Jonathan or Ishbosheth?

I think every reader of the Bible has wondered what is the point of reading chapters of genealogies like ones contained in Numbers and 1st Chronicles.  Should we actually trudge through every name?  Even these more audibly-daunting passages serve valuable purposes:  they prove the historical authenticity of the scripture, verify that Jesus Christ was a descendant of the line of David, and actually contain much spiritual insight.  As I read through a couple chapters of genealogies today, the LORD shed light on a profound truth.

One of the characters which intrigues me in scripture is that of King Saul, who hailed from the tribe of Benjamin.  1 Chronicles 8:33 reveals the lineage:  "Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal."  The Bible introduces us to Saul as a young, humble man.  Though tall in stature, he remained small in his own eyes - that is, until he had been king of Israel for a few years.  God had given him a new heart, but Saul later rebelled against the commands of God.  Saul had four sons:  Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal - also known as Ishbosheth.  King Saul's reign ended with him seeking the advice of a medium and committing suicide during a battle with the Philistines.  All save his youngest son died with him on Gilboa.

Most are familiar with Jonathan, an honorable man whom was close friends with David.  After the death of Saul, Ishbosheth reigned for two years before he was slain by traitorous servants.  It has been said that children are often a reflection of their parents, if not the image!  As I read the 1 Chronicles passage quoted above this morning, the name Esh-Baal caught my eye:  I could not recall one of Saul's sons having this name!  But as I studied further, I found the downward spiral of Saul was revealed even in the names of his children!  Consider the meaning of the names of Saul's sons:

• Jonathan:  gift of Yahweh (God)
• Malchishua:  king of wealth
• Abinadab:  father of generosity
• Esh-Baal:  son of Baal (later known as Ishbosheth:  man of shame)

It is an amazing, tragic progression!  Saul was grateful to God for giving him the kingdom at first.  Later he became focused on amassing the best Israel had to offer:  the best food, chefs, menservants, maidservants, warriors, and even weapons.  There was a time when Saul and Jonathan owned the only swords in Israel!  Saul was lifted up with pride, considering himself benevolent and generous.  But then he turned his back on God, even naming one of his sons after the false deities of the heathen Canaanites!  The Philistine archers wounded Saul on the battlefield.  Fearing abuse at their hands, he fell on his own sword and died.

As a ruler in Israel, Esh-Baal was known as Ishbosheth:  man of shame.  How shameful it was that the son of the king of Israel was named after a false heathen god!  In the two years of Ishbosheth's reign, he lost the allegiance of the tribe of Judah, and after the death of his general 2 Samuel 4:1 says "...his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled."  It would not be long before his short, weak reign would end with him stabbed and beheaded while he slept in the heat of the day.

We are born into shame as slaves of sin.  We all have the choice whether we will be a son of righteousness that trusts in God or a son a shame.  God does more than change our name when we repent and trust in Christ:  He gives us a new heart and His own nature!  Will I be a Jonathan who charged up a mountain with his armour bearer, strengthened by faith in God - or be a feeble, troubled, sleepy kind of Christian?  Will I pick up the Sword of the Spirit and put it to proper use or drowse among soft pillows without armor?  We have all slept long enough, dear ones.  It is day at the present, but night is coming when no one can work.  Let us pray according to Matthew 9:38:  "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  If you pray this prayer, you are praying for yourself first!