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The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite

1 Chronicles 8:1-40



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The Genealogy of Saul the Benjamite

Commentary

by

John C. Sewell

Text:

1 Chronicles 8:1-40,

1. Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was born

second, Aharah third,

2. Nohah fourth, and Rapha fifth.

3. Bela’s sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud,

4. Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,

5. Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

6. These were the descendants of Ehud who were leaders of the

families living in Geba who were forced to move to Manahath:

7. Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who moved them. Gera was the

father of Uzzah and Ahihud.

8. Shaharaim fathered sons in Moab after he divorced his wives

Hushim and Baara.

9. By his wife Hodesh he fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam,

10. Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These were his sons; they were family

leaders.

11. By Hushim he fathered Abitub and Elpaal.

12. The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and

Lod, as well as its surrounding towns),

13. Beriah, and Shema. They were leaders of the families living in

Aijalon and chased out the inhabitants of Gath.

14. Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,

15. Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

16. Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.



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17. Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

18. Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.

19. Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi,

20. Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,

21. Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

22. Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,

23. Abdon, Zikri, Hanan,

24. Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,

25. Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.

26. Shamsherai, Shechariah, Athaliah,

27. Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham.

28. These were the family leaders listed in the genealogical records;

they lived in Jerusalem.

29. The father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon; his wife’s name was

Maacah.

30. His firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal,

Nadab,

31. Gedor, Ahio, Zeker, and Mikloth.

32. Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. They also lived near their

relatives in Jerusalem.

33. Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the father of Saul. Saul

was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

34. The son of Jonathan: Meribbaal. Meribbaal was the father of

Micah.

35. The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.

36. Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah was the

father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of

Moza,

37. and Moza was the father of Binea. His son was Raphah, whose

son was Eleasah, whose son was Azel.

38. Azel had six sons: Azrikam his firstborn, followed by Ishmael,

Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

39. The sons of his brother Eshek:Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush

second, and Eliphelet third.



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40. The sons of Ulam were warriors who were adept archers. They

had many sons and grandsons, a total of 150. All these were the

descendants of Benjamin. (NET)

Introduction:

I. Saul was the first king of Israel.

A. His pedigree would naturally be of interest to Israelites.

B. Genealogical records for Benjamin are found in 1 Chronicles

7:6-12 and 1 Chronicles 8:1-40. (Hicks)

C. “Only Judah and Levi have more extensive genealogical lists

than Benjamin.” (Hicks)

D. “Chronicles focus on the southern kingdom.” (Hicks)

II. This comprehensive genealogy of Saul spans 15 generations and

reaches into the postexilic period.

A. 1 Chronicles 8:1-32 gives the genealogy of Benjamin down to

Saul.

B. 1 Chronicles 8:33-40 gives children and certain other

descendants of Saul.

Commentary:

1 Chronicles 8:1, 2, Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn;

Ashbel was born second, Aharah third, Nohah fourth, and Rapha

fifth. (NET)

I. Benjamin was the father of:



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A. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob who was born to his

favorite wife Rachel. (Youngblood)

1. The tribe of Benjamin descended from this youngest son of

Jacob.

II. Bela (Belah) Benjamin’s firstborn, . . .

A. Bela was the head of the Belaites. (Youngblood)

1. Genesis 46:21, The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker,

Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and

Ard. (NET)

2. Numbers 26:38, 40, The Benjaminites by their families:

from Bela, the family of the Belaites; from Ashbel, the

family of the Ashbelites; from Ahiram, the family of the

Ahiramites; The descendants of Bela were Ard and

Naaman. From Ard, the family of the Ardites; from

Naaman, the family of the Naamanites. (NET)

III. Ashbel, Benjamin’s second son, . . .

A. Ashbel was the ancestor of the tribal family known as the

Ashbelites. (Youngblood)

1. Numbers 26:38, The Benjaminites by their families:



Ahiramites; (NET)

IV. Aharah, Benjamin’s third son, . . .

A. Aharah is also known as Ehi and Ahiram.



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Ard. (NET)

2. Numbers 26:38, The Benjaminites by their families:



Ahiramites; (NET)

V. Nohah, Benjamin’s fourth son and . . .

A. Because Nohah is not mentioned as being among those who

went with Jacob into Egypt, it is thought he may have been born

after the migration into Egypt. (Youngblood)

VI. Rapha, Benjamin’s fifth son.

A. Little else is known about Rapha other than what is said here.

1 Chronicles 8:3-5, Bela’s sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4.

Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. (NET)

I. The sons of Bela, Benjamin’s firstborn son, were:

II. Addar, . . .

A. Addar is also known as Ard. (Youngblood)

1. Numbers 26:40, The descendants of Bela were Ard and



B. Addar appears to have been Bela’s firstborn son.

III. Gera,



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A. Little more is known of Gera than what is said here.

