Synopsis of the Chapter
The sons, that is descendants, of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are listed, who likewise expelled the neighboring Canaanites from their regions under King Jotham; but soon under Hezekiah, on account of idolatry, they were the first to be carried off to Assyria.
Verse 1: Reuben's Birthright ¶
1. HIS (Reuben's) BIRTHRIGHT WAS GIVEN TO THE SONS OF JOSEPH — namely 'Ephraim and Manasseh.' For the firstborn had a double portion of the paternal inheritance (while each of the other brothers had a single one), as is decreed in Deuteronomy chapter XXI, 16, and this Reuben should have had, being the firstborn of Jacob; but because of his incest it was transferred to Joseph, who through his two aforementioned sons obtained a double portion of the Holy Land. Furthermore, the firstborn had the right of the priesthood, and this was transferred from Reuben to Levi: and in addition the right of primacy and kingship, and this was conferred on Judah. See what was said at Genesis XLIX.
Verse 12: Joel at the Head ¶
12. JOEL AT THE HEAD — that is, 'Joel' was the 'head' and prince of the tribe of Gad, as is clear from the Hebrew and Greek; second after Joel was Shaphan, third Janai and Shaphat, who occupied Bashan. These were not sons, but grandsons of Gad, as is clear from Genesis XLVI, 16.
Verse 17: In the Days of Jeroboam ¶
17. IN THE DAYS OF JEROBOAM KING OF ISRAEL. — This 'Jeroboam' was not the first king of Israel who made the schism from Rehoboam, but a much later one, namely the great-great-grandson of Jehu; for he was contemporary with Jotham king of Judah.
Verse 19: War Against the Hagrites ¶
19. THEY FOUGHT AGAINST THE HAGRITES — that is, against the Saracens, who from Hagar, Abraham's handmaid, are called 'Hagrites.' The Itureans, Naphishites, and Nodabites (as the Hebrew and Septuagint have) gave help to the Hagrites against the Reubenites; but they were shamefully defeated by them, since they called upon God, and were stripped of their goods and lands, as follows.