1 Chronicles
Summary
A more detailed focus on the tribe of Benjamin is provided, tracing their lineages back to the earliest inhabitants of Geba and Gibeon. This chapter specifically highlights the family tree that led to Kish and his son, King Saul, the first monarch of Israel. It serves to establish the historical background of the Benjamite dynasty before the narrative shifts to the transition of the kingdom to the house of David.
Now Benjamin begot Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,
Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
The sons of Bela were Addar, Gera, Abihud,
Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
These are the sons of Ehud, who were the heads of the father’s houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and who were exiled to Manahath:
Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera; he exiled them and begot Uzza and Ahihud.
Shaharaim begot children in the country of Moab, after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives.
By Hodesh his wife he begot Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
Jeuz, Shachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of their father’s houses.
And by Hushim he begot Abitub and Elpaal.
The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns;
and Beriah and Shema, who were heads of the father’s houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath.
Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth,
Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah.
Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
Ishmerai, Jizliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal.
Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak.
Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham.
These were heads of the father’s houses, leaders throughout their generations. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
The father of Gibeon dwelt in Gibeon, and his wife’s name was Maachah.
And his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher.
And Mikloth begot Shimeah. They also dwelt alongside their brothers in Jerusalem.
Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.
The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza.
Moza begot Binea, Raphah his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
Azel had six sons whose names were these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
And the sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.