1 Chronicles 9:44 – “Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah and Hanan. These were the sons of Azel.”
Extended Explanation
This verse concludes the genealogy of Saul’s descendants, particularly focusing on Azel, who is part of Saul’s extended family. Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. The verse simply lists these names, emphasizing the continuity of Azel’s family line. Each name represents an individual who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin and the family of Saul, Israel’s first king. While there are no further details about the lives of these sons in Scripture, their inclusion in this genealogy ensures that their names and their connection to Israel’s history are remembered.
Historical Context
Genealogies were incredibly important in ancient Israel because they helped establish identity, tribal connections, and inheritance rights. For the Israelites returning from exile, the chronicler’s goal in compiling these genealogies was to reestablish the people’s connection to their heritage. This particular genealogy traces the descendants of Saul’s family, which was part of the tribe of Benjamin. Even though Saul’s reign ended in failure, his descendants are still important to the chronicler’s story. The family line continues through Azel and his sons, showing that God did not completely erase Saul’s legacy.
These genealogies were especially important during the post-exilic period as the Israelites were trying to reclaim their land and reestablish their national and spiritual identity after being displaced in Babylon. By preserving the records of Saul’s family, the chronicler is helping his readers see their place in the broader history of God’s people.
Theological Implications
This verse underscores a central theological idea: God’s faithfulness to families and generations. Even though Saul’s kingship was marked by disobedience and failure, God still preserved his family line. The listing of Azel’s sons shows that God’s plans and purposes continue, even when human leaders fall short. This demonstrates God’s grace and His ongoing work in the lives of His people across generations.
Additionally, the verse speaks to the importance of family heritage in God’s plan. Throughout Scripture, family and lineage are key ways that God fulfills His promises. The fact that Azel’s descendants are named here shows that even lesser-known individuals play a part in God’s grand story. God values every person, and their role in His purposes is significant, whether they are famous or relatively unknown.
Literary Analysis
This verse, like many in 1 Chronicles, is part of a broader genealogical record that details the descendants of key figures in Israel’s history. The chronicler uses genealogies to connect the post-exilic community back to their roots, ensuring that the story of Israel’s families is preserved. The simple structure of the verse—listing names—emphasizes continuity and the importance of each generation. The chronicler’s goal is not just historical accuracy but theological reflection, showing that God’s hand is at work through families across time.
The mention of Azel’s six sons serves as a conclusion to this genealogical section, wrapping up the record of Saul’s descendants. While the chronicler does not provide additional details about these individuals, their names are included to demonstrate the continued existence and significance of Saul’s family.
Biblical Cross-References
1 Chronicles 8:38 provides a parallel genealogy of Azel and his sons, confirming the family line’s connection to Saul. Additionally, genealogies in other parts of Scripture, such as Genesis 5 and Genesis 10, emphasize the importance of family lines in God’s plan for humanity.
Psalm 78:4 speaks about the responsibility of passing down the knowledge of God to the next generation: “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.” This concept of generational faithfulness is echoed in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, where the chronicler is preserving the names of each generation to show their role in God’s ongoing work.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that each person, regardless of their role or prominence, is part of God’s plan. Even though Azel’s sons are not well-known figures in the Bible, their names are included as part of the grand narrative of God’s people. This encourages us to see the value in every life and recognize that our faithfulness to God, even in small ways, contributes to His larger purposes.
The verse also highlights the importance of family and heritage. Just as Azel’s sons were part of the ongoing story of Israel, Christians are part of a spiritual family that stretches across generations. We are called to pass on our faith to the next generation, ensuring that the story of God’s work continues in our families and communities.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reflects God’s love by showing that He cares about every individual and family. Even though Saul’s kingship ended in failure, God’s love is evident in His preservation of Saul’s family line. God’s love is not dependent on human success or perfection. He remains faithful to His people, and He values every person, regardless of their status or role.
God’s love is also seen in how He works through generations. The fact that Azel’s sons are included in this genealogy demonstrates that God’s love extends beyond one individual or generation. He is the God of families and nations, and His love spans across time and history.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
While this verse specifically traces the descendants of Saul’s family, it points to the broader biblical theme of genealogy and heritage that ultimately culminates in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ genealogy, recorded in Matthew 1 and Luke 3, shows that God’s promises are fulfilled across generations. While Azel’s family is part of the tribe of Benjamin, Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, fulfilling the promise of a Messiah through the line of David. However, the emphasis on family lines in both genealogies points to God’s faithfulness in working through generations to bring about His plan of redemption.
In Jesus, we see the fulfillment of all the hopes and promises that genealogies like this one represent. While Azel’s sons were part of the story of Israel, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan to save and redeem His people.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does this verse remind us of the importance of family and heritage in God’s plan?
- What can we learn from the inclusion of lesser-known individuals like Azel’s sons about the value of every person in God’s story?
- How can we ensure that our own faith is passed down to future generations, just as these genealogies preserve the names of past generations?
- In what ways does the preservation of family lines in Scripture point to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus Christ?