What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 2:41? Shallum “Shallum was the father of Jekamiah…” (1 Chronicles 2:41) • The chronicler has just listed a long, unbroken line reaching all the way from Judah through Jerahmeel and Seshan (1 Chron 2:25-40). Shallum stands near the end of that line, reminding us that God notices every individual—no matter how briefly named—in His unfolding plan (cf. Isaiah 49:16; 2 Timothy 2:19). • Each link in the genealogy underlines God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Judah (Genesis 49:10; Psalm 78:68-70). Shallum’s place shows that the promise did not skip generations; God preserved the family tree step by step. • The detail also foreshadows later moments when another “Shallum” or “Shallum-like” figure would surface in Judah’s story (2 Kings 22:14; Jeremiah 35:4), signaling that God keeps track of names—and of hearts—over centuries. Jekamiah “…and Jekamiah was the father of Elishama.” (1 Chronicles 2:41) • Jekamiah receives a single sentence in Scripture, yet his presence is vital. If he were missing, the chain from Judah to Elishama would break. God values obedience that may never be celebrated publicly (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; Hebrews 6:10). • By recording him, the chronicler upholds the reliability of the family record—crucial for land rights, temple service, and ultimately the Messianic line (Ezra 2:59-63; Matthew 1:1-16). • Jekamiah’s quiet faithfulness illustrates how ordinary believers keep God’s purposes moving forward, even when history books give them only a verse (Colossians 3:23-24). Elishama Jekamiah’s son is the last person named in this particular branch. • Elishama’s appearance ties the Jerahmeelite line back into the larger story of Judah and David, since another Elishama was a prince in David’s household (2 Samuel 5:16; 1 Chronicles 3:8). The repetition of the name highlights continuity across generations. • The chronicler’s era needed assurance that God still had a future for His people after exile; every recorded descendant was proof (Jeremiah 29:11; Haggai 2:23). • Elishama stands as a living testimony that God completes what He starts (Philippians 1:6), bringing genealogical lines—and redemptive promises—to their intended goal. summary 1 Chronicles 2:41 may look like a simple family note, yet it testifies that God tracks every generation, safeguards His covenant with Judah, and moves His salvation plan forward through everyday believers. Shallum, Jekamiah, and Elishama each remind us that our seemingly small place in God’s story is still essential, because the Author never loses track of His characters or His promises. |
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