Bible Commentaries

Benjamin. This tribe is now dealt with, and brought down to Saul and Jonathan. The date of writing is Post-Exilic. See 1 Chronicles 8:28; 1 Chronicles 9:3, 1 Chronicles 9:27, and compare with Ezr 2and Neh 10, which show that Benjamin was brought back to the Land after being nearly extinguished in Judges 20. Loyalty to Judah and the house of God had been rewarded. Note the passages which connect Benjamin with Judah and with the blessings of the return from Babylon: Ezra 1:8; Ezra 2; Ezra 4:1. Nehemiah 7; Nehemiah 11:4, Nehemiah 11:7, Nehemiah 11:31; Nehemiah 12:34. The genealogy of Saul leads up to the subject of the book. begat. The former genealogy (1 Chronicles 7:6-12) is not full, but specifies only the families to be dealt with later.

Nohah . . . Rapha. Nowhere else mentioned in O.T. Compare Genesis 46:21. Perhaps grandsons. But these names show independence of Chronicles.

Addar. Called Ard in Genesis 46:21. Numbers 26:40.

Gera. Name derived from a son of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21).

Gera. Another Gera. Compare 1 Chronicles 8:7.

these are the: or, "and these are they the".

Geba. Near Gibeah of Saul (Joshua 18:24. 1 Samuel 10:26; 1 Samuel 13:3). Compare Judges 19:12.

and. Read: "but they were carried away to Mana-hath".

they (the Gebaites) removed = were carried away, (same word as in 1 Chronicles 5:26). The occasion is not known, but probably after they returned from captivity, as Geba is mentioned in Ezra 2:26. Lod and Ono in 1 Chronicles 8:12 are named in Ezra 2:33, and "the sons of Gibeon" in Nehemiah 7:25. Compare Ezra 2:20.

Gera. A third Gera. Compare verses: 1 Chronicles 8:3, 1 Chronicles 8:6.

Ahihud. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis: "and Ahihud [and Shaharaim]. And Shaharaim begat", &c.

of Moab. As Boaz did.

them: i.e. his wives.

Hodesh: i.e. his Moabitish wife.

Shamed. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "Shemer". Compare 1 Chronicles 7:34.

Ono . . . Lod. Mentioned only after the exile (Ezra 2:33. Nehemiah 7:37). See note on 1 Chronicles 8:6.

Beriah. See notes on 1 Chronicles 7:23, 1 Chronicles 7:30.

Aijalon. In Joshua 19:42, it was in Dan. In Joshua 21:24 it was a Levitical city. In 2 Chronicles 28:18 it was occupied by Philistines, under Ahaz. But here occupied by Benjamites, because (1) of Dan's idolatry (see note on Genesis 49:17), and (2) of different distribution after the exile.

drove away. A reprisal later than 1 Chronicles 7:21. See notes on 1 Chronicles 7:23, 1 Chronicles 7:30.

Ishmerai = Ishmar-yah. The Yod = y, being the abbreviation for Yah = Jehovah.

Heber. Most codices, and nine early printed editions, read "Heber". Some MSS. read "Hebed".

These dwelt. Compare 1 Chronicles 8:32; 1 Chronicles 9:34. Nehemiah 11:1-4. Another token of God's faithfulness to Benjamin (compare Deuteronomy 33:12), for adhering to Judah and the worship of the true God.

at Gibson. Repeated in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44.

father = lord, chief, or ruler. Compare 1 Chronicles 9:35. Called Jehiel there.

Zacher. Supply Ellipsis thus: "and Zacher [and Mikloth]. And Mikloth", &c.

Ner begat Kish. There are three genealogies of the house of Saul. We place the facts, (1) that persons often had two names (1 Chronicles 8:34. Judges 6:32, &c), and (2) that the same name recurs in the same family, against the assumption that the opposite is the case. It is this assumption which creates the difficulties in "reconciling" 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:51; and 1 Chronicles 9:38.

Esh-baal. Another name for Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 2:8).

Merib-baal. Another name by which Mephi-bosheth was known. Compare 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 4:4. See note on 1 Chronicles 8:33 above. The addition "bosheth" (= shame) came to be substituted for "Baal" as the latter word became associated with idolatry. Compare Judges 6:32 with 2 Samuel 11:21.

Bocheru. Some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read "his firstborn" (bekhoro).

were = became.

mighty men. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14.

archers. Compare 2 Chronicles 14:8.