On rare occasion reading through a genealogy offers something startling. But I was startled when I read this:
“Shaharaim had sons in the country of Moab after had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara” (1 Chr 8:8).
Up to this time we’ve seen laws about divorce, but really not any particular circumstances. And then bam! Right there in the genealogy is a little comment–he had sons in Moab after he ditched his two wives. We know nothing else. He had a bunch of other wives but these he divorced.
What a way to be known. ‘He was the guy that divorced two of his wives.’ Wouldn’t it better to be known like Ulam’s sons later in the chapter that they were “warriors and archers” (1 Chr 8:40)? How will you be known? What will relatives of descendants say of you? Of me?