Descendants of Reuben

5 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (^(A)for he was the firstborn, but because ^(B)he defiled his father's couch, ^(C)his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; ^2 (D)though Judah became strong among his brothers and a ^(E)chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),

¹⁰ And ^(A)Hosah, of the sons of Merari, had sons: Shimri the chief (for though he was not the firstborn, his father made him chief),

¹⁹ and she bore him sons, Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. ²⁰ After her he took ^(A)Maacah the daughter of Absalom, who bore him ^(B)Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith.

^22 (A)And Rehoboam appointed ^(B)Abijah the son of Maacah as chief prince among his brothers, for he intended to make him king.