Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 14:51
Kish was the name of several Israelites, including the father of king Saul and an ancestor of Mordecai. The name Kish means bent and is mentioned in Esther 2:5 and other biblical books. Kish was a common name in biblical times.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Est.2.5; father of: Shimei (H8096U) § Kish = "bent" 1) a Benjamite of the family of Matri, father of king Saul 2) an ancestor of Mordecai 3) son of Gibeon and brother of Abdon, Zur, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth; uncle of Kish the father of king Saul 4) a Merarite Levite, son of Mahli and grandson of Merari the progenitor of the family 5) a Merarite Levite, son of Abdi in the time of king Hezekiah of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Kish. See also: 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Chronicles 9:36; Esther 2:5.
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
Ner was an Israelite man who lived during the time of the United Monarchy. He is mentioned in the Bible as the father of several sons, including Kish, and is an ancestor of King Saul. Ner is also known as Jeiel in some parts of the Bible.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1; son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N); father of: Kish (H7027), Ner (H5369), Abdon (H5658J), Zur (H6698I), Baal (H1168B), Nadab (H5070J), Gedor (H1446I), Ahio (H0283I), Zecher (H2144) and Mikloth (H4732); also called Jeiel (Ketiv: Jeuel; KJV: Jehiel) at 1Ch.9.35; Ner at 1Ch.8.33; 9.39; Another name of a.vi.el (אֲבִיאֵל "Abiel" H0022G) § Ner = "lamp" 1) son of Jehiel, father of Kish, and grandfather of king Saul 2) father of Abner, the uncle of Saul 2a) perhaps the same as 1
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: Ner. See also: 1 Samuel 14:50; 2 Samuel 3:28; 1 Chronicles 26:28.
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
Abner was a prominent Israelite, cousin of King Saul, and army captain, who played a key role in the book of 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.50; son of: Ner (H5369); father of: Jaasiel (H3300H) § Abner = "my father is a lamp" Saul's cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Abner. See also: 1 Samuel 14:50; 2 Samuel 3:8; 1 Chronicles 27:21.
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
Abiel is a personal name in the Bible, meaning 'my father is God', given to two Israelites, one of whom is mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:31. It is a significant name in the Bible, symbolizing faith in God. Abiel is also the name of Saul's grandfather.
Definition: Abiel, a man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.23.31 Another name of a.vi-al.von (אֲבִי־עַלְבוֹן "Abi-albon" H0045) § Abiel = "El (God) is (my) father" Saul's grandfather
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Abiel. See also: 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 11:32.
Context — Saul’s Victories
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) |
| 1 |
1 Samuel 9:1 |
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. |
| 2 |
1 Samuel 9:21 |
Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?” |
1 Samuel 14:51 Summary
[This verse tells us about Saul's and Abner's families, showing how they were related. It's like a family tree that helps us understand who's who in the story. Knowing our family and where we come from can be important, just like it was for Saul and Abner, as seen in Genesis 25:19-26. By understanding our heritage, we can better appreciate God's plan for our lives, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of mentioning Saul's and Abner's family lineage in this verse?
The mention of their family lineage in 1 Samuel 14:51 highlights the importance of family relationships and alliances in the biblical narrative, as seen in other passages like Genesis 25:19-26 and Ruth 4:18-22.
Who was Abiel, and why is he mentioned as the father of Kish and Ner?
Abiel is mentioned as the father of Kish and Ner, but little is known about him beyond this reference, emphasizing the focus on the descendants rather than the ancestors, similar to the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 9:35-44.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter, which discusses Saul's wars and family?
1 Samuel 14:51 provides background information on Saul's family, particularly his relationship to Abner, which is relevant to understanding the dynamics of Saul's leadership and the role of Abner as his army commander, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:50.
What can we learn from the way family relationships are presented in this verse?
The presentation of family relationships in 1 Samuel 14:51 teaches us about the importance of knowing our heritage and the role of family in shaping our identities and alliances, as also seen in passages like Psalm 138:8 and Jeremiah 33:26.
Reflection Questions
- How does my own family lineage influence my sense of identity and purpose?
- In what ways can I honor my family heritage while still following God's unique call on my life, as seen in passages like 1 Samuel 2:30-31?
- What alliances or relationships in my life are most significant, and how can I nurture them in a way that glorifies God, as encouraged in Amos 3:3?
- How can I balance the importance of family with the call to follow Jesus and prioritize His kingdom, as taught in Matthew 10:37-39?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 14:51
And Kish was the father of Saul,.... See 1 Samuel 9:1 and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel; this Abiel was the father both of Kish and Ner, and the grandfather of Saul, see 1 Samuel 9:1.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:51
1 Samuel 14:51 And Kish [was] the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner [was] the son of Abiel.Ver. 51. And Kish was the father of Saul.] Hence Saul is called Cush the Benjamite, as the Chaldee there paraphraseth it. And Ner the father of Abner.] In 1 Chronicles 8:33, Ner is said to be the father of Kish, that is, his foster-father, saith Comestor.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:51
(51) The son of Abiel.—For “son” the commentators mostly agree we must read sons. Kish and Ner, we know, were both sons of Abiel. (See 1 Chronicles 9:35-36, where, however, the father’s name is given as Jehiel.)
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 14:51
51. Abiel] It has been conjectured that Abiel is the same as Jehiel “the father” or founder of Gibeon, 1 Chronicles 9:35, and that Gibeon is identical with Gibeah; but this is doubtful.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 14:51
Read, “And Kish the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner, were the sons of Abiel.” Ner was Saul’s uncle.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:51
51. Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel — From 1 Chronicles 8:33, we learn that Ner was the father of Kish; so Abner and Kish were brothers, and Abiel, represented as the father of Kish in 1