B. Gera was evidently Beha’s second son.

IV. Abihud,

A. Little more is known of Abihud than what is said here.

B. Abihud was evidently Bela’s third son.

V. Abishua,

A. Little more is known of Abishua than what is said here.

B. Abishua was evidently Bela’s fourth son.

VI. Naaman,

A. This Naaman, not to be confused with the Syrian Commander

of the same name, was a son of Bela and founder of the Naamites.

1. Numbers 26:40, The descendants of Bela were Ard and



VII. Ahoah, . . .

A. Little else is known of Ahoah than what is said here.

VIII. Gera, . . .

A. Little else is definitely known about this Gera than what is said

here.



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IX. Shephuhan and . . .

A. This son of Bela is also known as Muppim, Shupham,

Shephupham and Shuppim. (Youngblood)



Ard. (NET)

2. Numbers 26:39, from Shupham, the family of the

Shuphamites; from Hupham, the family of the

Huphamites. (NET)

3. 1 Chronicles 7:12, The Shuppites and Huppites were

descendants of Ir; the Hushites were descendants of Aher.

(NET)

X. Huram.

A. Huram was a descendant of Bela and a grandson of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:6, 7, These were the descendants of Ehud who were

leaders of the families living in Geba who were forced to move to

Manahath: Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who moved them. Gera was

the father of Uzzah and Ahihud. (NET)

I. The descendants of Ehud, . . .

A. Youngblood wrote that Ehud was a son of Bilhan and a great-

grandson of Benjamin.

II. who were heads of families of those living in Geba and . . .



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A. Geba (Gaba) was a city of Benjamin assigned to the priests

which was situated in northern Judah about 6 miles NE of

Jerusalem. (Youngblood)

III. were deported to Manahath:

A. Manahath was a city to which certain Benjamite descendants of

Geba were forced to move.

IV. Naaman, . . .

A. Naaman was a Benjamite.

V. Ahijah, and . . .

A. Ahijah was a Benjamite.

VI. Gera, who deported them and . . .

A. Gera helped deport the inhabitants of Bega to Manahath.

VII. was the father of . . .

A. Uzza and . . .

1. Uzza was a descendant of Ehud mentioned in the family

tree of King Saul.

B. Ahihud.

1. Ahihud was a descendant of Ehud of the tribe of Benjamin.

1 Chronicles 8:8-11, Shaharaim fathered sons in Moab after he

divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. By his wife Hodesh he

fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah.



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These were his sons; they were family leaders. By Hushim he

fathered Abitub and Elpaal. (NET)

I. Sons were born to Shaharaim . . .

A. Shaharaim was a Benjamite whose nine sons became heads of

tribal families. (Youngblood)

II. in Moab . . .

A. Moab, the person, was a son of Lot by an incestuous union with

his older daughter. (Youngblood)

1. Genesis 19:37, The older daughter gave birth to a son

and named him Moab. He is the ancestor of the Moabites

of today. (NET)

B. The descendants of Moab, the Moabites, lived along the eastern

border of the southern half of the Dead Sea, on the plateau between

the Dead Sea and the Arabian desert covering an area 35 miles

north to south and 25 miles East to West. (Youngblood)

III. after he had divorced his wives.

IV. Hushim and . . .

A. Hushim was a Moabitess and one of the wives of Shaharaim.

(Youngblood)

V. Baara.

A. Baara was a Moabitess and one of the wives of Shaharaim.

(Youngblood)

VI. By his (Shaharaim’s) wife Hodesh he had . . .



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A. Hodesh was a wife of Shaharaim, of the tribe of Benjamin who

was also known as Baara. (Youngblood)

