“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.”
Cross references: : Gen. 35:22 ; Gen. 49:4 Because they were made two tribes, they had a double portion.
“For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:) chief: or, prince”
That is, he was the chiefest of all the tribes according to Jacob’s prophecy, Gen. 49:8 , and because Christ should come of him.
“The sons, I say, of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were, Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.”
Gen. 46:9 ; Exod. 6:14 ; Num. 26:5
“Beerah his son, whom Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites. Tilgathpilneser: or, Tig-lath-pilne-ser, 2.kin.15.29.and 16.7.”
To wit, in the time of Uzziah King of Israel, 2 Kings 15:23 .
“And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: Shema: or, Shemaiah”
These places were beyond Jordan toward the East in the land given to the Reubenites.
“And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead. throughout: Heb. upon all the face of the east”
The Ishmaelites that came of Hagar Abraham’s concubine.
“And they dwelt in Gilead in Bashan, and in her towns, and in all the suburbs of Sharon, upon their borders. their: Heb. their goings forth”
Both the whole country and one peculiar city were called Bashan.
“And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab.”
These twain were the sons of Ishmael, Gen. 25:15 .
“And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.”
To wit, by the Lord that gave them the victory.
“For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.”
Meaning, the captivity of the ten tribes under Tiglath Pileser.
“And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.”
Thus God stirred up the wicked, and used them as instruments to execute his just judgment against sinners, although they were led with malice and ambition. 2 Kings 18:11