What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 7:6? The three sons • Genealogies in 1 Chronicles ground Israel’s story in real families, showing God’s faithfulness from one generation to the next (cf. Genesis 5; Matthew 1). • In this chapter the writer pauses to note, “Three sons of Benjamin,” before unfolding numbers and exploits (1 Chronicles 7:7-11). • The focus on three principal lines highlights clan structure at the time of the monarchy, even though earlier records list more sons (Genesis 46:21; 1 Chronicles 8:1). Scripture simply presents different snapshots of the same family at different stages—a reminder that God’s record is precise and purposeful, not contradictory. Of Benjamin • Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, born after Rachel prayed in anguish and then died in childbirth (Genesis 35:18). The tribe therefore carried a sense of being both beloved and hard-forged. • Moses blessed Benjamin as the one who would “dwell between the shoulders” of the LORD—nestled close to God’s presence (Deuteronomy 33:12). Appropriately, the tribe’s territory bordered Jerusalem and later supplied Israel with kings such as Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2). • Chronicling Benjamin’s clans here reminds readers that God preserves even the smallest tribe. Judges 20 shows Benjamin almost wiped out, yet 1 Chronicles 7 proves the Lord kept His promise by rebuilding their numbers. Bela • Listed first, Bela is the firstborn (Genesis 46:21). His line produced 22,034 “mighty men of valor” (1 Chronicles 7:7). • Descendants include Ehud, the left-handed deliverer who rescued Israel from Moab (Judges 3:15). • Bela’s prominence underscores how God can raise deliverers from unexpected places. Though Judah provides the Messianic line, Benjamin supplies heroes for critical moments. Becher • Becher’s descendants numbered 20,200 warriors (1 Chronicles 7:8). • Numbers 26:35 places a Becher among Ephraim, suggesting a shared clan name across tribes or inter-tribal marriages—a normal feature in large extended families. The Chronicler, guided by the Spirit, records the branch that truly belongs to Benjamin here. • Becher’s inclusion testifies that every clan, even those about which little else is said, counts in God’s ledger. Jediael • Jediael’s line, through his son Bilhan, produced 17,200 “ready for battle” (1 Chronicles 7:10-11). • The name Jediael means “God knows.” Fittingly, the Chronicler affirms that the Lord not only knows this clan but also equips them. • Their skills—slinging stones, shooting arrows (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:2)—echo the earlier prowess of Benjamite soldiers (Judges 20:16), showing consistent gifting across centuries. summary 1 Chronicles 7:6 introduces three chief branches of Benjamin—Bela, Becher, and Jediael. Each name signals a clan that God preserved, multiplied, and armed for His purposes. The verse may appear to be a simple roll call, yet it quietly proclaims the Lord’s covenant faithfulness: the tribe once nearly erased now fields tens of thousands of valiant men. By recording these sons, Scripture assures us that God sees every family, keeps every promise, and weaves each life into His redemptive plan. |
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