History · Chapter 8 of 29

1 Chronicles 8

The genealogy of Benjamin is developed in fuller detail, tracing its clans, their settlements in Geba, Moab, Ono, Lod, Aijalon, and Jerusalem, and their heads of families. The line converges on the family of Saul: Ner, Kish, Saul, and Jonathan, with Jonathan's son Meribbaal and his descendants carried on for several generations, preparing the reader for Saul's story ahead.

What happens in 1 Chronicles 8

The chapter begins with Benjamin's sons and traces their descendants through various family heads, noting the towns they founded or settled and their migrations, including Shaharaim's children born in Moab and the families that built Ono and Lod. It records clans dwelling in Jerusalem and at Gibeon, where the father of Gibeon lived with his wife Maachah. The genealogy then focuses on the royal family of Benjamin: Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

Jonathan's son Meribbaal is named, and his line is followed through Micah and his descendants for many generations, listing Azel and his six sons and other archers and mighty men. The chapter thus closes by carrying Saul's house forward well beyond his own lifetime.

1 Chronicles 8 in context

Benjamin was the tribe of Israel's first king, Saul, and remained closely tied to Judah after the kingdom divided, sharing in the return from exile. The Chronicler gives Benjamin extended attention partly to set up the narrative that follows, the death of Saul in chapter ten, which clears the way for David.

This genealogy bridges the long lists and the story that begins the account of the monarchy.

Main themes of 1 Chronicles 8

1 Chronicles 8 (KJV)

1Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, 2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, 4And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, 5And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. 6And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath: 7And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. 8And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. 9And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, 10And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. 11And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. 12The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: 13Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: 14And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, 15And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, 16And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; 17And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, 18Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; 19And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, 20And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, 21And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; 22And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, 23And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, 24And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, 25And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; 26And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, 27And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. 28These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. 29And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah: 30And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, 31And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. 32And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. 33And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. 34And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah. 35And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. 36And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, 37And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: 38And 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. 39And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40And 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.

Verses to carry from 1 Chronicles 8

“Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,”1 Chronicles 8:1

“These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.”1 Chronicles 8:28

“And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.”1 Chronicles 8:33

Reflection

Even a family marked by a leader's failure is remembered and named by God. Your worth is not erased by the failures around you or behind you. God keeps a place for those the world might write off, and He is preparing His own good purpose.

A prayer from 1 Chronicles 8