Introduction
This chapter is entirely dedicated to the descendants of Benjamin. These descendants have already been discussed by the chronicler in the previous chapter (1Chr 7:6-12). Here he does so more extensively, because he is working toward a special descendant, Saul, the predecessor of David. The ancestors and also the descendants of Saul are listed.
1 - 28 Descendants of Benjamin
1 And Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth and Rapha the fifth. 3 Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan and Huram. 6 These are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of fathers’ [households] of the inhabitants of Geba, and they carried them into exile to Manahath, 7 namely, Naaman, Ahijah and Gera—he carried them into exile; and he became the father of Uzza and Ahihud. 8 Shaharaim became the father of children in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives. 9 By Hodesh his wife he became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers’ [households]. 11 By Hushim he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal [were] Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns; 13 and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of fathers’ [households] of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who put to flight the inhabitants of Gath; 14 and Ahio, Shashak and Jeremoth. 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ishpah and Joha [were] the sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai, Izliah and Jobab [were] the sons of Elpaal. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah and Shimrath [were] the sons of Shimei. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25 Iphdeiah and Penuel [were] the sons of Shashak. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah and Zichri [were] the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were heads of the fathers’ [households] according to their generations, chief men who lived in Jerusalem.
In these verses it is about the heads of the family in connection with Jerusalem (verse 28; cf. verse 32). The tribe of Benjamin is the tribe that lives closest to Jerusalem. The descendants surround the city on three sides.
Ehud (verse 6) is the man who killed Eglon, king of the Moabites, and delivered the people from the Moabites (Jdg 3:12-30).
In verse 13 we read about family heads who expelled the inhabitants of Gath. The powerful performance of these family heads contrasts with the descendants of Ephraim who are killed by the men of Gath (1Chr 7:21).
29 - 40 The Lineage of Saul
29 Now in Gibeon, [Jeiel], the father of Gibeon lived, and his wife’s name was Maacah; 30 and his firstborn son [was] Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio and Zecher. 32 Mikloth became the father of Shimeah. And they also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem opposite their [other] relatives. 33 Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal. 34 The son of Jonathan [was] Merib-baal, and Merib-baal became the father of Micah. 35 The sons of Micah [were] Pithon, Melech, Tarea and Ahaz. 36 Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri; and Zimri became the father of Moza. 37 Moza became the father of Binea; Raphah [was] his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38 Azel had six sons, and these [were] their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All these [were] the sons of Azel. 39 The sons of Eshek his brother [were] Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second and Eliphelet the third. 40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, 150 [of them]. All these [were] of the sons of Benjamin.
Here we have the genealogy of Saul. It is the bridge to the history of David.
It is again noted that the descendants of Benjamin mentioned here, that is here the ancestry of Saul, live in Jerusalem, “opposite their [other] relatives” (verse 32; cf. verse 28). Jerusalem is mentioned here as their place of residence to motivate the returnees from the Babylonian exile to go back to Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it appears that few were prepared to do so. The lot must determine who is to live there (cf. Neh 11:1-4).
Merib-baal (verse 34) is Mephibosheth. ‘Baal’ in the name Merib-baal means ‘lord’. ‘Bosheth’ in the name Mephibosheth means ‘shame’.
Also in the lineage of Saul is referred to “mighty men of valor” (verse 40; 1Chr 7:7,9,11). The tribe of Benjamin is characterized by combativeness, as it resounds in what Jacob noted in his prophetic address to his sons about Benjamin (Gen 49:27).