Day 108 1 Chronicles 7-9 Supplemental Note

1 Chronicles Chapter 7
Issachar, from the Hebrew word perhaps meaning hireling, or reward, was the fifth son of Leah (Genesis 30:18), the ninth overall of the Children of Jacob. Issachar's sons:

"The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four." (1 Chronicles 7:1 RSV)

Benjamin was the youngest of Israel's twelve sons, the second of the two children of Rachel (Genesis 35:24). He was born on the road between Bethlehem and Bethel, the only of Jacob's sons to be born in what is today Israel. Tragically, Rachel died in giving him birth (Genesis 35:16-20). Benjamin's sons:

"The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three." (1 Chronicles 7:6 RSV)

Naphtali was the sixth son of Jacob/Israel, the second son of his concubine (see Concubines) Bilhah, the handmaid of Rachel. Naphtali's sons:

"The sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shallum, the offspring of Bilhah." (1 Chronicles 7:13 RSV)

Ephraim and Manasseh are frequently mentioned together because, while they branched from their father Joseph, they were Israelite patriarchs in their own right, for all intents and purposes equal to their uncles.

"Their possessions and settlements were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer and its towns, Shechem and its towns, and Ayyah and its towns; also along the borders of the Manassites, Beth-shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, Dor and its towns. In these dwelt the sons of Joseph the son of Israel." (1 Chronicles 7:28-29 RSV)

Asher was the 8th-born son of Jacob/Israel, the second son of Zilpah, the handmaid of Jacob's wife Leah. Asher's sons:

"The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah." (1 Chronicles 7:30 RSV)

1 Chronicles Chapter 8
King Saul (see also Israelite Monarchy - The Origin) was of the tribe of Benjamin, which later along with Judah, formed The Southern Kingdom of "Judah" (see the Fact Finder question below).
The sons of Benjamin:

"Benjamin was the father of Bela his first-born, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth." (1 Chronicles 8:1-2 RSV)

The line of Saul:

"Jeiel the father of Gibeon dwelt in Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah. His first-born son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, and Mikloth, he was the father of Shimeah. Now these also dwelt opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen. Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal; and the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah." (1 Chronicles 8:29-34 RSV)

1 Chronicles Chapter 9
Much of Chronicles is stated in a "matter of fact" way, even in referring to some of the most dramatic events of Bible History, such as the Babylonian exile of Judah (see Why Babylon?).

"So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies; and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.
Now the first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities were Israel [see also Nehemiah and Ezra], the priests, the Levites, and the Temple servants." (1 Chronicles 9:1-2 RSV)

The duties and responsibilities of the various levels of Levites were very clear.

"And Phinehas the son of Eleazar [see also The Lines Of Eleazar and Ithamar] was the ruler over them in time past; The Lord was with him. Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper at the entrance of the tent of meeting. All these, who were chosen as gatekeepers at the thresholds, were two hundred and twelve. They were enrolled by genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer established them in their office of trust." (1 Chronicles 9:20-22 RSV) "Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture, and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the first-born of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of making the flat cakes." (1 Chronicles 9:28-31 RSV)