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.

The Immediate Sons of Benjamin

1
Binyamin fathered Bela his firstborn son; his second, Ashbel; his third, Achrach; ​
2
his fourth, Nochah; and his fifth, Rafa.
3
Bela had sons: Adar, Gera, Avihud,
4
Avishua, Na'aman, Achoach,
5
Gera, Sh'fufan and Huram.

Families Settled in Benjaminite Territory

6
These are the sons of Ehud, the heads of fathers' clans among the inhabitants of Geva (they were carried away captive to Manachat; ​
7
those who carried them off were Na'aman, Achiyah and Gera): he fathered 'Uzah and Achichud.
8
Shacharayim fathered children on the plains of Mo'av; after sending away his wives Hushim and Ba'ara, ​
9
it was through his wife Hodesh that he fathered: Yovav, Tzivya, Mesha, Malkam,
10
Ye'utz, Sokhya and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of clans.
11
Through Hushim he fathered Avituv and Elpa'al.
12
The sons of Elpa'al: 'Ever, Mish'am, Shemed - he built Ono and Lod with its towns - ​
13
and B'ri'ah and Shema - they were heads of fathers' clans among the inhabitants of Ayalon, who drove away the people living in Gat. ​
14
Achyo, Shashak, Yeremot,
15
Z'vadyah, 'Arad, 'Eder,
16
Mikha'el, Yishpah and Yocha were the sons of B'ri'ah.
17
Z'vadyah, Meshulam, Hizki, Hever,
18
Yishm'rai, Yizli'ah and Yovav were the sons of Elpa'al.
19
Yakim, Zikhri, Zavdi,
20
Eli'einai, Tziltai, Eli'el,
21
'Adayah, B'rayah and Shimrat were the sons of Shim'i.
22
Yishpan, 'Eved, Eli'el,
23
'Avdon, Zikhri, Hanan,
24
Hananyah, 'Eilam, 'Anatotyah,
25
Yifdeyah and P'nu'el were the sons of Shashak.
26
Shamsh'rai, Sh'charyah,'Atalyah,
27
Ya'areshyah, Eliyah and Zikhri were the sons of Yerocham.

Benjamite Chiefs Dwelling in Jerusalem

28
These were leaders of fathers' houses through all their generations, leading men who lived in Yerushalayim. ​
29
In Giv'on lived the father of Giv'on, whose wife's name was Ma'akhah; ​
30
and his firstborn son 'Avdon, Tzur, Kish, Ba'al, Nadav,
31
G'dor, Achyo and Zekher.
32
Miklot fathered Shim'ah. In contrast with some of their kinsmen, they and their families lived in Yerushalayim.

The Genealogy of King Saul

33
Ner fathered Kish; Kish fathered Sha'ul; and Sha'ul fathered Y'honatan, Malkishua, Avinadav and Eshba'al. ​
34
The son of Y'honatan was M'riv-Ba'al, and M'riv-Ba'al fathered Mikhah. ​
35
The sons of Mikhah: Piton, Melekh, Ta'rea and Achaz.
36
Achaz fathered Y'ho'adah; Y'ho'adah fathered 'Alemet, 'Azmavet and Zimri; Zimri fathered Motza;
37
and Motza fathered Bin'a. His son was Rafah, his son was El'asah and his son was Atzel.
38
Atzel had six sons, whose names were: 'Azrikam, Bokhru, Yishma'el, Sh'aryah, 'Ovadyah and Hanan; all these were sons of Atzel.
39
The sons of his brother 'Eshek: Ulam his firstborn, Ye'ush the second and Elifelet the third.
40
The sons of Ulam were strong, brave men, archers; they had many children and grandchildren, a hundred and fifty. All these were descendants of Binyamin. ​

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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