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where we have been planted

1 Chronicles 8:1-40

1 Chronicles 8:1 Benjamin fathered Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was born second, Aharah third,
1 Chronicles 8:2 Nohah fourth, and Rapha fifth.
1 Chronicles 8:3 Bela’s sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud,
1 Chronicles 8:4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah,
1 Chronicles 8:5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram.
1 Chronicles 8:6 These were Ehud’s sons. These were the heads of the families living in Geba and who were deported to Manahath:
1 Chronicles 8:7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera deported them and was the father of Uzza and Ahihud.
1 Chronicles 8:8 Shaharaim had sons in the territory of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara.
1 Chronicles 8:9 His sons by his wife Hodesh: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam,
1 Chronicles 8:10 Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, family heads.
1 Chronicles 8:11 He also had sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal.
1 Chronicles 8:12 Elpaal’s sons: Eber, Misham, and Shemed who built Ono and Lod and its surrounding villages,
1 Chronicles 8:13 Beriah and Shema, who were the family heads of Aijalon’s residents and who drove out the residents of Gath,
1 Chronicles 8:14 Ahio, Shashak, and Jeremoth.
1 Chronicles 8:15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder,
1 Chronicles 8:16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were Beriah’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:17 Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber,
1 Chronicles 8:18 Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were Elpaal’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:19 Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi,
1 Chronicles 8:20 Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel,
1 Chronicles 8:21 Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were Shimei’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:22 Ishpan, Eber, Eliel,
1 Chronicles 8:23 Abdon, Zichri, Hanan,
1 Chronicles 8:24 Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah,
1 Chronicles 8:25 Iphdeiah, and Penuel were Shashak’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:26 Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah,
1 Chronicles 8:27 Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were Jeroham’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:28 These were family heads, chiefs according to their family records; they lived in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 8:29 Jeiel fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah.
1 Chronicles 8:30 Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
1 Chronicles 8:31 Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,
1 Chronicles 8:32 and Mikloth who fathered Shimeah. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem, with their other relatives.
1 Chronicles 8:33 Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
1 Chronicles 8:34 Jonathan’s son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah.
1 Chronicles 8:35 Micah’s sons: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
1 Chronicles 8:36 Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri fathered Moza.
1 Chronicles 8:37 Moza fathered Binea. His son was Raphah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel.
1 Chronicles 8:38 Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were Azel’s sons.
1 Chronicles 8:39 His brother Eshek’s sons: Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third.
1 Chronicles 8:40 Ulam’s sons were valiant warriors and archers. They had many sons and sons of sons — 150 of them. All these were among Benjamin’s sons.

where we have been planted

This list adds more detail to the genealogy of Benjamin that had begun in chapter 7. It is appropriate to provide more details on this tribe, as Benjamin and Judah were the two “surviving” tribes that figured predominantly into the postexilic community. In other words, the readers who first read or heard these words were most likely from these tribes. While the whole list is their family tree, they would find themselves here.

We believers belong to an extended community of faith that incorporates all those who are in Christ. But we are also part of a local community of faith – a local church. That is not a mere accident of chance. Our LORD who brought us to himself also placed us just where he wanted us. He either wants us to take roots here, or he wants to use our local community of faith to launch us into ministry elsewhere. Either way, our local body is important.

LORD, thank you for where we have been planted. Use us for your glory.