Lexical Summary Malkishua: Malkishua Original Word: מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Malchishua From melek and shuwa'; king of wealth; Malkishua, an Israelite -- Malchishua. see HEBREW melek see HEBREW shuwa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom melek and shua Definition "my king is wealth," a son of Saul NASB Translation Malchi-shua (5). Topical Lexicon Name Significance Malkishua bears a name that can be rendered “my king is salvation” or “the king brings deliverance.” In the context of Israel’s first monarchy the name conveys a hopeful confession of divine rescue that sharply contrasts with the tragic circumstances of his death. Genealogical Context Malkishua was the third-listed son of King Saul of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 14:49). His mother was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. Parallel genealogies in 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39 confirm the same order among Saul’s sons—Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab (also called Ishvi or Ishbaal in variant traditions), and Esh-Baal (Ish-Bosheth). These lists reinforce the historical reliability of the Samuel narratives by matching names across independent records compiled after the exile. Narrative Appearances 1 Samuel introduces Malkishua only in the roster of Saul’s offspring; he never speaks or acts in the text. His quiet presence nevertheless reminds the reader that Saul’s royal household was more extensive than the exploits of Jonathan alone. The absence of recorded deeds does not lessen his importance: Scripture uses even silent characters to frame redemptive history and to display the covenant consequences of obedience or rebellion. Death on Mount Gilboa His most sobering appearance occurs at the close of Saul’s reign: “The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons, and they struck down Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul” (1 Samuel 31:2; repeated in 1 Chronicles 10:2). Falling beside his father and brothers, Malkishua shares in the collective judgment that descended on Saul for unfaithfulness (1 Samuel 28:18). The simultaneous death of multiple royal heirs cleared the path for David’s ascent, demonstrating that the LORD “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). Historical Significance 1. Monarchical Transition: With the demise of Malkishua and Jonathan at Gilboa, the senior line of Saul ended abruptly, validating Samuel’s prophecy that the kingdom would not endure in Saul’s hand (1 Samuel 13:13–14). Ministry Reflections • Unrecorded deeds still matter. Many believers serve in obscurity like Malkishua; Scripture’s inclusion of such lives affirms their value before God. Lessons for Today Malkishua’s brief biblical footprint invites sober meditation on the fleeting nature of earthly power and on the need for personal faithfulness irrespective of one’s public visibility. His account directs attention to the King whose salvation is sure, encouraging believers to anchor hope not in lineage or position but in the covenant faithfulness of God revealed ultimately in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations שׁ֑וּעַ שׁ֔וּעַ שׁ֖וּעַ שוע Shua šū·a‘ šūa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 14:49 HEB: וְיִשְׁוִ֖י וּמַלְכִּי־ שׁ֑וּעַ וְשֵׁם֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י NAS: and Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names KJV: and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names INT: were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua and the names of his two 1 Samuel 31:2 1 Chronicles 8:33 1 Chronicles 9:39 1 Chronicles 10:2 5 Occurrences |
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