1 Samuel 14 49

1 Samuel 14:49 kjv

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

1 Samuel 14:49 nkjv

The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Jishui, and Malchishua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.

1 Samuel 14:49 niv

Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. The name of his older daughter was Merab, and that of the younger was Michal.

1 Samuel 14:49 esv

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.

1 Samuel 14:49 nlt

Saul's sons included Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malkishua. He also had two daughters: Merab, who was older, and Michal.

1 Samuel 14 verses

1 Samuel 14 49 Meaning

1 Samuel 14:49 provides a precise enumeration of King Saul's immediate family, detailing his three sons—Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua—and his two daughters—Merab and Michal. This verse functions as a vital piece of genealogical information, strategically positioned in the biblical narrative to establish the key individuals whose lives and relationships will profoundly impact the events surrounding David's rise and the transition of the Israelite monarchy.

1 Samuel 14 49 Context

1 Samuel 14:49 occurs immediately following a summary of Saul's military victories against the surrounding nations (1 Sam 14:47-48) and precedes the eventual introduction of David in chapter 16. Within the larger narrative flow of 1 Samuel, this verse acts as a vital transition point. It establishes the key members of King Saul's direct family, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent political maneuvering, personal relationships, and ultimately, the shift of divine favor and kingdom authority from Saul to David. In ancient Israelite culture, the king's family, especially his male offspring, were vital for dynastic continuity and succession, while daughters served as important pawns in political alliances through marriage. By listing them, the text sets the stage for the dramatic interactions that will define Saul's turbulent reign and David's rise to power, connecting the human succession lines with divine purpose.

1 Samuel 14 49 Word analysis

• Now: (וְשֵׁם, v’shem) This introductory conjunction acts as a narrative hinge, signalling a shift from Saul's military endeavors to his personal household. It's often rendered "and the names of" in direct translation, indicating a continuous flow of information.
• the sons: (בְּנֵי, b'ney) Refers to direct male offspring, who were inherently associated with lineage, inheritance, and the continuation of the family line and royal succession.
• of Saul: (שָׁאוּל, Sha’ul) The first king chosen by Israel, a figure marked by both initial success and eventual disobedience, leading to the rejection of his kingdom. This verse grounds the unfolding drama within his household.
• were Jonathan: (יְהוֹנָתָן, Yehonatan) Meaning "Yahweh has given." Saul's eldest son, a courageous warrior, and the epitome of loyalty. He famously formed an unbreakable covenant of friendship with David, recognizing David's divine election (1 Sam 18-20), even against his own dynastic interests. He embodies devotion and self-sacrifice.
• and Ishvi: (וְיִשְׁוִי, v'Yishvi) Also appears as Ishui in some texts, and often equated with Abinadab in 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39. The meaning is uncertain, possibly "my equal" or "man of my counsel." He plays no discernible role in the narrative, suggesting either a very short life, a lack of prominence, or merely a genealogical inclusion.
• and Malchishua: (וּמַלְכִּישׁוּעַ, u-Malki-Shua) Meaning "My king is salvation" or "My king is help." Tragically, he died with Saul and Jonathan at the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam 31:2). His name stands in ironic contrast to Saul's failed leadership, hinting that true salvation for Israel would come from God, not an earthly king.
• and the names of his two daughters: This emphasizes the inclusion of female descendants, recognizing their value not for direct succession but for their significant roles in royal marital alliances and personal narratives.
• were Merab: (מֵרַב, Merav) Meaning "abundance" or "increase." She was initially promised by Saul to David (1 Sam 18:17) as a reward for his valor, a promise Saul reneged on. This highlights Saul's capriciousness. Merab was ultimately given to Adriel (1 Sam 18:19) and became the mother of five sons who were later killed (2 Sam 21:8).
• and Michal: (וּמִיכַל, u-Mikhal) Meaning "Who is like God?" Saul's younger daughter, she fell in love with David and became his first wife (1 Sam 18:20, 27). Michal famously saved David's life from Saul (1 Sam 19:11-17), but later became estranged from him due to her disdain for his exuberant worship, resulting in her barrenness (2 Sam 6:16, 20-23). She was a direct marital link between Saul's house and David's, symbolizing the contested nature of the kingship.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua": This enumeration of Saul's male offspring immediately conveys the traditional heirs to the throne. The diverse destinies of these sons—Jonathan's nobility and tragic loyalty, Ishvi's obscurity, and Malchishua's shared fate with his father— collectively underscore the decline and ultimate failure of Saul's dynasty. It also emphasizes the unique bond Jonathan formed outside the expected loyalty to his father.
• "and the names of his two daughters were Merab, and Michal": This phrase introduces the female members of Saul's family, whose roles, though not direct succession, were politically and narratively crucial. Their potential and actual marriages to David highlight the complex web of relationships and conflicts surrounding the transfer of power, indicating the intertwining of royal families and the strategic implications of these connections for both Saul's failing house and David's ascendant one.

1 Samuel 14 49 Bonus section

• The stark contrast in the amount of text dedicated to each child of Saul (Jonathan and Michal having extensive narratives, while Ishvi and Malchishua are largely silent) highlights the narrative's theological purpose. The text focuses on those figures whose lives actively engage with God's sovereign plan for kingship and the establishment of the Davidic line.
• The fate of Saul's sons, all but Ish-bosheth (Esh-baal) dying alongside him in battle (1 Sam 31), reinforces the pronouncements of judgment against Saul's house earlier in 1 Samuel. This listing of names at this point implicitly underscores the temporary nature of Saul's dynastic aspirations.

1 Samuel 14 49 Commentary

1 Samuel 14:49, while appearing as a simple genealogical record, is functionally a powerful foreshadowing within the narrative. It grounds the future trajectory of Saul's household, linking each listed individual to pivotal events that define his failing kingship and David's rising star. Jonathan, despite being Saul's heir, tragically aligns with David, epitomizing loyalty to God's chosen rather than simply to a bloodline. Michal, as David's first wife, creates an immediate and symbolic dynastic connection, only for her relationship with David to end in estrangement and barrenness, reflecting the final barrenness of Saul's line. Merab's promise to David, unfulfilled by Saul, illustrates the king's unreliability. This verse thus lays the foundation for understanding the intricate familial loyalties, conflicts, and ultimate transition of the kingdom as divine purpose overrides human ambition, setting the stage for David's rightful succession.