What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 9:42? Ahaz was the father of Jarah “Ahaz was the father of Jarah” (1 Chronicles 9:42a) • This Ahaz is the great-great-grandson of King Saul through Micah (compare 1 Chronicles 8:33–35; 9:39–41). • By recording Saul’s line after Israel’s exile, the Chronicler shows that God preserved even a fallen dynasty, underscoring His faithfulness (Psalm 145:13). • The verse reminds us that individual names matter; God’s redemptive plan moves forward one generation at a time (Genesis 5; Matthew 1:1–17). • Though not the same man as the idolatrous King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16:1–4), this namesake is still included, proving that a checkered past does not block God’s ongoing purposes. Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri “Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri” (1 Chronicles 9:42b) • Jarah (elsewhere called Jehoaddah, 1 Chronicles 8:36) has three named sons, a sign of fruitfulness and covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 7:13). • Alemeth’s name appears again as a Levitical town (1 Chronicles 6:60), hinting that Saul’s heirs may have settled priestly territories, showing how mercy replaced judgment after Saul’s downfall. • Azmaveth later surfaces among David’s mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:3), illustrating how members of Saul’s family eventually served the very house that replaced them—an image of reconciliation (Romans 12:18). • Listing all three sons stresses that God does not forget any branch of the family tree; every person and household finds a place in His record (Malachi 3:16). Zimri was the father of Moza “and Zimri was the father of Moza” (1 Chronicles 9:42c) • Zimri continues the line another generation, mirroring the earlier parallel in 1 Chronicles 8:37. • Moza’s descendants extend through Binea, Raphah, Eleasah, and Azel (1 Chronicles 8:37–38; 9:43–44), proving that Saul’s heritage did not end with national tragedy. • The Chronicler’s post-exilic audience would have found hope here: if God preserved Saul’s line, He would surely preserve theirs (Jeremiah 29:11). • For believers today, each father-son link foreshadows the ultimate lineage climaxing in Jesus Christ, “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1), showing that no faithful record is wasted in God’s economy. summary 1 Chronicles 9:42 is more than a list of obscure names. It demonstrates God’s unwavering memory of His people, the continuation of Saul’s family despite earlier judgment, and the steady march of redemption generation by generation. Every name confirms that the Lord keeps covenant, blesses fruitfulness, and weaves even fallen stories into His larger plan that ultimately leads to Christ. |
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