Barnes' Notes on 1 Chronicles 8:33

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Notes on the Whole Bible
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

This verse combined with 1 Chronicles 9:35-39, seems to show that the genealogy of Saul was: Abiel (= Jehiel?) Ner Kish Abner Saul Rather than that to be inferred from 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:50-51. In 1 Samuel 14:49 note, it is concluded that Saul’s second son bore the two names of “Ishui” and “Abinadab.” But the order of the names here: (1) Jonathan; (2) Malchi-shua; and (3) Abinadab - suggests another explanation, namely, that Ishui, the second son, died young, and that Abinadab was really the fourth son. Esh-baal - Previous to the introduction of the Phoenician Baal-worship into Israel by Ahab, the word “Baal” בעל ba‛al had no bad sense in Hebrew, but was simply an equivalent of the more ordinary אל 'êl, “God” (1 Chronicles 3:1 note). Hence, there is nothing strange in the use at this time of the names, “Esh-baal” (“man of God”), “Baal,” “Beel-iada,” “Merib-baal,” etc. Later on such names became offensive to pious ears, and were changed for the better, or for the worse, “Beel-iada” becoming “El-iada” (“let God aid”) - “Esh-baal,” “Ish-bo-sheth” (“man of shame”) - “Merib-baal,” “Mephi-bosheth;” and the like. return to 'Top of Page'

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