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1
Chronicles Chapter Eight
1 Chronicles 8
Chapter Contents
Genealogies.
Here is a larger list of Benjamin's tribe. We may suppose
that many things in these genealogies
which to us seem difficult
abrupt
and
perplexed
were plain and easy at that time
and fully answered the intention
for which they were published. Many great and mighty nations then were in being
upon earth
and many illustrious men
whose names are now wholly forgotten;
while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God are here kept in everlasting
remembrance. The memory of the just is blessed.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Chronicles》
1 Chronicles 8
Verse 6
[6] 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 —
These following
verse 7
because he here speaks of them who were
removed. 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
Judges 20:29-48.
Verse 28
[28] These were heads of the fathers
by their generations
chief men. These
dwelt in Jerusalem.
Heads of the fathers
… — Particular notice is taken of these
that others
at their return from
captivity
might be induced to settle there too
which it seems few were
willing to do
because it was the post of danger. Many great and mighty nations
were then upon earth
and many illustrious men in them
whose names are buried
in perpetual oblivion
while the names of multitudes of the Israel of God
are
here carefully preserved in everlasting remembrance: a figure of God's writing
the names of his spiritual Israel
in the Lamb's book of life.
Verse 40
[40] 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.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1 Chronicles》
08 Chapter 8
Verses 1-40
Now Benjamin begat Bela his first-born
Readings between the lines
I.
That
alliances often end in entanglements and entail unconsidered consequences.
Shaharaim went into Moab and there married a Moabitess
having children of her
(1 Chronicles 8:8). The names of his
sons (1 Chronicles 8:9) were
Moabitish--Mezha (see 2 Kings 3:4)
Maleham (an idol of
Moab; see 1 Kings 11:33 and Jeremiah 49:1-2). This fact points
clearly to the evil influence under which his children came through this
matrimonial alliance. If we “make affinity” with those who are not of like mind
and like principles with ourselves
we must be prepared for serious spiritual
consequences.
II. That human
activity may have very long results. Shamed
the son of Elpaal
built two
cities; one of them was Led (1 Chronicles 8:12). This is
identical with the Lydda of our New Testament (Acts 9:32)
and with the modern Ludd.
Here we have an instance of the results of one man’s activity being witnessed
more than thirty centuries after he has been gathered to his fathers. Who can
say how far down the stream of time our influence will go?
III. That violence
is a bad foundation of rest and power. In 1 Chronicles 8:13 we learn that
by
a noteworthy coincidence
Beriah with Shema “drove away the inhabitants of
Gath.” In the previous chapter (1 Chronicles 8:21) we read that the
inhabitants of Gath slew the sons of Ephraim. Truly “they that take the sword
shall perish with the sword.” Violence seizes on a neighbour’s land
and by
violence is itself dispossessed.
IV. That it is wise
to stamp bad things with an evil name. Esh-baal (1 Chronicles 8:33) is the Ishbosheth
of 2 Samuel 11:21; while Merib-baal
(verse 34) is the Mephibosheth of 2 Samuel 4:4. In these two eases
Baal is turned into Bosheth
which signifies shame. Thus
by a simple name
the
heathen deity was branded with public reprobation. The evil thing was made to
seem the ugly and offensive thing it was. Nothing can be more perilous to the
community than the wrapping up of a sin in some pleasant euphemism; e.g.
if a daughter has been sinful she should not be called “unfortunate.” Vice does
not lose half its evil by losing all its grossness. If we label sin with a name
that passes current in society
we are co-workers with the tempter himself.
V. That faithful
remembrance in the day of power is an excellent grace. The line of Jonathan is
traced to many generations (verse 34
etc.). Is not the hand of David here? Is
this not a sign that his vow (1 Samuel 20:15)was honourably
filled? What we promise as we are rising we should scrupulously discharge when
we have attained the summit of our desires. It is the mark of a true man to
carry out with generous fulness all that he undertook when he was a long way
from the goal and the prize.
VI. That the
thought of a worthy ancestry is an honourable inducement to well-doing. “These
dwelt in Jerusalem” (verses 28-82). When the captives returned from Babylon
there was a lack of men to populate the sacred city. In the country were
inviting fields waiting for cultivation
while in the city was danger to be
dared and civic duty to be discharged. So that “the people blessed all the men
that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 11:2). The fact that their
ancestors dwelt in the city would probably operate as a powerful inducement to
lead many to offer themselves as citizens
and these would thus be led to serve
their country in a very serious crisis. The knowledge of the honourable
position taken by our ancestry is a very lawful motive to obedience and
aspiration.
──《The Biblical Illustrator》