1 Chronicles 5:6
and Beerah his son, whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried into exile. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites.
and Beerah his son,

Beerah appears in the genealogy of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, preserving the record of a tribe whose inheritance lay east of the Jordan River. His name means “well” or “fountain,” recalling the sustaining provision God gives to His people.

Gen 46:9 The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Exo 6:14 These were the heads of their fathers’ houses…
Num 26:5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were…

whom Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria carried into exile.

Tiglath-pileser III expanded Assyrian control over Israel during the eighth century BC and used deportation to weaken conquered peoples. Beerah’s removal formed part of the Assyrian judgment against the northern tribes, later summarized in 1 Chronicles 5:26. The exile showed the terrible cost of abandoning the covenant while confirming God’s warnings through the prophets.

2Ki 15:29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser came…
2Ki 17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria…
2Ch 28:20 Then Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came to Ahaz…

Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites.

Beerah held authority among the Reubenites, who lived in territory exposed to pressure from eastern nations and advancing empires. His deportation removed not merely an individual but a tribal leader, contributing to the loss of stability, autonomy, and identity among the tribes taken by Assyria.

1Ch 27:16 These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel:…
Num 7:30 On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur,…
Num 2:10 On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Beerah
A leader of the Reubenites, one of the tribes of Israel. His name means "well" or "fountain" in Hebrew, indicating a source or origin.

2. Tiglath-pileser
The king of Assyria who reigned during the 8th century BC. Known for his military campaigns and expansion of the Assyrian Empire, he played a significant role in the exile of the northern tribes of Israel.

3. Reubenites
Descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob. They settled on the east side of the Jordan River and were known for their pastoral lifestyle.

4. Exile
The forced removal of the Reubenites from their land by the Assyrian Empire, a significant event in Israel's history that fulfilled prophetic warnings about disobedience to God.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
The exile of the Reubenites serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of turning away from God's commands. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience in our relationship with God.

God's Sovereignty in History
The events surrounding Beerah and the Reubenites illustrate God's control over nations and history. Even in times of judgment, God's purposes are being fulfilled.

Leadership and Responsibility
As a leader, Beerah's fate was tied to the actions and spiritual state of his people. This highlights the responsibility leaders have to guide their communities in righteousness.

Hope in Exile
While exile represents judgment, it also sets the stage for eventual restoration and redemption. This can encourage believers to trust in God's promises even in difficult circumstances.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Beerah and the Reubenites illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God? Can you identify areas in your life where you need to align more closely with God's commands?

2. In what ways does the exile of the Reubenites reflect the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28? How can these warnings serve as a guide for us today?

3. How does understanding the historical context of Tiglath-pileser's reign enhance our comprehension of 1 Chronicles 5:6? What does this teach us about God's sovereignty?

4. What responsibilities do leaders have in guiding their communities according to biblical principles? How can you apply this in your own sphere of influence?

5. How can the theme of hope and restoration in the midst of judgment be applied to current challenges you are facing? What scriptures can you turn to for encouragement?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 15-17
These chapters provide a broader context of the Assyrian invasions and the eventual fall of the northern kingdom of Israel, including the exile of various tribes.

Genesis 49:3-4
Jacob's blessing to Reuben, which foreshadows the instability and loss of preeminence that his descendants would experience.

Deuteronomy 28:36-37
A warning to Israel about the consequences of disobedience, including being taken into exile by a foreign nation.
ReubenF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 5:1-8
The Three Threads of DestinyW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 5:1-17
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abdiel, Abihail, Ahi, Azaz, Azriel, Beerah, Bela, Buz, Carmi, Eber, Eliel, Enoch, Epher, Gad, Gadites, Gog, Guni, Hagarites, Hagrites, Hanoch, Heber, Hezron, Hodaviah, Huri, Ishi, Jaanai, Jachan, Jahdiel, Jahdo, Jaroah, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Jeroboam, Jeshishai, Jetur, Joel, Jorai, Joseph, Jotham, Manasseh, Meshullam, Micah, Michael, Naphish, Pallu, Phallu, Pul, Reaia, Reaiah, Reuben, Reubenites, Saul, Shapham, Shaphat, Shema, Shemaiah, Shimei, Tilgathpilneser, Zechariah, Zia
Places
Aroer, Assyria, Baal-hermon, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Euphrates River, Gilead, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hara, Jetur, Mount Hermon, Mount Seir, Naphish, Nebo, Nodab, Salecah, Senir, Sharon
Topics
Asshur, Assyria, Beerah, Be-er'ah, Captive, Carried, Chief, Chieftain, Exile, Leader, Pilneser, Prince, Prisoner, Removed, Reubenite, Reubenites, Tiglath-pileser, Tilgath, Tilgathpilneser, Tilgath-pilneser, Til'gath-pilne'ser, Tillegath-pilneser
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 5:1-10

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

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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