1 Chronicles 6:28 kjv
And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.
1 Chronicles 6:28 nkjv
The sons of Samuel were Joel the firstborn, and Abijah the second.
1 Chronicles 6:28 niv
The sons of Samuel: Joel the firstborn and Abijah the second son.
1 Chronicles 6:28 esv
The sons of Samuel: Joel his firstborn, the second Abijah.
1 Chronicles 6:28 nlt
The sons of Samuel were Joel (the older) and Abijah (the second).
1 Chronicles 6 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 8:1 | When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons judges over Israel. | Samuel's sons as judges. |
| 1 Sam 8:2 | The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second Abijah... | Identical names and birth order of Samuel's sons. |
| 1 Sam 8:3 | But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain... | Contrasting character; Joel and Abiah's corruption led to desire for a king. |
| 1 Chr 6:22 | The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son... | Broader context: this verse fits into the Kohathite genealogy. |
| 1 Chr 6:26 | Elkanah his son, Zuph his son, Nahath his son... | Samuel's ancestry, preceding him in the genealogy. |
| 1 Chr 6:33 | These are the men who served with their sons... | Continuation of Samuel's descendants in the temple service role. |
| 1 Chr 9:1 | So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written... | General purpose of comprehensive genealogies in Chronicles. |
| Gen 49:3 | Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the firstfruits of my strength... | Significance of the "firstborn" in terms of status and rights. |
| Deut 21:17 | but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved wife... | Legal rights and inheritance due to the firstborn son. |
| Exod 13:2 | Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open... | The theological significance and dedication of the firstborn to God. |
| Isa 45:1 | Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped... | Divine anointing and choosing, as exemplified by Samuel's role. |
| Acts 3:24 | And all the prophets, from Samuel and those who came after him... | Samuel's standing as a prominent prophet in Israel's history. |
| Pss 106:16 | When they became jealous of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron, the holy one of the Lord. | Mention of jealousy in leadership roles, highlighting a potential context of challenges. |
| Ezr 2:62 | These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies... | Emphasizes the crucial role of accurate genealogies for priestly service after exile. |
| Neh 7:64 | These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies... | Reiteration of the importance of clear lineage, especially for Levites returning from exile. |
| Gal 4:29 | But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh... | General principle of spiritual lineage versus natural birth. |
| 2 Sam 7:12 | When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring... | Importance of legitimate offspring in fulfilling divine promises. |
| Pss 89:36 | His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. | Emphasis on lasting lineage and succession, often tied to covenant. |
| Jer 35:19 | Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me... | Examples of faithfully maintained lineages blessed by God. |
| Matt 1:17 | So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations... | Significance of precise genealogical records for demonstrating messianic lineage. |
| Lk 3:23 | Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age... | Gospel genealogies affirm legitimacy and continuity. |
1 Chronicles 6 verses
1 Chronicles 6 28 Meaning
1 Chronicles 6:28 identifies the immediate descendants of Samuel the prophet, listing his two sons, Joel, who was the firstborn, and Abiah, the second. This verse functions as a key link within the genealogical record of the Levites, specifically tracing the lineage of the Kohathites, a family prominent in temple service and leadership. It establishes their familial relationship to one of Israel's most significant figures, cementing their place within the historical and religious framework of God's covenant people.
1 Chronicles 6 28 Context
1 Chronicles chapter 6 focuses heavily on the lineage of Levi, emphasizing the importance of the Levites in the sanctuary service. The chapter begins with the three sons of Levi – Gershon, Kohath, and Merari – and systematically traces their descendants. Samuel belongs to the Kohathite line, specifically through the branch of Korah (1 Chr 6:22-28). The Chronicler meticulously records these genealogies, not merely as historical records, but to highlight the appointed roles for various Levite families in the temple and worship of God, particularly as singers (like Heman, Asaph, Jeduthun, who are also descendants mentioned in this chapter). The inclusion of Samuel's sons in this sacred lineage, despite the negative portrayal of their conduct in 1 Samuel 8, emphasizes the Chronicler's primary interest in genealogical succession for religious office, establishing continuity from the time before the monarchy up to the temple service. This was crucial for the post-exilic audience, validating the priestly and Levitical offices.
