1 Samuel 14:49

14:47-52 Here is a general account of Saul's court and camp. He had little reason to be proud of his royal dignity, nor had any of his neighbours cause to envy him, for he had but little enjoyment after he took the kingdom. And often men's earthly glory makes a blaze just before the dark night of disgrace and woe comes on them.

And the sons of Saul were Jonathan,.... Who seems to be his firstborn, of whom, his valour and success, we read in this and the preceding chapter: and Ishui; the same with Abinadab, 1 Chronicles 8:33 for he had two names: and Melchishua; and besides these three there was another, whose name was Ishbosheth, sometimes called Eshbaal, 2 Samuel 2:8 who succeeded him in the kingdom; for which reason Abarbinel thinks he is not mentioned here, because he was a king; though it is generally supposed the reason why these only are named is, because they went out to war with him, and died with him, but this did not; he had other children by a concubine, or secondary wife, whose name was Rizpah, not mentioned here, 2 Samuel 21:8, and the names of his two daughters were these, the name of the firstborn Merab; who was afterwards married to Adriel the Meholathite, 1 Samuel 18:19 and the name of the younger Michal; who became the wife of David, 1 Samuel 18:27.

Verse 49. - Saul's family and kindred. Three sons only of Saul are here mentioned, apparently those slain at the battle of Mount Gilboa, where, however, Ishui is named Abinadab ( 1 Samuel 31:2 , as also in 1 Chronicles 8:33 ; 1 Chronicles 9:39 ). A fourth son, Esh-baal, subsequently called Ishbosheth, is omitted. The daughters, Merab and Michal, are mentioned because of the history in 1 Samuel 18:17-21 . 1 Samuel 14:49

49 . Ishui ] Since in ch. 1 Samuel 31:2 and 1 Chronicles 10:2 , the names of the sons who fell with Saul at Gilboa are given as Jonathan, Abinadab and Melchishua, and in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 8:33 ; 1 Chronicles 9:39 these three are again mentioned with the addition of Esh-Baal or Ish-bosheth, it seems probable that Ishui is identical with Abinadab . Either Ishui was a second name, or it is a corruption of the Heb. word for “and the second.” Cp. note on 1 Samuel 8:2 .

This enumeration of Saul's children and chief officers is according to the analogy of the subsequent annals of David and Solomen's reign. But the one here called Ishui, is elsewhere (marginal references) called Abi-nadab; and a fourth son, Esh-baal or Ish-bosheth, is here omitted.

(49) The sons of Saul. —The three brave sons who perished with their father in the battle on Mount Gilboa are apparently mentioned here, the only difficulty being the middle name, “Ishui,” which occurs nowhere else, save in two genealogies as that of a son of Asher ( Genesis 46:17 ; 1Chronicles 7:30 ). It is supposed to be the same as the Abinadab mentioned in that battle. His two daughters, Merab and Michal, are speciallynamed, probably owing to their connection with the history of David ( 1Samuel 18:17-21 ), the elder of them having been promised to him in marriage, and the younger being actually wedded to him.

47, 48. So Saul … fought against all his enemies on every side—This signal triumph over the Philistines was followed, not only by their expulsion from the land of Israel, but by successful incursions against various hostile neighbors, whom he harassed though he did not subdue them.

Saul's family. - 1 Samuel 14:49 . Only three of his sons are mentioned, namely those who fell with him, according to 1 Samuel 31:2 , in the war with the Philistines. Jisvi is only another name for Abinadab ( 1 Samuel 31:2 ; 1 Chronicles 8:33 ; 1 Chronicles 9:39 ). In these passages in the Chronicles there is a fourth mentioned, Esh-baal, i.e., the one who is called Ish-bosheth in 2 Samuel 2:8 , etc., and who was set up by Abner as the antagonist of David. The reason why he is not mentioned here it is impossible to determine. It may be that the name has fallen out simply through some mistake in copying: the daughters Michal and Merab are mentioned, with special reference to the occurrence described in 1 Samuel 18:17 .