BOOK 13 OF 66 · HISTORY · KING JAMES BIBLE

1 Chronicles 8

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1 Chronicles 8 Overview

First Chronicles 8 gives a more detailed genealogy of Benjamin and especially the family of Saul. The chapter traces Benjaminite clans and eventually names Kish, Saul, Jonathan, and later descendants. Its placement is strategic: the genealogical section is about to give way to narrative, and the reader is prepared to meet Saul’s house again.

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Before you read 1 Chronicles 8

Coming from

Chapter 7 surveyed several tribes, including a shorter Benjaminite genealogy.

In this chapter

This chapter expands Benjamin’s genealogy and concentrates increasingly on Saul’s family.

Leads into

Chapter 9 describes inhabitants of restored Jerusalem and then repeats Saul’s family line immediately before the account of Saul’s death in chapter 10.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The repeated attention to Benjamin and Saul is not pointless duplication. It links the genealogical record to the historical narrative that follows. Saul is not introduced as an isolated failure; he comes from a defined tribe and family and stands within Israel’s real history.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

Saul’s kingship is rooted in the tribe of Benjamin and a traceable family line.

Truth 2

Genealogies can function as narrative preparation, not merely archival lists.

Truth 3

Jonathan’s descendants continue beyond his own death, preserving the memory of Saul’s house.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

First Samuel 9 introduces Saul as a Benjaminite son of Kish.

Connection 2

First Samuel 14 and 31 identify Jonathan as Saul’s son and describe his role in Saul’s house.

Connection 3

Second Samuel 9 records David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Do not read the repeated genealogy as a contradiction simply because names may be arranged differently from other lists.

Keep this clear 2

Saul’s later failure should not cause the reader to dismiss every member of his family as wicked.

Keep this clear 3

Genealogical descent does not guarantee spiritual faithfulness.

Read 1 Chronicles 8 watching for…

The Benjaminite family groups.

Where the genealogy begins to focus on Saul.

The appearance of Jonathan and later descendants.

How the chapter prepares for the coming Saul narrative.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-12The families of Benjamin are traced through Bela, Ehud, Shaharaim, and Elpaal 13-28More Benjamite families and chiefs living in Jerusalem are listed 29-32The household of Gibeon is recorded 33-40The line of Saul and Jonathan is traced through later generations

Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,

And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.

And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:

And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.

And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.

And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,

And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.

And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.

The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:

Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:

And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,

And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,

And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;

And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,

Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;

And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,

And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,

And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;

And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,

And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,

And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,

And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;

And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,

And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.

These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:

And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.

And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.

And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.

And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,

And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:

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

And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

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1 Chronicles 8:16

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