1 Chronicles 8 Explained - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Chronicles 8 Short Summary:

1 Chronicles 8 is a record of some of the descendants of Benjamin, Jacob’s son, with special emphasis on Saul. Saul was a Benjaminite who became the first king of Israel. The chapter also mentions Jonathan, who was Saul’s son and David’s best friend. This genealogy sets the reader up for the historical narrative of beginning in 1 Chronicles 10, which picks up at the very end of Saul’s reign.

What is 1 Chronicles 8 About?

WHEN:

• Saul reigned as king over Israel from approximately 1095 B.C. to 1055 B.C.

• 1 Chronicles is primarily a record of the reign of King David. 1 Chronicles 10 records the death of King Saul (David’s predecessor). The last chapter of 1 Chronicles records the death of David.

CHARACTERS:

• Benjamin – A son of Jacob who would become the patriarch of the Tribe of Benjamin.

• Saul – The son of Kish. He was a Benjaminite who became the first king of Israel.

• Jonathan – The son of Saul and the best friend of David.

WHERE:

• Saul was from Gibeah.

OUTLINE:

• THE DESCENDANTS OF BENJAMIN AND THE FAMILY OF KING SAUL (8:1-40):

  • 1 Chronicles 8 is a record of the descendants of Benjamin, the son of Jacob by Rachel.

  • Many of the descendants of Benjamin were already mentioned (7:6-7:12), so why is another list included in chapter 8?

  • This genealogy is important because it traces the descendants of Benjamin to Saul.

  • Saul was the first king of Israel, and his death is where the historical narrative of chapter 10 picks up.

  • You can read about the reign of Saul in 1 Samuel.

  • Saul’s son, Jonathan, did not become king in his father’s place, because God took the kingdom away from Saul’s family due of his disobedience.

APPLICATION:

• Your good choices can be the foundation of your children’s success, but your bad choices can be cause them to never achieve their potential.

• Jonathan was killed alongside his father on Mount Gilboa during a battle with the Philistines.

• This was partially due to God’s rejection of Saul for his disobedience.

• By all biblical accounts, Jonathan was an honorable man with a lot of potential, but Saul’s rebellion against God brought ruin to his whole household.

• As a father or a mother, you have a great responsibility to make choices that will establish your household as a place where God is honored, and children can flourish.