Where 1 Samuel 14:49 lists three sons, 1 Chronicles 8:33 suggests that Saul had four sons, since it includes the name of Abinadab. Generally, commentators consider Ishvi to be a theologically corrected form of Ishbaal (Ishvi means Man of the Lord
whereas Ishbaal means Man of Baal
). He is the same person that is called Ish-bosheth (Man of Shame
) in 2 Samuel 2:8. With regards to Abinadab, it is unclear why he would not be mentioned. Possibly the writer seeks to draw a parallel between Saul and Hannah, indicating that they were both blessed by God (see 1 Samuel 2:21).
49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchi-shua. And the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.