1 Chronicles 9:35-44

Why does Saul’s genealogy appear again before the story moves to his death?

Berean Standard Bible

35 Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah. 36 Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They too lived alongside their relatives in Jerusalem. 39 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. 40 The son of Jonathan: Merib-baal, who was the father of Micah. 41 The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. 42 Ahaz was the father of Jarah; Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri was the father of Moza. 43 Moza was the father of Binea. Rephaiah was his son, Elasah his son, and Azel his son. 44 And Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.

What is the context?

The record returns to Jeiel of Gibeon and repeats the line through Ner and Kish to Saul. It again follows Jonathan’s descendants and the later family branches.

This repetition is a bridge into the history beginning with Saul’s final battle. After recalling exile and renewed temple service, the book turns back to the earlier beginning of David’s kingship.

The sequence must therefore be read by subject and purpose rather than as though Saul lives after the return from Babylon. The continued descendants also matter when the next chapter speaks of the loss of Saul’s house in battle.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley explicitly understands the repeated genealogy as preparing for the following history. The earlier chapter 8 list lets the reader see that this is a deliberate return to the family rather than a new royal line. Differences in some names should be preserved as the BSB gives them rather than rearranged into an unsupported family reconstruction.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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