1 Chronicles 7:21

And Zabad his sonne, and Shuthelah his sonne, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath, that were borne in that land slewe, because they came downe to take away their cattell. 1 Chronicles 7:21 (KJV)

The book of 1 Chronicles is a historical record that traces the genealogy of Israel from the earliest ancestors through the time of King David. Chapter 7 presents the family lines of several tribes, including Issachar, Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim, and records the names of individual descendants. In this verse the names Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer and Elead are listed among those descendants. Some readers note that the passage belongs to the Chapter 7 genealogies, while others point out that a comparable list of Benjaminite families appears later in 1 Chronicles 12:23‑24.

The verse also records a violent encounter with the men of Gath, the inhabitants of the Philistine city. According to the text, the men of Gath slew Ezer and Elead because they came down to take away the cattle belonging to these Israelite families. Draft 2 adds that the men of Gath “but … slew Ezer and Elead because they came down to take away their cattle,” reinforcing the same motive. Draft 3 expands the description, stating that the men of Gath killed Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer and Elead for the same reason. The shared element in all three accounts is that the men of Gath attacked the descendants of Israel in order to seize their livestock, and that Ezer and Elead were certainly among those slain.

This brief narrative highlights two themes common to the chronicler’s work. First, the meticulous preservation of family names underscores the importance of lineage in Israel’s identity. Second, the episode with Gath illustrates the ongoing tensions between Israelite families and neighboring peoples, especially over valuable resources such as cattle. By recording both the genealogical details and the conflict, the chronicler reminds readers that the history of Israel is a tapestry woven from both heritage and the challenges faced by its people.