VII. Jobab, . . .

A. Jobab was a son of Shaharaim of the tribe of Benjamin and

Hodesh. (Youngblood)

VIII. Zibia, . . .

A. Zibia was one of the seven sons of Shaharaim of the tribe of

Benjamin and his wife Hodesh. (Youngblood)

IX. Mesha, . . .

A. Mesha was a son of Shaharaim and Hodesh.

B. Mesha was an ancestor of King Saul. (Youngblood)

X. Malcam. (Malcham), . . .

A. Malcam was the fourth son of Shaharaim by his wife Hodesh.

(Youngblood)

XI. Jeuz, . . .

A. Jeuz was a son of Shaharaim and his wife Hodesh.

(Youngblood)

XII. Sakia (Sachiah, Sachia, Shachia) and . . .

A. Sakia was a son of Shaharaim, a Benjaminite, and his wife

Hodesh. (Youngblood)



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XIII. Mirmah (Mirma).

A. Mirmah was a son of Shaharaim and his wife Hodesh.

XIV. These were his sons, heads of families.

XV. By Hushim he (Shaharaim) had . . .

XVI. Abitub and . . .

A. Abitub was a descendant of Benjamin listed in the family tree

of King Saul. (Youngblood)

B. Abitub was a son of Shaharaim and his wife Hushim.

XVII. Elpaal.

A. Elpaal was a son of Shaharaim and his wife Hushim.

1 Chronicles 8:12, 13, The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, Shemed

(who built Ono and Lod, as well as its surrounding towns), Beriah,

and Shema. They were leaders of the families living in Aijalon and

chased out the inhabitants of Gath. (NET)

I. The sons of Elpaal were: . . .

II. Eber, . . .

A. Eber was a son of Elpaal.

III. Misham, . . .

A. Misham was a son of Elpaal, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)



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IV. Shemed (Shamed), . . .

A. Shemed was a son of Elpaal, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

V. (who build Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages), . . .

A. Ono

1. Ono was a fortified city in the territory of Benjamin which

was rebuilt by the sons of Elpaal.

2. Ono was located 30 miles NW of Jerusalem.

B. Lod

1. Lod was a Benjamite town located in the picturesque plain

of Sharon, 11 miles SE of Joppa. (Bromiley)

VI. Beriah and . . .

A. Beriah was a son of Elpaal, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

VII. Shema (Shimei, Shimhi) . . .

A. Shema was a son of Elpaal, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

VIII. Who were heads of families of those . . .

A. living in Aijalon (Ajalon) and . . .

1. Aijalon was located about 14 miles NW of Jerusalem.



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2. The area surrounding Aijalon was the site of the famous

battle between Joshua and the five Amorite kings during

which the “sun stood still.” (Youngblood)

a. Joshua 10:12-14, The day the Lord delivered the

Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua prayed to the

Lord before Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon!

O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon!” The sun stood

still and the moon stood motionless while the nation

took vengeance on its enemies. The event is recorded

in the Scroll of the Upright One. The sun stood

motionless in the middle of the sky and did not set

for about a full day. There has not been a day like it

before or since. The Lord obeyed a man, for the

Lord fought for Israel! (NET)

b. Joshua 19:42, Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah, (NET)

c. 2 Chronicles 28:18, The Philistines had raided the

cities of Judah in the lowlands and the Negev. They

captured and settled in Beth Shemesh, Aijalon,

Gederoth, Soco and its surrounding villages,

Timnah and its surrounding villages, and Gimzo

and its surrounding villages. (NET)

1 Chronicles 8:14-16, Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, Zebadiah, Arad,

Eder, Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah. (NET)

I. The sons of Beriah were: . . .

A. Beriah was a Benjamite, a son of Elpaal and the grandson of

Shaharaim.

II. Ahio, . . .



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A. Ahio was a Benjamite, a son of Elpaal and the grandson of

Shaharaim.

III. Shashak, . . .

A. Shashak was a Benjamite, a son of Elpaal and the grandson of

Shaharaim.

