أخبار الأيام الأول ٢:٩

And Abigail bare Amasa,.... Who was Absalom's general, afterwards reconciled to David, and designed to be made general of his army, but was slain by Joab, see Sa2 17:25, and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmaelite; he is called an Israelite, Sa2 17:25, and so in the Targum here, he being either a proselyte, or else he was an Israelite by birth, but called an Ishmaelite, because he had dwelt among the Ishmaelites some time, as Obededom is called the Gittite for the like reason; so Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it.

We have now come to what was principally intended, the register of the children of Israel, that distinguished people, that were to "dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations." Here we have, I. The names of the twelve sons of Israel (Ch1 2:1, Ch1 2:2). II. An account of the tribe of Judah, which has the precedency, not so much for the sake of David as for the sake of the Son of David, our Lord, who sprang out of Judah, Heb 7:14. 1. The first descendants from Judah, down to Jesse (Ch1 2:3-12). 2. The children of Jesse (Ch1 2:13-17). 3. The posterity of Hezron, not only through Ram, from whom David came, but through Caleb (Ch1 2:18-20), Segub (Ch1 2:21-24), Jerahmeel (Ch1 2:25-33, and so to Ch1 2:41), and more by Caleb (Ch1 2:42-49), with the family of Caleb the son of Hur (Ch1 2:50-55). The best exposition we can have of this and the following chapters, and which will give the clearest view of them, is found in those genealogical tables which were published with some of the first impressions of the last English Bible about 100 years ago, and continued for some time; and it is a pity but they were revived in some of our later editions, for they are of great use to those who diligently search the scriptures. They are said to be drawn up by that great master in scripture-learning, Mr. Hugh Broughton. We meet with them sometimes in old Bibles.

2:9-55 The descendants of Hezron are given down to the time of David, in several sections: the direct line from Hezron to David (2:9-17; cp. Ruth 4:18-22), the other descendants of Hezron (1 Chr 2:18-41), then the descendants of Hezron’s son Caleb (2:42-55). 2:9 Caleb was the most notable immediate descendant of Hezron, so the author covers his descendants in detail (2:42-55). This Caleb was apparently not the same individual as Caleb son of Jephunneh, a descendant of Kenaz (see study note on 4:13-15).