1 Chronicles 8

Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,

Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,

Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,

Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

These are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, who were carried captive to Manahath:

Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them captive; and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives.

By Hodesh his wife, he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ households.

By Hushim, he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal.

The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns;

and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath;

and Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,

Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,

Michael, Ishpah, Joha, the sons of Beriah,

Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, the sons of Elpaal,

Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,

Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,

Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath, the sons of Shimei,

Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,

Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,

Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,

Iphdeiah, Penuel, the sons of Shashak,

Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,

Jaareshiah, Elijah, Zichri, and the sons of Jeroham.

These were heads of fathers’ households throughout their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.

The father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon

with his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,

Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,

and Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their families in Jerusalem, near their relatives.

Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.

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

Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.

Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.

The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter continues the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, expanding on earlier listings and tracing key family lines from Benjamin’s son Bela down to the time of Saul, Israel’s first king. It focuses especially on the descendants who settled in Jerusalem and surrounding towns, highlighting their leadership roles and military stature, and culminates in the lineage leading from Ner to Saul and then to Jonathan and his posterity, setting the stage for the transition to David’s reign.

Flow.

Begins with the descendants of Benjamin through Bela and other sons, tracing several family lines.
Moves to the sons of Ehud and Shaharaim, noting settlements in Geba, Ono, Lod, and Aijalon, along with military achievements.
Records the lineage of Elpaal and his numerous descendants, emphasizing their roles as leaders and builders of towns.
Concludes with the line from Ner through Kish to Saul and his sons, especially Jonathan and his son Merib-baal (Mephibosheth), and then to Micah’s descendants, ending with the mighty men of Ulam.

Connections.
Following chapter 7, which details the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin (partially), Dan, Naphtali, and the Transjordanian tribes, chapter 8 returns to complete the genealogy of Benjamin with greater depth, particularly emphasizing its connection to Saul. This prepares for chapter 9, which lists the returning exiles who settled in Jerusalem, many of whom are drawn from the very families enumerated here. The placement of Saul’s lineage at the end of the chapter serves as a bridge: while the genealogies are largely about continuity and restoration, Saul’s line now recedes, making way for David, whose reign and dynasty will dominate the rest of the book.

What it teaches.
This chapter underscores God’s faithfulness in preserving the identities and inheritances of the tribes, particularly Benjamin, in fulfillment of His covenant promises to maintain a structured and ordered people (WCF 7.4; Num. 26:55). The detailed listing of families, towns, and roles—even noting military valor and numerous offspring—reflects God’s blessing on faithful stewardship of land and lineage (WCF 6.1). The mention of Saul’s descendants, though now out of royal power, shows that God does not forget any branch of His people, even as His redemptive plan advances through another line. The emphasis on Jerusalem as a dwelling place reinforces the city’s emerging centrality in Israel’s worship and governance, aligning with God’s purpose to establish a dwelling place for His Name (HC LD 10).

Apply.
Families and communities endure not by political power but by faithful presence in the places God appoints.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.