1 Chronicles 8: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Chronicles 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Benjamin had five sons: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, and Rapha (vv. 1-2). Bela’s lineage includes Addar, Gera, and others in Geba, where they were taken captive (vv. 3-6). Shaharaim had children in Moab with his wives Hushim and Baara, along with other sons listed by name (vv. 8-11). The sons of Elpaal included Eber and Misham, who were involved in settling Ono and Lod alongside Beriah, whose family expelled inhabitants from Gath (vv. 12-22). The chapter names heads of households living in Jerusalem, mentioning names like Ishpan and Jeroham (vv. 23-28). Next, it describes the family of Kish, highlighting Saul and his descendants, including Jonathan (vv. 29-36). The lineage concludes with Azel, who had six sons, and Ulam, a notable warrior with many descendants (vv. 37-40).

Key verse

“Benjamin became the father of Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,”
1 Chronicles 8:1 (WEB)

Outline

1 Chronicles 8:1–6 The Lineage of Benjamin
1 Chronicles 8:7–11 Captivity and Family of Shaharaim
1 Chronicles 8:12–22 Sons of Elpaal and Beriah
1 Chronicles 8:23–28 Heads of Households in Jerusalem
1 Chronicles 8:29–36 Gibeon and the Family of Kish
1 Chronicles 8:37–40 Final Descendants of Benjamin

Discussion questions

In v6, who are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba?
What do the sons of Ulam in v39 have in common with each other?
In v33, why is the lineage from Kish to Saul significant in Israel's history?
In v34, what does the name 'Merib Baal' suggest about Jonathan's legacy?
When has a family connection helped you in a time of adversity, like the line of Benjamin?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Chronicles 8: 1 Chronicles 9, 2 Samuel 9, Genesis 46.

Before next time: read 1 Chronicles 9.