Study Desk

Reuben was Israel's first son. Reuben should have received the special privileges of the oldest son. But he had sexual relations with his father's wife. So those privileges were given to Joseph's sons. In the family history, Reuben's name is not listed as the first son. Judah became stronger than his brothers, so the leaders came from his family. But Joseph's family got the other privileges that belong to the oldest son. Reuben's sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

Beerah was Baal's son. King Tiglath Pileser of Assyria forced Beerah to leave his home. So Beerah became the king's prisoner. Beerah was a leader of the tribe of Reuben.

Joel's brothers and all his tribes are listed just as they are written in the family histories: Jeiel was the first son, then Zechariah,

Jehozadak was forced to leave his home when the Lord sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem away. Through Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord caused them all to be made prisoners in another country.

Samuel's sons were his oldest son Joel, and Abijah.

Makir's wife Maacah had a son. She named this son Peresh. His brother was named Sheresh. The sons of Sheresh were Ulam and Rakem.

Then Ephraim had sexual relations with his wife. She became pregnant and had a son. Ephraim named this new son Beriah because something bad had happened to his family.

Shaharaim divorced his wives Hushim and Baara in Moab. After he did this he had some children with another wife.

Shaharaim had Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah with his wife Hodesh. They were leaders of their families.

Jeiel was Gibeon's father. He and his wife, Maacah, lived in the town of Gibeon.

His oldest son was Abdon. Other sons were Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,

The Shilonites who lived in Jerusalem were Asaiah the oldest son and his sons.

Shallum was Kore's son. Kore was Ebiasaph's son. Ebiasaph was Korah's son. Shallum and his brothers were gatekeepers. They were from the family of Korah. They had the job of guarding the entrance to the Holy Tent. They did this just as their ancestors had done before them. Their ancestors had the job of guarding the entrance to the area where the Lord lived among the people.

Jeiel was Gibeon's father. Jeiel lived in the town of Gibeon. His wife was named Maacah.

The Philistines continued chasing Saul and his sons. They caught them and killed them. The Philistines killed Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki Shua.

Then Saul said to the helper who carried his armor, "Pull out your sword and use it to kill me. Then these foreigners will not hurt me and make fun of me when they come." But the helper was afraid. He refused to kill Saul. So Saul used his own sword to kill himself by falling on it.

When the helper saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died.

So Saul and three of his sons died. All of Saul's family died together.

When all the Israelites living in the valley saw that their own army had run away and that Saul and his sons were dead, they left their towns and ran away. Then the Philistines came into the towns and lived in them.

The next day, the Philistines came to take valuable things from the dead bodies. They found Saul's body and the bodies of his sons on Mount Gilboa.