1 Chronicles 9 38

1 Chronicles 9:38 kjv

And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren at Jerusalem, over against their brethren.

1 Chronicles 9:38 nkjv

And Mikloth begot Shimeam. They also dwelt alongside their relatives in Jerusalem, with their brethren.

1 Chronicles 9:38 niv

Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They too lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9:38 esv

and Mikloth was the father of Shimeam; and these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen.

1 Chronicles 9:38 nlt

Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. All these families lived near each other in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 38 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:38 provides a genealogical record, detailing the lineage from Ner to Kish, and from Kish to Saul, the first king of Israel. It then names four of Saul's sons: Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal, establishing a crucial link in the historical succession of leaders and the early Israelite monarchy.

1 Chronicles 9 38 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 9 is part of the Chronicler's larger project to meticulously record Israel's genealogies, particularly for the post-exilic community. Following a comprehensive, tribal genealogy in chapters 1-8, chapter 9 specifically details the inhabitants of Jerusalem and those serving in the temple after the return from Babylonian exile. The first half of the chapter focuses on those living in Jerusalem—from Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh—as well as the Levites and temple personnel, including priests, gatekeepers, and treasury custodians.

Verses 9:35-44 repeat, with minor variations, the genealogy of Saul found earlier in 1 Chronicles 8:29-38. This repetition serves to firmly re-establish the lineage of the first king of Israel. While the Chronicler's primary focus shifts to the Davidic line and the legitimate temple worship, acknowledging Saul's ancestry is essential for a complete historical record and demonstrates the continuity of the covenant people from the beginning of their monarchy. It anchors the returning exiles in their shared history, demonstrating the foundation from which the subsequent Davidic kingdom emerged. This record provides legitimacy and connection to the pre-exilic period for those rebuilding Judah and Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 9 38 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A common Hebrew conjunction, functioning as 'and,' 'but,' or 'then,' indicating continuation of the preceding genealogical list or narrative.
• Ner (נֵר - Ner): Meaning "lamp" or "light." He is presented here as the father of Kish and grandfather of Saul. While 1 Sam 9:1 presents Kish as Saul's father, 1 Chr 8:33 and 1 Chr 9:39 consistently trace Saul's lineage back through Kish to Ner. There's an apparent tension with 1 Sam 14:50-51 which refers to Abner, son of Ner, as Saul's cousin (sons of Abiel, Ner and Kish's common ancestor). This suggests either "father" in genealogies can sometimes mean "ancestor" (grandfather, etc.) or there were two individuals named Ner. The Chronicler clearly identifies Ner as Kish's direct father in this specific genealogical sequence.
• begat (יָלַד - yalad): The standard Hebrew verb meaning "to give birth to," "to beget," or "to sire." It is consistently used in biblical genealogies to indicate direct lineal descent, usually father-to-son.
• Kish (קִישׁ - Qish): Meaning "bow," "snare," or possibly related to "powerful." He was a Benjaminite, from the family of Matri (1 Sam 10:21), and known for his stature and wealth (1 Sam 9:1). His significance lies primarily as the father of Saul, chosen by God to be the first king of Israel.
• Saul (שָׁאוּל - Sha'ul): Meaning "asked" or "prayed for." He was the first king of Israel (1 Samuel 9-31), appointed by Samuel. His reign, though initially successful, ended in tragedy due to his disobedience and rivalry with David. The mention of his sons immediately follows, establishing his direct offspring.
• Jonathan (יוֹנָתָן - Yonatan): Meaning "Yahweh has given." Saul's eldest son, renowned for his valor in battle and deep, covenantal friendship with David (1 Sam 18:1-4). Despite being heir to the throne, he honored God's choice of David, showing remarkable selflessness and loyalty. He died alongside his father and brothers in battle against the Philistines.
• Malchishua (מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ - Malki-shua): Meaning "my king is salvation" or "my king is help." He was one of Saul's sons who perished with him on Mount Gilboa during the battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 31:2; 1 Chr 10:2).
• Abinadab (אֲבִינָדָב - Avinadav): Meaning "my father is noble" or "my father is willing." Another son of Saul, who also died alongside his father and brothers in the Gilboa battle (1 Sam 31:2; 1 Chr 10:2). In 1 Samuel 14:49, a list of Saul's sons includes "Ishvi" where other passages list Abinadab, suggesting Ishvi might be an alternative name or a different son.
• Eshbaal (אֶשְׁבַּעַל - Esh-ba'al): Meaning "man of Baal." This is a highly significant name in this verse. This same individual is consistently called Ish-Bosheth (אִישׁ בֹּשֶׁת - Ish-Bosheth), meaning "man of shame," in the Books of Samuel (e.g., 2 Sam 2:8, 2 Sam 3:8). The name change from "Baal" (which literally means "lord" but became heavily associated with Canaanite fertility deities) to "Bosheth" (shame) was a common scribal practice in the Deuteronomistic history (Samuel and Kings) to avoid even uttering or writing the name of a pagan deity. The Chronicler, writing in the post-exilic period, chose to retain the original form of the name. This suggests either a less strict adherence to later pious redaction, or simply a faithful recording of earlier sources. Other names with "Baal" elements appear in Chronicles (e.g., Merib-Baal for Mephibosheth), suggesting the Chronicler had a different perspective or approach than the Samuel/Kings authors concerning the 'Baal' element in names from earlier eras. Eshbaal was the only son of Saul who briefly succeeded him as king over Israel, ruling from Mahanaim for two years (2 Sam 2:8-10) before being assassinated.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul": This standard genealogical formula traces the immediate ancestral line of Saul, confirming his place within the established family structures and tribal lineage (Benjamin) that were critically important for identity in ancient Israel.
• "and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal": This listing of Saul's four primary sons, directly and without further embellishment in this concise genealogical format, highlights his direct issue. The inclusion of Eshbaal by his original name "Eshbaal" (instead of Ish-Bosheth) marks a distinctive feature of the Chronicler's textual preservation or emphasis, revealing potential differences in historical-theological perspective compared to the Deuteronomistic historians of Samuel/Kings. It names key individuals who played roles, however brief or significant, in the immediate post-Saul era, preceding the rise of David's unified kingdom.

