New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Chronicles 8
1
Benjamin was the father of Bela. Bela was his first son. Ashbel was his second son. Aharah was the third.
Reference
5
Gera, Shephuphan and Huram.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 7:12
6
Here are the members of the family line of Ehud. They were the leaders of the families who were living in Geba. Later, they were taken away from their own land. They were forced to go to Manahath.
Reference
📍 Manahath
Parallel theme
1 Chronicles 2:54
7
The sons of Ehud were Naaman, Ahijah and Gera. Gera took them away from their land. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
People
8
Sons were born to Shaharaim in Moab. That happened after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.
People
12
The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham and Shemed. Shemed built Ono and Lod and the villages that were around it.
Reference
📍 Locations
People
13
Beriah and Shema were also sons of Elpaal. They were the leaders of the families who were living in Aijalon. Beriah and Shema drove out the people who were living in Gath.
People
28
All of those men were the leaders of their families. They were listed as chiefs in their family history. They lived in Jerusalem.
Reference
References Jerusalem
Judges 1:21
29
Jeiel lived in the city of Gibeon. He was the father of Gibeon. Jeiel had a wife named Maacah.
People
32
and Mikloth. Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. Mikloth and Shimeah also lived in Jerusalem. They lived near their relatives.
People
33
Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.
Reference
36
Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza.
People
37
Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was Binea's son. Eleasah was Raphah's son. And Azel was Eleasah's son.
People
38
Azel had six sons. Their names were Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. All of them were the sons of Azel.
People
39
Here are the sons of Azel's brother Eshek. Ulam was his first son. Jeush was the second. Eliphelet was the third.
People
40
The sons of Ulam were brave fighting men. They could handle a bow. They had many sons and grandsons. The total number of sons and grandsons was 150. All of those men belonged to the family line of Benjamin.
Summary of 1 Chronicles 8
This chapter focuses primarily on the tribe of Benjamin, especially the genealogy leading to King Saul and his descendants. Benjamin was one of the smallest tribes of Israel in territory, but it played an important role in the nation's political and military history. The chapter begins by listing Benjamin's sons and then traces numerous family branches, showing how the tribe developed into many clans and extended households.
Several sections describe Benjaminite families living in different settlements, including areas associated with Geba, Aijalon, Ono, Lod, and Gibeon. These references show that Benjamin was not simply a single family but a network of communities spread across an important region of central Canaan. Some of these settlements were strategically located along major routes connecting the hill country with the coastal plain.
The most important part of the chapter is the genealogy beginning with Ner, Kish, and Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel, and his inclusion gives the chapter a direct connection with the beginning of Israel's monarchy. Saul's son Jonathan is then mentioned, followed by Jonathan's son Merib-baal, better known from other biblical accounts as Mephibosheth. The genealogy continues through several generations, demonstrating that Saul's family survived even after Saul and Jonathan died.
The chapter ends with the descendants of Azel, particularly Ulam and his sons. They are described as mighty warriors and skilled archers, with a large number of descendants. This ending reinforces Benjamin's reputation as a tribe with significant military ability.
The chapter is therefore more than a simple genealogy. It preserves the identity of Benjaminite families while highlighting the royal family of Saul and demonstrating that Saul's descendants continued to exist long after his reign ended.
Several sections describe Benjaminite families living in different settlements, including areas associated with Geba, Aijalon, Ono, Lod, and Gibeon. These references show that Benjamin was not simply a single family but a network of communities spread across an important region of central Canaan. Some of these settlements were strategically located along major routes connecting the hill country with the coastal plain.
The most important part of the chapter is the genealogy beginning with Ner, Kish, and Saul. Saul was the first king of Israel, and his inclusion gives the chapter a direct connection with the beginning of Israel's monarchy. Saul's son Jonathan is then mentioned, followed by Jonathan's son Merib-baal, better known from other biblical accounts as Mephibosheth. The genealogy continues through several generations, demonstrating that Saul's family survived even after Saul and Jonathan died.
The chapter ends with the descendants of Azel, particularly Ulam and his sons. They are described as mighty warriors and skilled archers, with a large number of descendants. This ending reinforces Benjamin's reputation as a tribe with significant military ability.
The chapter is therefore more than a simple genealogy. It preserves the identity of Benjaminite families while highlighting the royal family of Saul and demonstrating that Saul's descendants continued to exist long after his reign ended.