Here for the first time the Chronicler lays down the spiritual laws that underlie the changing fortunes of history. The genealogy of Reuben preserves two experiences of opposite kinds. These contrasting experiences are principal themes in Chronicles, and they essentially characterize the history of Israel in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 14:10; 1 Chronicles 18:13; 2 Chronicles 13:12).1 The Chronicler makes the powerful contrast by referring to two kings, one at the beginning and the other at the end of Israel’s three-century span of existence (1 Chronicles 5:6, 1 Chronicles 5:10). First there is the triumph of victory in battle and the expansion of tribal boundaries because God helps his people (specifically victory over the Hagrites and their allies, 1 Chronicles 5:10). The second experience is defeat at the hands of the king of Assyria and removal into exile from the land of covenant promise (1 Chronicles 5:6). This was an occurrence that Moses prophesied as a threat in his sermon to the generation of Israelites about to enter the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 4:25–31).2
The reason for the defeat of the Transjordan tribes in the days of Tiglath-pileser (1 Chronicles 5:6) is spelled out in 1 Chronicles 5:25–26: They transgressed…and he carried them away.
The reason for their victory over the Hagrites in the days of Saul (1 Chronicles 5:10) is spelled out in 1 Chronicles 5:20: They cried to God in the battle, and he granted their entreaty because they trusted in him.
In summary, for the one victory was due to believing prayer (1 Chronicles 5:20); in the other, defeat is due to faithless rebellion (1 Chronicles 5:25–26).
At this point it may be argued that the Chronicler holds to an oversimplified theology of prosperity.
Faith brings God’s blessing and sin causes trouble. This amounts to simple cause and effect with God behind both. But the workings of history are far more complicated than this. God cannot be reduced to someone who is programmed
to work according to set patterns. Every person on earth will, in the end, get what he or she deserves. The justice of God requires this.
1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son;