Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 35:22

22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went, and lay with Bilhah his fathers concubine : and Israel heard it . Now the sons of Jacob were twelve .

An horrid incest: for Concubines were a sort of Wives. See Gen. 22. 24. and 25. 1.

And doubtless sadly resented it, both in Reuben, as appears from Gen. 49. 4. 1 Chron. 5. 1, 2. and in Bilhah whose Bed without question he forsook upon it, as afterwards David did in the like case. See 2 Sam. 16. 22. and 20. 3. Yet here is no mention of Iacobs reproof of it, nor any censure of Moses added to it: Possibly to teach us that we are not to approve of every fact which is mentioned in Scripture without censure, and that the miscarriages of Professors of Religion are rather to be silently bewailed, then publickly reproached, left Religion should suffer by it.

Which were heads of the twelve Tribes: Therefore his daughter Dinah is not here mentioned, because she was not the head of a Tribe.

Marginal references: chap. 49. 4. 1 Cor. 5. 1.