1 Chronicles 8:33

¶ And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

And Ner {H5369} begat {H3205} Kish {H7027}, and Kish {H7027} begat {H3205} Saul {H7586}, and Saul {H7586} begat {H3205} Jonathan {H3083}, and Malchishua {H4444}, and Abinadab {H41}, and Eshbaal {H792}.

Ner fathered Kish; Kish fathered Sha'ul; and Sha'ul fathered Y'honatan, Malkishua, Avinadav and Eshba'al.

Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.

And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi-shua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 8:33 is a key verse within a larger genealogical record, specifically tracing the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin and detailing the family of King Saul, Israel's first king. This verse provides a concise summary of Saul's immediate ancestry and his most prominent sons.

Context

The book of 1 Chronicles, written after the Babylonian exile, places a strong emphasis on genealogies. These lists served several crucial purposes for the returning Jewish community: to re-establish tribal identities, confirm land inheritances, validate priestly and Levitical roles, and connect the present generation to their covenantal past. Chapter 8 is dedicated to the descendants of Benjamin, the tribe from which King Saul originated. Listing Saul's line here underscores his historical significance as the inaugural monarch of Israel, despite the tragic end of his reign. The Chronicler meticulously preserves these records to demonstrate the continuity of God's people and His plan throughout history, connecting the post-exilic community to their rich heritage, including the period of the monarchy.

Key Themes

  • Historical Accuracy: The verse demonstrates the Chronicler's commitment to preserving precise historical records, which were vital for the post-exilic community to understand their identity and claims.
  • Divine Sovereignty in Lineage: While Saul's reign ultimately failed, his lineage is still recorded, highlighting God's overarching plan that incorporates even the imperfect choices of human leaders. His rise to power, though ultimately replaced by David's line, was part of God's initial establishment of kingship in Israel (1 Samuel 10:1).
  • Continuity of God's People: Genealogies emphasize the unbroken chain of generations, reinforcing the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel.

Linguistic Insights

A significant detail in this verse is the name Eshbaal. This name literally means "man of Baal" or "fire of Baal." In other biblical accounts, particularly in the book of 2 Samuel, the same son of Saul is consistently referred to as Ish-bosheth (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:8). The name Ish-bosheth means "man of shame." This alteration is widely understood as a conscious scribal change to avoid associating an Israelite king, even a failed one, with the pagan deity Baal, whose worship became a significant source of apostasy in Israel. The Chronicler, writing in a later period, might have used the original name Eshbaal, while the Samuel narrative (possibly edited earlier) used the more reverent substitute. This nuance highlights the carefulness of biblical scribes in transmitting the text while also reflecting theological sensitivities.

Significance and Application

For a modern reader, this seemingly dry list serves several purposes. It underscores the Bible's foundation in real history and its commitment to factual detail, even in genealogical records. The mention of Saul's sons, including the prominent Jonathan (who was a loyal friend to David, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:1) and the oft-renamed Eshbaal, reminds us of the complex human stories woven into divine history. Ultimately, these genealogies point to God's faithfulness in preserving a people through whom His redemptive plan would unfold, leading eventually to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. They demonstrate that God works through real families and historical events, making His narrative deeply rooted in human experience.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 9:1

    ¶ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name [was] Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

  • 1 Samuel 31:2

    And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.

  • 2 Samuel 2:8

    ¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

  • 1 Samuel 14:49

    Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

  • 1 Samuel 14:51

    And Kish [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel.

  • 2 Samuel 4:12

    And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged [them] up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried [it] in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

  • Acts 13:21

    And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
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