The Sons of Benjamin
Study note
Benjamin's descendants are listed in more detail than in chapter 7. Several branches of the family settled in different cities. Some were forced to move from Geba to Manahath, showing that families sometimes relocated within Israel's territory.
1 Benjamin's firstborn son was Bela, his second was Ashbel, and his third was Aharah. Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,
2 His fourth son was Nohah, and his fifth was Rapha. Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth.
3 Bela's sons were Addar, Gera, and Abihud. And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud,
4 Also Abishua, Naaman, and Ahoah. And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah,
5 and Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
6 Ehud's sons led families living in Geba, but they were forced to move to the town of Manahath. And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Geba, and they removed them to Manahath:
7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera led the move. Gera had sons named Uzza and Ahihud. And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud.
Descendants Who Settled in Moab and Beyond
Study note
Shaharaim had children in the land of Moab after sending away two of his wives. His descendants became leaders and founders of towns, including the cities of Ono and Lod. Some of these Benjaminites drove out the people of Gath, showing the tribe's fighting spirit.
8 Shaharaim had children while living in the land of Moab, after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives.
9 With his wife Hodesh, he had sons named Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,
10 Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. All of these sons became family leaders. And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers.
11 Through his earlier wife Hushim, he already had sons named Abitub and Elpaal. And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.
12 Elpaal's sons were Eber, Misham, and Shemed. Shemed built the towns of Ono and Lod and the villages around them. The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:
13 Beriah and Shema were leaders of families that lived in the town of Aijalon. They drove out the people of Gath. Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath:
Benjaminite Clans in Jerusalem
Study note
Many clan leaders from different branches of Benjamin settled in Jerusalem. These family heads were prominent citizens who lived in the capital city. The long list of names shows how deeply rooted the tribe of Benjamin was in Jerusalem.
14 Other family leaders were Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth. And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth,
15 and Zebadiah, Arad, and Eder. And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader,
16 Also Michael, Ishpah, and Joha. These were all descendants of Beriah. And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah;
17 Also Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, and Heber. And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber,
18 Also Ishmerai, Jezliah, and Jobab. These were descendants of Elpaal. Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal;
19 Also Jakim, Zichri, and Zabdi. And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi,
20 Also Elienai, Zillethai, and Eliel. And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel,
21 Also Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. These were descendants of Shimei. And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
22 Also Ishpan, Heber, and Eliel. And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel,
23 Also Abdon, Zichri, and Hanan. And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan,
24 Also Hananiah, Elam, and Anthothijah. And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah,
25 Also Iphdeiah and Penuel. These were descendants of Shashak. And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak;
26 Also Shamsherai, Shehariah, and Athaliah. And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah,
27 Also Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri. These were descendants of Jeroham. And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham.
28 All of these men were family leaders, recorded in the official lists as important people. They made their home in Jerusalem. These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.
The Family of King Saul
Study note
The chapter closes with the family tree of Saul, Israel's first king. His line is traced from Gibeon through Ner and Kish to Saul himself, and then through Jonathan to later descendants. Some of Saul's descendants were mighty archers with many sons and grandsons. This genealogy sets the stage for the story of Saul's death in chapter 10.
29 The founder of the town of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife was named Maacah. And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah:
30 His oldest son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, and Nadab. And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31 He also had sons named Gedor, Ahio, and Zecher. And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32 Mikloth had a son named Shimeah. These families also lived in Jerusalem, close to their relatives. And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33 Ner had a son named Kish. Kish had a son named Saul. Saul had sons named Jonathan, Malchi-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
34 Jonathan had a son named Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal had a son named Micah. And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah.
35 Micah's sons were Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36 Ahaz had a son named Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah had sons named Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri had a son named Moza. And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37 Moza had a son named Binea. After Binea came Rapha, then Eleasah, then Azel. And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38 Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39 Azel's brother Eshek had sons too. His firstborn was Ulam, his second was Jeush, and his third was Eliphelet. And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40 Ulam's descendants were skilled archers and brave soldiers. They had a very large family, with 150 sons and grandsons. All of them belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons' sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.