1 Chronicles 8:38
Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
Azel had six sons, and these were their names:

Azel belonged to the extended line of Saul within Benjamin. His family record preserves the continuity of Saul’s house even after David’s dynasty received the throne, showing that God had not forgotten the families connected with Israel’s first king.

1Ch 9:44 And Azel had six sons, and these were their names:…
1Ch 9:43 Moza was the father of Binea. Rephaiah was his son.…

Azrikam,

Azrikam, whose name means “help against the enemy” or “my help has risen,” stands within a household whose identity was rooted in the covenant community of Israel. The preservation of his name testifies to the Lord’s care for individuals and families often otherwise unknown to history.

Neh 11:15 From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub,…
2Ch 28:7 Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah…

Bocheru,

Bocheru, a less common name possibly related to “firstborn” or “youth,” confirms his place among Azel’s recognized sons and heirs. The biblical genealogies uphold the importance of each generation in carrying forward the tribal inheritance of Benjamin.

1Ch 7:8 The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer…
Gen 46:21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera,…

Ishmael,

Ishmael bears a name that means “God hears.” Within Saul’s descendants, the name points to the God who remains attentive to His people despite their failures, losses, and changing circumstances.

1Ch 1:29 These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn…
Gen 17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him;…

Sheariah,

Sheariah, meaning “valued by the Lord” or “the Lord is my kinsman”, belonged to a family line established in Benjamin’s territory and preserved in Israel’s records. His name among Azel’s sons reflects the enduring bond between the Lord and the people He had called as His own.

1Ch 6:14 Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah…
Ezr 7:1 Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes,…

Obadiah,

Obadiah means “servant of the Lord,” and his name identifies him with service to the Lord. Faithful service to God remained the true calling of every Israelite household, including families whose place was recorded quietly in genealogies rather than public events.

1Ch 3:21 The descendants of Hananiah: Pelatiah, Jeshaiah…
2Ch 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites…

and Hanan.

Hanan, meaning gracious or merciful, completes the list of Azel’s sons. The Lord’s grace, reflected in his name, was Israel’s lasting hope and the only foundation for the preservation of any family line.

Neh 8:7 The Levites instructed the people in the Law…
Neh 10:10 and their associates: Shebaniah, Hodiah,…

All these were the sons of Azel.

Azel’s descendants form part of the larger genealogy leading back through Saul and Benjamin. Their record affirms God’s faithfulness to preserve Israel’s tribes and prepares the way for the restoration of the people after exile.

1Ch 7:11 All these sons of Jediael were heads of their families,…
1Ch 7:40 All these were the descendants of Asher…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azel
A descendant of King Saul, Azel is noted for having six sons. His lineage is part of the genealogical record of the tribe of Benjamin.

2. Azrikam
The first son of Azel, his name means "help against the enemy" in Hebrew.

3. Bocheru
The second son, whose name means "firstborn" or "youthful."

4. Ishmael
The third son, sharing a name with the son of Abraham and Hagar, meaning "God hears."

5. Sheariah
The fourth son, whose name means "valued by the Lord."

6. Obadiah
The fifth son, meaning "servant of the Lord."

7. Hanan
The sixth son, meaning "gracious" or "merciful."
Teaching Points
The Importance of Genealogy
Genealogies in the Bible remind us of God's faithfulness through generations. They show how God works through families and lineages to fulfill His purposes.

Names with Meaning
The names of Azel's sons reflect attributes and characteristics valued in a relationship with God, such as being heard by God (Ishmael) and serving the Lord (Obadiah).

Legacy and Influence
Our spiritual and familial legacies are significant. Like Azel's sons, we are called to leave a legacy that honors God and impacts future generations.

God's Faithfulness to His People
The detailed genealogies demonstrate God's ongoing commitment to His people, fulfilling His promises through each generation.

Identity in Christ
Just as the names in this genealogy carry meaning, our identity in Christ gives us purpose and direction. We are called to live out the characteristics that reflect our relationship with Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the genealogies in the Bible enhance our appreciation of God's faithfulness throughout history?

2. What significance do the meanings of the names in 1 Chronicles 8:38 have for us today in our walk with God?

3. How can we ensure that we leave a spiritual legacy that honors God for future generations?

4. In what ways does our identity in Christ shape the way we live and interact with others?

5. How can we apply the lessons from the genealogies of the Bible to our own family histories and relationships?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Chronicles 9:44
This verse repeats the genealogy of Azel, emphasizing the importance of family lineage in the tribe of Benjamin.

Genesis 16:11
The name Ishmael connects back to the account of Hagar and Abraham, highlighting the theme of God hearing and responding to human needs.

1 Samuel 9:1-2
The genealogy of Saul, which includes Azel, connects to the broader account of Israel's first king and the tribe of Benjamin.
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
Azel, Azrikam, Bocheru, Bokeru, Hanan, Ishmael, Names, Obadiah, Sheariah, Six, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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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