Genesis 36:37

KJV

And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth [by] the river reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samlah {H8072} died {H4191}, and Saul {H7586} of Rehoboth {H7344} by the river {H5104} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Samlah died, Sha'ul of Rechovot-by-the-River reigned in his place.

Berean Standard Bible

When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 36:37 concisely records the death of Samlah and the subsequent reign of Saul of Rehoboth by the River, marking the seventh king in the detailed genealogical list of Edomite rulers. This verse contributes to the broader account of Esau's descendants, emphasizing the early establishment of a stable monarchy in Edom, a nation distinct from and preceding the kingdom of Israel.

### CONTEXT
Genesis chapter 36 is entirely devoted to the lineage of Esau, Jacob's brother, providing a meticulous account of his descendants, tribal chiefs, and the kings who reigned in Edom. This comprehensive genealogy serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise that Esau would become a [great nation](/genesis/17-6 "God's promise to Abraham regarding fruitfulness in Genesis 17:6"), and it notably states that these kings ruled "before there reigned any king over the [children of Israel](/genesis/36-31 "Read Genesis 36:31 about Edomite kings before Israel"). This highlights the distinct historical paths of the two brothers' lineages, with Edom establishing a monarchy significantly earlier than the nation of Israel. Saul of Rehoboth by the River is presented as the seventh king in this succession, with his geographical identifier likely serving to distinguish his origin within Edomite territory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse records a straightforward transition of power: "And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth [by] the river reigned in his stead." This concise statement, characteristic of the genealogical records in [Genesis 36](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/36 "Read the full chapter of Genesis 36"), continues the orderly succession of Edomite kings. Each entry confirms the stability and established political structure of the nascent Edomite kingdom.

The new king, Saul, is identified by his place of origin, "Rehoboth by the River." This geographical qualifier was essential in the ancient Near East to differentiate between multiple locations sharing the same name. "Rehoboth" (Hebrew: *Rehovot*) means "broad places" or "expanses," while the addition "by the river" pinpoints this specific Rehoboth, likely near a significant watercourse, perhaps the Euphrates or a local wadi. The name *Saul* (Hebrew: *Sha'ul*) means "asked" or "desired." It is crucial to note that this Edomite King Saul is entirely distinct from the later, more famous Israelite King Saul, who reigned centuries later. The inclusion of this detail in the Edomite king list underscores the Bible's meticulous record-keeping, even for nations outside the direct covenant line of Israel. This precise historical documentation highlights the reality of Edom as a distinct and established nation long before Israel formed its own monarchy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Orderly Succession and Kingdom Establishment:** The repeated formula of kings dying and new ones reigning (as seen in [Genesis 36:37](/genesis/36-37 "Read Genesis 36:37 about Samlah and Saul")) underscores the established political order and stable succession within the Edomite kingdom. It portrays a functional, if non-covenantal, monarchy.
* **Historical Reliability and Meticulous Record-Keeping:** Genesis 36, including this verse, serves as a vital historical document, detailing the lineage and early governance of a significant nation. This precision, even for seemingly minor details, speaks to the Bible's commitment to accurate historical record, which later informs interactions between Israel and Edom (e.g., [Numbers 20:14](/numbers/20-14 "Read about Edom's refusal to let Israel pass in Numbers 20:14")).
* **Divine Sovereignty Over All Nations:** While the primary narrative of Genesis focuses on the covenant line through Jacob, the comprehensive inclusion of Esau's detailed genealogy demonstrates God's sovereign oversight and providential working in the history of all nations, fulfilling prophecies made concerning Esau's descendants, even those outside the direct covenant with Abraham.
* **Distinct Paths of Jacob and Esau:** The explicit note in [Genesis 36:31](/genesis/36-31 "Read Genesis 36:31 about Edomite kings before Israel") that these kings reigned "before there reigned any king over the children of Israel" emphasizes the distinct and diverging paths of the two brothers' descendants, highlighting God's unique plan for each.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Even seemingly dry genealogical lists, like the one in [Genesis 36](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/36 "Read the full chapter of Genesis 36"), carry profound significance for the discerning reader. They serve as a powerful reminder that God's overarching plan encompasses all of human history and all peoples, not just the covenant line of Israel. The meticulous attention to detail, from the naming of individuals like [Saul of Rehoboth by the River](/genesis/36-37 "Read Genesis 36:37 about Samlah and Saul") to the precise geographical identifiers, speaks to the Bible's historical reliability and the importance of every seemingly minor detail within God's grand narrative. Furthermore, understanding the historical background and early establishment of nations like Edom provides crucial context for later biblical interactions and prophecies concerning them, such as those found in the book of [Obadiah](/obadiah/1-1 "Read the prophecy against Edom in Obadiah 1:1"), enriching our comprehension of God's unfolding purposes.

### FAQ
**Is this King Saul the same as the Israelite King Saul?**

Answer: No, the Saul mentioned in [Genesis 36:37](/genesis/36-37 "Read Genesis 36:37 about Samlah and Saul") is an Edomite king, one of the early rulers descended from Esau. He lived many centuries before the Israelite King Saul, who was the first king of Israel and is primarily featured in the books of Samuel. The shared name is merely a coincidence, as "Saul" was a common name meaning "asked" or "desired" in the ancient Near East.

**Why does the Bible include such detailed genealogies for nations outside Israel?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed genealogies for nations like Edom (descended from Esau) serves several purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promises of fruitfulness and nationhood to Abraham's descendants, even those not in the direct covenant line through Jacob. Secondly, it provides crucial historical context for understanding later interactions between Israel and its neighbors, such as Edom's refusal to allow Israel passage during the Exodus ([Numbers 20:14](/numbers/20-14 "Read about Edom's refusal to let Israel pass in Numbers 20:14")). Thirdly, it underscores God's sovereign rule over all nations and peoples, showing that His providential plan encompasses the entire world, not just a select group.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Genesis 36:37](/genesis/36-37 "Read Genesis 36:37 about Samlah and Saul") and the broader Edomite king list seem far removed from the person of Christ, they subtly point to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom. The establishment of earthly monarchies, even among nations outside the direct covenant line, foreshadows the universal reign of God. These temporary, human successions, like the transition from Samlah to Saul, stand in stark contrast to the eternal, unchangeable reign of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Through Christ, God's sovereign plan extends beyond a single nation, encompassing all peoples and culminating in His everlasting kingdom, where there will be no succession, for His dominion is without end. Thus, even the detailed record of transient earthly rule implicitly highlights the unique and eternal nature of Christ's perfect reign.

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.