1 Chronicles 4:5
Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah.
Ashhur the father of Tekoa

Ashhur was a leading ancestor associated with Tekoa in Judah, likely connected with its founding or settlement. Tekoa stood about ten miles south of Jerusalem on the edge of the wilderness and later became the home of Amos, the shepherd-prophet who proclaimed God’s justice to Israel (Amos 1:1). The genealogy preserves the significance of families through whom Judah’s towns, land, and covenant inheritance were established.

1Ch 2:24 After Hezron died in Caleb-ephrathah, his wife Abijah…
2Sa 14:2 So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there.…
Amo 1:1 These are the words of Amos, who was among the…

had two wives, Helah and Naarah.

Ashhur’s household included Helah and Naarah, whose descendants are named in the following verses. Polygamy was practiced in ancient Israel, though it often brought burdens and conflicts within families, as other biblical accounts show. God’s record of this household demonstrates His continued faithfulness in working through imperfect people and complex family histories to preserve the tribe of Judah.

1Sa 1:2 He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other…
Deu 21:15 If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved…
Gen 4:19 And Lamech married two women, one named Adah…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ashhur
A descendant of Judah, Ashhur is noted as the father of Tekoa. His lineage is part of the genealogical records in 1 Chronicles, which trace the tribes of Israel.

2. Tekoa
A town in Judah, Tekoa is significant in biblical history. It is the birthplace of the prophet Amos and is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.

3. Helah
One of Ashhur's wives, Helah is mentioned briefly in this genealogical account. Her role is primarily as a mother within the lineage.

4. Naarah
The second wife of Ashhur, Naarah is similarly noted for her place in the genealogy. Her name means "maiden" or "young woman" in Hebrew.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect God's people to His promises. They remind us of our spiritual heritage and the continuity of God's plan through generations.

The Role of Women in Scripture
Helah and Naarah, though briefly mentioned, are integral to the lineage of Judah. This highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in biblical accounts.

Understanding Our Spiritual Lineage
Just as the Israelites traced their physical lineage, Christians are encouraged to understand their spiritual lineage through faith in Christ, connecting us to the promises of God.

The Significance of Place
Tekoa's mention reminds us that God uses specific places for His purposes. Our own "places" can be significant in God's plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the genealogies in 1 Chronicles help us appreciate the continuity of God's promises throughout the Bible?

2. In what ways can the brief mention of women like Helah and Naarah inspire us to recognize the contributions of women in our own faith communities?

3. How does the town of Tekoa's connection to the prophet Amos enhance our understanding of its significance in biblical history?

4. What can we learn from the genealogical records about the importance of spiritual heritage and identity in our own lives?

5. How can we apply the concept of "place" in our spiritual journey, recognizing that God may have specific purposes for us in our current locations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 35:22-26
This passage lists the sons of Jacob, providing a broader context for understanding the tribal divisions and genealogies that are further detailed in 1 Chronicles.

Amos 1:1
Amos, a prophet from Tekoa, provides a connection to the significance of Tekoa as a place of prophetic voice and divine message.

1 Samuel 25:1-5
This passage mentions Tekoa in the context of David's interactions, highlighting its strategic and historical importance.
Survey of the GenealogyJames Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 4:1-43
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Adiel, Aharhel, Ahumai, Ahuzam, Allon, Amalek, Amalekites, Amaziah, Amnon, Anub, Asaiah, Asareel, Ashur, Asiel, Ben, Benaiah, Benhanan, Benzoheth, Bethrapha, Bethuel, Bilhah, Bithiah, Caleb, Carmi, Chelub, Coz, David, Elah, Elioenai, Epher, Ephratah, Ephrath, Er, Eshtemoa, Eshton, Ethnan, Ezer, Ezra, Garmite, Gedor, Haahashtari, Hakkoz, Ham, Hamites, Hamuel, Hanan, Harum, Hathath, Hazelelponi, Heber, Helah, Hepher, Hezekiah, Hezron, Hodiah, Hodijah, Hur, Idbash, Iru, Ishbah, Ishi, Ishma, Izhar, Jaakobah, Jabez, Jahath, Jalon, Jamin, Jamlech, Jarib, Jedaiah, Jehaleleel, Jehu, Jekuthiel, Jephunneh, Jered, Jeshohaiah, Jesimiel, Jether, Jezoar, Jezreel, Joab, Joash, Joel, Jokim, Joshah, Josibiah, Kenaz, Koz, Laadah, Lahad, Mehir, Meonothai, Mered, Meshobab, Meunim, Meunites, Mibsam, Miriam, Mishma, Naam, Naarah, Naham, Nahash, Neariah, Nemuel, Ophrah, Othniel, Paseah, Pelatiah, Penuel, Perez, Pharaoh, Pharez, Rapha, Reaiah, Rechah, Rephaiah, Rinnah, Saraph, Saul, Seir, Seraiah, Shallum, Shammai, Shaul, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Shimon, Shimri, Shiphi, Shobal, Shuah, Shual, Simeon, Simeonites, Tehinnah, Temeni, Tilon, Tiria, Uzziel, Zacchur, Zaccur, Zerah, Zereth, Ziphah, Ziza, Zobebah, Zohar, Zoheth, Zorathites, Zoreathites
Places
Ain, Ashan, Baal, Beersheba, Beth-biri, Beth-marcaboth, Bethuel, Bilhah, Cozeba, Etam, Ezem, Gederah, Gedor, Hazar-shual, Hazar-susim, Hormah, Jerusalem, Lehem, Moab, Moladah, Mount Seir, Netaim, Recah, Rimmon, Shaaraim, Tochen, Tolad, Ziklag
Topics
Ashhur, Ashur, Helah, Naarah, Na'arah, Tekoa, Teko'a, Wives
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 4:5

     5732   polygamy

Library
The Ark among the Flags
'And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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