1 And Benjamin begat Bela his first-born, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3 And Bela had sons: Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4 and Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5 and Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6 And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of fathers' `houses' of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them captive to Manahath:
7 and Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera, he carried them captive: and he begat Uzza and Ahihud.
8 And Shaharaim begat children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcam,
10 and Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' `houses'.
11 And of Hushim he begat Abitub and Elpaal.
12 And the sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with the towns thereof;
13 and Beriah, and Shema, who were heads of fathers' `houses' of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath;
14 and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15 and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Eder,
16 and Michael, and Ishpah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah,
17 and Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hizki, and Heber,
18 and Ishmerai, and Izliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal,
19 and Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20 and Elienai, and Zillethai, and Eliel,
21 and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimei,
22 and Ishpan, and Eber, and Eliel,
23 and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24 and Hananiah, and Elam, and Anthothijah,
25 and Iphdeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak,
26 and Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27 and Jaareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28 These were heads of fathers' `houses' throughout their generations, chief men: these dwelt in Jerusalem.
29 And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon, `Jeiel', whose wife's name was Maacah;
30 and his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.
32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
33 And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah.
35 And the sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36 And Ahaz begat Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza.
37 And Moza begat Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
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.
39 And the sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his first-born, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 8
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 8
1Ch 8:1-32. Sons and Chief Men of Benjamin.
1. Now Benjamin begat, &c.—This chapter contains some supplementary particulars in addition to what has been already said regarding the tribe of Benjamin (see on 1Ch 7:6). The names of many of the persons mentioned are different from those given by Moses—a diversity which may be accounted for in part on grounds formerly stated, namely, either that the persons had more than one name, or that the word "sons" is used in a loose sense for grandsons or descendants. But there are other circumstances to be taken into account in considering the details of this chapter; namely, first, that the genealogies of the Benjamites were disordered or destroyed by the almost total extermination of this tribe (Jud 20:11-48); secondly, that a great number of Benjamites, born in Assyria, are mentioned here, who returned from the long captivity in Babylon, and established themselves—some in Jerusalem, others in different parts of Judea. There were more returned from Babylon of the families belonging to this tribe than to any other except Judah; and hence many strange names are here introduced; some of which will be found in the list of the restored exiles (compare Ezr 2:1-70).
6. these are the sons of Ehud—most probably the judge of Israel (Jud 3:15). His descendants, who had at first been established in Geba in Benjamin, emigrated in a body under the direction of Gera (1Ch 8:7) to Manahath, where their increased numbers would find more ample accommodation. Manahath was within the territory of Judah.
8. Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab—He had probably been driven to take refuge in that foreign land on the same calamitous occasion that forced Elimelech to emigrate thither (Ru 1:1). But, destitute of natural affection, he forsook or divorced his two wives, and in the land of his sojourn married a third, by whom he had several sons. But there is another explanation given of the conduct of this Benjamite polygamist. His children by Hushim are mentioned (1Ch 8:11), while his other wife is unnoticed. Hence it has been thought probable that it is Baara who is mentioned under the name of Hodesh, so called because her husband, after long desertion, returned and cohabited with her as before.
28. These dwelt in Jerusalem—The ordinary and stated inhabitants of Jerusalem were Judahites, Benjamites, and Levites. But at the time referred to here, the chiefs or heads of the principal families who are enumerated (1Ch 8:14-27) established themselves in the city after their return from the captivity.
1Ch 8:33-40. Stock of Saul and Jonathan.
33. Ner begat Kish—The father of Ner, though not mentioned here, is stated (1Ch 9:35) to have been Jehiel. Moreover, the father of Kish is said (1Sa 9:1) to have been Abiel, the son of Zeror, whence it would seem that Abiel and Ner were names of the same person.
Abinadab—the same as Ishui (1Sa 14:49).
Esh-baal—that is, Ish-bosheth.
34. Merib-baal—that is, Mephibosheth.
36. Jehoadah—or, Jara (1Ch 9:42).
40. mighty men of valour, archers—(see on Jud 20:16). Great strength as well as skill was requisite in ancient archery, as the bow, which was of steel, was bent by treading with the feet, and pulling the string with both hands.