[These were] the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. He was the firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father's bed.a He is not listed in the genealogy according to birthright.
Although Judah became strong among his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright was given to Joseph.
The sons of Reuben, Israel's firstborn:b Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Joel's sons: his son Shemaiah, his son Gog, his son Shimei,
his son Micah, his son Reaiah, his son Baal,
and his son Beerah. Beerah was a leader of the Reubenites, and Tiglath-pileserc king of Assyria took him into exile.
His relatives by their families as they are recorded in their genealogy: Jeiel the chief, Zechariah,
and Bela son of Azaz, son of Shema, son of Joel. They settled in Aroer as far as Nebo and Baal-meon.
They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their herds had increased in the land of Gilead.
During Saul's reign they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated by their power. And they lived in their tents throughout the region east of Gilead.