1 Chronicles 8:1-40
Benjamin's House
1Benjamin was the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, 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 living in 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. They too lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem.
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Benjamin's descendants are traced through several generations. The record names the family of Saul, including Jonathan, Merib-baal, Micah, and the later sons who came from them. Saul's failure as king does not cause every member of his family to disappear from Israel's memory.
The list moves through chiefs, warriors, and families who lived in Jerusalem and other towns. Some households are described by their ability to fight; others are remembered simply through their sons. The community is made visible through both public strength and domestic continuity.
Several names appear in related branches, showing how easily a genealogy can carry more than one line at once. The writer is not giving us a complete biography of every person. He is preserving the connections that mattered for the community's identity after the kingdom's upheaval.
Remembering Saul's family beside the tribes and clans is significant. A failed ruler is not allowed to become the only thing people know about everyone connected to him. Judgment may be real, yet descendants still bear names, responsibilities, and a place among God's people.
Questions
1 Whose family is included in Benjamin's record?
AnswerSaul's family is included, along with many other Benjaminite clans, chiefs, and warriors.
2 Which of Jonathan's descendants is named?
AnswerMerib-baal and his son Micah are named among Jonathan's descendants.
3 What kinds of people appear in the list?
AnswerChiefs, warriors, household members, and families living in various towns all appear.
4 What does Saul's family still possess after his failure?
AnswerHis descendants still have names, family connections, and a recognized place among the people of Israel.
What This Means for Us
We are often tempted to reduce people to the worst decision made by a parent, leader, or relative. Scripture remembers consequences without making every descendant carry the same verdict.
Let your household practice a more careful kind of judgment. Tell the truth about harm, but do not deny another person's dignity or possibility because of someone else's failure.
Prayer
God of mercy and truth, keep us from inherited shame and careless judgment. Help us name sin honestly while treating each person as responsible for his or her own choices and worthy of care. Amen.