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

Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

Bela had sons: Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

and Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,

and Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.

Families Settled in Benjaminite Territory

These are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them captive to Manahath:

and Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera, he carried them captive: and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.

He became the father of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcam,

and Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households.

Of Hushim he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal.

The sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns;

and Beriah, and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath;

and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,

and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Eder,

and Michael, and Ishpah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah,

and Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hizki, and Heber,

and Ishmerai, and Izliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal,

and Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,

and Elienai, and Zillethai, and Eliel,

and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimei,

and Ishpan, and Eber, and Eliel,

and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,

and Hananiah, and Elam, and Anthothijah,

and Iphdeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak,

and Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,

and Jaareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.

Benjamite Chiefs Dwelling in Jerusalem

These were heads of fathers’ households throughout their generations, chief men: these lived in Jerusalem.

In Gibeon there lived the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah;

and his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.

Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their brothers in Jerusalem, over against their brothers.

The Genealogy of King Saul

Ner became the father of Kish; and Kish became the father of Saul; and Saul became the father of Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

The son of Jonathan was Merib Baal; and Merib Baal became the father of Micah.

The sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.

Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza.

Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.

Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons 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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1 Chronicles8

The Immediate Sons of Benjamin

Families Settled in Benjaminite Territory

Benjamite Chiefs Dwelling in Jerusalem

The Genealogy of King Saul

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