1 Chronicles 9:39
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Ner was the father of Kish,

Ner belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe from which Israel’s first king would arise. Saul’s family line is preserved to establish his legitimate place within Israel and to show that the monarchy began within the covenant people, not through foreign power or human invention.

1Ch 8:33 Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul,…
1Sa 9:1-2 Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man,…

Kish was the father of Saul,

Kish was a man of standing in Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1), though Benjamin itself was among Israel’s smaller tribes. Saul’s selection revealed God’s freedom to raise up leaders according to His purposes. Saul’s family became central during Israel’s transition from the era of the judges to the rule of kings.

1Sa 14:51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons…
1Sa 10:21-24 Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans,…

and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.

Jonathan demonstrated faithfulness to the Lord and sacrificial love toward David, recognizing that God had chosen David to reign. Malchishua and Abinadab died with Saul on Mount Gilboa in Israel’s defeat by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:2). Esh-baal, meaning “man of Baal,” also called Ish-bosheth, with “bosheth” meaning “shame,” later ruled over much of Israel through Abner’s support after Saul’s death, but his brief reign ended in violence. Saul’s household illustrates both the sorrow brought by Saul’s disobedience and the preservation of godly faithfulness through Jonathan’s covenant with David.

1Ch 10:2-6 The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons…
1Sa 31:2 The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons…
2Sa 2:8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ner
The grandfather of Saul, Ner is a significant figure in the genealogy of Israel's first king. His lineage is crucial in understanding the royal line of Benjamin.

2. Kish
The father of Saul, Kish is a Benjamite of some standing, as his son Saul becomes the first king of Israel. His role is pivotal in the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy.

3. Saul
The first king of Israel, Saul's reign marks a significant shift in Israel's history. His complex character and eventual downfall provide lessons on obedience and humility.

4. Jonathan
The son of Saul, known for his deep friendship with David and his loyalty to God's anointed despite his father's opposition.

5. Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal
Sons of Saul, they are part of the royal family whose lives and deaths are intertwined with the fate of Saul's kingdom.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Legacy
Our actions and decisions impact future generations. Saul's legacy, both positive and negative, affected his descendants and the nation of Israel.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
God raises leaders according to His purpose. Saul's anointing and reign remind us that leadership is a divine appointment, and leaders are accountable to God.

The Role of Family in Spiritual Formation
The family lineage of Saul shows the importance of spiritual heritage. Families are called to nurture faith and obedience to God.

Friendship and Loyalty
Jonathan's relationship with David exemplifies godly friendship, characterized by loyalty, sacrifice, and support for God's purposes.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience and pride. It serves as a reminder to seek God's guidance and remain humble.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the genealogy of Saul in 1 Chronicles 9:39 help us understand the historical context of Israel's monarchy?

2. In what ways can Saul's life serve as a warning about the dangers of pride and disobedience in our own lives?

3. How does Jonathan's loyalty to David challenge us to evaluate our own friendships and commitments?

4. What lessons can we learn from the family dynamics of Saul's household about the influence of family on spiritual growth?

5. How can we apply the understanding of God's sovereignty in leadership to our roles and responsibilities today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 9-31
These chapters provide a detailed account of Saul's life, his anointing as king, his reign, and his eventual downfall. They offer context to the genealogical mention in 1 Chronicles 9:39.

2 Samuel 1
This chapter describes the aftermath of Saul's death and David's lament for Saul and Jonathan, highlighting the personal and national impact of Saul's reign.

1 Samuel 18-20
These chapters explore the friendship between Jonathan and David, illustrating Jonathan's loyalty and faithfulness, which are rooted in his understanding of God's will.
Genealogy of the Returned ExilesF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 9:1-44
Pedigree of SaulJ. Wolfendale.1 Chronicles 9:35-44
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abdon, Abinadab, Adaiah, Adiel, Ahaz, Ahiman, Ahio, Ahitub, Akkub, Alemeth, Ammihud, Asa, Asaiah, Asaph, Azariah, Azel, Azmaveth, Azrikam, Bakbakkar, Bani, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Berechiah, Binea, Bocheru, David, Ebiasaph, Elah, Eleasah, Eleazar, Elkanah, Eshbaal, Galal, Gedor, Gibeon, Hanan, Hasenuah, Hashabiah, Hasshub, Heresh, Hilkiah, Hodaviah, Ibneiah, Ibnijah, Immer, Imri, Ishmael, Israelites, Jachin, Jahzerah, Jarah, Jedaiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jehoiarib, Jeiel, Jeroham, Jeuel, Jonathan, Kish, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Kore, Levi, Levites, Maacah, Maachah, Maasiai, Malchijah, Malchishua, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Mattithiah, Melech, Meraioth, Merari, Meribbaal, Meshelemiah, Meshillemith, Meshullam, Micah, Michri, Mikloth, Moza, Nadab, Ner, Netophathites, Obadiah, Omri, Pashur, Perez, Pharez, Phinehas, Pithon, Rephaiah, Reuel, Sallu, Samuel, Saul, Shallum, Sheariah, Shemaiah, Shemariah, Shephathiah, Shephatiah, Shilonites, Tahrea, Talmon, Uthai, Uzzi, Zadok, Zechariah, Zerah, Zichri, Zimri, Zur
Places
Babylon, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Abinadab, Abin'adab, Begat, Begot, Eshbaal, Esh-baal, Eshba'al, Jonathan, Kish, Malchishua, Mal'chishu'a, Malchi-shua, Malki-shua, Ner, Saul
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 9:34-44

     7230   genealogies

Library
The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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