Reading: I Chronicles 8-10
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal. And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah. And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz. And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza, And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son: 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. And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 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 (I Chr. 8:33-40).
As we enter into our fourth day of genealogical readings, we come to the record of the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil (Gen. 49:27). The smallest of all the tribes of Israel (1: Sam. 9:21), descended from Jacob’s youngest son, the Benjamites more than lived up to the reputation implied in Jacob’s deathbed blessing. Scripture frequently describes them as passionate and warlike. At times this trait was to the credit of Israel, such as when God raised up Ehud from the tribe of Benjamin (I Chr. 8:6) to deliver Israel from Moab (Jud. 3:12-30) or later when the Benjamites marched with Asa against Ethiopian invaders (II Chr. 14:8-15). But at other times it was to their direct detriment and shame, such as when they came together as a tribe and rallied behind the evil in their midst, standing against the rest of their countrymen at Gibeah and nearly destroying their own tribe in the process (Judges 19 – 21).
When the nation permanently fractured following Rehoboam’s unsuccessful succession to the throne of David over a united Israel, the tribe of Benjamin remained united with the tribe of Judah under the house of David (I Kings 11:31-32; I Kings 12:21; II Chr. 11:1-4), Together with most of the Levites, they came together to form the southern kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian exile muted the outward distinction between the surviving tribes of Israel, and they became known collectively as Judeans/Jews. For those returning to Jerusalem, the genealogical records provided here by the Chronicler helped reattach them to their roots and reaffirmed their connection to both their ancestors and their God.
Saul, the first king of all Israel, was from the tribe of Benjamin (I Sam. 9:16). Jeremiah was a Levite by birth (as determined by his father’s status as a priest), but grew up in the land of Benjamin (Jer. 1:1). Malachi and Esther both traced their lineage to the tribe (Esth. 2:5-7). But perhaps the most well-known Benjaminite of all is Saul of Tarsus (Paul)(Phil. 3:5), who after his conversion experience with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) grew to embody the message that the family of God has cast off the constraints of human genealogy.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:27-29).
Thought for Today: God Has revealed the path to all those who would seek to follow it, it is only an acceptance of sin that holds so many back.
Christ Revealed: By Jerusalem, which means “foundation of peace” (I Chr. 9:3). Christ is the only Foundation of Peace upon which man can stand before God. Jesus said: My peace I give unto you (John 14:27; II Cor. 5:18; Eph. 2:14).
Word Studies: 8:31 Zacher = Zechariah (not the prophet); 9:21 porter = gatekeeper of the entrance way; 9:22 set office = trustworthy position; 9:23 by wards = as guards.
Pray for Bible Pathway Printer: Pollock Printing, Nashville, Tennessee • Government Officials: Rep. Jackie Speier (CA), Rep. Gary Palmer (AL)) • Country: Montserrat (5,189) Caribbean Sea • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • Protestant; Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Believe that what God promises, He will bring to pass (Gen. 15:1-6 & 21:1-3).
Optional Reading: I Corinthians 1.