Studies In Genesis: Chapter 36 Series

1 Samuel 8:5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

Israel wanted a king like all other nations. They wanted to be the same. No longer did they want a theocracy (God rule) they wanted a monarchy (king rule).

32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city [was] Dinhabah.

33 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.

35 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Avith.

36 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

37 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth [by] the river reigned in his stead.

38 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

39 And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Pau; and his wife's name [was] Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

Genesis 36:40-43 Areas where the Edomites lived.

40 And these [are] the names of the dukes [that came] of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,

41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these [be] the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he [is] Esau the father of the Edomites.

We could have just passed by this chapter and went on. We don't really hear much about Esau and his family anymore except when they come against the Israelites. But the chapter tells us where they came from. We now understand them better. Some people read scripture and think that God is so cruel for what he did. For choosing one nation to reign. But as shown here. They rejected God not that God did not chose them.