Read 1 Chronicles 8
The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite
8 Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn,
Ashbel the second son, Aharah the third,
2 Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth.
3 The sons of Bela were:
Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan and Huram.
6 These were the descendants of Ehud, who were heads of families of those living in Geba and were deported to Manahath:
7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who deported them and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8 Sons were born to Shaharaim in Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. 9 By his wife Hodesh he had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, 10 Jeuz, Sakia and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families. 11 By Hushim he had Abitub and Elpaal.
12 The sons of Elpaal:
Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages), 13 and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of families of those living in 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, Zikri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zikri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25 Iphdeiah and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham.
28 All these were heads of families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy, and they lived in Jerusalem.
29 Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon.
His wife’s name was Maakah, 30 and his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, Zeker 32 and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.
33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.
34 The son of Jonathan:
Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah.
35 The sons of Micah:
Pithon, Melek, 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, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39 The sons of his brother Eshek:
Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second son and Eliphelet the third.40 The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all.
All these were the descendants of Benjamin.
Go Deeper
This chapter continues with the genealogy and history of Israel. Chapter 8 is a detailed lineage of Saul (the first King of Israel). As we read through this list of names, we can think “What would the Chronicler want Israel to remember as they read these details about Saul’s family as they re-enter the Promised Land?”
We find Saul mentioned at the start of verse 33: “Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul…” and then the chapter closes in verse 40 with the statement “All these were Benjamaninites.” A Benjamaninite refers to an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin. In Genesis 49, when Jacob was close to death, he gathered his twelve sons and gave them each a blessing. These sons were the originators of the twelve tribes of Israel and each blessing served as a prophesy of what would come of the tribes that each son established.
It’s important that we remember what it meant to be a Benjaminite. We can find Jacob’s blessing on Benjamin in Genesis 49:27: “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” The tribe of Benjamin became well known for being warriors. Even though it was the smallest of the twelve tribes, it was mighty. So, as you read through this list of seemingly meaningless names, you can imagine them as swordsmen and fighters who honorably defended their country.
The original Jewish audience would have recognized many of these names and remembered how they had contributed to their history. When they read Saul’s name, they would have remembered that when Samuel first revealed to Saul that he had been chosen by God as Israel’s King, Saul’s response was “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21). Saul did not feel like his heritage and lineage as a member of the tribe of Benjamin qualified him to be King. Yet, more than 500 years later there is an entire chapter of scripture devoted to chronicling the lineage of Saul to remind the Israelites of their spiritual heritage.
Saul was far from a perfect King. The original readers of Chronicles would have been very aware of Saul’s disobedience and missteps. They would have also recognized that God’s intention was for all the Bejamanites to possess a fierceness that they would steward for God’s glory and that while Saul’s physical strength was very strong, his spiritual strength was lacking. God divinely inspired and preserved Saul’s lineage in scripture for us to recognize and remember that while the world saw someone who came from small and humble beginnings, God saw a mighty warrior with the ability to both devour and divide. May we seek to be warriors of the Lord who obediently look to him for our strength instead of relying on our own.
Questions
- What do you think the writer of Chronicles would want the Jewish people to remember about Saul?
- First Samuel 16:7 says “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” How did Saul’s outward appearance differ from his inward appearance?
- Eight chapters into our reading through these genealogies, what is one theme or message that has stuck out to you the most?
Did You Know?
The genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin continues into the New Testament. In Romans 11:1, Paul writes “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”
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5 responses to “1 Chronicles 8”
33 “Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.“
Yes, so interesting the attention that is given to Saul’s genealogy, even though the royal line passed to David!
PS – I chuckle when I read repeatedly “X was the father of Y”. When I was young and reading the King James version, the term used there is “begat”, eg “X begat Y”. At the time I didn’t really know what “begat” meant, but always thought it was such a funny term!
“And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.”
1 Samuel 9:2 ESV
Saul’s story is a sad one due to his disobedience. His life as well as ours shows that what we do effects the people around us. Good choices verses bad choices. The enemy has a “job” it that is to seek whom he may devour, steal, kill and destroy. I am sorry to say it has continued throughout HisStory. BUT GOD has a “job” for us. We are to rejoice, pray and give thanks in all things because this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thes 5:16-18).
God values family, individuals, faithfulness, community, obedience and hope for the future. Am I giving value to what God vaules?
God thank You for Your hand in my life. God help me rejoice in all things, pray over minute details, and give thanks in the good, the bad and the ugly that surrounds me. I know that this is the will of You for me. I know that You have predestined me for such a time as this and that I have a “job” to do for You God. I am created in Your workmanship, created for good works, that I should walk in that. You have saved me and called me with a holy calling according to Your purpose and grace through Christ Jesus. God, thank You for helping me to live life to the fullest, today, in these minutes, so that I can fulfill Your will and purpose for my life in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons—150 in all”(v40).
Each genealogy was uniquely recognized and remembered in a specific way. These were brave warriors who passed their skill to sons and grandsons. Presently, we are savoring our grandparent era and first and foremost is passing the torch of faith in Christ to our 17 grandchildren. What an honor and responsibility!
This verse caught my attention today:
“Sons were born to Shaharaim in Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.”
— 1 Chronicles 8:8 (NIV)
“After he divorced his wives…”
I got curious — so I asked online commentary, “What’s the significance of 1 Chronicles 8:8?”
Here’s what I found. Interesting!
1 Chronicles 8:8… notes Shaharaim’s divorce and relocation to Moab, a factual detail that underscores the Chronicler’s purpose to provide historical accuracy and convey theological lessons about God’s faithfulness and ability to bring new beginnings even amidst personal and national brokenness.
Genealogy and Identity
Re-establishing Identity: The entire chapter 1 Chronicles 8 serves as a sweeping genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin, whose first king was Saul. For the returning exiles, knowing their roots and family ties was crucial for re-establishing their sense of belonging and identity.
Authenticity and Meticulous Record-Keeping: The inclusion of a less famous ancestor like Shaharaim, whose name appears only here, lends authenticity to the genealogy. It demonstrates the Chronicler’s commitment to preserving accurate historical records, a key aspect of their purpose.
Theological Lessons
Continuity in the Face of Disruption: Shaharaim’s relocation to Moab after divorcing his wives is a significant event recorded in the verse. This detail, though personal and potentially negative, emphasizes the Chronicler’s message that God’s plan for his people continued despite personal conflicts and broken relationships.
God’s Faithfulness and New Beginnings: Shaharaim’s later fruitfulness with a new wife and many sons in Moab illustrates that God can bring new beginnings even after loss, sin, or conflict. This reinforces the broader theological theme in 1 Chronicles of God’s faithfulness to His chosen people.
I don’t have a personal takeaway this time — I just found the background so fascinating I wanted to share it.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22).
Our actions today can impact future generations and strive to leave a legacy of faith and righteousness.