1 Chronicles 8

King James Version

Full text for 1 Chronicles Chapter 8

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

2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

3And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,

4And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,

5And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.

6And these [are] the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:

7And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.

8And Shaharaim begat [children] in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara [were] his wives.

9And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,

10And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These [were] his sons, heads of the fathers.

11And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.

12The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:

13Beriah also, and Shema, who [were] heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:

14And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,

15And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,

16And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;

17And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,

18Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;

19And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,

20And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,

21And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;

22And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,

23And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,

24And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,

25And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;

26And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,

27And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.

28These [were] heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief [men]. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

29And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name [was] Maachah:

30And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,

31And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.

32And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

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

34And the son of Jonathan [was] Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah.

35And the sons of Micah [were], Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.

36And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,

37And Moza begat Binea: Rapha [was] his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:

38And 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.

39And the sons of Eshek his brother [were], Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

First Chronicles chapter 8 primarily details the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. It begins by listing Benjamin's sons and tracing various family lines, including those who settled in specific towns like Ono and Lod. The chapter culminates with a detailed lineage of King Saul, tracing his descendants through Jonathan and Meribbaal, highlighting their dwelling places and some notable individuals.

Medium Summary

Chapter 8 of 1 Chronicles meticulously records the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin, beginning with Benjamin's immediate sons and their descendants. It traces the lineage of various family heads, noting their settlements and some significant actions, such as Elpaal's sons who built Ono and Lod, and Beriah's descendants who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. The chapter identifies several families as heads of fathers who dwelt in Jerusalem. A significant portion is dedicated to the lineage of the father of Gibeon, whose family also resided in Jerusalem. The chapter concludes with a detailed genealogy of King Saul, starting from Ner, through Kish, Saul himself, and then through Jonathan and Meribbaal, down to Azel and his six sons, and Eshek's sons, including Ulam, whose descendants were renowned archers and numerous.

Long Summary

First Chronicles chapter 8 provides an extensive genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin, commencing with Benjamin's five sons: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, and Rapha. The text then elaborates on the descendants of Bela, listing several family heads. It continues by detailing the sons of Ehud, who were heads of fathers in Geba and were later removed to Manahath. The lineage of Shaharaim is presented, noting his wives and the children he begat in Moab, including those by Hodesh and Hushim. The chapter highlights the sons of Elpaal, such as Eber, Misham, and Shamed, who were responsible for building the cities of Ono and Lod with their associated towns. Beriah and Shema are also noted as heads of fathers in Aijalon, distinguished for driving away the inhabitants of Gath. Further lists of Benjaminite families follow, including the sons of Beriah, Elpaal, Shimhi, Shashak, and Jeroham, many of whom are identified as chief men and heads of fathers dwelling in Jerusalem. The narrative then shifts to the family of the father of Gibeon, whose wife was Maachah, listing his sons and noting their residence in Gibeon and later in Jerusalem alongside their brethren. A prominent section of the chapter is dedicated to the royal lineage of King Saul. It traces his ancestry from Ner, through Kish, and then details Saul's own sons: Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. The line continues through Jonathan's son, Meribbaal, and then to Micah and his sons. The genealogy proceeds through Ahaz, Jehoadah, Zimri, Moza, Binea, Rapha, and Eleasah, culminating with Azel and his six sons. Finally, the chapter mentions Eshek, Azel's brother, and his three sons, Ulam, Jehush, and Eliphelet, emphasizing that Ulam's sons were mighty men of valour, skilled archers, and had a numerous progeny, totaling one hundred and fifty, all belonging to the tribe of Benjamin.

Core Concepts

  • Benjaminite GenealogiesThe primary focus of the chapter is to meticulously list the descendants of Benjamin, detailing various family lines and their heads, establishing their tribal identity and lineage.
  • Settlement and TerritoryThe chapter notes specific towns and regions associated with Benjaminite families, such as Geba, Manahath, Ono, Lod, Aijalon, Gibeon, and Jerusalem, indicating their geographical distribution and historical presence.
  • Heads of FathersThis term frequently appears, identifying the leading figures or patriarchs of various Benjaminite families, who held significant positions within their respective clans and generations.
  • King Saul's LineageA significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to tracing the royal line of King Saul, from his ancestors through his sons and subsequent descendants, providing a genealogical link to the first king of Israel.
  • Mighty Men of ValourThe chapter concludes by highlighting a specific group, the sons of Ulam, who were distinguished as 'mighty men of valour' and skilled archers, indicating their military prowess within the tribe.
  • Family MigrationThe text mentions instances of families being 'removed' or dwelling in different locations, such as the inhabitants of Geba to Manahath, and Shaharaim's children in Moab, illustrating movements within the tribe.