“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.”
1 Samuel 14:49 is a verse that provides us with a brief genealogical record of Saul, the first king of Israel. It mentions his three sons: Jonathan, Ishui (also known as Abinadab), and Melchishua. It also mentions his two daughters: Merab, who was his firstborn, and Michal, who was the younger daughter.
Jonathan, Saul’s eldest son, is well-known in the Bible for his close friendship with David, who would later become the renowned king of Israel. Jonathan demonstrated great courage, loyalty, and faith in God. He even saved David’s life on several occasions, and they formed a deep bond. Jonathan’s story is found throughout the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel.
Ishui, also known as Abinadab, is mentioned here as one of Saul’s sons. However, the Bible does not provide many details about him. He does not play a prominent role in the biblical narrative.
Melchishua, another of Saul’s sons, is mentioned briefly in this verse. Like Ishui, not much is known about him from the biblical accounts.
Merab and Michal were Saul’s daughters. Merab was the firstborn, but her story is not extensively recorded in the Bible. Michal, on the other hand, plays a more significant role in the biblical narrative. She became David’s wife after he successfully completed a challenge set by Saul, which involved killing a hundred Philistines. However, their marriage faced challenges and eventually ended in separation.
Overall, 1 Samuel 14:49 provides us with a glimpse into the family of Saul, the first king of Israel, mentioning his sons Jonathan, Ishui, and Melchishua, as well as his daughters Merab and Michal. These individuals play various roles in the biblical narrative, with Jonathan and Michal having more prominent stories associated with them.
