I Chronicles 8:29-40 · Bible study
1 Chronicles 8:29-40 Commentary: Tracing Saul's Line
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
This study examines the genealogy from Jeiel of Gibeon to Saul's descendants, uncovering its purpose in Chronicles and its message of hope.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A genealogy tracing the line of King Saul from the Benjamite clan at Gibeon to the post-exilic period.
- Key words: Gibeon, Baal, archers (דֹּרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת 'treaders of the bow').
- Main debate: The relationship between this genealogy and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 9, and the significance of the name changes from Baal to bosheth.
- Theological theme: God's faithful record of all Israel, including the fallen dynasty of Saul.
- Best use: Teaching on the importance of genealogies, God's sovereignty over history, and the hope of restoration.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
29Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah,
30and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32and Mikloth, who was the father of Shimeah. These also lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem.
33Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
34The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.
35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri was the father of Moza.
37Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
38Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39The sons of his brother Eshek:
40Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third. The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and they had many sons and grandsons—150 in all. All these were the descendants of Benjamin.
WEB World English Bible 2000
29The father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon
30with his firstborn son Abdon, Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
32and Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived with their families in Jerusalem, near their relatives.
33Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal. Merib-baal became the father of Micah.
35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
36Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah became the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri became the father of Moza.
37Moza became the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.
38Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and grandsons, one hundred fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
KJV King James Version 1769
29And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah:
30And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher.
32And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.
33And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi–shua, and Abinadab, and Esh–baal.
34And the son of Jonathan was Merib–baal; and Merib–baal begat Micah.
35And the sons of Micah were, Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36And Ahaz begat Jehoadah; and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37And Moza begat Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:
38And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39And the sons of Eshek his brother were, Ulam his firstborn, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
29And in Gibeon there dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife’s name was Maacah;
30and his first-born son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.
32And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against their brethren.
33And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
34And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal begat Micah.
35And the sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36And Ahaz begat Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza.
37And Moza begat Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38And Azel had six sons, whose names are these: Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
39And the sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his first-born, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
29And in Gibeon hath the father of Gibeon dwelt, and the name of his wife is Maachah;
30and his son, the first-born, is Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher;
32and Mikloth begat Shimeah. And they also over-against their brethren dwelt in Jerusalem with their brethren.
33And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-Shua, and Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.
34And a son of Jonathan is Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begat Micah;
35and sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz:
36and Ahaz begat Jehoadah, and Jehoadah begat Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begat Moza,
37and Moza begat Binea, Raphah is his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38And to Azel are six sons, and these are their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these are sons of Azel.
39And sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his first-born, Jehush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40And the sons of Ulam are men mighty in valour, treading bow, and multiplying sons and son's sons, a hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
29And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; and his wife's name was Maachah.
30And his son, the firstborn, was Abdon; and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,
31and Gedor, and Ahio, and Zecher.
32And Mikloth begot Shimeah. And these also dwelt beside their brethren in Jerusalem, with their brethren.
33And Ner begot Kish; and Kish begot Saul; and Saul begot Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
34And the son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal; and Merib-Baal begot Micah.
35And the sons of Micah: Pithon, and Melech, and Tarea, and Ahaz.
36And Ahaz begot Jehoaddah; and Jehoaddah begot Alemeth, and Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri begot Moza;
37and Moza begot Binea: Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son.
38And Azel had six sons, and these are their names: Azrikam, Bochru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan; all these were sons of Azel.
39And the sons of Eshek his brother were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third.
40And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers; and they had many sons, and sons' sons, a hundred and fifty. All these were of the sons of Benjamin.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
29And at Gabaon dwelt Abigabaon, and the name of his wife was Maacha:
30And his firstborn son Abdon, and Sur, and Cis, and Baal, and Nadab,
31And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher, and Macelloth:
32And Macelloth begot Samaa: and they dwelt over against their brethren in Jerusalem with their brethren.
