Azel
Azel, a descendant of Saul, had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan (1 Chr 8:37, 38; 9:43, 44).
Biography
Azel was a man of the tribe of Benjamin, a descendant of King Saul through the line of Jonathan, as recorded in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 8:37–38 and 9:43–44. He fathered six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. The repetition of his genealogy in two distinct genealogical chapters of Chronicles underscores the Chronicler's interest in preserving the continuity of Saul's family line even after the monarchy transferred to David. The name Azel may derive from a Hebrew root meaning 'noble' or 'reserved.' His six sons, an unusually fruitful number, suggest a family of some prominence within the Benjaminite clans who continued to inhabit the territory around Jerusalem in both the pre- and post-exilic periods.
Significance
Azel's place in the genealogy of Saul carries quiet theological significance. Despite Saul's tragic end and the transfer of kingship to David, God preserved Saul's descendants, just as David himself had covenanted to show kindness to the house of Jonathan (2 Sam 9:1). Azel's six sons represent the continued vitality of a family that could have been expected to fade from history after its patriarch's fall from divine favor. The Chronicler's double recording of this genealogy signals that even failed dynasties are not forgotten by God, and that the covenant promises made to individual tribes and families persist across generations. Azel's story is a quiet testimony to divine faithfulness operating beneath the surface of historical events.
Verse Appearances (4)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]