Asaiah

Asaiah is the name of several Israelites mentioned in the Chronicler's genealogies and ark narrative. The name belongs to a Simeonite chief, a Merarite Levite who served under David, and a Shilonite resettler — all preserved in 1 Chronicles. The men are distinct, and the texts identify each one by clan and role rather than by deeds narrated in his own right.

A Simeonite Chief

Asaiah first appears in the genealogy of Simeon, listed among the household heads who multiplied as their fathers' houses spread out for pasture: "and Elioenai, and Jaakobah, and Jeshohaiah, and Asaiah, and Adiel, and Jesimiel, and Benaiah," (1Ch 4:36). The Chronicler names him in a chain of clan princes, without further narrative.

The Merarite Levite

A second Asaiah descends through the line of Merari. The Chronicler traces the descent of the temple singers and lists him among the sons of Merari: "Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son" (1Ch 6:30).

This Asaiah is almost certainly the same man who reappears in the ark narrative as chief of the Merarites. When David prepares to bring up the ark to Jerusalem, the Levite households are mustered by clan, "of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred and twenty;" (1Ch 15:6). David then summons him by name alongside the priests and the other Levite chiefs: "And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab," (1Ch 15:11). The two passages together place Asaiah at the head of the Merarite contingent for the ark's transfer.

A Shilonite of the Restoration

A third Asaiah belongs to the post-exilic resettlement of Jerusalem. The Chronicler's list of those who returned to dwell in the city names him among the Shilonites: "And of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn, and his sons" (1Ch 9:5). He stands at the head of his line, a firstborn whose sons are counted with him in the city.