Topical Encyclopedia The genealogy from Benjamin to Saul is a significant lineage in the history of Israel, tracing the roots of the first king of Israel, Saul, back to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This genealogy is primarily documented in the Old Testament, providing insight into the tribal and familial connections that shaped the early monarchy of Israel.Benjamin Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and his birth is recorded in Genesis 35:16-18. Rachel named him Ben-Oni, meaning "son of my sorrow," as she died during childbirth, but Jacob renamed him Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand." Benjamin's descendants formed one of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for their fierce warriors and strategic location in the land of Canaan. Bela, Becher, and Jediael Benjamin had several sons, among whom Bela, Becher, and Jediael are noted in 1 Chronicles 7:6. These sons became the progenitors of various clans within the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe's genealogical records are further detailed in 1 Chronicles 8, which outlines the descendants of Benjamin through these sons and others. Ehud Ehud, a descendant of Benjamin, is a notable figure in the Book of Judges. He is remembered as a left-handed judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression by assassinating King Eglon (Judges 3:15-30). Ehud's account highlights the valor and cunning often associated with the tribe of Benjamin. Kish Kish, a Benjamite, is a direct ancestor of Saul. He is described as a man of standing and the father of Saul in 1 Samuel 9:1-2: "Now there was a man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite of good standing. He had a son named Saul, a choice and handsome young man." Kish's lineage is further detailed in 1 Chronicles 8:29-33, which traces his ancestry back to Benjamin. Saul Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. His anointing is recorded in 1 Samuel 10:1, where the prophet Samuel pours oil on Saul's head and declares him ruler over God's inheritance. Saul's reign marked the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. Despite his promising beginnings, Saul's reign was marred by disobedience to God's commands, leading to his eventual rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:26). The genealogy from Benjamin to Saul underscores the providential unfolding of Israel's history, as God sovereignly orchestrated the rise of its first king from the tribe of Benjamin. This lineage not only highlights the tribal dynamics within Israel but also sets the stage for the subsequent rise of David, from the tribe of Judah, as Saul's successor. |