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 there are sons to Bela: Addar, and Gera,
4 and Abihud, and Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5 and Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6 And these `are' sons of Ehud: they are heads of fathers to the inhabitants of Geba, and they remove them unto Manahath;
7 and Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza and Ahihud.
8 And Shaharaim begat in the field of Moab, after his sending them away; Hushim and Baara `are' his wives.
9 And he begetteth of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10 and Jeuz, and Shachiah, and Mirmah. These `are' his sons, heads of fathers.
11 And of Hushim he begat Ahitub and Elpaal.
12 And sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misheam, and Shamer, (he built Ono and Lod and its small towns),
13 and Beriah and Shema, (they `are' the heads of fathers to the inhabitants of Aijalon -- they caused to flee the inhabitants of Gath),
14 and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15 and Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16 and Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, sons of Beriah,
17 and Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18 and Ishmerai, and Jezliah, and Jobab, sons of Elpaal;
19 And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20 and Elienai, and Zillethai, and Eliel,
21 and Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, sons of Shimei;
22 And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23 and Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24 and Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25 and Iphedeiah, and Penuel, sons of Shashak;
26 And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27 and Jaareshiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, sons of Jeroham.
28 These `are' heads of fathers, by their generations, heads; these dwelt in Jerusalem.
29 And in Gibeon hath the father of Gibeon dwelt, and the name of his wife `is' Maachah;
30 and his son, the first-born, `is' Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31 and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher;
32 and Mikloth begat Shimeah. And they also over-against their brethren dwelt in Jerusalem with their brethren.
33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-Shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
34 And a son of Jonathan `is' Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begat Micah;
35 and sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz:
36 and Ahaz begat Jehoadah, and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37 and Moza begat Binea, Raphah `is' his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38 And to Azel `are' six sons, and these `are' their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these `are' sons of Azel.
39 And sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 And the sons of Ulam are men mighty in valour, treading bow, and multiplying sons and son's sons, a hundred and fifty. All these `are' 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.