How we cite our quotes:
Quote #1
[Reuben] was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father's bed his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright; though Judah became prominent among his brothers and a ruler came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph. (1 Chronicles 5:1-2, NRSV)
[Reuben] was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's. (1 Chronicles 5:1-2, KJV)
Those who stay true to God's rules get nice rewards. Those who don't (like Reuben here) lose all kinds of perks, firstborn or not. The story of God's action in the history of Israel is based on that formula—don't worship other gods or break my commandments or you're on your own. Stick with me and I'll protect you.
Quote #2
The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of King Pul of Assyria, the spirit of King Tilgath-pilneser of Assyria, and he carried them away, namely, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river Gozan, to this day. (1 Chronicles 5:26, NRSV)
The God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day. (1 Chronicles 5:26, KJV)
The exile of the entire Northern Kingdom wasn't caused by the Assyrian Empire. Nope. God did it. The people in that region weren't loyal to them so he shipped them off to become the Ten Lost Tribes. They're still lost. God does not mess around.
Quote #3
Saul died for his unfaithfulness; he was unfaithful to the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord; moreover, he had consulted a medium, seeking guidance, and did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14, NRSV)
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14, KJV)
Harsh. King Saul was disloyal one too many times and God got rid of him. The Chronicler doesn't seem to have much respect or pity for Saul here. The guy's just died in battle—killed himself, in fact—defending Israel from the Philistines. Consulting oracles and spirits is one of God's pet peeves because it's a direct rebuke to his authority.