B. Shashak was an ancestor of King Saul. (Youngblood)

IV. Jeremoth, . . .

A. Jeremoth was a Benjamite, a son of Beriah. (Youngblood)

V. Zebadiah, . . .

A. Zebadiah was a Benjamite, a son of Beriah. (See Youngblood.)

VI. Arad, . . .

A. Arad was a Benjamite, a son of Beriah. (See Youngblood.)

VII. Eder (Ader), . . .

A. Eder was a descendant of Elpaal, and a son of Beriah, a

Benjamite. (Youngblood)

VIII. Michael, . . .

A. Michael was a descendant of Elpaal, and a son of Beriah, a

Benjamite. (See Youngblood.)

IX. Ishpah (Ispah) and . . .



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A. Ishpah was a descendant of Elpaal, and a son of Beriah, a


X. Joha.

A. Joha was a descendant of Elpaal, and a son of Beriah, a


1 Chronicles 8:17, 18, Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. (NET)

I. The sons of Elpaal were: . . .

II. Zebadiah, . . .

A. Zebadiah was a Benjamite, one of the sons of Elpaal.

(Youngblood)

III. Meshullam, . . .

A. Zebediah was a Benjamite, one of the son of Elpaal.

IV. Hizki ( Hezeki, Hizki), . . .

A. Hizki was a son of Elpaal and a descendant of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

V. Heber, . . .

A. Heber was a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

VI. Ishmerai, . . .

A. Ishmerai was a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)



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VII. Izliah (Jizliah, Jezliah), and . . .

A. Izliah was a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

VIII. Jobab.

A. Jobab was a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:19-21, Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,

Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. (NET)

I. The sons of Shimei (Shimhi, Shema) were:

A. Shimei was a descendant of Benjamin and head of a family in

Aijalon. (Youngblood)

II. Jakim, . . .

A. Jakim was a son of Shimei, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

III. Zicri, (Zichri), . . .

A. Zicri was a son of Shimei, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

IV. Zabdi, . . .

A. Zabdi was a son of Shemei, a Benjamite.

V. Elienai, . . .

A. Elienai was a son of Shimei, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

VI. Zillethai (Zilthai), . . .

A. Zillethai was a son of Shimei, a Benjamite.



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VII. Eliel, . . .

A. Eliel was a son of Shimei, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

VIII. Adaiah, . . .

A. Adaiah was a son of Shimei of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

IX. Beraiah and . . .

A. Beraiah was a son of Shimei of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

X. Shimrath.

A. Shimrath was the ninth son of Shemei, of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:22-25, Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zikri, Hanan,

Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons

of Shashak. (NET)

I. The sons of Shashak were: . . .

A. Shashak was a Benjamite and an ancestor of King Saul and a

son of Beriah.

II. Ishpan, . . .

A. Ishpan was a Benjamite, and a son of Shashak.

III. Eber, . . .



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A. This Eber was a Benjamite, and a son of Shashak.

(Youngblood)

B. Apparently there are two men in this genealogy named Eber,

one referenced in verse 12 and another referenced in verse 22.

(Youngblood)

IV. Eliel, . . .

A. This Eliel was a Benjamite, and a son of Shashak. (2

Chronicles 8:22) (Youngblood)

B. Another Eliel named in this genealogy was a son of Shimei. (1

Chronicles 8:20) (Youngblood)

V. Abdon, . . .

A. Abdon was a Benjamite, and a son of Shashak.

VI. Zieri (Zichri), . . .

A. This Zichri was a Benjamite, a son of Shashak.

B. Two other men by this same name are found in the genealogy

presented in chapter 8, one was a son of Shimei and the other a son

of Jeroham.

VII. Hanan, . . .

A. Hanan was a son of Shashak and a chief of the tribe of

Benjamin. (Youngblood)

VIII. Hananiah, . . .



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A. Hananiah was a son of Shaskak of the tribe of Benjamin.

