1 Cronache 8:29 Commento

We had some account given us of Benjamin in the foregoing chapter; here we have a larger catalogue of the great men of that tribe. 1. Because of that tribe Saul came, the first king of Israel, to the story of whom the sacred writer is hastening, Ch1 10:1. 2. Because that tribe clave to Judah, inhabited much of Jerusalem, was one of the two tribes that went into captivity, and returned back; and that story also he has an eye to, Ch1 9:1. Here is, I. Some of the heads of that tribe named (v. 1-32). II. A more particular account of the family of Saul (Ch1 8:33-40).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 8 In this chapter the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin is reconsidered, and several of the principal men and families in it are taken notice of, which were not before; or a further account is given of them, as of the sons and grandsons of Benjamin, Ch1 8:1, of Ehud, Ch1 8:5, of Shaharaim, Ch1 8:8, of Elpaal and Beriah, Ch1 8:12 of Shimhi, Ch1 8:19, of Shashak, Ch1 8:22, of Jeroham, Ch1 8:26, of Jehiel the father of Gibeon, Ch1 8:28, of Ner, and particularly Saul, Ch1 8:33 and of Jonathan, and his posterity, Ch1 8:34.

And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal,.... The same with Mephibosheth, Sa2 4:4 so Jerubbaal is called Jerubbesheth, Jdg 6:32. and Meribbaal begat Micah; called his young son in David's time, Sa2 9:12.

The genealogy of Benjamin down to Saul, vv. 1-32. The children and descendants of Saul, Ch1 8:33-40.

And at Gibeon - This passage to the end of the 38th verse is found with a little variety in the names, Ch1 9:35-44. The rabbins say that Ezra, having found two books that had these passages with a variety in the names, as they agreed in general, he thought best to insert them both, not being able to discern which was the best. His general plan was to collate all the copies he had, and to follow the greater number when he found them to agree; those which disagreed from the majority were thrown aside as spurious; and yet, in many cases, probably the rejected copies contained the true text. If Ezra proceeded as R. Sol. Jarchi says, he had a very imperfect notion of the rules of true criticism; and it is no wonder that he has left so many faults in his text.

SONS AND CHIEF MEN OF BENJAMIN. (1Ch. 8:1-32) Now Benjamin begat, &c.--This chapter contains some supplementary particulars in addition to what has been already said regarding the tribe of Benjamin (see on Ch1 7:6). The names of many of the persons mentioned are different from those given by Moses--a diversity which may be accounted for in part on grounds formerly stated, namely, either that the persons had more than one name, or that the word "sons" is used in a loose sense for grandsons or descendants. But there are other circumstances to be taken into account in considering the details of this chapter; namely, first, that the genealogies of the Benjamites were disordered or destroyed by the almost total extermination of this tribe (Jdg. 20:11-48); secondly, that a great number of Benjamites, born in Assyria, are mentioned here, who returned from the long captivity in Babylon, and established themselves--some in Jerusalem, others in different parts of Judea. There were more returned from Babylon of the families belonging to this tribe than to any other except Judah; and hence many strange names are here introduced; some of which will be found in the list of the restored exiles (compare Ezra 2:1-70).

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 8 In this chapter the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin is reconsidered, and several of the principal men and families in it are taken notice of, which were not before; or a further account is given of them, as of the sons and grandsons of Benjamin, Ch1 8:1, of Ehud, Ch1 8:5, of Shaharaim, Ch1 8:8, of Elpaal and Beriah, Ch1 8:12 of Shimhi, Ch1 8:19, of Shashak, Ch1 8:22, of Jeroham, Ch1 8:26, of Jehiel the father of Gibeon, Ch1 8:28, of Ner, and particularly Saul, Ch1 8:33 and of Jonathan, and his posterity, Ch1 8:34.

And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal,.... The same with Mephibosheth, Sa2 4:4 so Jerubbaal is called Jerubbesheth, Jdg 6:32. and Meribbaal begat Micah; called his young son in David's time, Sa2 9:12.