Genesis 42:37

Reuben spake. Reuben’s offer represented supreme sacrifice on his part. It was a sincere but rash offer. Reuben was the eldest, though certainly not the wisest, of Jacob’s sons, and once more he turns up as the tenderhearted one. But Jacob refused; he had little confidence in their ability to guarantee Benjamin’s safe return. Their hands were not clean. They had caused him many anxious hours in the past. Reuben had committed a grievous sin, Simeon and Levi had murdered the population of a city, and the family of Judah was so evil that two of his sons had died in their youth for their wickedness. How could God prosper Benjamin with such men? Everything in which they were involved ended in disappointment or disaster.