The writer begins to switch from genealogies to historical narrative. He returns to expand the family tree of Benjamin in laying the groundwork for King Saul.
In verse 8 we see the name Ehud. He was the judge who delivered Israel by killling Eglon, the king of Moab (Judges 3:12-30).
In verse thirty three Ner is listed as the father of Kish and grandfather of Saul. This is consistent with 9:39 also but inconsistent with 1 Samuel 9:1 aand 1 Samuel 14:50-51 which lists Abiel as the father of Kish.
One of Saul's sons listed was Esh-Baal meaning 'man of baal'. In 2 Sam 2:8 we see the name is Ish-bosheth meaning 'man of shame'. It is possible that the writer of second Samuel didn't want to associate Saul's son with the Cannaanite god Baal and changed the name. This isn't the only place where 'bosheth' is used as substitute for 'baal' (Judges 6:32; 2 Sam 11:21). In Verse 34 we see Merib-Baal becomes Mephibosheth in 2 Sam 4:4.
©2016 Doug Ford
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