1
Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and 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 are the sons of Ehud; they were the heads of the clans of the inhabitants of Geba, who were carried away captive to Manahath;
7
Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera carried them away captive; he fathered Uzza and Ahihud.
8
Shaharaim fathered children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara, his wives.
9
He fathered children by Hodesh, his wife: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
10
Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of clans;
11
and by Hushim he had fathered Abitub and Elpaal before this.
12
The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed; he built the cities of Ono and Lod, with their villages.
13
Beria and Shema were heads of the clans of the inhabitants of Aijalon; they drove out the inhabitants of Gath.
14
Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
15
Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
16
Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beria.
17
Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
18
Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
19
Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
20
Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
21
Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22
Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
23
Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
24
Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
25
Iphdeiah and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26
Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
27
Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.
28
These were the heads of clans, heads according to their genealogies; these lived in Jerusalem.
29
But in Gibeon lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, and the name of his wife was Maacah.
30
His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31
Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32
and Mikloth, who fathered Shimeah. These also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem, together with their other relatives.
33
Ner fathered Kish; Kish fathered Saul; Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34
The son of Jonathan was Meribbaal, and Meribbaal fathered Micah.
35
The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36
Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; Zimri fathered Moza.
37
Moza fathered Binea; his son was Rapha, his son was Eleasah, and his son was Azel.
38
Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39
The sons of Esek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40
The sons of Ulam were mighty men, valiant warriors, archers; and they had many sons and grandsons: one hundred and fifty. All these were among the sons of Benjamin.
👑🧬📜 Summary of 1 Chronicles 8 – The Genealogy of the Tribe of Benjamin and the Line of King Saul
1 Chronicles 8 again turns attention to the tribe of Benjamin, this time with special focus on the line of King Saul, the first king of Israel. Though this tribe was small, its historical role was great, for from it God raised up the first leader for Israel. This chapter contains a long list of names and families, yet it shows that God cares about genealogies and inheritance, even when a person fails like Saul.
📌 1. General Genealogy of the Tribe of Benjamin (verses 1–28)
➡️ Beginning with Bela, Benjamin’s firstborn, to various descendants in towns such as Aijalon and Jerusalem
➡️ Many unfamiliar names, yet they show the diversity and spread of the Benjaminites in the land of Israel
➡️ Also recorded are the heads of families and their places of dwelling
🎯 Every person, even if not famous, is part of God’s plan and history
📌 2. The Line of Saul and His Family (verses 29–40)
➡️ Beginning with Jeiel, Saul’s ancestor, who lived in Gibeon
➡️ His sons included Ner → Kish → Saul → Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal (Ish-bosheth)
➡️ Also recorded are Jonathan’s descendants: Meribbaal (Mephibosheth) → Micah and so on
➡️ Then the names of Saul’s descendants through the following generations
🎯 Though Saul fell because of disobedience, his line was still recorded — the Lord did not forget His inheritance and His grace
📖 Main Teaching
- Genealogies are important in affirming the identity and role of God’s people
- God still values and records those whom He once used, even if they failed
- Family and descendants can be a blessing or an important lesson
- Every city and family has a part in the history of God’s salvation
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Acts 13:21
“Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul…”
➡️ Saul was part of the beginning of the plan, but not the end of the story
📖 Romans 11:29
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
➡️ Even though Saul fell, the Lord still honored his lineage — a principle of unchanging grace
📖 1 Corinthians 1:27–28
“God chose what is weak and despised.”
➡️ The tribe of Benjamin was small, but two great figures of Israel came from here: Saul and Paul
📖 Philippians 3:5
“Of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin…” – Paul stated his origin
➡️ Benjamin’s heritage remained relevant into the New Testament
🕊️ “Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.” – 1 Chronicles 8:33
🕊️ “Meribbaal fathered Micah…” – 1 Chronicles 8:34
🕊️ “Their descendants lived in Jerusalem opposite their brothers.” – 1 Chronicles 8:32
