1 Chronicles 8:38
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Chronicles 8:38
38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
Chapter Context
1 Chronicles 8 is a historical and genealogical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of mercy, faith, grace. Written during the post-exilic reflection on David's reign (c. 430-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written after exile to reestablish national identity through connection to David's lineage.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Chronicles and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Chronicles 8:38
38 And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel.
Analysis
And Azel had six sons—this detailed enumeration appears twice in Chronicles (here and 9:44), emphasizing King Saul's genealogy. Azel (אָצֵל 'noble' or 'set apart') descended from Jonathan through Merib-baal/Mephibosheth (v. 34), making these six sons Saul's great-great-great-grandsons. Their names—Azrikam (עַזְרִיקָם 'my help has risen'), Bocheru (בֹּכְרוּ 'firstborn'), Ishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל 'God hears'), Sheariah (שְׁעַרְיָה 'Yahweh has stormed'), Obadiah (עֹבַדְיָה 'servant of Yahweh'), and Hanan (חָנָן 'gracious')—blend theophoric piety with circumstantial naming.
The repetition All these were the sons of Azel creates a deliberate inclusio (bracketing device), emphasizing completeness. Why chronicle Saul's post-monarchic descendants so carefully? The Chronicler demonstrates that God's rejection of Saul's dynasty (1 Samuel 15:28) didn't mean extinction of his lineage—covenant mercy preserved Saul's descendants through Jonathan's line despite dynastic failure. This offered hope to post-exilic Israel: corporate judgment doesn't necessitate individual extinction; God preserves faithful remnants even from rejected systems.
That Jonathan's line survived while kingship passed to David illustrates grace's complexity: God judges institutions (Saulide monarchy ended) while preserving persons (Jonathan's descendants continued). The names testify to genuine Yahwistic faith ('servant of Yahweh,' 'my help has risen') among Saul's descendants, showing personal piety can flourish even in dynasties under divine judgment.
Historical Context
Saul's dynasty ended violently on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31, c. 1010 BC) when he and three sons died fighting Philistines. Only Ish-bosheth and Jonathan's son Mephibosheth survived. Ish-bosheth's assassination (2 Samuel 4) and Mephibosheth's childless status initially seemed to end Saul's line, but 2 Samuel 21:8 mentions Merab's sons, and this Chronicles passage shows Jonathan's descendants continued through post-exilic period. Their survival testifies to David's covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:15-16, 42) outlasting the royal rivalry.
Reflection
- How does God's preservation of Saul's descendants through Jonathan comfort those whose families have experienced corporate discipline or institutional failure?
- What does the theophoric piety in Azel's sons' names teach about maintaining personal faithfulness even when family legacy includes divine judgment?