 4

Old Testament43 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Chronicles 4 opens with the words: "The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal." The chapter centers on Simeon, Caleb and Hezekiah. Across its 43 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal.

2And Raia the son of Sobal begot Jahath, of whom were born Ahumai, and Laad. These are the families of Sarathi.

3And this is the posterity of Etam: Jezrahel, and Jesema, And Jedebos: and the name of their sister was Asalelphuni.

4And Phanuel the father of Gedor, and Ezar the father of Hosa, these are the sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephratha the father of Bethlehem.

5And Assur the father of Thecua had two wives, Halaa and Naara:

6And Naara bore him Ozam, and Hepher, and Themani, and Ahasthari: these are the sons of Naara.

7And the sons of Halaa, Sereth, Isaar, and Ethnan.

8And Cos begot Anob, and Soboba, and the kindred of Aharehel the son of Arum.

9And Jabes was more honourable than any of his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabes, saying: Because I bore him with sorrow.

10And Jabes called upon the God of Israel, saying: If blessing thou wilt bless me, and wilt enlarge my borders, and thy hand be with me, and thou save me from being oppressed by evil. And God granted him the things he prayed for.

11And Caleb the brother of Sua begot Mahir, who was the father of Esthon.

12And Esthon begot Bethrapha, and Phesse, and Tehinna father of the city of Naas: these are the men of Recha.

13And the sons of Cenez were Othoniel, and Saraia. And the sons of Othoniel, Hathath, and Maonathi.

14Maonathi begot Ophra, and Saraia begot Joab the father of the Valley of artificers: for artificers were there.

15And the sons of Caleb the son of Jephone, were Hir, and Ela, and Naham. And the sons of Ela: Cenez.

16The sons also of Jaleleel: Ziph, and Zipha, Thiria and Asrael.

17And the sons of Esra, Jether, and Mered, and Epher, and Jalon, and he begot Mariam, and Sammai, and Jesba the father of Esthamo.

18And his wife Judaia, bore Jared the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Socho, and Icuthiel the father of Zanoe. And these are the sons of Bethia the daughter of Pharao, whom Mered took to wife.

19And the sons of his wife Odaia the sister of Naham the father of Celia, Garmi, and Esthamo, who was of Machathi.

20The sons also of Simon, Amnon, and Rinna the son of Hanan, and Thilon. And the sons of Jesi Zoheth, and Benzoheth.

21The sons of Sela the son of Juda: Her the father of Lecha, and Laada the father of Maresa, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen in the House of oath.

22And he that made the sun to stand, and the men of Lying, and Secure, and Burning, who were princes in Moab, and who returned into Lahem. Now these are things of old.

23These are the potters, and they dwelt in Plantations, and Hedges, with the king for his works, and they abode there.

24The sons of Simeon: Namuel and Jamin, Jarib, Zara, Saul:

25Sellum his son, Mapsam his son, Masma his son.

26The sons of Masma: Hamuel his son, Zachur his son, Semei his son.

27The sons of Semei were sixteen, and six daughters: but his brethren had not many sons, and the whole kindred could not reach to the sum of the children of Juda.

28And they dwelt in Bersabee, and Molada, and Hasarsuhal,

29And in Bala, and in Asom, and in Tholad,

30And in Bathuel, and in Horma, and in Siceleg,

31And in Bethmarchaboth, and in Hasarsusim, and in Bethberai, and in Saarim. These were their cities unto the reign of David.

32Their towns also were Etam, and Aen, Remmon, and Thochen, and Asan, five cities.

33And all their villages round about these cities as far as Baal. This was their habitation, and the distribution of their dwellings.

34And Mosabab and Jemlech, and Josaphat, the son of Amasias,

35And Joel, and Jehu the son of Josabia the son of Saraia, the son of Asiel,

36And Elioenai, and Jacoba, and Isuhaia, and Asaia, and Adiel, and Ismiel, and Banaia,

37Ziza also the son of Sephei the son of Allon the son of Idaia the son of Semri the son of Samaia.

38These were named princes in their kindreds, and in the houses of their families were multiplied exceedingly.

39And they went forth to enter into Gador as far as to the east side of the valley, to seek pastures for their flocks.

40And they found fat pastures, and very good, and a country spacious, and quiet, and fruitful, in which some of the race of Cham had dwelt before.

41And these whose names are written above, came in the days of Ezechias king of Juda: and they beat down their tents, and slew the inhabitants that were found there, and utterly destroyed them unto this day: and they dwelt in their place, because they found there fat pastures.

42Some also of the children of Simeon, five hundred men, went into mount Seir, having for their captains Phaltias and Naaria and Raphaia and Oziel the sons of Jesi:

43And they slew the remnant of the Amalecites, who had been able to escape, and they dwelt there in their stead unto this day.

Important Verses in 1 Chronicles 4

The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal.

1 Chronicles 4:1

And Phanuel the father of Gedor, and Ezar the father of Hosa, these are the sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephratha the father of Bethlehem.

1 Chronicles 4:4

And the sons of Halaa, Sereth, Isaar, and Ethnan.

1 Chronicles 4:7

And they slew the remnant of the Amalecites, who had been able to escape, and they dwelt there in their stead unto this day.

1 Chronicles 4:43

Historical Context

1 Chronicles addresses the post-exilic community rebuilding its identity around Temple worship within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 4 of 29 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 43 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Simeon, Caleb, Hezekiah and Pharaoh, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal." The final verse reads: "And they slew the remnant of the Amalecites, who had been able to escape, and they dwelt there in their stead unto this…" The wider setting of 1 Chronicles is this: Writing for the restored community after the exile, the Chronicler retells Israel's story with emphasis on David, the Temple, and worship. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 1 Chronicles around After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter traces lines of descent that connect earlier promises to later figures in salvation history. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Chronicles 4 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the genealogies connect to Christ's lineage (CIC 437). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2215).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Worship is central to God's people. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Chronicles 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Simeon2 mentionsCaleb2 mentionsHezekiah1 mentionPharaoh1 mentionDavid1 mentionSimon1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Chronicles Chapter 4 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that David's legacy and Temple preparation is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the reality of spiritual combat and vigilance.

Let 1 Chronicles Chapter 4 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Chronicles Chapter 4 about?

1 Chronicles 4 contains 43 verses. It opens with "The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal." and closes with "And they slew the remnant of the Amalecites, who had been able to escape, and they dwelt there in their stead unto this…". The book as a whole is historical narrative and genealogy.

What is a key verse in 1 Chronicles 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The sons of Juda: Phares, Hesron, and Charmi and Hur, and Sobal." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Chronicles Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions Simeon, Caleb, Hezekiah, Pharaoh, David, among others.

Who wrote 1 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra; called 'the Chronicler' by scholars. After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles