1 Chronicles 8-10: Genealogy of Saul

Thoughts

Chronicles 8

Sons of Benjamin (vv. 1–5)

Benjamin → Bela (firstborn), Ashbel (second), Aharah (third), Nohah (fourth), Rapha (fifth).

 Descendants of Bela (vv. 6–7)

Bela  → Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera, Shephuphan, Huram.

Ehud  → Naaman, Ahijah, Gera.

• Gera → Uzza, Ahihud.

 Descendants of Shaharaim (vv. 8–11)

Shaharaim (after sending away wives Hushim & Baara) had sons in Moab with Hodesh  → Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, Mirmah.

With Hushim  →  Abitub, Elpaal.

Descendants of Elpaal (vv. 12–28)

Elpaal → Eber, Misham, Shemed, Beriah, Shema, Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishmerai, Izliah, Jobab, Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Shimei, Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Jeroham

These were chiefs of fathers’ houses, listed by generations, heads of families in Jerusalem

Beriah → Michael, Ishpah, Joha

Shashak → Iphdeiah, Penuel, Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah

Shimei → Adaiah, Beraiah, Shimrath

Jeroham → Jaareshiah, Elijah, Zichri

Genealogy of Saul’s Family (vv. 29–32)

Jeiel (father of Gibeon) lived at Gibeon; his wife: Maacah.

• Sons: Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, Mikloth.
• Mikloth → Shimeah.

Lineage of King Saul (vv. 33–40)

Ner → Kish→ Saul →Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, Esh-baal.

• Jonathan → Merib-baal (Mephibosheth)→Merib-baal → Micah→ Pithon, Melech, Tarea, Ahaz.
  • Ahaz → Jehoaddah → Alemeth, Azmaveth, Zimri.
    • Zimri → Moza → Binea → Raphah → Eleasah→ Azel.
      • Azel → Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, Hanan.

• Ulam (Azel’s brother) had sons: firstborn Jeush, then Elam, Azel.

Chronicles 9

The first to dwell again in their towns were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants.

• In Jerusalem lived some of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
  • Judahites:
    • Uthai son of Ammihud → Omri → Imri → Bani (of Perez, son of Judah).
    • Of the Shilonites: Asaiah (firstborn) and his sons.
    • Of the Zerahites: Jeuel and their kinsmen, 690.
  • Benjaminites:
    • Sallu son of Meshullam → Hodaviah → Hassenuah.
    • Ibneiah son of Jeroham.
    • Elah son of Uzzi → Micri.
    • Meshullam son of Shephatiah → Reuel → Ibnijah.
    • Their kinsmen, according to their generations: 956, heads of fathers’ houses.

The Priests (vv. 10–13)

• Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin.
• Azariah son of Hilkiah → Meshullam → Zadok → Meraioth → Ahitub (chief officer of the house of God).
• Adaiah son of Jeroham → Pashhur → Malchijah.
• Maasai son of Adiel → Jahzerah → Meshullam → Meshillemith → Immer.
• Kinsmen, heads of fathers’ houses: 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God.

The Levites (vv. 14–16)

• Shemaiah son of Hasshub → Azrikam → Hashabiah (of the sons of Merari).
• Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal.
• Mattaniah son of Mica → Zichri → Asaph.
• Obadiah son of Shemaiah → Galal → Jeduthun.
• Berechiah son of Asa → Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites.

The Gatekeepers (vv. 17–27)

• Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman (and their kinsmen… Shallum was chief).
  • He was stationed at the King’s Gate on the east.
  • Formerly gatekeepers of the camp of the Levites.
• Shallum son of Kore → Ebiasaph → Korah, and his brothers of his father’s house.
  • Gatekeepers of the thresholds of the tent, just as their fathers had been in charge of the camp of the Lord.
• Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance of the tent of meeting.
• Gatekeepers were 212, in genealogical records, appointed by David and Samuel the seer.

Other Duties of Levites (vv. 28–34)

• Some were in charge of the service vessels (counted when brought in and out).
• Others were over the furniture and all the holy utensils.
• Some were over the mixing of spices.
• Some of the sons of priests prepared the flat cakes.
• Mattithiah (one of the Levites, firstborn of Shallum the Korahite) was entrusted with making the flat cakes.
• Some Kohathites were over the showbread, to prepare it every Sabbath.
• Singers, heads of Levite families, lived in the chambers of the temple, free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.

The Genealogy of Saul Repeated (vv. 35–44)

See above

Chronicles 10

The Philistines fought against Israel. The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons. They killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua. 

Saul was badly wounded by the archers, and when his terrified armor-bearer refused to kill him, Saul took his own sword and fell on it. The armor-bearer did the same, so Saul and his three sons died, and all his house perished together.

When Israelites in the valley saw the army had fled and Saul/his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities; Philistines came and lived in them.

They found Saul, took his head and armor, and sent messengers through Philistine land to spread the news among idols and the people.

They put Saul’s armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.

When all Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done, they came and took away Saul’s body and his sons’ bodies, brought them to Jabesh, buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

Saul died for his breach of faith:

• He did not keep the word of the Lord.
• He consulted a medium, seeking guidance.
• He did not seek guidance from the Lord.

Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Questions

Why is Saul’s genealogy repeated?

Application

What might seem ‘boring’ to read through I full of important details about the story of Israel. We see how names are remembered, even those who might not have been mentioned previously. We see that there are many roles within God’s people, whether as a leader, singer, or gatekeeper. And we also see how God’s plan never fails. When one leader fails, new leadership is raise up to continue his covenant.