1 Chronicles 9:39 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

1 Chronicles 9:39 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 9:39 nkjv

Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.

1 Chronicles 9:39 niv

Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal.

1 Chronicles 9:39 esv

Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Chronicles 9:39 nlt

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

1 Chronicles 9 39 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
1 Chr 8:33	Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, Saul the father...	Parallel genealogy of Saul and his sons.
1 Sam 9:1-2	There was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish... who had a son named Saul.	Introduction of Saul and Kish in Samuel.
1 Sam 14:49	Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malchi-shua.	Another list of Saul's sons, similar names.
1 Sam 31:2	The Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons.	Mentions three of Saul's sons dying in battle.
2 Sam 2:8	Abner son of Ner... had taken Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and made him king...	Mentions Ish-bosheth, identifying with Esh-baal.
2 Sam 3:7	Saul had a concubine named Rizpah... Ish-bosheth charged Abner with her.	Another reference to Ish-bosheth.
2 Sam 4:12	David gave a command to his young men, and they executed them...	Death of Ish-bosheth.
1 Chr 10:2	The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and they struck down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua.	Reiterates the death of three of Saul's sons.
Ezr 2:59-63	Those who came up from Tel-melah... but they could not show their fathers' house or their descent...	Importance of genealogies for identity.
Neh 7:61-65	From the house of those who could not prove their ancestry or family line...	Reaffirms the necessity of accurate lineage.
Gen 5:1-32	The book of the generations of Adam...	Example of detailed patriarchal genealogies.
Mt 1:1-17	The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.	Significance of royal and messianic genealogies.
Lk 3:23-38	Jesus himself began his ministry when he was about thirty years old, being the son...	Another key genealogy for Jesus Christ.
1 Sam 13:13-14	Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly... the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart..."	Saul's rejection by God, leading to new lineage.
2 Sam 5:1-5	All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron... and anointed David king...	Transition of kingship from Saul to David.
Josh 23:7	do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them.	Prohibition against calling on pagan deities.
Deut 7:26	You shall not bring an abominable thing into your house...	Law against idolatry, including names.
Hos 2:16-17	"In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘My Husband’ (Ishi) and no longer ‘My Baal’ (Baali)."	Direct prophetic rejection of the term 'Baal'.
Jer 11:13	For your gods are as many as your towns, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to Baal...	Example of "Baal" representing pagan idolatry.
Judg 6:32	Then on that day he was called Jerub-Baal, saying, "Let Baal contend against him"...	An instance where "Baal" is part of a name.
1 Chr 1:1	Adam, Seth, Enosh;	Chronicles begins with detailed genealogies.
1 Sam 17:12	David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah...	Contrast to Saul's lineage, introducing David.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

1 Chronicles 9 39 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:39 details a segment of the lineage of Saul, the first king of Israel. It explicitly states that Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of four sons: Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. This verse places Saul's direct family line within the larger genealogical framework provided by the Chronicler, contributing to the historical continuity of Israelite kingship.

1 Chronicles 9 39 Context

First Chronicles chapter 9 continues the extensive genealogies that open the book. Following earlier tribal lists, it focuses specifically on the inhabitants of Jerusalem and those assigned to various roles within the sanctuary, such as gatekeepers, temple servants, and musicians, particularly in the post-exilic period. Interspersed within these detailed records of the returning community are select pre-exilic genealogies, like that of Saul in verses 35-44 (which repeats the genealogy found in chapter 8, showing its significance to the Chronicler). This verse specifically serves to identify Saul's immediate family, emphasizing the specific male lineage of the first king before the narrative shifts definitively to the Davidic line. It grounds the historical accounts of Saul's kingship and eventual demise, which follows in Chapter 10. The Chronicler's primary aim in compiling these records for his post-exilic audience was to re-establish Israelite identity, demonstrate continuity with their past covenants and institutions (like kingship and priesthood), and encourage faithfulness to God.

