1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 8: God keeps the families of Benjamin

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the tribe of Benjamin and the family of King Saul, let us bow our heads and pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that He keeps the names of every family, and to lead us to Christ.

Yes, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one was born in her”; the Most High himself will establish her. Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, “This one was born there.”

Psalm 87:5-6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You keep the names of every family, even a king's, and show us Jesus who saves sinners. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Chapter 8 lists the families of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Many of the chief men of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem (verses 28 and 32). The list reaches Kish, who became the father of Saul, and Saul became the father of Jonathan (verse 33). Saul was Israel's first king, and chapter 10 tells how his reign ended. Jonathan's son Merib Baal and his later family are named (verses 34 to 40). The list ends with the sons of Ulam, who were mighty men of valor and archers, with many sons (verse 40).

As you read 1 Chronicles 8, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God keeps the names of Benjamin's families, even the family of King Saul.

Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, and many chief men of his tribe lived in Jerusalem (verses 28 and 32). The writer follows the family down to Saul, the first king of Israel, and to Saul's son Jonathan (verse 33). Saul failed, and chapter 10 says that he died for his unfaithfulness (1 Chronicles 10 verse 13). Even so, his family is written down with care, and Jonathan's son Merib Baal is named (verses 33 and 34). A king's failure does not erase the names God keeps. This shows God as faithful to families, whatever happens to their kings. Paul, also called Saul, was a man of Benjamin (Philippians 3 verse 5 and Acts 13 verse 9). He had fought against Jesus, and Jesus saved him (1 Timothy 1 verses 13 to 15).

How does 1 Chronicles 8 show us that God keeps the names of Benjamin's families, even the family of King Saul?

Benjamin's chief men lived in Jerusalem.

The chapter says the heads of fathers' households lived in Jerusalem (verse 28). Some of the family lived in Gibeon (verse 29), and some lived in Jerusalem near their brothers (verse 32). Jerusalem was the city of David, the king from Judah. Later, people from Judah and Benjamin both lived there (1 Chronicles 9 verse 3).

Even Saul's family is written in the record.

Ner became the father of Kish, and Kish became the father of Saul (verse 33). Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab and Eshbaal (verse 33). Jonathan's son was Merib Baal, and the line goes on for many names (verses 34 to 40). Saul failed as king, yet his family is not left out.

Jesus saved a man of Benjamin named Saul.

Paul says he was of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3 verse 5). Acts calls him Saul, who is also called Paul (Acts 13 verse 9). He had been a blasphemer and a persecutor (1 Timothy 1 verse 13). Christ Jesus came to save sinners, and Paul said he was the worst of them (1 Timothy 1 verse 15).

Memorise

Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Chronicles 8:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I turn from my sin and trust Jesus, who saves sinners?

Verse 33 says, “Kish became the father of Saul.” The king who failed is still named in God's record. A man of the same tribe, Paul, was once the enemy of Jesus, and Jesus saved him (1 Timothy 1 verses 13 to 15).

Christ Jesus came to save sinners. On the cross He carried His people's sin and bore the punishment for it, and His one sacrifice is enough. On the third day He rose from the tomb.

No failure puts a person out of His reach, as the life of Paul shows. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Anyone who trusts Him is forgiven, as Paul was.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God keeps the names of Benjamin's families, and that Jesus saves sinners. Parents, this chapter is mostly names, so please read verses 28 and 33 to 34 aloud. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He keeps the names of every family of His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:14

Father, thank You that You keep the names of every family, even the family of a king who failed. Please turn each of us from sin to trust Jesus, who saves sinners. Keep us close to Him this week. Amen.