(Youngblood)

IX. Elam, . . .

A. Elam was a son of Shashak, a Benjamite. (See Youngblood.)

X. Anthothijah, . . .

A. Anthothijah was a Benjamite, a son of Shashak.

XI. Iphdeiah (Iphedeiah), . . .

A. Iphdeiah was a Benjamite, a son of Shashak.

XII. Penuel.

A. Penuel was a Benjamite, a son of Shashak.

1 Chronicles 8:26, 27, Shamsherai, Shechariah, Athaliah,

Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zikri were the sons of Jeroham. (NET)

I. The sons of Jeroham were: . . .

A. Jeroham was the head of a Banjamite family.

II. Shamsherai, . . .

A. Shamsherai was a son of Jeroham, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

III. Shehariah, . . .

A. Shehariah was a Benjamite, a son of Jeroham.

IV. Athaliah, . . .



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A. Athaliah was a son of Jeroham, a Benjamite. (Youngblood)

V. Jaareshiah (Jaresiah), . . .

A. Jaareshiah was a Benjamite, a son of Jeroham.

VI. Elijah and . . .

A. This Elijah, not to be confused with the famous Old Testament

prophet of the same name, was a Benjamite, a son of Jeroham.

(See Youngblood)

VII. Zicri (Zichri), . . .

A. This Zicri was a son of Jeroham, a Benjamite.

B. In this genealogy two other people are listed with this same

name, one the son of Shimei and the second the son of Shashak.

(Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:28, These were the family leaders listed in the

genealogical records; they lived in Jerusalem. (NET)

I. All these were heads of families, chiefs as listed in their genealogy,

and they lived in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 8:29-32, The father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon; his

wife’s name was Maacah. His firstborn son was Abdon, followed by

Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zeker, and Mikloth. Mikloth

was the father of Shimeah. They also lived near their relatives in

Jerusalem. (NET)

I. Jeiel (Jehiel) was the father of Gibeon.



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A. Jeiel was a Benjamite and an ancestor of King Saul.

II. Jeiel (See AKJV) lived in Gibeon.

A. Gibeon was located 5 miles NW of Jerusalem.

B. Joshua 9 gives the account of the Gibeonite ploy to save

themselves in the days of Joshua.

1. Joshua 9:1-27, When the news reached all the kings on

the west side of the Jordan—in the hill country, the

lowlands, and all along the Mediterranean coast as far as

Lebanon (including the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites,

Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)—they formed an

alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel. When the

residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and

Ai, they did something clever. They collected some

provisions and put worn-out sacks on their donkeys,

along with worn-out wineskins that were ripped and

patched. They had worn-out, patched sandals on their

feet and dressed in worn-out clothes. All their bread was

dry and hard. They came to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal

and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come

from a distant land. Make a treaty with us.” The men of

Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live near us. So

how can we make a treaty with you?” But they said to

Joshua, “We are willing to be your subjects.” So Joshua

said to them, “Who are you and where do you come

from?” They told him, “Your subjects have come from a

very distant land because of the reputation of the Lord

your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in

Egypt and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the

other side of the Jordan—King Sihon of Heshbon and

King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth. Our leaders and all who

live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey



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and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your

subjects. Make a treaty with us.”’ This bread of ours was

warm when we packed it in our homes the day we started

out to meet you, but now it is dry and hard. These

wineskins we filled were brand new, but look how they

have ripped. Our clothes and sandals have worn out

because it has been a very long journey.” The men

examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask

the Lord’s advice. Joshua made a peace treaty with them

and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community

sealed it with an oath. Three days after they made the

treaty with them, the Israelites found out they were from

the local area and lived nearby. So the Israelites set out

and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon,

Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. The Israelites did

not attack them because the leaders of the community

had sworn an oath to them in the name of the Lord God

of Israel. The whole community criticized the leaders, but

all the leaders told the whole community, “We swore an

oath to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel. So

now we can’t hurt them! We must let them live so we can

escape the curse attached to the oath we swore to them.”

The leaders then added, “Let them live.” So they became

woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community,

as the leaders had decided. Joshua summoned the

Gibeonites and said to them, “Why did you trick us by

saying, ‘We live far away from you,’ when you really live

nearby? Now you are condemned to perpetual servitude

as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my

God.” They said to Joshua, “It was carefully reported to

your subjects how the Lord your God commanded Moses

his servant to assign you the whole land and to destroy all

who live in the land from before you. Because of you we

were terrified we would lose our lives, so we did this

thing. So now we are in your power. Do to us what you



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think is good and appropriate.” Joshua did as they said;

he kept the Israelites from killing them and that day

made them woodcutters and water carriers for the

community and for the altar of the Lord at the divinely

chosen site. (They continue in that capacity to this very

day.) (NET)

