Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Chronicles 8

1 NOw Benjamin begat Bela his first▪born, Ashbel the second, and Aharah the third,

He had spoken something of this Tribe before, ch. 7. 6. but now he treats of it again and that more fully and exactly; partly for Sauls sake who was of this Tribe; and partly because this Tribe adhered to David and the Kingdom of Iudah, and went with Iudah into Babylon; and now were returned from thence in greater Numbers than the other Tribes, except Iudah.

So called by Moses: but the Names of the rest vary from those in Moses: either because the same Person had two several Names, as hath been oft noted: or because these were not the immediate sons of Benjamin, but his Grandchildren here mentioned in their Parents stead, possibly because they were more Eminent than their Parents,

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

6 And these are the sons of Ehud: these are the heads of the fathers of the Inhabitants of Geba d, and they removed them to Manahath:

Either those three last mentioned; or rather th[illegible: 1+ letters]se following, v. 7. because he here speaks of them who were removed; and they are said to be removed, v. 7. 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, Iudg. 20.

Either their Fathers, or their Heads and Superiours removed them: or they removed themselves; either because they were too numerous for that Place: or because they desired to change their Habitation and hoped it would be for the better, and judged Manahath a more convenient Place.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 span]

7 And Naaman, and Ahiah, and Gera, he removed them, and begat Uzza, and Ahihud .

Either 1. Their Father: Or, 2, Gera last mentioned, who, it seems, was the Chief Counsellor or Promoter of this Work.

When he was seated in Manahath.

8 And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab , after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives .

Whither he had removed himself either at the same time when Elimelech did, Ruth 1. 1, &c. or upon the same or like Occasion.

Ehud or Gera last mentioned.

Others joyn these Words with the former and render the Place thus, after he had sent them (to wit, his Sons) away, with Hushim and Baara his wives, i. e. as he also sent his Wives away from him. Which may be here mentioned as a Brand upon him, to shew that he was without natural Affection to his Wives and Children. And it seems the more probable that he divorced them, because we find him married to another Wise, v. 9.

12 The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod with the towns thereof.

Of which see Ezr. 2. 33. Nehem. 7. 37. & 11. 35.

13 Beriah also and Shema, who were heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Ajalon , who drove away the inhabitants of Gath .

A Place formerly belonging to the Tribe of Dan, Ios. 19. 42. but after the Return from Babylon possessed by the Benjamites, because both Dan and the rest of the ten Tribes were yet for the Generality of them in Captivity and but few of them returned.

Either 1. at that time when they made such a Slaughter among Ephraims Children, ch. 7. 21. and were possibly pursuing their Victory, till they were driven back by these Benjamites who came to the [illegible: 1+ letters]uccour of their Brethren. Or, 2, Now when they were returned from the Captivity and found the Men of Gath possessed of Ajalon. Or, 3. at some other time not mentioned in Scripture.

28 These were heads of the fathers by their generations, chief men. These dwelt in Jerusalem.

All these named from v. 14. to this place.

29 And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon (whose wives name was Maacha:)

i. e. The Chief or Ruler of the Benjamites dwelling there.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] 9. 35.; [illegible: 1 word]. 9. 35.

32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them .

i. e. With those other Benjamites spoken of v. 28.

In some street or part of Ierusalem, which was over against that where their Brethren dwelt.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] 9. 3[illegible: 1+ letters].

40 And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valout, atchers , and had many sons, and sons sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

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.