1 Chronicles Chapter 8
The Descendants of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1–40)
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 fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and who forced them to move to Manahath, Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera who forced them to move. He begot Uzza and Ahihud. Also Shaharaim had 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, Sachiah, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of their fathers’ 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 their fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, Michael, Ispah, 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, Antothijah, 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 fathers’ houses by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. Now the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, dwelt at Gibeon. And his firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, and Mikloth, who begot Shimeah. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren. 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 valor, archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin.
This long and detailed genealogy revisits the tribe of Benjamin for a second time in Chronicles, giving far fuller attention than in chapter 7. The reason is simple: Benjamin occupied the region around Jerusalem, and after the exile the returning remnant primarily settled in Judah and Benjamin’s lands. Benjamin became second only to Judah in postexilic prominence. Payne notes, “Chronicles elaborates this material… because Benjamin ranked second only to Judah in postexilic society.”
The genealogy begins with Benjamin’s five foundational sons: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, and Rapha. Bela’s descendants form several powerful family lines, including Addar, Gera, Abihud, and others. Some of these men, especially the descendants of Ehud, were heads of households who relocated inhabitants from Geba to Manahath, suggesting political authority and forced resettlement, likely a strategic move to reinforce the tribe’s influence.
Shaharaim, another Benjaminite, had children in Moab after sending away two of his wives, Hushim and Baara. His family branches through both Hodesh and Hushim, demonstrating the complex family structures within this tribe. His descendants include leaders and founders of settlements.
A major line runs through Elpaal, whose descendants include Shemed, the builder of Ono and Lod, towns later known for their involvement in the postexilic period (Nehemiah 6:2). From Elpaal’s line also come Beriah and Shema, who drove out inhabitants of Gath, showing Benjamin’s long standing military engagements with Philistine cities.
Several additional family branches are listed, each producing leaders and chiefs who resided in Jerusalem. This repeated emphasis on Jerusalem residence reveals Benjamin’s close relationship with Judah—the kingdom’s religious and political heart.
The Line of Saul
The genealogy then narrows to the house of Gibeon and traces the family tree leading to Israel’s first king. From Ner came Kish, and from Kish came Saul, father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal (also called Ishbosheth).
Jonathan’s line continues through Merib-Baal (also called Mephibosheth). Clarke notes that the Israelites changed Baal (“lord”) to bosheth (“shame”) to avoid the name of the pagan deity. Merib-Baal’s son Micah fathered the line that led to Azel.
Azel and His Sons
Azel had six sons—Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. Clarke humorously records that Jewish commentator R. Jarchi claimed their allegories could load “thirteen thousand camels,” a dramatic exaggeration meant to highlight the scholarly reputation of these men. Clarke rightly rebukes the hyperbole as unrealistic but acknowledges their perceived learning.
Ulam’s Warriors
Azel’s brother Eshek fathered Ulam, Jeush, and Eliphelet. Ulam’s descendants were especially noteworthy. Scripture states:
“The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers.”
Poole explains that the Hebrew literally means “treaders of the bow,” referring to warriors who bent bows of steel by bracing them with their feet and pulling the string with both hands. This was the mark of elite, incredibly strong archers. They produced one hundred and fifty sons and grandsons—an impressive and powerful military clan.
