1 Chronicles 9 40

1 Chronicles 9:40 kjv

And the son of Jonathan was Meribbaal: and Meribbaal begat Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40 nkjv

The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal, and Merib-Baal begot Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40 niv

The son of Jonathan: Merib-Baal, who was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40 esv

And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah.

1 Chronicles 9:40 nlt

Jonathan was the father of Merib-baal.
Merib-baal was the father of Micah.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 40 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:40 specifies a direct lineage from Jonathan, the son of King Saul. It states that Jonathan's son was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal, in turn, begat Micah. This verse provides a specific link in the extended genealogy of Saul's household, forming part of a broader listing of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their ancestral roots. It highlights the continuation of this royal, albeit truncated, lineage through generations.

1 Chronicles 9 40 Context

This verse is found within 1 Chronicles chapter 9, which meticulously lists the inhabitants of Jerusalem following the return from Babylonian exile. The chapter details various groups, including priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and other tribal members who resided in the Holy City. Verses 35-44 specifically resume and elaborate on the genealogy of Saul's family, tracing his lineage through his sons and their descendants. This section serves to complete the historical record of Israelite leaders, bridging the gap to the account of Saul and David that begins in chapter 10. For the post-exilic community, these genealogies were crucial for re-establishing tribal identity, land claims, priestly and Levitical service roles, and their connection to God's covenant history. The Chronicler emphasizes continuity and legitimacy, showing how God preserved remnants even through national tragedy and exile.

1 Chronicles 9 40 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction connects the current genealogical statement to the preceding list of names and serves to continue the established pattern of listing lineages.

• the son: (Hebrew: בֶּן, ben) A common term denoting direct offspring, crucial for establishing genealogical succession and continuity in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Its simplicity masks its profound importance in matters of inheritance, tribal identity, and societal roles.

• of Jonathan: (Hebrew: יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan) "The Lord has given." Jonathan was the son of King Saul, renowned for his loyal friendship with David, a bond that transcended their respective family's political rivalries (1 Sam 18:1-4). His legacy of selflessness and fidelity profoundly impacted David and thus the history of Israel. The Chronicler includes him to trace the complete lineage of the pre-Davidic monarchy.

• was Merib-baal: (Hebrew: מְרִיב בַּעַל, Meriv-ba'al) "Contender of Baal" or "Baal contends." This is a significant name. In the Books of Samuel, Jonathan's son is consistently referred to as Mephibosheth (מְפִיבֹשֶׁת, Mephivoshet), meaning "dispelling shame" or "one who scatters shame" (2 Sam 4:4). The change in name from "Mephibosheth" to "Merib-baal" by the Chronicler is often understood as a deliberate theological act. During the post-exilic period when Chronicles was written, "Baal" was unequivocally associated with pagan Canaanite deities and apostasy. To avoid associating a righteous Israelite lineage with the pagan deity, the Chronicler likely altered or preferred an alternative form of the name. It reflects a concern for ritual and theological purity, distancing the ancestors of Israel from anything that could be construed as endorsing idolatry.

• and Merib-baal: Reinforces the preceding identification, setting him as the paternal link to the next generation in this lineage.

• begat: (Hebrew: יָלַד, yalad) A standard biblical verb signifying male parentage, meaning "to give birth to" or "to become the father of." It functions as the primary verb for tracing descent in genealogies.

• Micah: (Hebrew: מִיכָה, Michah) "Who is like the Lord?" or "Who is like Yah?" This name, found elsewhere in the Old Testament, carries a positive theological connotation, implicitly affirming God's unique greatness. Micah's descendants are further listed in the subsequent verses (1 Chr 9:41-44).

• "the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal": This phrase directly establishes the crucial link to Jonathan, drawing attention to the heir of the once-royal line of Saul. The use of "Merib-baal" immediately signals a subtle theological point regarding the naming convention of the era.

• "and Merib-baal begat Micah": This phrase continues the generational progression, highlighting the sustained existence of Saul's lineage, despite the divine judgment upon Saul and the shift in kingship to David. It emphasizes the natural progression of family lines.

1 Chronicles 9 40 Bonus Section

The Chronicler’s persistent inclusion of genealogies for all the tribes, including the line of Saul, despite their decline, serves several purposes for the post-exilic audience. It emphasizes:

• Historical Continuity: Assurance that the present community is directly connected to the glorious past and promises made to their ancestors.
• Legitimacy and Identity: Confirming who belonged to which family, crucial for inheritance, land tenure, and civic/religious responsibilities in the reconstructed society.
• Divine Sovereignty: Demonstrating that God preserved remnants and continued specific family lines according to His overarching plan, even through exile and periods of unfaithfulness. The fact that Merib-baal’s line continues shows God’s fidelity and remembrance even for the house of Saul, largely through David's covenant kindness (2 Sam 9), an indirect reflection of God’s own steadfast love (Hesed).
• Theological Correctness: The deliberate renaming from "Mephibosheth" to "Merib-baal" showcases the Chronicler’s deep concern for correct worship and rejection of paganism, a lesson pertinent to the returning exiles to prevent repetition of past idolatry.

1 Chronicles 9 40 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:40 offers a concise genealogical fact within the broader, meticulously detailed family trees provided by the Chronicler. Its primary function is to confirm the succession within Saul's house, showing Jonathan's son, Merib-baal (more commonly known as Mephibosheth), and his son Micah, extending the family line. The inclusion of this lineage underscores the Chronicler's concern for complete historical record, essential for a community re-establishing its identity after exile. The choice of the name "Merib-baal" over "Mephibosheth" by the Chronicler reflects a deliberate theological purification, avoiding any association with the pagan god Baal, a subtle but significant polemic against idolatry. This meticulous tracing of a non-Davidic royal line also sets the historical stage for Saul's fall in the next chapter, thereby preparing for the ascendancy of the Davidic dynasty while also acknowledging the preceding, divinely-judged, monarchy. This brief mention hints at a wider story of God's sovereign plan, His judgments, and His mercy extended even to remnants of fallen houses, as seen in David's covenantal kindness to Merib-baal (Mephibosheth).