The Chronicler’s genealogies of Israel close with a second lengthy account of Benjamin. This tribe has already been dealt with in 1 Chronicles 7:6–12a, so why the seeming repetition? The two lists differ in character and purpose, and there is little overlap. The military census that forms the basis of 1 Chronicles 7:1–40 is not evident here. One suggestion for allocating extra space to Benjamin is that it was, though briefly, a royal tribe with regard to King Saul. But an interest in tribal geography is more likely to be the key to this chapter’s inclusion. It is concerned mainly with Benjaminite settlements, especially Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 8:28, 1 Chronicles 8:32), but also Geba (1 Chronicles 8:6), Ono and Lod (1 Chronicles 8:12), Aijalon (1 Chronicles 8:13), Gibeon (1 Chronicles 8:29), and even Moab (1 Chronicles 8:8). Benjamin’s last position in the tribal lists is paralleled by the account of the first tribe, Judah, which also emphasizes tribal geography (1 Chronicles 2:42–55; 1 Chronicles 4:1–23). In fact, Judah and Benjamin
are frequently mentioned together in Chronicles, and Benjamin very rarely appears on its own, either in Chronicles (2 Chronicles 11:1–3; 2 Chronicles 14:8; 2 Chronicles 15:2; 2 Chronicles 31:1) or in Ezra–Nehemiah (Ezra 1:5; Ezra 4:1; Nehemiah 11:4–9). Together they formed first the southern kingdom of Judah and then the post-exilic community.1
Benjamin’s appearance here, therefore, is a sign of its partnership with Judah in preserving Israel’s identity and traditions. In particular, Benjamin’s ancient claim to its tribal territory must have been a real source of encouragement for Chronicles’ readers who lived in the same area (1 Chronicles 9:2–3). The land mattered because it was part of a promise which God had not withdrawn.
Selman draws attention to the parallel drawn between Judah, listed at the beginning of the genealogical prologue and Benjamin at the end. Benjamin is the subject matter of not only 1 Chronicles 7:6–12 but also 1 Chronicles 8:1–40; in the same way Judah is given not only 1 Chronicles 4:1–23 but also 1 Chronicles 2:3–3:24.2 In addition, both lists emphasise the tribal allotment of land. Not only do these two tribes form the core of the restoration community geographically and numerically, but they are also partners in preserving Israel’s social and political identity and maintaining the Hebrew religious tradition.3
1 Benjamin fathered Bela his firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third,