1 Chronicles 1 45

1 Chronicles 1:45 kjv

And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.

1 Chronicles 1:45 nkjv

When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

1 Chronicles 1:45 niv

When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.

1 Chronicles 1:45 esv

Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

1 Chronicles 1:45 nlt

When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

1 Chronicles 1 verses

1 Chronicles 1 45 Meaning

This verse records the succession of Samlah, from Masrekah, to the throne of Edom, following the death of Hadad. It is part of a detailed genealogical record in 1 Chronicles that traces the lineage from creation to the various nations, including the kings who ruled Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites. The verse presents a factual account of orderly transition of power in an ancient, neighboring kingdom.

1 Chronicles 1 45 Context

First Chronicles chapter 1 is largely comprised of detailed genealogical lists, serving as the foundational opening to the Chronicler's historical narrative. The entire chapter traces humanity from Adam through Noah and his sons, detailing various family lines, including those of nations surrounding Israel. Verses 43-54 specifically list the kings of Edom, the descendants of Esau, prior to the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. This inclusion highlights that the Edomites had an organized kingdom and a system of royal succession well before Israel did, placing Israel's own historical journey within a broader regional context. The Chronicler, likely writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes these genealogies to affirm continuity with their heritage, underscore the historical veracity of God’s plan, and establish identity by connecting the contemporary community to their deep roots. This particular verse simply continues the factual recounting of these successions.

1 Chronicles 1 45 Word analysis

• When Hadad died: (וַיָּמֹת חֲדַד֙ va-yā-mōṯ ḥă-ḏaḏ) This phrase signifies the end of one king's reign. "Died" is the common Hebrew verb indicating physical demise. Hadad was the fifth king of Edom mentioned in this list (1 Chr 1:44), specifically Hadad son of Bedad. The Chronicler does not provide details about his life or accomplishments, simply his death, serving as a transition point. This immediate statement of death highlights the transient nature of earthly power.
• Samlah of Masrekah: (שַׂמְלָ֖ה מִמַּשְׂרֵקָה֙ śam-lāh mim-maś-rê-qāh) Samlah is the sixth king listed. The name "Samlah" means "garment" or "cloak" in Hebrew. "Masrekah" refers to his place of origin or his capital city. It literally means "from Masrekah." While the exact location of Masrekah is unknown, such geographic identifiers were common in ancient royal records, pinpointing a ruler's base or ancestral territory. This detail reinforces the historical rootedness of these kings and their regional associations.
• became king: (וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ wa-yim-lōḵ) This Hebrew verb (מלך malakh) is consistently used throughout Scripture to denote the taking up of royal power. Its use here indicates a formal and recognized transfer of authority, showing a stable, if not always peaceful, system of succession.
• in his place: (תַּחְתָּֽיו taḥ-tāw) This idiomatic phrase literally means "under him" but contextually signifies "in his stead" or "as his successor." It underscores a direct replacement, emphasizing the uninterrupted flow of the royal line. It contrasts with situations where the throne might be contested or vacant for a period.

• "When Hadad died, Samlah...became king": This clause sets forth the standard succession pattern for monarchy in the ancient Near East – the death of one king necessitating the enthronement of another. It emphasizes continuity and the cyclical nature of human governance, a constant in history under God's overarching providence. The phrasing is curt and functional, reflecting the genealogical nature of the text, focused on succession rather than detailed narrative.

1 Chronicles 1 45 Bonus section

• The very precise nature of these successions ("died," "became king," "in his place") indicates an established, formalized royal system in Edom. This orderly transition might stand in contrast to the later turbulent early monarchy of Israel which faced frequent internal conflicts regarding succession.
• The Chronicler's inclusion of these pre-Israelite Edomite kings serves to demonstrate a foundational historical reality: settled nations with functioning monarchies existed prior to Israel's emergence as a kingdom. This context allows the subsequent history of Israel's kings to be seen not as an isolated phenomenon, but within a broader historical tapestry.
• The focus is purely on the sequential reign; no moral judgment or religious significance is attached to these foreign rulers in this specific verse. Their existence and succession are presented simply as historical fact within the divine timeline.

1 Chronicles 1 45 Commentary

This concise verse, identical to its counterpart in Genesis 36:36, offers a straightforward historical record of kingly succession in Edom. As part of the lengthy genealogies in 1 Chronicles, it underscores the Chronicler's methodical approach to presenting history, affirming a world where nations had established forms of governance long before Israel desired its own king. It implicitly teaches that sovereignty, whether over a great empire or a lesser kingdom like Edom, ultimately flows from God's hand, who "removes kings and sets up kings." The absence of personal details about Hadad or Samlah emphasizes the genealogical purpose of the text—documenting lineage and transitions—rather than celebrating individual achievements. For its original audience, this entry would have contributed to a comprehensive historical worldview, positioning Israel's unique story within a divinely ordered, global historical timeline, thereby reinforcing their identity and trust in God's overarching plan.