And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.

1 SAMUEL 14:50KJV
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1 Samuel 14:50 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:50 mean?

1 Samuel 14:50 gives the names of King Saul’s wife, Ahinoam (daughter of Ahimaaz), and his military commander, Abner (son of Ner, who was Saul’s uncle). This verse identifies key family members and leaders in Saul’s reign, showing the family connections within Israel’s leadership.

This verse is part of a section listing Saul’s relatives and officials, providing background on the people closest to Israel’s first king. The writer is giving readers a sense of Saul’s household and the structure of his rule, which helps set the stage for later events involving these individuals.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:50

  • "name" (שֵׁם, shem): This word appears twice, highlighting the importance of identity and lineage in the passage. Naming Ahinoam and Abner shows their recognized roles in Saul’s life and leadership.
  • "wife" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): The term used for Saul’s wife, Ahinoam, clarifies her official status and role in the royal family.
  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar): This word means a chief or leader, here referring to Abner’s position as the commander of Saul’s army. It shows Abner’s authority and importance in the kingdom.
  • "host" (צָבָא, tsava): This word means army or military force, emphasizing that Abner was not just a relative but held a significant military command.

Why 1 Samuel 14:50 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the family relationships in Saul’s household, which become important in later stories about Saul, David, and Abner.
  • By naming both Saul’s wife and his military commander, the verse underlines the close connection between family and leadership in early Israelite monarchy.
  • The details here help readers track the roles and loyalties of these individuals as the narrative unfolds, especially as Abner and Ahinoam appear in later events.

Where else these words appear

“Ahinoam” Hebrew H293 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 25:43 David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.
  • 1 Samuel 30:5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
  • 2 Samuel 3:2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

“Ahimaaz” Hebrew H290 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
  • 2 Samuel 18:19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
  • 2 Samuel 18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

“Ner” Hebrew H5369 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
  • 2 Samuel 3:23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
  • 1 Kings 2:32 And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing thereof, to wit, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.

“Abner” Hebrew H74 · used in 53 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:51 And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • 2 Samuel 3:22 And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.