1 Chronicles8

First Chronicles chapter 8 primarily details the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. It begins by listing Benjamin's sons and tracing various family lines, including those who settled in specific towns like Ono and Lod. The chapter culminates with a detailed lineage of King Saul, tracing his descendants through Jonathan and Meribbaal, highlighting their dwelling places and some notable individuals.
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The Immediate Sons of Benjamin

1
Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was the second born, Aharah the third, ​
2
Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3
The sons of Bela:
4
Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
5
Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

Families Settled in Benjaminite Territory

6
These were the descendants of Ehud who were the heads of the families living in Geba and were exiled to Manahath: ​
7
Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them into exile and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8
Shaharaim had sons in the country of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. ​
9
His sons by his wife Hodesh:
10
Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families.
11
He also had sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal.
12
The sons of Elpaal: ​
13
Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its villages), and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families of the inhabitants of Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath). ​
14
Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
15
Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16
Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.
17
Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18
Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
19
Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
20
Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
21
Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22
Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
23
Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
24
Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25
Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26
Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
27
Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.

Benjamite Chiefs Dwelling in Jerusalem

28
All these were heads of families, the chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem. ​
29
Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah, ​
30
and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31
Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32
and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. These also lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem.

The Genealogy of King Saul

33
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. ​
34
The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah. ​
35
The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36
Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.
37
Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
38
Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39
The sons of his brother Eshek:
40
Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third. The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and they had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin. ​

Study Notes for 1 Chronicles 8

Verse 1

This chapter provides the most detailed genealogy for Benjamin, focusing heavily on those families who remained prominent historically and during the post-exilic period.

Verse 6

Ehud is often identified with the Judge of Israel (Judges 3), but here he is listed as a tribal head whose descendants settled in Geba before being moved to Manahath, establishing them in crucial geographical areas.

Verse 8

The mention of Shaharaim having children in the country of Moab reflects the complex migration and marital patterns of early Israelite settlement, often necessitated by famine or conflict.

Verse 12

Ono and Lod (later Lydda) were strategically important towns near the coastal plain, indicating the resettlement and rebuilding efforts undertaken by these Benjamite families after the exile.

Verse 13

The reference to driving away the inhabitants of Gath links this lineage to historical military action, emphasizing the role of the Benjamites in securing their tribal territory against the Philistines.

Verse 28

This verse marks a shift in focus to those prominent leaders who established themselves in the capital city, reflecting the Chronicler's primary interest in the restored community centered on Jerusalem.

Verse 29

The mention of Gibeon is significant as it was a major Benjamite center and the location of the high place before the Temple was fully established in Jerusalem.

Verse 33

This section traces the lineage of the most famous Benjamite, King Saul, connecting the returning community back to the tribe's former royal prominence. 'Eshbaal' is the original name for Ish-Bosheth (2 Sam 2:8); the name change in Samuel reflects later aversion to using 'Baal' (lord).

Verse 34

Meribbaal is the name used elsewhere for Mephibosheth (2 Sam 4:4), highlighting the Chronicler's use of different naming conventions or reliance on alternative, perhaps older, source material.

Verse 40

The concluding emphasis on the sons of Ulam being 'mighty men of valour, archers' underscores the Chronicler’s interest in the military strength and preparedness of the restored tribes.

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