33And Ner begot Cis and Cis begot Saul. And Saul begot Jonathan and Melchisua, and Abinadab, and Esbaal.
34And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begot Micha.
35And the sons of Micha were Phithon, and Melech, and Tharaa, and Ahaz.
36And Ahaz begot Joada: and Joada begot Alamath, and Azmoth, and Zamri: and Zamri begot Mosa,
37And Mosa begot Banaa, whose son was Rapha, of whom was born Elasa, who begot Asel.
38And Asel had six sons whose names were Ezricam, Bochru, Ismahel, Saris, Obdia, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Asel.
39And the sons of Esec, his brother, were Ulam the firstborn, and Jehus the second, and Eliphalet the third.
40And the sons of Ulam were most valiant men, and archers of great strength: and they had many sons and grandsons, even to a hundred and fifty. All these were children of Benjamin.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Chronicles 8:29
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this genealogy, which parallels 1 Chronicles 9:35-44, traces the lineage of King Saul from the Benjamite clan of Gibeon. The list begins with Jeiel (the father of Gibeon) and his sons, then narrows to the house of Saul through Ner and Kish. Keil and Delitzsch observe that the narrative shifts from the many families of Benjamin to focus on Saul's line, while the Cambridge Bible notes several textual variants, such as the missing name of Ner between Baal and Nadab, suggesting scribal transmission. The name changes from 'Baal' to 'bosheth' (shame) in later books are noted by Barnes and Clarke, indicating a later aversion to Baal-compound names. The genealogy closes with Ulam's sons described as mighty archers, which Wesley explains as 'tread the bow', a reference to the strength needed to bend steel bows. The consensus is that this record preserves the royal line of Saul within the Chronicler's larger purpose of showing God's faithfulness to all Israel, even the fallen king's household.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal historical record: The names are actual ancestors preserved from court archives, with minor variations due to scribal copying (supported by parallel in 1 Chronicles 9).
- Representative genealogy: The list may compress generations or omit figures to serve a theological purpose, such as connecting Saul to the Gibeonites (noted by Keil & Delitzsch).
- Text-transmission composite: Clarke suggests Ezra may have found two conflicting copies and included both, explaining discrepancies between this chapter and 1 Chronicles 9.
What is clear: The genealogy demonstrates the continuity of the house of Saul from Gibeon through many generations, forming part of the Chronicler's comprehensive tribal records.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identification of Jeiel/Jehiel | The father of Gibeon is the same person named Jehiel in 1 Chronicles 9:35. | Some traditions (e.g., the Targum) identify him with Abiel of 1 Samuel 9:1, but Barnes suggests they may be different generations. |
| Relationship to 1 Samuel genealogies | Both sources agree that Kish was the father of Saul and that Ner was his grandfather (or uncle). | 1 Samuel 9:1 lists Kish as son of Abiel, son of Zeror, while here Kish is son of Ner. Commentators like Gill reconcile by positing that Abiel and Ner are the same person or that generations are compressed. |
| Significance of Baal names | The names Esh-baal and Merib-baal were later changed to Ish-bosheth and Mephibosheth to avoid association with Canaanite Baal worship. | Some argue this change happened very early (during the monarchy), while Barnes suggests it occurred only after the Baal cult became offensive under Ahab. The Chronicler preserves the older forms, showing textual fidelity. |
| Purpose of including Saul's line | The genealogy connects the post-exilic Benjaminite community to their royal past, both to Saul and David. | Matthew Henry sees it as a general tribal record; Keil & Delitzsch argue it is specifically to show the fate of the house of Saul as a contrast to David's enduring line. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Gibeon (modern el-Jib) was a significant city in Benjamin, about eight miles northwest of Jerusalem. It held a complex history: the Gibeonites deceived Joshua (Joshua 9), yet later became temple servants. By the time of the Chronicler, after the exile, Gibeon was part of the restored community. Jeiel, the 'father of Gibeon,' likely refers to a clan chief or founder (the Hebrew אֲבִי גִבְעוֹן, 'Abi-Gibeon'). Keil and Delitzsch note that his sons represent the heads of ancestral houses.