III. Jeil’s wife’s name was Maacah (Maachah).

IV. Jeiel’s firstborn son by Maacah was Abdon, followed by . . .

A. Abdon was a Benjamite and a son of Jeiel.

V. Zur, . . .

A. Zur was a Benjamite and a son of Jeiel.

VI. Kish, . . .

A. Kish was a Benjamite, a son of Jeiel and father of King Saul.

VII. Baal, . . .

A. Baal was a Benjamaite and son of Jeiel.

B. Baal was the name of a Canaanite fertility god.

1. Why would an Israelite name his son Baal?

VIII. Ner, . . .

A. Ner was a Benjamite and son of Jeiel.

B. Ner was father of Abnes, King Saul’s commander-in-chief.

(Youngblood)



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1. 1 Samuel 14:50, 51, The name of Saul’s wife was

Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the

general in command of his army was Abner son of Ner,

Saul’s uncle. Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the

father of Abner was the son of Abiel. (NET)

IX. Nadub, . . .

A. Nadab was a Benjamite, a son of Jeiel and Maacah.

X. Gedor, . . .

A. Gedor was a Benjamite, a son of Jeiel.

XI. Ahio, . . .

A. Ahio was a Benjamite and a son of Jeiel and Maacah.

XII. Zeker (Zecher, Azcher) and . . .

A. Zeker is a form of the name Zechariah. (Youngblood)

1. 1 Chronicles 9:37, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and

Mikloth. (NET)

B. Zeker was a Benjamite, a son of Jeiel and Maacah.

(Youngblood)

XIII. Mikloth, . . .

A. Mikloth was a Benjamite, a son of Jeiel.

XIV. Who (Mikloth) was the father of Shimeah (Shimea).



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A. Shimeah was a Benjamite, son of Mikloth and grandson of

Jeiel.

B. Shimeah is also called Shimeam. (Youngblood)

1. 1 Chronicles 9:38, Mikloth was the father of Shimeam.

They also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem. (NET)

XV. They (Mikloth, Shimeam and their relatives) too lived in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 8:33, Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish was the

father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua,

Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (NET)

I. Ner was the father of . . .

II. Kish who was the father of . . .

III. Saul who was the father of . . .

IV. Jonathan, . . .

A. Jonathan was a son of Saul and close friend of David who died

on Mt. Gilboa in a battle with the Philistines.

V. Malki-Shua (Malchi-Shua, Melchi-Shua), . . .

A. Malki-Shua, a son of Saul, was killed on Mt. Gilboa in a battle

with the Philistines. (Bromiley)

VI. Abinadab and . . .

A. Abinadab was a son of Saul slain at Mount Gilboa by the

Philistines. (Youngblood)



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1. 1 Samuel 31:2, The Philistines stayed right on the heels

of Saul and his sons. They struck down Saul’s sons

Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua. (NET)

2. 1 Chronicles 10:2, The Philistines stayed right on the

heels of Saul and his sons. They struck down Saul’s sons

Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua. (NET)

VII. Esh-Baal.

A. Esh-Baal, also known as Ishbosheth, was a son of King Saul.

(Youngblood)

B. Esh-Baal was in line to become king had David not become

God’s anointed. (Youngblood)

1. 1 Chronicles 9:39, Ner was the father of Kish, and Kish

was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan,

Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. (NET)

2. 2 Samuel 2:8-15, Now Abner son of Ner, the general in

command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish-

bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim. He

appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel,

Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. Ish-bosheth son of

Saul was forty years old when he began to rule over

Israel. He ruled two years. However, the people of Judah

followed David. David was king in Hebron over the

people of Judah for seven and a half years. Then Abner

son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul

went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah

and the servants of David also went out and confronted

them at the pool of Gibeon. One group stationed

themselves on one side of the pool, and the other group on

the other side of the pool. Abner said to Joab, “Let the



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soldiers get up and fight before us.” Joab said, “So be it!”

