Father of Kish and grandfather of King Saul
Abiel
Named in 6 verses across 2 books, first in 1 Samuel 9:1.
אֲבִיאֵלAbiel
יְעִיאֵלJeiel
יְעוּאֵלJeuel
נֵרNer
Also called Jeiel, Jeuel, Ner.
The name means “God my father.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Abiel Written by AI
Abiel, also referred to as Jeiel, Ner, or Abigibeon (or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'), was a Benjaminite and the father of Kish, who was the father of King Saul, Israel's first king. In 1 Samuel 9:1, Abiel is mentioned as the father of Kish and is described as a mighty man of power. The genealogies in 1Chronicles 8 and 9 provide additional information about Abiel's family. In 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 1 Chronicles 9:39, he is called Ner, while in 1 Chronicles 8:29 and 1 Chronicles 9:35, he is referred to as Jeiel and Abigibeon or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'. These variations in names suggest that he may have been known by multiple names or that there might have been some discrepancies in the genealogical records. Abiel's son Kish became the father of Saul, who was anointed as the first king of Israel by the prophet Samuel.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Father (i.e., “possessor”) of God = “pious.” (1.) The son of Zeror and father of Ner, who was the grandfather of Saul (1 Sam. 14:51; 1 Chr. 8:33; 9:39). In 1 Sam. 9:1, he is called the “father,” probably meaning the grandfather, of Kish. (2.) An Arbathite, one of David’s warriors (1 Chr. 11:32); called also Abi-albon (2 Sam. 23:31).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 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.
- 1 Samuel 14:51
Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
- 1 Chronicles 8:29
Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah,
- 1 Chronicles 8:33
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
- 1 Chronicles 9:35
Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah.
- 1 Chronicles 9:39
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.