The verb translated 'dwelt' (יָשְׁבוּ) is plural in v.29, suggesting the whole clan lived there. Verse 32 tells us that one branch, through Mikloth and Shimeah, 'also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem.' This settlement may reflect the post-exilic repopulation of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11), where Benjaminites took up residence. The genealogies serve to connect the returning exiles to their pre-exilic roots.
A striking feature is the use of the name 'Baal' in the list: Zur, Kish, Baal, etc. Barnes explains that before the Baal cult of Ahab, the word simply meant 'lord' or 'master' and was used as a divine title without negative connotation. Later, pious editors changed names like Esh-baal ('man of the Lord') to Ish-bosheth ('man of shame'). The Chronicler, however, preserves the original forms, demonstrating that the genealogies were copied faithfully from older sources.
The final section (vv.39-40) highlights Ulam's sons as 'mighty men of valor, archers' who had 150 sons and grandsons. The Hebrew דֹּרְכֵי קֶשֶׁת (dorkhei qeshet) means literally 'treaders of the bow,' a term for archers who used their feet to bend heavy composite bows. This echo of Benjamin's reputation for archery (Judges 20:16) affirms the tribe's martial prowess even in later generations.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note several variants. The Cambridge Bible observes that the name of Ner is missing between Baal and Nadab in verse 30, though it appears in the parallel text (1 Chronicles 9:36) and in some Septuagint manuscripts. The name Zecher (v.31) is given as Zechariah in 1 Chronicles 9:37. Shimeah (v.32) appears as Shimeam in 1 Chronicles 9:38. These differences suggest scribal variation or alternative traditions. The overall textual tradition is stable, with the Masoretic Text and versions agreeing on the general shape of the genealogy.
Reception History
In the early church, genealogies like this were used to confirm the historical reality of the Old Testament, though the specific names were rarely preached. In rabbinic literature, allegorical interpretations flourished: Rabbi Solomon Jarchi (11th century) claimed that the six sons of Azel contained allegorical wisdom enough to load thirteen thousand camels. The Targum on verse 40 moralizes Ulam’s archers as men who “subdue by wisdom their evil concupiscence.” Throughout the medieval period, commentators such as Rashi used these lists to defend the integrity of the Masoretic text, pointing to the careful preservation of names even when they seemed unflattering. Name changes from Baal to bosheth have been widely discussed as reflecting later pious editing, a theme taken up by Reformation and modern commentators alike.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God remembers the overlooked. In a list of many names, the Chronicler stops to trace the line of Saul, a king who fell. This shows God’s care for the whole family, not just the victors.
- From weakness to strength. Ulam’s sons were archers, men who bent the bow. The genealogy ends not with failure but with fruitfulness. God can raise up a heritage of strength even from a broken line.
- The promise of a place. The mention of dwelling in Jerusalem points to God’s restoration. In the midst of exile and return, the Chronicler grounds identity in land and community.
Five-point outline
- The foundation in Gibeon: Jeiel and his sons establish the clan.
- The narrowing to Saul: The royal line emerges from Ner and Kish.
- The faithfulness of Jonathan’s line: Merib-baal (Mephibosheth) and Micah continue the story.
- The many descendants of Azel: Six sons show the family’s expansion.
- The triumph of Ulam’s house: Archers and 150 descendants close the list.
Illustration hooks
- A family reunion where you discover a distant relative who served in the military or achieved something remarkable. The list seems dry until you realize each name had a story.
- A museum exhibit of ancient weapons: the archers' bows required full-body strength. The detail about 'treading the bow' makes the genealogy come alive.
- A documentary about DNA genealogy: people discover they are descendants of famous or infamous figures. The Bible is honest: Saul's line is recorded even after his defeat.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible include such long lists of names? Are they just filler?