So they got up and crossed over by number: twelve

belonging to Benjamin and to Ish-bosheth son of Saul,

and twelve from the servants of David. (NET)

1 Chronicles 8:34, The son of Jonathan: Meribbaal. Meribbaal was

the father of Micah. (NET)

I. Jonathan was the father of . . .

II. Merib-Baal, who was the father of . . .

A. Merib-Baal, son of Jonathan, is also known as Mephibosheth.

(Youngblood)

1. 2 Samuel 9:1-13, Then David asked, “Is anyone still left

from the family of Saul, so that I may extend kindness to

him for the sake of Jonathan?” Now there was a servant

from Saul’s house named Ziba, so he was summoned to

David. The king asked him, “Are you Ziba?” He replied,

“At your service.” The king asked, “Is there not someone

left from Saul’s family, that I may extend God’s kindness

to him?” Ziba said to the king, “One of Jonathan’s sons is

left; both of his feet are crippled.” The king asked him,

“Where is he?” Ziba told the king, “He is at the house of

Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar. So King David had

him brought from the house of Makir son of Ammiel in

Lo Debar. When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son

of Saul, came to David, he bowed low with his face toward

the ground. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He replied,

“Yes, at your service.” David said to him, “Don’t be

afraid, because I will certainly extend kindness to you for

the sake of Jonathan your father. I will give back to you

all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and

you will be a regular guest at my table.” Then



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Mephibosheth bowed and said, “Of what importance am

I, your servant, that you show regard for a dead dog like

me?” Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s attendant,

and said to him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and to

his entire house I hereby give to your master’s grandson.

You will cultivate the land for him—you and your sons

and your servants. You will bring its produce and it will

be food for your master’s grandson to eat. But

Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will be a regular

guest at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty

servants.) Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do

everything that my lord the king has instructed his

servant to do.” So Mephibosheth was a regular guest at

David’s table, just as though he were one of the king’s

sons. Now Mephibosheth had a young son whose name

was Mica. All the members of Ziba’s household were

Mephibosheth’s servants. Mephibosheth was living in

Jerusalem, for he was a regular guest at the king’s table.

But both his feet were crippled. (NET)

B. Mephibosheth was only 5 years old when his father, Jonathan,

and his grandfather, Saul, were killed on Mt. Gilboa.

(Youngblood)

1. 2 Samuel 4:4, Now Saul’s son Jonathan had a son who

was crippled in both feet. He was five years old when the

news about Saul and Jonathan arrived from Jezreel. His

nurse picked him up and fled, but in her haste to get

away, he fell and was injured. Mephibosheth was his

name. (NET)

III. Micah.

A. Micah, son of Merib-baal (Mephibosheth), was aBenjamite, son

of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul.



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1 Chronicles 8:35-37, The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea,

and Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah was

the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of

Moza, and Moza was the father of Binea. His son was Raphah,

whose son was Eleasah, whose son was Azel. (NET)

I. Micah was the father of . . .

II. Pithon, . . .

A. Pithon was a Benjamite, son of Micah. (Youngblood)

III. Melech, . . .

A. Melech was a Benjamite, son of Micah and a descendant of

King Saul. (Youngblood)

IV. Tarea (Tahrea) and . . .

A. Tarea was a Benjamite, son of Micah and a descendant of Saul.

(Youngblood)

V. Ahaz.

A. Ahaz was a Benjamite, son of Micah and a descendant of Saul.

VI. Ahaz was the father of . . .

VII. Jehoaddah (Jehoadah) who was the father of . . .

A. Jehoaddah, a Benjamite, also known as Jasah, with son of Ahaz,

descendant of King Saul. (Youngblood)

VIII. Alemeth . . .



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A. Alemeth, a Benjamite, was son of Jehoaddah and descendant of

Jonathan and King Saul. (Youngblood)

IX. Azmaveth and . . .

A. Azmaveth, a Benjamite, was son of Jehoaddah and descendant

of Jonathan and King Saul. (Youngblood)

X. Zimri who was the father of . . .

A. Zimri, a Benjamite, was son of Jehoaddah and descendant of

Jonathan and King Saul. (Youngblood)

XI. Moza who was the father of . . .

A. Moza, son of Aimri of the tribe of Benjamin, a descendant of

King Saul.

