1 And Benjamin was the father of Bela his oldest son, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3 And Bela had sons, Addar and Gera, the father of Ehud,
4 And Abishua and Naaman and Ahoah
5 And Gera and Shephuphan and Huram.
6 And these are the sons of Ehud, heads of families of those living in Geba: Iglaam and Alemeth
7 And Naaman and Ahijah and Gera; and Iglaam was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
8 And Shaharaim became the father of children in the country of the Moabites after driving out Hushim and Beerah his wives;
9 And by Hodesh his wife he became the father of Jobab and Zibia and Mesha and Malcam.
10 And Jeuz and Shachia and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families.
11 And Hushim became the father of Abitub and Elpaal.
12 And the sons of Elpaal: Eber and Misham and Shemed (he was the builder of Ono and Lod and their daughter-towns);
13 And Beriah and Shema, who were heads of the families of those who were living in Aijalon, who put to flight the people living in Gath;
14 And their brothers 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 Anathothijah
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 Jeremoth.
28 These were heads of families in their generations; chief men: these were living in Jerusalem.
29 And in Gibeon was living the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maacah;
30 And his oldest son Abdon, and Zur and Kish and Baal and Ner and Nadab
31 And Gedor and Ahio and Zechariah and Mikloth.
32 And Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. And they were living with their brothers in Jerusalem opposite their brothers.
33 And Ner was the father of Abner, and Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan and Malchi-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal.
34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.
35 And the sons of Micah: Pithon and Melech and Tarea and Ahaz.
36 And Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth and Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri was the father of Moza;
37 And Moza was the father of Binea: Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son;
38 And Azel had five sons, whose names are: Azrikam, his oldest, 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 oldest son, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 And the sons of Ulam were men of war, bowmen, and had a great number of sons and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were 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.