1 Chronicles 9:39

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 Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:39 is a concise genealogical entry, providing a direct lineage to King Saul and listing four of his sons. This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Chronicles that meticulously details the tribal registrations and inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

Context

The Book of 1 Chronicles, particularly chapters 1-9, is largely composed of extensive genealogies. For the post-exilic community returning to Judah, these records were profoundly important. They served to establish tribal identity, confirm land rights, validate claims to priestly and Levitical service, and reaffirm their connection to God's covenant promises through Abraham and David. This particular verse, following a long list of Benjaminite lineages, highlights the family of Saul, Israel's first king, grounding his historical reality within the broader narrative of God's people.

Key Themes

  • Historical Continuity and Identity: The detailed genealogies, including this verse, emphasize the unbroken line of Israel's history from creation, through the patriarchs, and into the monarchical period. This provided the returning exiles with a vital sense of continuity and identity as God's chosen nation.
  • The First Kingship: By meticulously recording Saul's lineage and sons, the Chronicler acknowledges his pivotal role as the inaugural monarch of Israel, setting the stage for the subsequent divine establishment of the Davidic dynasty.
  • Divine Providence in History: Even through the complexities and eventual failures of Saul's reign, the inclusion of his family in these sacred records underscores God's overarching plan for His people and the unfolding of His redemptive history.

Linguistic Insight

A notable detail in this verse is the name "Eshbaal" for one of Saul's sons. This name literally means "man of Baal," connecting him, perhaps inadvertently, to the Canaanite deity Baal. However, in other Old Testament texts, particularly in the books of Samuel, this same son is consistently referred to as "Ish-bosheth" (e.g., 2 Samuel 2:8), which means "man of shame." This change reflects a deliberate editorial practice by later scribes to avoid any association with the pagan god Baal, replacing the "Baal" element with "bosheth" (shame) due to the religious aversion to Baal worship.

Practical Application

While seemingly a simple list of names, 1 Chronicles 9:39 reminds us of the Bible's meticulous attention to historical detail and the importance of lineage in God's unfolding plan. It underscores that every individual, even those whose stories might be marked by failure or transition, plays a part in God's grand narrative. For us today, it can highlight the value of understanding our own heritage, both spiritual and familial, and recognizing that God works through generations to accomplish His purposes.

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 13:22

    So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that [were] with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1 Samuel 14:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that [is] on the other side. But he told not his father.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:2

    And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

  • 1 Chronicles 8:33

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