XII. Binea who was the father of . . .

A. Binea was a Benjamite and son of Moza.

XIII. Raphah (Rapha) who was the father of . . .

A. Raphah was a Benjamite, son of Binea who is also known as

Rephaiah. (Youngblood)

XIV. Eleasah who was the father of . . .

A. Eleasah was a Benjamite, son of Raphah and a descendant of

King Saul.

XV. Azel.



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A. Azel was a Benjamite, a son of Eleasah and a descendant of

King Saul through Jonathan. (Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:38, Azel had six sons: Azrikam his firstborn, followed

by Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons

of Azel. (NET)

I. Azel had six sons; viz.,

A. Azel’s sons are listed here and in 1 Chronicles 9:44, Azel had

six sons: Azrikam his firstborn, followed by Ishmael, Sheariah,

Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel. (NET)

II. Azrikam, . . .

A. Azrikam was the oldest son of Azel and a descendant of King

Saul.

III. Bokeru (Bocheru), . . .

A. Bokeru was one of six sons of Azel and a Benjamite.

(Youngblood)

IV. Ishmael, . . .

A. Ishmael was a Benjamite, one of Azel’s six sons. (Youngblood)

V. Sheariah, . . .

A. Sheariah was a Benjamite, a son of Azel and a descendant of


VI. Obadiah and . . .

A. Obadiah was a Benjamite, a son of Azel. (Youngblood)



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VII. Hanan.

A. Hanan was a Benjamite, a son of Azel. (Youngblood)

1 Chronicles 8:39, 40, The sons of his brother Eshek:Ulam was his

firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third. The sons of Ulam were

warriors who were adept archers. They had many sons and

grandsons, a total of 150. All these were the descendants of

Benjamin. (NET)

I. Eshek, Azel’s brother, was the father of:

A. Eshek was a Benjamite, brother of Azell and a descendant of

King Saul through Jonathan. (Youngblood)

II. Ulam his firstborn, . . .

A. Ulam was the firstborn son of Eshek, a Benjamite.

B. The sons of Ulam were “mighty men of valor – archers.”

1 Chronicles 8:40, The sons of Ulam were warriors who were adept

archers. They had many sons and grandsons, a total of 150. All these

were the descendants of Benjamin. (NET)

III. Jeusk (Jehush) his second born, and . . .

A. Jeusk was the second son of Eshek, a Benjamite descendant of


IV. Eliphelet his third born.

A. Eliphelet was Eshek’s third son, a Benjamite descendant of




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V. The son of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow.

VI. They had many sons and grandsons – 150 in all.

VII. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.

Conclusion:

I. Coffman attributes the extensive Benjamite genealogy to their loyalty

to David and his dynasty.

II. “All the names given thus far in Chronicles belonged to persons of

Pre-exilic Israel.” (Coffman)

A. 1 Chronicles 9:1 separates and connects pre-exilic and post-

exilic Israel. (Coffman)

1. 1 Chronicles 9:1, Genealogical records were kept for all

Israel; they are recorded in the Scroll of the Kings of

Israel. The people of Judah were carried away to Babylon

because of their unfaithfulness. (NET)



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Questions

on

1 Chronicles 8:1-39

(Questions based on NET text.)

1. What is the prime purpose of the genealogy as given in 1 Chronicles

8? _______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2. Trace the ancestry and descendancy of King Saul from Benjamin

through verse 40 giving father, son, grandson, etc. _________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. Compare and contrast the genealogical records for Benjamin as given

in 1 Chronicles 7:6-12, 1 Chronicles 8:1-40 and 1 Chronicles 9:35-44.

Why the duplications? _______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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4. Why is emphasis placed in 1 Chronicles on Judah, Levi and

Benjamin? Where in Chronicles do we find the lineage of Dan? Why is

this the case? ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5. This _______________ _____________ of _____________ spans

_______________ _____________ and reaches into the _____________

period.

6. Into what two sections can 1 Chronicles 8 be divided? ____________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

7. What is the significance of 1 Chronicles 9:1 in regard to these

genealogical records? ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

8. List ten (10) persons found in this list that are well known elsewhere

in the Bible and give historical facts about each. __________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________



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__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

9. Which is emphasized more in these genealogical records? Why is this

the case? __________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

10. Why is it difficult to identify some people whose names appear in

these genealogical records? ___________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

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