1 Chronicles 8: Saul’s Story

Key Verse
33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan…
 
Meditation
Jesus is the key to unlock the mystery of every word, every name, and every situation of the Old Testament, helping readers see God’s redemptive purposes while providing gospel application.
 
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27
 
Today’s reading is the genealogy of Saul, an important list of names for both Ezra’s audience returning from exile and for modern readers who encounter the narrative of Saul’s death in chapter 10 (yes, the genealogies of 1 Chronicles soon end and narrative begins). Saul was the first king of Israel (read about him in 1 Samuel), a descendent of Benjamin who was Jacob’s son through Rachel. Saul’s son Jonathan did not take his father’s throne because of Saul’s disobedience (1 Samuel 13:8-15). 
 
Saul’s rule left Israel longing for a greater king, one who was “after (God’s) own heart.” Enter David, the king to whom God promised he would forever have an heir on the throne (2 Samuel 7). Psalm 89:36-37 celebrates David’s throne existing “as long as the sun and moon,” a promise reaching back to Genesis 3:15 and pushing God’s story forward to fullness in Jesus Christ. Jesus is king David’s greater offspring who will “reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Jesus is the ultimate “son of David” (Matthew 1:1) whose “kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33).
 
Saul’s story, then, only makes sense when we see how Saul leads us to our Savior. Jesus is the King of Kings who chose His people for Himself.
 
Today’s Reading
Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, 2 Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the fifth. 3 And Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. 6 These are the sons of Ehud (they were heads of fathers' houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and they were carried into exile to Manahath): 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, that is, Heglam, who fathered Uzza and Ahihud.8 And Shaharaim fathered sons in the country of Moab after he had sent away Hushim and Baara his wives. 9 He fathered sons by Hodesh his wife: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10 Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' houses. 11 He also fathered sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal. 12 The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns, 13 and Beriah and Shema (they were heads of fathers' houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who caused the inhabitants of Gath to flee); 14 and Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth.15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were sons of Beriah. 17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18 Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were the sons of Elpaal. 19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei. 22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel were the sons of Shashak. 26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were the sons of Jeroham. 28 These were the heads of fathers' houses, according to their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.
29 Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon, and the name of his wife was Maacah. 30 His firstborn son: Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31 Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, 32 and Mikloth (he fathered Shimeah). Now these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen. 33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal;34 and the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah. 35 The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.36 Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, and Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri fathered Moza. 37 Moza fathered Binea; Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. 38 Azel had six sons, and these are their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel. 39 The sons of Eshek his brother: Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. 40 The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150. All these were Benjaminites.
Richly Dwelling
-Why is it important to see this genealogy connecting God’s redemptive story both backwards and forwards, finding fullness in Jesus?
 
-Where do you identify with ancient Israel, ruined by unfaithful kings and longing for the true King of Kings whose rule is beneficial and restorative?
 
-What can you do, specifically, to welcome the rule of king Jesus in your life?
 
Key Verse
33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan…