In the detailed genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin, the name Eleasah (or Eleasah the son of Rapha) appears as a testament to the survival of a royal house. While the kingdom was taken from Saul and given to David, God did not allow the line of Saul to be utterly extinguished. Eleasah stands as a representative of the continued legacy of the house of Kish.
A Descendant of Saul and Jonathan
Eleasah was a great-great-grandson of Mephibosheth (also called Merib-baal), the son of Jonathan. This makes Eleasah a direct descendant of King Saul. His lineage is meticulously preserved in the book of 1 Chronicles, which was written to encourage the returning exiles that their ancestral lines—even those of the former kings—remained intact.
“And Moza begat Binea; Rapha was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son:” (1 Chronicles 8:37, KJV)
This same record is repeated in 1 Chronicles 9:43, emphasizing the importance of this specific Benjamite line.
The Meaning of the Name
As with the other men of this name, Eleasah means “God has made” or “God has fashioned.” In the context of Saul’s descendants, this name carries a weight of divine sovereignty. Though Saul’s dynasty ended in tragedy on Mount Gilboa, God “made” a way for his descendants to continue through the kindness of David toward Mephibosheth. Eleasah is the evidence of that continued existence.
Life in the Tribe of Benjamin
Eleasah lived several generations after the time of David and Solomon. During his era, the family of Saul remained influential within the tribe of Benjamin. The record shows that Eleasah’s family was numerous and notable for their strength; his nephew’s sons were described as “mighty men of valour, archers” (1 Chronicles 8:40).
While Eleasah did not sit on a throne, he occupied a place of honor within the genealogical record of Israel. He represents the “quiet years” of a formerly royal family—a family that learned to live under the sovereignty of God and the leadership of the house of David.
A Lesson in Divine Faithfulness
The inclusion of Eleasah in the Bible teaches us that:
- God’s Mercy Endures: Even though Saul was rejected as king, God showed mercy to his posterity.
- The Value of the Individual: In the eyes of the Lord, Eleasah was more than just a “former royal.” He was a specific link in a chain that God saw fit to record twice in His Word.
- Purpose in the Shadows: One does not need to be a king to be part of God’s plan. Eleasah served his generation by maintaining the heritage and the faith of his fathers.