Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Chapter eight seems like a repeat. It is the tribe of Benjamin. Again. But unlike the last time, this time it is a deep dive into the tribe and descendants of Benjamin. The reason is that this is the tribe from which the first king of Israel came from: Saul.

Chapter nine sees the end of the registered genealogies and the beginning of the lists of the people who dwelt in Jerusalem as they came back from exile. The people, priests, Levites, and the temple servants. Their duties were listed as well as some of their responsibilities. The chapter ends with a full genealogy of the House of Saul. It was a House meant for great things, chosen by God Himself. But through the actions of Saul it fell, never to rise again.

Chapter ten shows us Saul’s end and the end of those of his House who were directly with him on the battlefield. But looking through the accounts of the books of Samuel and Kings we see that Saul’s line fell with him and never recovered. We also see Saul’s early actions honoured. Saul came to the rescue of the people of Jabesh Gilead forty years earlier (1 Samuel 11:1-15). They never forgot it. When the Philistines desecrated Saul’s body and hung it up as sport, the men of the city of Jabesh Gilead marched through the night, recovered his body, and gave him a decent burial. David sang their praises and called them honourable and brave men.

Summary

Key Players: God, the Jews.

Key Verse(s): 1 Chronicles 8:28; 9:1-2; 10:11-14