2:1, 2 The story of Israel’s (Jacob’s) sons is found in Genesis 29:32–50:26. Profiles of Joseph, Reuben, and Judah are found on pp. 93, 97, and 111.
2:3 This long genealogy not only lists names but gives us insights into some of the people. Here, almost as an epitaph, the genealogy states that Er “was evil in the sight of the LORD; and he slew him.” Now, thousands of years later, this is all we know of the man. Each of us is forging a reputation, developing personal qualities by which we will be remembered. How would God summarize your life up to now? Some defiantly claim that how they live is their own business. But Scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God. What you do now does matter.
2:15 David is one of the best-known people of the Bible. He was certainly not perfect, but he exemplified what it means to seek God first in all areas of life. God called David “a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22) because David’s greatest desire was to serve and worship God. We can please God in the same way by making God our first consideration in all our desires and plans. David’s story is found in 1 Samuel 16:1—1 Kings 2:10 and 1 Chronicles 10:14–29:30. David’s profile is found in 1 Samuel 17, p. 585.
2:16 Joab’s story is found in 2 Samuel 2–3; 10–20; 24; 1 Kings 1–2; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9; 19–21. His profile is found in 2 Samuel 18, p. 659. Abishai’s story is found in 1 Samuel 26; 2 Samuel 2–3; 10; 15–21; 23; 1 Chronicles 18:12; 19. Abishai’s profile is found in 2 Samuel 21, p. 665.