1 Samuel 14:51

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Kish {H7027} was the father {H1} of Saul {H7586}; and Ner {H5369} the father {H1} of Abner {H74} was the son {H1121} of Abiel {H22}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Kish was the father of Sha'ul, and Ner the father of Avner was the son of Avi'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 14:51 serves as a concise yet crucial genealogical clarification within the narrative of Saul's early reign, specifically detailing the familial relationship between King Saul and his powerful cousin and chief military commander, Abner. This verse establishes the close kinship ties that underpinned the nascent Israelite monarchy, providing essential context for understanding the dynamics of power, loyalty, and succession that would unfold throughout the Books of Samuel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This genealogical note appears at the conclusion of a chapter primarily dedicated to the exploits of Saul's son, Jonathan, and Saul's own rash decisions, including his ill-advised oath and the subsequent near-execution of Jonathan. Following a list of Saul's other children and wives (1 Samuel 14:49-50) and a summary of his ongoing military campaigns against Israel's enemies, verse 51 provides a final, significant piece of family information. Its placement here serves to solidify the identity and connections of Saul's inner circle, particularly highlighting the relationship with Abner, who would prove to be a pivotal figure in the subsequent narrative, especially after Saul's death when he champions Ish-bosheth's claim to the throne, as seen in [2 Samuel 2:8](/2_samuel/2-8 "2 Samuel 2:8 - Abner makes Ish-bosheth king").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, genealogy was far more than a mere record; it was foundational to identity, tribal affiliation, land inheritance, and legitimacy for leadership. Knowing one's lineage provided a sense of belonging and established social standing. Monarchies of the ancient Near East often relied on trusted family members for key administrative and military positions, as such bonds were considered the strongest guarantee of loyalty. The mention of Abner's specific relationship to Saul underscores this cultural practice, showing how the early Israelite monarchy, though unique in its divine appointment, still operated within the prevailing social structures where kinship played a vital role in political stability and military command.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Samuel. Firstly, it reinforces the **importance of lineage and family identity** in the biblical narrative, where God often works through established family lines, as seen in the extensive genealogies throughout the Pentateuch and Chronicles, such as [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **familial bonds and their impact on political structures**, demonstrating how personal relationships were integral to the functioning of the early monarchy. The close connection between Saul and Abner would initially provide strength but later become a source of conflict and political maneuvering. Thirdly, it subtly points to **divine sovereignty working through human structures**, even in seemingly mundane details like family records, as God orchestrates the rise and fall of leaders and the establishment of His kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kish (Hebrew, _qîš_):** The father of Saul. Kish is presented as a prominent and wealthy man from the tribe of Benjamin, whose search for lost donkeys providentially leads Saul to Samuel and his anointing as king in [1 Samuel 9:1-2](/1_samuel/9-1 "1 Samuel 9:1-2 - Saul's Family Background").
* **Ner (Hebrew, _nēr_):** The father of Abner. Ner is identified as a key figure in this genealogy, establishing the direct paternal line for Abner. The verse also clarifies his relationship to Abiel, which is crucial for understanding the broader family tree.
* **Abiel (Hebrew, _ʾăbîʾēl_):** The grandfather of Saul and Abner. Abiel is the common ancestor who links Kish and Ner, thus establishing Saul and Abner as first cousins. This detail is explicitly confirmed in parallel genealogies in [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1_chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Saul's Lineage") and [1 Chronicles 9:39](/1_chronicles/9-39 "1 Chronicles 9:39 - Saul's Genealogy").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Kish [was] the father of Saul;":** This clause succinctly states the direct paternal relationship between Kish and Saul, a fact already established earlier in the book (e.g., [1 Samuel 9:1](/1_samuel/9-1 "1 Samuel 9:1 - Saul's Family")). It serves as a foundational piece of information before introducing the more complex relationship involving Abner.
* **"and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel.":** This second clause introduces Ner and Abner, clarifying their direct paternal link. The critical piece of information here is that Ner is identified as "the son of Abiel." When read in conjunction with other biblical genealogies (specifically [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1_chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Saul's Lineage") and [1 Chronicles 9:39](/1_chronicles/9-39 "1 Chronicles 9:39 - Saul's Genealogy")), which state that Kish (Saul's father) was also the son of Abiel, the implication becomes clear: Kish and Ner were brothers, both sons of Abiel. This means Saul and Abner were first cousins, sharing a common grandfather, Abiel. This familial bond explains Abner's prominent position as Saul's commander and his later loyalty to Saul's house.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Samuel 14:51 is **Genealogy**, a common feature in biblical literature used to establish lineage, identity, and historical continuity. While seemingly dry, these genealogical notes are highly purposeful, providing crucial background information for understanding characters and their roles. The verse also employs **Conciseness**, delivering a significant amount of relational information in a very brief statement. This brevity highlights the assumed knowledge of the audience regarding the importance of such familial connections. Furthermore, the inclusion of this specific detail can be seen as a form of subtle **Foreshadowing**, as the close familial ties established here between Saul and Abner will become highly significant in later chapters, particularly in the power struggles and loyalties following Saul's death, as depicted in [2 Samuel 2](/2_samuel/2 "2 Samuel 2 - Ish-bosheth and Abner").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple genealogical note underscores the biblical emphasis on the importance of family and lineage, not merely as historical records but as integral components of God's unfolding plan. Even in the detailed accounting of human relationships, we glimpse the divine hand at work, establishing the social and political structures through which His purposes would be achieved. The meticulous preservation of these records reflects a theological conviction that every detail, every person, and every connection plays a part in the grand narrative of redemption, demonstrating God's meticulous care and sovereignty over human history.