1 Chronicles 6 28 Word analysis
And (וְ - wə): A simple conjunction. It links this statement to the preceding verse, indicating a continuation of the lineage of Samuel's father, Elkanah. It signifies that the listing of Samuel's sons is an expected part of this family record.
the sons (בָּנִים - bānim): A plural noun meaning "sons" or "children." It universally denotes male descendants. In Hebrew lineage, the paternal line was paramount for establishing inheritance, tribal identity, and eligibility for roles like priesthood or kingship.
of Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל - Šĕmû'ēl): This is the Hebrew name of the renowned judge and prophet who anointed Saul and David. The name likely means "heard of God" or "His name is El (God)." The inclusion of his sons' names here, without immediate negative commentary as in 1 Samuel, highlights the Chronicler's focus on Samuel's place within the esteemed Levitical genealogy, validating the ancestral line, irrespective of individual shortcomings.
Joel (יוֹאֵל - Yô'ēl): The first son's name, meaning "Yahweh is God." This is a theophoric name, common in Israel, expressing devotion to and belief in the sovereignty of Yahweh. It emphasizes a theological connection.
the firstborn (הַבְּכוֹר - habbĕḵôr): Literally "the first born one." In ancient Israel, the firstborn son held significant legal, social, and religious rights and responsibilities. These included a double portion of inheritance, leadership in the family, and specific dedication rites to God (Exod 13:2). Identifying Joel as the firstborn was crucial for genealogical precision and succession.
and Abiah (וַאֲבִיָּה - wa'ăḇiyyāh): The second son's name, often spelled "Abijah" elsewhere. This name means "My Father is Yahweh." Another theophoric name, signifying a personal relationship with God or a divine declaration about God's nature. This further reinforces the theological leanings within Hebrew nomenclature.
the second (הַשֵּׁנִי - haššēnî): Simply indicates the ordinal position in birth. It confirms that these were Samuel's two named and recognized sons in order of birth.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And the sons of Samuel": This phrase introduces the immediate continuation of Samuel's line, signifying a direct paternal link. It focuses squarely on Samuel's family, implying their significance within the Levitical tribal record.
- "Joel the firstborn, and Abiah the second": This part explicitly lists the two sons by name and birth order. The emphasis on "firstborn" and "second" validates their identities and relative positions within the family structure, essential for proper genealogical accounting. It’s a precise and factual presentation typical of ancient genealogies.
1 Chronicles 6 28 Bonus section
The Chronicler's presentation of genealogies often differs from accounts in Samuel and Kings by omitting unflattering details or emphasizing aspects crucial to post-exilic concerns, such as the restoration of temple worship and proper Levitical service. The succinct mention of Joel and Abiah without immediate negative commentary here serves to affirm their familial identity as Samuel's offspring in the Kohathite line, essential for understanding the distribution of responsibilities within the Levites. The integrity of these specific familial lines was critical for determining eligibility for roles within the restored temple community, far outweighing individual moral failings for the Chronicler's primary genealogical purpose in this context. Their names, "Yahweh is God" and "My Father is Yahweh," stand in stark contrast to their reported behavior in 1 Samuel, providing a subtle, implied tension often present when human action falls short of divine intent, even within the family of a revered figure.
1 Chronicles 6 28 Commentary
1 Chronicles 6:28, though concise, serves a vital function in the elaborate genealogies compiled by the Chronicler. It places Samuel's direct descendants, Joel and Abiah, within the Kohathite lineage of the Levites, who were primarily responsible for carrying and maintaining the tabernacle furnishings and, later, for specific temple services. The inclusion of Samuel's sons in this precise genealogical list underscores the Chronicler's methodical approach to tracing the lines of those designated for sacred service. Unlike the account in 1 Samuel 8, which details the corruption of Joel and Abiah and its role in Israel's demand for a king, 1 Chronicles 6 focuses purely on their rightful place in the ancestry, highlighting the unbroken chain of divine appointment and inheritance for Levitical service. This demonstrates the Chronicler's concern for legitimate succession within the framework of God's covenant, even when individual integrity was compromised. The fact of their existence and lineage, as Samuel's sons, remained important for the historical record, ensuring continuity of the tribal structure.