1 Chronicles 9 38 Bonus section

The careful preservation of genealogical lists in Chronicles, exemplified by this verse's inclusion, underscores the immense value placed on ancestry in post-exilic Judah. For a community returning from exile, these records provided an essential link to their heritage, establishing tribal identities, determining eligibility for priestly service, validating land claims, and, most importantly, demonstrating their legitimate connection to the covenant promises and God's historical actions on behalf of Israel. The Chronicler is meticulous because for the returning remnant, identity and legitimacy were paramount in rebuilding their nation and faith. The repetition of Saul's genealogy (here and in 1 Chr 8:29-38) also emphasizes the significant but transitional role of Saul's kingdom as a precursor to the true, God-ordained kingship of David. By explicitly detailing the initial royal line, the Chronicler sets the stage for the rise of David and the Davidic covenant, the central theme of his historical work, ensuring that even this pre-Davidic period is well-documented within God's continuous plan for His people.

1 Chronicles 9 38 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:38 serves a dual purpose: it functions as a critical part of Israel's foundational genealogical record, and it highlights a significant textual-theological point. Genealogies were essential in ancient Israel for establishing identity, tribal affiliation, land rights, priestly lineage, and royal succession. Here, it affirms the historical existence and family of Saul, the first king, before the Chronicler meticulously details the Davidic line, which is his ultimate focus. The Chronicler's decision to preserve the name "Eshbaal" ("man of Baal") rather than "Ish-Bosheth" ("man of shame") for Saul's son stands out. While other biblical authors actively redacted names containing "Baal" elements due to later associations with pagan deities, the Chronicler, writing from a different theological or historical perspective after the exile, retains these older forms. This suggests a desire for historical fidelity, or perhaps indicates that at his time, such a "Baal" component in an ancestral name was viewed differently, not necessarily as endorsing paganism, but simply as part of an older naming convention. The verse efficiently places Saul and his immediate offspring in the lineage that formed the backdrop to the unified kingdom under David, demonstrating historical continuity from the period of Israel's first monarchy.