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1 Chronicles 8

1 Chronicles 8 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Chronicles 8 lists Benjamin's descendants, local clan leaders, and the family line that leads to Saul. It may feel like a long register, but it preserves the tribal roots behind Israel's early monarchy and shows how families, places, and leadership were tied together.

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What happens in 1 Chronicles 8?

This chapter follows Benjamin's genealogy through many family branches, naming heads of households, settlers in Jerusalem, and people connected to nearby towns such as Gibeon and Ono. It also notes some movements, including exile and resettlement, and briefly mentions those who built or drove out other inhabitants. The final section narrows to Saul's line, tracing his father Kish, his sons, Jonathan and the others, and the later descendants of Jonathan and his family. The chapter closes with Benjaminite warriors known for skill and strength.

1 Chronicles begins by arranging Israel's history around family lines, worship, and the people who belonged to the covenant community. Chapter 8 continues the tribal record of Benjamin after the earlier listings in chapter 7, and it prepares for the account of Saul in the next chapter. By naming these families, the writer connects Israel's past, its towns, and its first king.

Themes to notice

  • Family recordsThe chapter preserves Benjamin's descendants to show continuity across generations.
  • Jerusalem and nearby townsSeveral clans are linked with Jerusalem, Gibeon, and surrounding places.
  • Saul's ancestryThe final section traces the family line that leads to Israel's first king.

Questions for 1 Chronicles 8

  • Why does the writer give so much space to Benjamin's family lines in this chapter?
  • What do the mentions of Jerusalem, Gibeon, and nearby towns suggest about Benjamin's role in Israel?
  • How does the genealogy of Saul prepare you for the next chapter?

Read the full text of 1 Chronicles 8 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Chronicles 8

Genealogy from Benjamin to Saul

1Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was the second born, Aharah the third,2Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.

3The sons of Bela:

Addar, Gera, Abihud,

4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,5Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.

6These were the descendants of Ehud who were the heads of the families living in Geba and were exiled to Manahath:

7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, who carried them into exile and who was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.

8Shaharaim had sons in the country of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.

9His sons by his wife Hodesh:

Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,

10Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families.

11He also had sons by Hushim:

Abitub and Elpaal.

12The sons of Elpaal:

Eber, Misham, Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its villages),

13and Beriah and Shema (who were the heads of families of the inhabitants of Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath).

14Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,

15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,16Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.

17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,

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

19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,

20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,21Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.

22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,

23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,25Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.

26Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,

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

28All these were heads of families, the chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem.

29Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah,

30and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,32and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. These also lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem.

The Family of Saul

33Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.

34The son of Jonathan:

Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

35The sons of Micah:

Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.

36Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.

37Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.

38Azel had six sons, and these were their names:

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

39The sons of his brother Eshek:

Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third.

40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and they had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.

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