Introduction:
Abinadab is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of the Ark of the Covenant's journey and the lineage of King Saul. His name, meaning "father of nobleness" or "my father is noble," appears in several narratives, each contributing to the understanding of his role and significance in biblical history.

1. Abinadab of Kirjath-jearim:
Abinadab is most notably recognized as the man in whose house the Ark of the Covenant was kept for a significant period. After the Ark was returned by the Philistines, it was brought to the house of Abinadab in Kirjath-jearim, where it remained for twenty years. Abinadab's son, Eleazar, was consecrated to guard the Ark during this time. This event is recorded in 1 Samuel 7:1-2 : "Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the LORD and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill. They consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD. And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, and the whole house of Israel lamented after the LORD."

2. Abinadab, Son of Jesse:
Abinadab is also the name of one of Jesse's sons, making him one of David's brothers. He is mentioned during the anointing of David by the prophet Samuel. Abinadab was present when Samuel came to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king, but he was not chosen. This account is found in 1 Samuel 16:8 : "Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, 'The LORD has not chosen this one either.'"

3. Abinadab, Son of Saul:
Another Abinadab is listed as one of King Saul's sons. He fought alongside his father in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, where he met his death. This tragic event is detailed in 1 Samuel 31:2 : "The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua."

4. Abinadab in the Context of the Ark's Journey:
The house of Abinadab in Kirjath-jearim played a crucial role in the history of the Ark of the Covenant. After the Ark was captured by the Philistines and caused calamities in their cities, they returned it to Israel. The Ark's stay in Abinadab's house marked a period of waiting and preparation for its eventual transfer to Jerusalem by King David. This transition is described in 2 Samuel 6:3-4 : "They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart, bringing it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on the hill; and Ahio was walking in front of the ark."

5. Theological and Historical Significance:
Abinadab's association with the Ark of the Covenant highlights the sacred trust placed in him and his family. The Ark's presence in his home signifies a period of divine favor and responsibility. The narratives involving Abinadab's sons, both Eleazar and those who accompanied the Ark, underscore the themes of divine selection and the consequences of handling sacred objects. Additionally, the mention of Abinadab as one of Jesse's sons and as a son of Saul provides insight into the familial and dynastic contexts of Israel's early monarchy.

Death and Life from the Ark
... of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.3. And they set the ark
of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

Abinadab's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abinadab's (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 7:1 And
the men of Kiriath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of ...
/a/abinadab's.htm - 7k

Abinoam (4 Occurrences)

/a/abinoam.htm - 8k

Abin'adab (10 Occurrences)
Abin'adab. Abinadab, Abin'adab. Abinadab's . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). 1 Samuel 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. ...
/a/abin'adab.htm - 9k

Levites (267 Occurrences)
... FROM MOSES TO MALACHI 1. The Sources Other than Ezekiel (1) The Custody of the Ark
(2) On Its Return from the Philistines (3) In Abinadab's House 2. Ezekiel V ...
/l/levites.htm - 72k

Priests (451 Occurrences)
... FROM MOSES TO MALACHI 1. The Sources Other than Ezekiel (1) The Custody of the Ark
(2) On Its Return from the Philistines (3) In Abinadab's House 2. Ezekiel V ...
/p/priests.htm - 69k

Abinadab (12 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ABINADAB. ... It is natural to think that Abinadab was himself
a man of Kiriath-jearim, though the account does not explicitly say so. ...
/a/abinadab.htm - 14k

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