1 Chronicles 9 39 Word analysis

Ner (נֵר, Ner): Meaning "lamp" or "light," though primarily serving as a proper name here. Ner is established as the paternal grandfather of Saul. His inclusion clarifies the precise lineage to the king, and this consistent lineage is found across 1 Sam and 1 Chr.
was the father of (הוֹלִיד, holid): A standard Hebrew genealogical term, indicating direct biological fatherhood and succession in the lineage. Its repetition underscores the linear and direct descent.
Kish (קִישׁ, Qish): Saul's father. The name's etymology is debated, possibly related to "snare" or "bow," but here it is simply the proper name of Saul's well-known father, recognized across biblical accounts.
Saul (שָׁאוּל, Sha'ul): Meaning "asked for" or "prayed for." This is the proper name of Israel's first king, divinely chosen by request but ultimately rejected by God due to disobedience. His prominence in Israel's history makes his genealogical entry vital.
Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan): Meaning "Yahweh has given" or "God has given." Jonathan was Saul's eldest and most loyal son, known for his deep friendship with David, courage in battle, and personal piety, setting him apart from his father.
Malchishua (מַלְכִּי־שׁוּעַ, Malki-Shua): Meaning "my king is salvation" or "my king is aid." He was one of Saul's sons who died alongside him on Mount Gilboa.
Abinadab (אֲבִינָדָב, Avinadav): Meaning "my father is noble" or "my father is willing." He was another son of Saul who died with him in battle. He is possibly called "Ishvi" in some Samuel passages.
Esh-baal (אֶשְׁבָּעַל, Esh-Ba'al): Meaning "man of Baal" or "fire of Baal." This is a significant naming detail. In 2 Samuel, this son of Saul is consistently called "Ish-bosheth" (אִישׁ בֹּשֶׁת, Ish-Bosheth), meaning "man of shame." The Chronicler’s retention of "Esh-baal" is notable. It reflects the presence of the original, historical name that included "Baal" (a common element in Israelite names before the specific theological condemnation of the Canaanite deity, or potentially indicating a brief period of syncretism). The subsequent alteration to "Ish-bosheth" in Samuel reflects a later scribe's or editor's intentional act to avoid pronouncing or recording a name associated with the pagan deity Baal, instead substituting "bosheth" (shame) for "baal" due to evolving religious sensibilities and the strong Yahwistic condemnation of Baal worship. This specific detail in Chronicles reveals an important textual variation and provides insight into ancient naming conventions and theological corrections in the transmission of biblical texts.

1 Chronicles 9 39 Bonus section

The genealogical records in 1 Chronicles, including this verse, emphasize that identity, heritage, and claim to blessings or offices were fundamentally tied to lineage in ancient Israel. For the post-exilic community, such lists provided reassurance of their rightful place as the inheritors of God's covenants despite the exile. The meticulous preservation of names like Esh-baal (even if considered problematic later) speaks to the historical accuracy sought by biblical authors or transmitters, even while sometimes modifying terms for theological purposes elsewhere. This practice suggests a nuanced approach to biblical history—it aims to accurately reflect what happened, while also providing a theological interpretation for God's people.

1 Chronicles 9 39 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:39, though a simple genealogical listing, carries profound theological and historical significance within the Chronicler's narrative. It establishes the immediate royal lineage of Saul, connecting him firmly to the larger history of Israel that the Chronicler is meticulously recounting. This short verse highlights the specific individuals who composed the direct royal line, particularly his four sons. The most striking element is the use of "Esh-baal" for Saul's son, a name typically rendered "Ish-bosheth" in the Book of Samuel. This discrepancy reveals a deliberate theological concern: the avoidance of pagan divine names in later Jewish tradition. The Chronicler's choice to retain "Esh-baal" might signify an adherence to older textual sources, or it could subtly serve as a reminder of a period where such names were tolerated, or simply a reflection that some forms of Baal worship existed and influenced even Israelite naming, contrasting with the ideal presented in much of the Bible. Ultimately, the verse sets the stage for Saul's fall, reminding the post-exilic audience of the consequences of disobedience, and preparing them for the central figure of David, whose lineage and righteous rule form the core of the Chronicler’s message of hope and restoration.