1 Chronicles 8:21
Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were the sons of Shimei.
Adaiah,

Adaiah, meaning “Yahweh has adorned” or “Yahweh has made,” stands within Benjamin’s preserved family records, bearing witness to God’s care for households whose lives are otherwise unrecorded. The Lord’s covenant faithfulness extended through ordinary families as well as through kings and prophets.

1Ch 9:12 Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur,…
Neh 11:5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh,…
2Ki 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king,…

Beraiah,

Beraiah, meaning “Yahweh has created,” belongs to the same Benjamite line, helping establish the continuity of a tribe that would later produce Israel’s first king, Saul. Such records safeguarded tribal identity, inheritance, and covenant membership.

1Ch 7:23 And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived…
Gen 46:17 The children of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi…

and Shimrath

Shimrath completes the named branch of Shimei’s household. The careful preservation of these names shows that Israel’s restoration after exile rested on real families and recognized ancestral lines.

2Ch 24:26 Those who conspired against Joash were Zabad son of…
1Ch 9:38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They too lived alongside…

were the sons of Shimei.

Shimei’s sons are placed within the larger genealogy of Benjamin, affirming that God had not forgotten His people or abandoned the promises connected with their tribes. The record joins this family to the continuing history of Israel under the Lord’s covenant care.

1Ch 23:10-11 And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah.…
1Ch 6:17 These are the names of the sons of Gershom…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adijah
One of the sons of Shimei, mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin. His name means "Yahweh is my witness" or "Yahweh is my ornament," reflecting a connection to God.

2. Beraiah
Another son of Shimei. His name can be interpreted as "Yahweh has created" or "Yahweh is my creator," indicating a divine acknowledgment in his identity.

3. Shimrath
The third son of Shimei listed in this verse. His name means "guard" or "watchman," suggesting a role of protection or vigilance.

4. Shimei
The father of Adijah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. He is part of the genealogical line of Benjamin, which is significant in the history of Israel.

5. Tribe of Benjamin
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for its warriors and significant figures like King Saul and the Apostle Paul. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles highlight the tribe's importance in Israel's history.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy in Scripture
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect God's people to their heritage and identity. They remind us of God's faithfulness through generations and the importance of family and community in His plan.

Names Reflecting Divine Attributes
The names of Adijah, Beraiah, and Shimrath each carry meanings that reflect attributes of God. This reminds us to consider how our identities and actions can reflect God's character in our lives.

The Role of the Tribe of Benjamin
Understanding the historical and spiritual significance of the tribe of Benjamin helps us appreciate the diverse roles within the body of Christ. Each tribe, like each member of the church, has a unique contribution to God's kingdom.

Legacy and Influence
The genealogies encourage us to think about the legacy we are leaving for future generations. How are we influencing our families and communities in ways that honor God?
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the meanings of the names Adijah, Beraiah, and Shimrath inspire you to reflect on your own identity in Christ?

2. In what ways can understanding your spiritual heritage strengthen your faith and commitment to God's purposes?

3. How does the role of the tribe of Benjamin in Israel's history encourage you to find your unique place and purpose within the church today?

4. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your legacy reflects God's faithfulness and love to future generations?

5. How can the genealogies in the Bible, often seen as tedious, be used as a tool for deeper spiritual reflection and understanding of God's plan throughout history?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 7:6-12
This passage provides additional genealogical context for the tribe of Benjamin, showing the broader family connections and the importance of lineage in Israel's history.

Genesis 35:16-18
The birth of Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, is recounted here. This connection highlights the origins of the tribe and its significance in the account of Israel.

Philippians 3:5
The Apostle Paul identifies himself as a member of the tribe of Benjamin, linking the New Testament to the Old Testament genealogies and showing the continuity of God's people.
Readings Between the Lines1 Chronicles 8:1-40
Readings Between the LinesW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 8:1-40
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abdon, Abihud, Abinadab, Abishua, Abitub, Abner, Adaiah, Addar, Ader, Aharah, Ahaz, Ahiah, Ahihud, Ahijah, Ahio, Ahitub, Ahoah, Alemeth, Antothijah, Arad, Ashbel, Athaliah, Azel, Azmaveth, Azrikam, Baara, Beerah, Bela, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Beraiah, Beriah, Binea, Bocheru, Ebed, Eber, Eder, Ehud, Elam, Eleasah, Eliah, Eliel, Elienai, Elijah, Eliphelet, Elpaal, Eshbaal, Eshek, Gedor, Gera, Gibeon, Hanan, Hananiah, Heber, Hezeki, Hodesh, Huram, Hushim, Iphedeiah, Ishmael, Ishmerai, Ishpan, Ispah, Jakim, Jaresiah, Jehoadah, Jehush, Jeiel, Jeremoth, Jeroham, Jeush, Jeuz, Jezliah, Jobab, Joha, Jonathan, Kish, Maacah, Maachah, Malcham, Malchishua, Manahath, Melech, Meribbaal, Mesha, Meshullam, Micah, Michael, Mikloth, Mirma, Misham, Moabites, Moza, Naaman, Nadab, Ner, Nohah, Obadiah, Penuel, Pithon, Rapha, Saul, Shachia, Shaharaim, Shamer, Shamsherai, Shashak, Sheariah, Shehariah, Shema, Shemer, Shephuphan, Shimeah, Shimei, Shimhi, Shimrath, Tarea, Ulam, Uzza, Zabdi, Zacher, Zebadiah, Zechariah, Zibia, Zichri, Zilthai, Zimri, Zur
Places
Aijalon, Beth-shan, Gath, Geba, Gibeon, Jerusalem, Lod, Manahath, Moab, Ono
Topics
Adaiah, Adai'ah, Beraiah, Berai'ah, Shimei, Shim'e-i, Shimhi, Shimrath, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 8:1-28

     7230   genealogies

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Sharon. Caphar Lodim. The Village of those of Lydda.
Between Lydda and the sea, a spacious valley runs out, here and there widely spreading itself, and sprinkled with villages. The holy page of the New Testament [Acts 9:35] calls it Saron: and that of the Old calls the whole, perhaps, or some part of it, 'the plain of Ono,' Nehemiah 6:2, 11:35; 1 Chronicles 8:12... The wine of Sharon is of great fame, with which they mixed two parts water: and remarkable is that they say concerning the houses of Sharon. R. Lazar saith, "He that builds a brick house
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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