Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchi-shua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
49. Ishui ] Since in ch. 1Sa 31:2 and 1Ch 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 1Ch 8:33; 1Ch 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 1Sa 8:2.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This enumeration of Sauls children and chief officers is according to the analogy of the subsequent annals of David and Solomens 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 49. Now the sons of Saul] We do not find Ishbosheth here. Calmet says it was “because he was too young, and did not go with him to the war, for he mentions only those who were with him.” Why then mention his daughters and his wife? Did they go with him to the war?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Ishui, called also Abinadab, 1Sa 31:2; 1Ch 8:33. Ishbosheth, Sauls other son, is here omitted, because he intended to mention only those of his sons who went with him into the battles here mentioned, and who were afterwards slain with him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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, 1Ch 8:33 for he had two names:
and Melchishua; and besides these three there was another, whose name was Ishbosheth, sometimes called Eshbaal, 2Sa 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, 2Sa 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, 1Sa 18:19 and the name of the younger Michal; who became the wife of David, 1Sa 18:27.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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 (Gen. 46:17; 1Ch. 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 (1Sa. 18:17-21), the elder of them having been promised to him in marriage, and the younger being actually wedded to him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
49. Ishui Supposed to be the same as Abinadab, mentioned 1Sa 31:2; 1Ch 8:33 ; 1Ch 9:39.
Malchi-shua This name is sometimes spelled Melchi-shua.
His two daughters Of whom we read again in chapter 1Sa 18:17-28.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Further Details About Saul And His Leading General Who Was Related To Him ( 1Sa 14:49-52 ).
Saul’s ancestry was given in 1Sa 9:1. Now we are given his family details, after which we are also given the details of his commander in chief’s family, partly because they were related to Saul, and partly because of Abner’s loyal support, both in Saul’s own battles, and as preparing the way for what Abner would later seek to do for Saul’s son, Ishbaal (Ishbosheth). See 2Sa 2:8 ff.
1Sa 14:49-50 a
‘Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal, and the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz.’
At this stage Saul had at least three sons. Jonathan (gift of YHWH) was the firstborn. Then came Ishvi. This could be another name for Abinadab (see 1Sa 31:2), for it was not uncommon for a man to have two names. Alternately Ish-vi is possibly another way of expressing Ish-yah, ‘man of YHWH’, which could well then have been expressed as Ish-baal/Esh-baal (man of the Lord) in order to avoid using the name of Yah, being later expressed by writers as Ish-bosheth (2Sa 2:8) because bosheth means ‘shame’. The reason for this last was in order to express shame at the use of Baal’s name, although when Saul used the word it did not have the same connotation, and even Hosea could think of God as ‘baali’ (Hos 2:16). We know nothing of Malchi-shua, except that he fell fighting alongside Saul, but the names of the two daughters will occur later in relation to David. 1Ch 8:33; 1Ch 9:39 list Saul’s sons as Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Esh-baal.
1Sa 14:50-51
‘And the name of the captain of his host was Abner the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle. And Kish was the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.’
We now learn that Abner was the commander in chief of Saul’s army. He was on the whole a loyal and good man. His details are recorded here both because he was a relative of the king, and in order to demonstrate that Saul did not achieve what he did on his own. He had solid support from his family. It is also preparing the way for his later activities in supporting Ishbaal (Ishbosheth) against David.
1Sa 14:52
‘ And there was fierce war against the Philistines all the days of Saul, and when Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he took him to him.’
In order to make sure that we are not deceived by what has been said earlier we now learn that the Philistines were the one foe that Saul never finally quelled, for although sometimes defeated they soon came back again and occupied at least part of Israel. As a result Saul had continually to maintain a small standing army, both in readiness to deal with their forays, and in order, when they became something more serious, to prevent them taking over Israel completely. That is why we learn here that, with that in mind, he was always on the look out for good recruits. Thus whenever he came across a mighty man or a valiant man he attached him to his standing army.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Sa 14:49. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, &c. i.e. three sons, who signalised themselves in the wars here mentioned. Ish-bosheth, mentioned 1Ch 8:33 under the name of Esh-baal, was too young to go to war, and therefore he is omitted in this place.
Reflections on 1Sa 14:36-52.1st. Saul has no sooner given his army a moment’s refreshment, than he is eager to pursue again the flying Philistines; and, though weary and wanting repose, his men, as faithful soldiers, are submissive to his orders, and ready to follow him. But,
1. Ahiah desires to consult God first, and Saul consents; but when they drew near, God gave them no answer. Note; It is good to have near us a faithful minister to advise and admonish us of our duty.
2. Saul hereupon concludes, that some sin had been committed, which provoked God thus to withdraw; and therefore as passionately resolves to punish, as he had imprudently bound the people under a curse. To determine the case, lots are cast; and, though none dared or cared to inform against Jonathan, God is pleased to give the discovery in the person of Jonathan, on whom the lot fell. Note: (1.) We may well conclude that God is angry, when our prayers find no answer of peace from him. (2.) We should solicitously inquire what it is wherein we have offended, that we may put away iniquity from us.
3. Jonathan, at Saul’s injunction, acknowledges that he had tasted a little honey that day in the wood; and, though he thinks it hard to die for such a fault, he speaks as expecting it from his father’s rash and unrelenting spirit; whilst Saul, agreeably to his character, binds his resolution with a solemn oath, that nothing should save him. Note; (1.) Violent tempers will sacrifice to their passions even the dearest relatives. (2.) An angry judge cannot but pass a rash and unjust sentence. (3.) They who swear in heat will often be guilty not only of profaneness, but perjury.
4. The people are highly displeased at Saul’s resolve, and bind themselves by oath to prevent its execution. It was unjust to condemn Jonathan for unwittingly offending; and ungrateful to put to death him, who, under God, had that day saved their lives and all Israel; therefore they rescued, or redeemed, him out of his hand. Note; (1.) Those whom God, in his cause, evidently honours with his blessing, we must support against all opposers. (2.) When kings act madly against the laws of God, and tyrannically against the lives and liberties of the people, such resistance as tends to reduce them to their duty, without injuring their persons, or lessening their lawful authority, is, no doubt, true patriotism, and consistent with true piety.
5. The season of pursuit being lost by altercation, and God reserving the Philistines for a further scourge, those who escaped from the battle got into places of safety, and Saul returned to Gibeah. Thus dissensions between the generals have often lost the advantages of victory.
2nd, Saul’s family are taken notice of. His house was now established, like his kingdom, great and prosperous. But how fading are all sublunary things! In a few years his house becomes ruined, and his kingdom removed. Let us never place confidence then in any thing beneath the sun. The fashion of this world passeth away.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
1Sa 14:49 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:
Ver. 49. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, &c. ] Ishbosheth is not once named, because he was an , not fit for war, and so of no account amongst them: yet he came to be a king, and the youngest daughter Michal a queen. Let no man despise the day of small things.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ishui. Called Abinadab in 1Sa 31:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jonathan: 1Sa 31:2, 1Ch 8:33, 1Ch 9:39
name of the firstborn: 1Sa 18:7-21, 1Sa 25:44, 2Sa 3:13-16, 2Sa 6:20-23
Reciprocal: 1Ch 10:2 – Abinadab
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 14:49. And Ishui Called also Abinadab, 1Sa 31:2. Ish- bosheth, Sauls other son, is here omitted because the sacred historian intended to mention only those of Sauls sons who went with him into the battles here recorded, and who were afterward slain with him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, {u} 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 {x} Michal:
(u) Called also Abinadab, 1Sa 31:2.
(x) Who was the wife of David, 1Sa 18:27.