1 Chronicles 8

The Genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin, ver.1, &c. and in particular the ancestors of Saul, who was of this tribe, and his posterity, 33.

1. Now Benjamin begat Bela his first-born; Asbel the second, and Ahrab the third.

2. Noha the fourth, and Raphah the fifth. [Genes.46.21. Num.26.38. and above chap.7.6. is this Genealogy likewise recorded; but there is great difference in divers names, whether it be, that divers of them have had two names, as hath been shewed in the former Chapters of this book, and in other places beside: Or whether it be, that here some posterities are described, which are not recorded in the afore-mentioned places.]

3. Now Bela had these children, Addar, and Gera, and Abuhud.

4. And Abisua, and Naaman, and Ahoah.

5. Now Gera, and Sephupham, and Hiram.

6. Now these are the children of Ehud: These were Heads of the Fathers [i.e. Of the Fathers houses] of the inhabitants at Geba, [oth. Called Gibea of Saul, 1 Sam.11.4.] and he carried them over to Manahath. [understand that he carried away onely some of these, or onely these, that are here mentioned, because they were so in creased, that they could not dwelt all at Geba. When, and by whom this was done, we read no where in Scripture.]

7. And Naama, and Ahija, and Gera, these he [To wit, Ehud] carried away: and he begat Uzza, and Ahihud. [understand here withal, and Saharaim, out of the following verse.]

8. And Saharaim begat children in the land of Moab (after that he [To wit, Ehud] had sent them [to wit, the posterity of Naaman, and Ahija, and Gera, which are mentioned v.7.] away by Husim, and Baara his wives. [this History is no where else recorded in Scripture, but onely here, therefore this relation is somewhat obscure.]

9. And by Hodes [ver. 8. She is called Baara] his wife, he begat Jobab, and Zihia, and Mesa, and Maleam.

10. And Juez, and Sochia, and Mirma: These are his sons, heads of the fathers.

11. And of Husim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal.

12. Now the children of Elpaal were Eber, and Misam, and Samed: This (man) built Ono, and Lod, [Neh.11.35, & 37. These cities are also ascribed to the tribe of Benjamin] and their dependant places. [Hebr. daughters.

13. And Beria, and Sema, these were Heads of the Fathers [i.e. of the Fathers houses; as v.6. and elsewhere] of the inhabitants at Ajalan: [understand this of the land lying about Ajalom; for the city of Ajalon belonged to the tribe of Dan, Jos.19.42. Unless we will say, that after the Babylonish captivity (when Ezra wrote this book) the Benjamites did so inlarge their habitation, that they also dwelt in the cities of Dan] these drave away the inhabitants of Gath. [i.e. which dwelt in the land of the Philistines neer Gath.]

14. And Ahjo, Sasak and Jerenoth.

15. And Zebadja, and Arad, and Ader.

16. And Michael, and Ispa, and Joha were children of Beria.

17. And Zebadja, and Nesullam, and Hizki, and Heber.

18. And Ismerai, and Izlija, and Jobab, the children of Elpaal.

19. And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi.

20. And Elioenai, and Zillethai, and Eliel.

21. And Adajah, and Beraja, and Simrath, were children of Simei. [Vers.13.he is called Sema.]

22. And Ispan, and Eber, and Eliel.

23. And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan.

24. And Hananja, and Elan, and Antothija.

25. And Iphdeja, and Penuel were sons of Sasak.

26. And Samferai, and Seharja and Athalja.

27. And Jaaresja, and Elija, and Zichri, were sons of Jeroham.

28. These [To wit, of whom mention is made from v.14. hitherto] were heads of the Fathers [That is, heads of the Fatherly houses or Families; as ver.6. and elsewhere] heads according to these Families that dwelt at Jerusalem.

29. And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon: among the Israelites. Gibeon is called Jeiel. Chap.9.35.] and his wifes name was Maacha.

30. Amd his first-born son was Abdon, then Zur, and Kis, and Baal, and Nadab.

31. And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.

32. And Mikloth begat Simea; and these also dwelt over against their brethren at Jerusalem with their brethren. [To wit, certain heads of these Families dwelt at Jerusalem with the Benjamites, over against those Benjamites that dwelt at Jerusalem, with other Benjamites, over against those Benjamites that dwelt in the border of Gibeon.]

33. Now Ner [Oth. Called Abiel, 1 Sam.9.1.] begat Kis, and Kis begat Saul: and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malcha-Sua, and Abinadab, [oth. Called Ischo, 1 Sam.14.49.] and Esbaal. [oth. Called Isboseth, 2 Sam.2.6.]

34. And Jonathans son was Meribbaal; [Oth. Called Mephiboseth, 2 Sam.9.6,10. Hence it appeareth that the names Baal, and Boseth are interchanged. Baal signifieth Lord or Master, and is a known name of Idols; Bescheth signifieth shame, disgrace. Compare Jer.30.v.24.] and Meribbaal begat Micha.

35. Now the children of Micha were Pichon and Melech, and Thaarea, and Achaz.

36. And Achaz begat Jehoadda, and Jehoadda begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri: now Zimri begat Moza.

37. And Moza begat Bina, Rapha was his son, Azel was his son.

38. Now Azel had six sons, and these are their names, Azrikam, Bochru, and Ismael, and Searia, and Obadia, and Hanan: all these were sons of Azel.

39. And the sons of Ezek his brother, were Ulam his first-born, Jeus the second, and Eliphelet the third.

40. And the sons of Ulam were men, valiant champions, bending the bow, [Hebr. treading the bow; that is, that could bend the bow, and shoot well with it. The bows of steel must be bent with great strength, and with all ones might: Therefore the arches use to tread upon them with their feet, and pull up the string with all their strength and power. Therefore its called the foot-bow to distinguish it from the hand-bow. They are called in Kings Courts Archers that handle the same.] and they had many sons, and sons sons, [Hebr. they multiplied son, and sons] an hundred and fifty: all these were of the children of Benjamin.