1 Chronicles - Chapter 8

1 Chronicles 8.1 Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, 1 Chronicles 8.2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 1 Chronicles 8.3 And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, 1 Chronicles 8.4 And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, 1 Chronicles 8.5 And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. 1 Chronicles 8.6 And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: 1 Chronicles 8.7 And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. 1 Chronicles 8.8 And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. 1 Chronicles 8.9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, 1 Chronicles 8.10 And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. 1 Chronicles 8.11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. 1 Chronicles 8.12 The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: 1 Chronicles 8.13 Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: 1 Chronicles 8.14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, 1 Chronicles 8.15 And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, 1 Chronicles 8.16 And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; 1 Chronicles 8.17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, 1 Chronicles 8.18 Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; 1 Chronicles 8.19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, 1 Chronicles 8.20 And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, 1 Chronicles 8.21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; 1 Chronicles 8.22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, 1 Chronicles 8.23 And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, 1 Chronicles 8.24 And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, 1 Chronicles 8.25 And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; 1 Chronicles 8.26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, 1 Chronicles 8.27 And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. 1 Chronicles 8.28 These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 8.29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah: 1 Chronicles 8.30 And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 1 Chronicles 8.31 And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. 1 Chronicles 8.32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. 1 Chronicles 8.33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 1 Chronicles 8.34 And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah. 1 Chronicles 8.35 And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. 1 Chronicles 8.36 And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, 1 Chronicles 8.37 And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: 1 Chronicles 8.38 And 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. 1 Chronicles 8.39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 1 Chronicles 8.40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

1 Chronicles : Chapter 8

The Genealogy of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8

Chapter 8 of Chronicles delves into the genealogy of Benjamin, a tribe that deserves special attention within Scripture. This richly detailed text traces the Benjaminite lineages, with a particular focus on the family of Saul, the first king of Israel. Through this chapter, we understand the transition from Saul's kingship to that of David, as well as the complexity of tribal and political relationships in Israel.

The Role of Benjamin in Israel's History

We invite you to consider five biblical passages that highlight Benjamin's essential role in Israel's history.

1. Genesis 35:18

This verse states: "When she was about to die, already weak, she named her son Benoni; but his father named him Benjamin." This passage introduces Benjamin, whose genealogy is developed in 1 Chronicles 8.

2. Judges 3:15

In this text, it is written: "Once again, the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He gave them a deliverer: Ehud, a left-handed man, son of Gera, a Benjamite." This passage mentions Ehud, whose lineage is traced in 1 Chronicles 8:6, thus establishing a link between genealogy and the history of Israel.

3. 1 Samuel 9:1-2

These verses introduce us to Saul: "There was a man of Benjamin named Kish [...] He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. Among the Israelites, there was no one equal to him in beauty; in height, they were all only as tall as his shoulder." Saul's genealogy is detailed in 1 Chronicles 8:33-40.

4. 2 Samuel 4:4

This verse tells us: "Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was crippled in his feet. [...] His name was Mephibosheth." Mephibosheth appears in Saul's genealogy, illustrating the continuity of the royal line, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:34.

5. Esther 2:5

Finally, this passage states: "There was a Jew in the citadel of Shushan, named Mordecai, son of Jair, grandson of Shimei, and great-grandson of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin." This verse connects Mordecai to the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting the continuing importance of this tribe in Israel's history, as illustrated in 1 Chronicles 8.

Conclusion

By exploring these verses, we can appreciate the richness and depth of Benjamin's history. The genealogy, as presented in 1 Chronicles 8, allows us to understand not only Israel's past, but also the continuity of God's promises across the generations.