- What does it mean that some names were changed (like Esh-baal to Ish-bosheth)? Does God rename people?
- If Saul was rejected by God, why does his family tree matter for us?
Leading a Discussion
This passage might look like a homework assignment, but it's a gift. It tells us that God keeps track of every family, even the ones we might think are unimportant. Discuss how the Chronicler includes both the high (Saul the king) and the low (Azel's six sons) in the same list.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What do you notice about the structure of this genealogy? (Starts with many names, narrows to Saul, then expands again.)
- Interpretation: Verse 33 says “Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul.” Compare with 1 Samuel 9:1, where Kish is the son of Abiel. How do you explain the difference? (Possible answer: genealogies may omit generations or use variant names.)
- Application: The name “Baal” appears without negative connotation. How does this challenge our understanding of how cultural words change meaning over time? How should we handle words that have become corrupted?
- Observation: The genealogy ends with Ulam’s sons as “mighty men of valor, archers.” Why do you think the Chronicler highlights their skill and large family?
- Interpretation: Verse 32 says they “dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem.” How does this connect to the post-exilic community (see Nehemiah 11)? What does it say about identity and belonging?
- Application: This passage shows God’s faithfulness to the house of Saul, even after his downfall. How does this encourage you when you feel your family history is dark or full of mistakes?
- Reflection: The archers “tread the bow”, they put their whole weight into the task. What “bow” might God be asking you to bend with commitment?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Chronicles 9:35 | Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon. |
| I Chronicles 9:38 | Mikloth became the father of Shimeam. They also lived with their relatives in Jerusalem, near their relatives. |
| I Chronicles 9:36 | His firstborn son was Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, |
| I Chronicles 9:37 | Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. |
| I Samuel 9:1 | Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. |
| I Samuel 14:49 | Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal. |
| I Samuel 14:51 | Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. |
| I Samuel 31:2 | The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights how the ancient scribes changed Merib-baal to Mephibosheth, replacing the word "lord" (baal) with "shame" (bosheth) because of their deep hatred for Baal worship. He also criticizes Rabbi Jarchi's allegorical interpretations as excessive, calling the claim that six men's writings could load thirteen thousand camels a shameful hyperbole.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that before Ahab,
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary notes that the Chronicles writer preserved older Hebrew names containing "Baal," such as Eshbaal and Merib-baal. In early Israel, Baal was an acceptable title for the Lord. The book of Samuel later replaced these with Ish-bosheth and Mephibosheth to avoid association with pagan gods, reflecting a prophetic objection to the term.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill carefully harmonizes the parallel genealogies of 1 Chronicles, noting name variations such as Eshbaal for Ishbosheth and Meribbaal for Mephibosheth. He shows that the chapter expands the Benjaminite line specifically to trace the family of Saul and Jonathan, and he highlights the large number of valiant archers among Jonathan's descendants.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reconciles the different names in this genealogy by identifying which individuals appear under multiple names in other passages: Ner's father is Jehiel, Abiel and Ner are the same man, and Abinadab, Esh-baal, and Merib-baal are alternate names for Ishui, Ish-bosheth, and Mephibosheth.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch carefully resolves discrepancies between the parallel genealogies, explaining variant names like Merib
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that this expanded genealogy of Benjamin, ending with Saul's house, mirrors the treatment given to Judah and David's line. The Chronicler appears to have used a separate, detailed source for Benjamin, granting it the same genealogical care as the tribe of the Davidic kings.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that among all the tribal genealogies, not one northern king after Israel's split from David's house is mentioned, because they were all idolaters. He also clarifies that Kish is called Ner's son here but Abiel's grandson in Samuel, since Hebrew uses "son" for any descendant.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the Hebrew phrase for "archers" literally refers to those who tread the bow. Steel bows required such force that archers braced them with their feet while pulling the string with both hands.