What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 8:21? Adaiah “Adaiah … were the sons of Shimei.” In the genealogy of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:1–28), Adaiah heads the trio of brothers. The Spirit-inspired listing reminds us that: - God notices individuals, not just nations. 1 Chronicles 9:1 notes that “all Israel was recorded in the genealogies,” underscoring divine care for every name. - First names in a sibling group often signal leadership or prominence; Adaiah’s placement hints at a God-given role within his clan, much as Nahshon led Judah in Numbers 1:7. - By preserving Adaiah’s name, the Lord quietly affirms His promise in Luke 12:7 that “even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” Beraiah “Beraiah … were the sons of Shimei.” Beraiah appears elsewhere (e.g., 1 Chronicles 7:30; 23:10), showing that the same name can serve different families, yet each person is distinct before God. - Genealogies weave together seemingly ordinary lives that God uses for His larger purposes—compare Ruth 4:18-22, where a list culminates in King David. - The placement of Beraiah between brothers reflects the body of Christ idea in 1 Corinthians 12:18: “God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as He desired.” Shimrath “Shimrath … were the sons of Shimei.” Though Scripture records nothing else about Shimrath, his inclusion teaches: - Being remembered by God does not depend on public achievement. Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him.” - Even the quietest believer fits into the unfolding redemption that ultimately leads, through this Benjaminite line, to Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33) and later to the apostle Paul (Acts 13:21; Philippians 3:5). sons of Shimei “Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.” The focus shifts from the three brothers to their father, highlighting the generational thread: - God blesses faithfulness “to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Shimei’s legacy continues through his sons, just as Psalm 145:4 celebrates one generation commending God’s works to another. - The phrase anchors these men in a real family, land, and tribe—evidence that the biblical record is historical, not mythical. Compare 1 Chronicles 8:29-33, where the chronicler grounds Saul’s royal lineage in concrete names and places. summary 1 Chronicles 8:21 may look like a simple roll call—“Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei”—yet it testifies to God’s meticulous faithfulness. Each brother, whether prominent or obscure, is known to the Lord. Their father’s name ties them to a covenant line that points ahead to kings and apostles. In recording even the quietest lives, Scripture assures every believer that God sees, records, and values each person’s place in His redemptive story. |
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