* [Genesis 5:1-32](/genesis/5-1 "Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam")
* [Ruth 4:18-22](/ruth/4-18 "Ruth 4:18-22 - The Genealogy of David")
* [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1_chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Saul's Lineage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of such specific genealogical details in Scripture, even in seemingly minor verses like 1 Samuel 14:51, reminds us that every aspect of our lives, including our family origins and the relationships we forge, holds significance in God's eyes. It encourages us to appreciate the heritage, both biological and spiritual, that has shaped us, recognizing that God often works through the ordinary fabric of human society. This verse invites us to consider how our own family connections, whether by blood or by spiritual adoption, contribute to the broader tapestry of God's kingdom and how loyalty, leadership, and relationships are vital components of our collective journey of faith. It challenges us to steward these relationships wisely, understanding that God can use them for His greater purposes, just as He used the bond between Saul and Abner, for better or worse, in the establishment of Israel's monarchy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the relationships within your own family or spiritual community influence your sense of identity and purpose?**
* **In what ways can seemingly "mundane" details of our lives, like family history, reveal God's hand at work?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of loyalty and trusted relationships in leadership, whether in a family, church, or community context?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse clarify the relationship between Saul and Abner?**

Answer: This verse, "And Kish [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel," clarifies that Kish (Saul's father) and Ner (Abner's father) were brothers, both being sons of Abiel. This makes Saul and Abner first cousins. While the verse doesn't explicitly state that Kish was also the son of Abiel, this is confirmed by parallel genealogies found in [1 Chronicles 8:33](/1_chronicles/8-33 "1 Chronicles 8:33 - Saul's Lineage") and [1 Chronicles 9:39](/1_chronicles/9-39 "1 Chronicles 9:39 - Saul's Genealogy"). This close familial bond explains Abner's prominent role as Saul's chief military commander and his deep loyalty to Saul's house, even after the king's death, as seen in [2 Samuel 2:8-10](/2_samuel/2-8 "2 Samuel 2:8-10 - Abner makes Ish-bosheth king").

**Why is this specific genealogical detail included at this point in 1 Samuel?**

Answer: The inclusion of this genealogical detail at the end of 1 Samuel 14, following a summary of Saul's family and military campaigns, serves several purposes. Firstly, it provides crucial background for understanding the power dynamics within Saul's nascent monarchy. Abner's position as commander was not merely based on merit but also on trusted family ties, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies. Secondly, it sets the stage for future events, particularly the conflicts and loyalties that would emerge after Saul's death, where Abner plays a pivotal role in supporting Saul's son, Ish-bosheth, against David. It highlights the importance of kinship in the political landscape of early Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 14:51 is a historical and genealogical record, it subtly points to the greater significance of lineage in God's redemptive plan, culminating in Christ. The meticulous biblical genealogies, from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "Genesis - The Book of Beginnings") to the Gospels, underscore God's faithfulness in working through human families and generations to bring about His purposes. Just as Saul's lineage established his earthly kingdom, the genealogies of Jesus in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus") meticulously trace His descent through Abraham and David, confirming His rightful claim as the promised Messiah and King. Unlike earthly kings whose power is tied to bloodlines and human alliances like that between Saul and Abner, Jesus's kingship is eternal and universal, established not by human descent alone but by divine appointment and His perfect obedience. He is the ultimate Son of David, the one who gathers all nations into His family, not by biological ties but by faith in His name, making all believers "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God Through Faith")). Thus, this verse, in its focus on earthly lineage and leadership, ultimately foreshadows the perfect and eternal King whose kingdom is built on a spiritual family, united in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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 9:21

And Saul answered and said, [Am] not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?