1 And Benjamin begot Bela his firstborn, 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 were the chief fathers of the inhabitants of Geba; and they carried them away to Manahath;
7 even Naaman, and Ahijah, and Gera; he removed them), and he begot Uzza and Ahihud.
8 And Shaharaim begot [children] in the land of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives.
9 And he begot of Hodesh his wife: Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10 and Jeuz, and Shobia, and Mirmah; these were his sons, chief fathers.
11 And of Hushim he begot Abitub, and Elpaal.
12 And the sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misham, and Shemer, who built Ono, and Lod and its dependent villages;
13 and Beriah, and Shema, who were chief fathers of the inhabitants of Ajalon; they drove away the inhabitants of Gath.
14 And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15 and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Eder,
16 and Michael, and Jishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.
17 And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hiski, and Heber,
18 and Jishmerai, and Jizliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20 and Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21 and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
22 And Jishpah, and Eber, and Eliel,
23 and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24 and Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25 and Jiphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27 and Jaareshiah, and Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.
28 These were the chief fathers, according to their generations, principal men; these dwelt in Jerusalem.
29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; and his wife's name was Maachah.
30 And his son, the firstborn, was Abdon; and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.
32 And Mikloth begot Shimeah. And these also dwelt beside their brethren in Jerusalem, with their brethren.
33 And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
34 And the son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal; and Merib-Baal begot Micah.
35 And the sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36 And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza;
37 and Moza begot Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38 And Azel had six sons, and these are their names: Azrikam, Bochru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan; all these were sons of Azel.
39 And the sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and they 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.