No matter the size of your family, if there are at least two children, there will be a first born and last born child. In the Bible, the oldest or first born male received a double portion of his father’s assets and became the heir of any land that was owned by the family. Jacob was the last born of twin brothers. When it came time for Isaac to distribute his estate, Jacob managed to get his brother’s inheritance by tricking his father into believing he was his oldest son Esau.

Benjamin was Jacob’s last born child and became his father’s favorite after his older brother Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. The first king of Israel, king Saul came from the family of Benjamin. It would seem that God reinforced Jacob’s favoritism toward his youngest child.

When David took over as king, all of Saul’s male descendants were killed except one grandson, Merib-baal, also known as Mephibasheth, the son of Jonathon. This was the second time the family of Benjamin was nearly exterminated (Judges 20:48). At the end of the geneology of the family of Benjamin that is recorded in 1 Chronicles chapter 8, it says, “And the sons of Ulam were mighty men of valour, archers, and had many sons, and sons’ sons, an hundred and fifty. All these are of the sons of Benjamin.

The family of Benjamin is a typology of the nation of Israel. Many time they have been nearly exterminated, but have survived for thousands of years because of God’s protection. God’s favoritism toward Israel is obvious. He will never leave or forsake them, therefore, their survival is guaranteed…for ever.