Topical Bible: Saul: King of Israel: Sons of

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Saul, the first king of Israel, was a significant figure in the history of the Israelites. His reign marked the transition from the period of the judges to the establishment of the monarchy. Saul was a member of the tribe of Benjamin and was anointed as king by the prophet Samuel. His sons played various roles in his reign and the subsequent history of Israel.

Jonathan

Jonathan is perhaps the most well-known of Saul's sons. He was a valiant warrior and a loyal friend to David, who would later become king. Jonathan's deep friendship with David is one of the most celebrated relationships in the Bible, characterized by loyalty, love, and mutual respect. Despite his father's animosity towards David, Jonathan recognized David's future as king and supported him. In 1 Samuel 18:3-4 , it is written, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt." Jonathan's loyalty to both his father and David exemplifies his noble character. Tragically, Jonathan died alongside Saul in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:2).

Ish-bosheth

Ish-bosheth, also known as Eshbaal, was another son of Saul. After Saul's death, Ish-bosheth was made king over Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul's army, while David reigned over Judah. His reign was marked by political instability and conflict with David's forces. Ish-bosheth's rule lasted for two years, and he struggled to maintain control over the tribes of Israel. His reign ended when he was assassinated by two of his own captains, Rechab and Baanah, as recorded in 2 Samuel 4:5-7 .

Malchishua and Abinadab

Malchishua and Abinadab were also sons of Saul who fought alongside their father in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. Like Jonathan, they perished in this battle, as noted in 1 Samuel 31:2 : "The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua."

Legacy and Impact

The sons of Saul played crucial roles during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. Jonathan's friendship with David and his loyalty to his father highlight the complexities of familial and political relationships in the biblical narrative. Ish-bosheth's brief reign underscores the challenges of leadership and the fragility of human power. The deaths of Saul's sons in battle marked the end of Saul's dynasty and paved the way for David's ascension to the throne, fulfilling God's plan for Israel's leadership.

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1 Chronicles 8:33
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The History of Saul
... go and anoint one of the sons of Isai, otherwise called Jesse, to be king of Israel. ...
And the spirit of our Lord went away from Saul and an evil spirit oft ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

The Shepherd Boy of Bethlehem.
... After Saul had been king of Israel for a few years ... Lord, He hath also rejected thee
from being king," and he ... told Samuel to cease from mourning for Saul, for He ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xix the shepherd boy.htm

The Shepherd-King
... mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! ... Beth-lehemite:
for I have provided Me a king among his ... If Saul hear it, he will kill me. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the shepherd-king.htm

Now Saul Upon God's not Answering Him Concerning the Fight with ...
... engagement, and the Philistine, became the conquerors, and slew a great number of
their enemies; but Saul the king of Israel, and his sons, fought courageously ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 now saul upon.htm

The Making of a King.
... asses, for they were found, but the desire of Israel was set ... that the man who was
to be their king, might be chosen in their sight, and when Saul, the son ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xviii the making of.htm

First and Second Samuel.
... The importance of respect for existing forms of government-see David's attitude
toward Saul. ... is given the story of the career of David while king of Israel. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter viii first and second.htm

The Reign of Saul.
... The oppression of Israel's enemies which in part at least made necessary their king
had to be ... In his contest with them Saul had a very successful military ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter x the reign of.htm

Every Inch a King.
... Now David called together the flower of all Israel, thirty thousand ... and gave him
all the land of Saul, and a place was made for him at the king's table among ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxiii every inch a.htm

The First Kings.
... Eliab, the eldest, like Saul, was fine-looking"tall, athletic, and commanding in
his personal ... Samuel thought he must be the future king of Israel; but God ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... very pathetic in the contrast he draws between Saul and himself. ... The king walketh
before ... His sense of Israel's ingratitude to himself and practical revolt from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm