And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
The verse names Adaiah and Beraiah and Shimrath as the sons of Shimhi, standing within the genealogies of Chronicles. It belongs to the extended record of names running through 1 Chronicles 4-19, a section largely concerned with genealogy and chronology. Such long lists of hard-to-pronounce names are often regarded as dry and uninteresting, holding no particular interest for the reader, and their value and interest are not equally apparent to everyone.
Though usually considered dry, beautiful gems crop out to illuminate these lists. These genealogical records established hereditary descent, which was needed after the exile for assigning land and restoring temple service. They show the preservation of the records of God's children and the integrity of the tribes, with the genealogy of the tribe of Judah preserved especially carefully because Christ came through Judah. They also provide material for the study of the origin and distribution of races.
The careful recording of even such a list shows that God is particular, that He instructed His people to keep genealogies and moved scribes to record them. That faithful earthly recording points to the faithful record of each soul kept in the books of heaven.
The verse names Adaiah and Beraiah and Shimrath as the sons of Shimhi, standing within the genealogies of Chronicles. It belongs to the extended record of names running through 1 Chronicles 4-19, a section largely concerned with genealogy and chronology. Such long lists of hard-to-pronounce names are often regarded as dry and uninteresting, holding no particular interest for the reader, and their value and interest are not equally apparent to everyone.
Though usually considered dry, beautiful gems crop out to illuminate these lists. These genealogical records established hereditary descent, which was needed after the exile for assigning land and restoring temple service. They show the preservation of the records of God's children and the integrity of the tribes, with the genealogy of the tribe of Judah preserved especially carefully because Christ came through Judah. They also provide material for the study of the origin and distribution of races.
The careful recording of even such a list shows that God is particular, that He instructed His people to keep genealogies and moved scribes to record them. That faithful earthly recording points to the faithful record of each soul kept in the books of heaven.