Matthew Poole's Commentary Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third, The sons and chief men of Benjamin, 1 Chronicles 8:1-32. The stock of Saul and Jonathan, 1 Chronicles 8:33-40. He had spoken something of the tribe of Benjamin before, 1 Chronicles 7:6, but now he treats of it again, and that more, fully and exactly; partly for Saul’s sake, who was of this tribe; and partly because this tribe adhered to David and the kingdom of Judah, and went with Judah into Babylon; and now were returned from thence in greater numbers than the other tribes, except Judah. Bela; so called by Moses: but the names of the rest vary from those in Moses; either because the same person had two several names, as hath been often noted; or because these were not the immediate sons of Benjamin, but his grandchildren, here mentioned in their parents’ stead, possibly because they were more eminent than their parents. Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. No text from Poole on this verse. And the sons of Bela were, Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, No text from Poole on this verse. And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, No text from Poole on this verse. And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram. No text from Poole on this verse. 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: These are the sons; either those three last mentioned; or rather these following, 1 Chronicles 8:7, because he here speaks of them who were removed, and they are said to be removed, 1 Chronicles 8:7 He describes the sons of Benjamin by the places of their habitation, without an exact account of their parents, because their genealogies were broken by that almost total extirpation of this tribe, Jud 20. They removed them; either their fathers, or their heads and superiors, removed them; or they removed themselves; either because they were too numerous for that place, or because they desired to change their habitation, and hoped it would be for the better, and judged Manahath a more convenient place. And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud. He removed them; either, 1. Their father; or, 2. Gera last mentioned, who, it seems, was the chief counsellor or promoter of this work. Begat Uzza and Ahihud, when he was seated in Manahath. And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives. In the country of Moab; whither he had removed himself, either at the same time when Elimelech did, Ruth 1:1, &c., or upon the same or like occasion. After he had sent them away; Ehud or Gera last mentioned. Hushim and Baara were his wives: others join these words with the former, and render the place thus, after he had sent them (to wit, his sons) away, with Hushim and Baara his wives, i.e. as he also sent his wives away from him; which may be here mentioned as a brand upon him, to show that he was without natural affection to his wives and children. And it seems the more probable that he divorced them, because we find him married to another wife, 1 Chronicles 8:9. And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, No text from Poole on this verse. And Jeuz, and Shachia, and Mirma. These were his sons, heads of the fathers. No text from Poole on this verse. And of Hushim he begat Abitub, and Elpaal. No text from Poole on this verse. The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof: Of which see Ezra 2:33 Nehemiah 7:37 11:35. Beriah also, and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who drove away the inhabitants of Gath: Aijalon; a place formerly belonging to the tribe of Dan, Joshua 19:42; but after the return from Babylon possessed by the Benjamites, because both Dan and the rest of the ten tribes were yet for the generality of them in captivity, and but few of them returned. Who drove away the inhabitants of Gath; either, 1. At that time when they made such a slaughter among Ephraim’s children, 1 Chronicles 7:21, and were possibly pursuing their victory till they were driven back by these Benjamites, who came to the succour of their brethren. Or, 2. Now when they were returned from the captivity, and found the men of Gath possessed of Aijalon. Or, 3. At some other time not mentioned in Scripture. And Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth, No text from Poole on this verse. And Zebadiah, and Arad, and Ader, No text from Poole on this verse. And Michael, and Ispah, and Joha, the sons of Beriah; No text from Poole on this verse. And Zebadiah, and Meshullam, and Hezeki, and Heber, No text from Poole on this verse. Ishmerai also, and Jezliah, and Jobab, the sons of Elpaal; No text from Poole on this verse. And Jakim, and Zichri, and Zabdi, No text from Poole on this verse. And Elienai, and Zilthai, and Eliel, No text from Poole on this verse. And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi; No text from Poole on this verse. And Ishpan, and Heber, and Eliel, No text from Poole on this verse. And Abdon, and Zichri, and Hanan, No text from Poole on this verse. And Hananiah, and Elam, and Antothijah, No text from Poole on this verse. And Iphedeiah, and Penuel, the sons of Shashak; No text from Poole on this verse. And Shamsherai, and Shehariah, and Athaliah, No text from Poole on this verse. And Jaresiah, and Eliah, and Zichri, the sons of Jeroham. No text from Poole on this verse. These were heads of the fathers, by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem. All these named from 1 Chronicles 8:14, to this place. And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife's name was Maachah: The father of Gibeon, i.e. the chief or ruler of the Benjamites dwelling there. And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, No text from Poole on this verse. And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher. No text from Poole on this verse. And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them. With their brethren, i.e. with those other Benjamites spoken of 1 Chronicles 8:28. Over against them; in some street or part of Jerusalem, which was over against that where their brethren dwelt. And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. No text from Poole on this verse. And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal; and Meribbaal begat Micah. No text from Poole on this verse. And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. No text from Poole on this verse. And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, No text from Poole on this verse. And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: No text from Poole on this verse. 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. No text from Poole on this verse. And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. No text from Poole on this verse. 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. Archers, Heb. that tread the bow; for the bows of steel, which these used, required great strength to bend them; which therefore they did by treading the bow with their feet, and pulling the string with both their hands. |
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