The term "Shaulite" refers to the descendants or members of the family of Shaul, a figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Old Testament. The name Shaul appears in several contexts within the Bible, and understanding the Shaulites requires examining these references.

1. Shaul, Son of Simeon: The most prominent mention of Shaul is as a son of Simeon, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel. In Genesis 46:10, the Berean Standard Bible states, "The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman." This passage highlights Shaul as a member of the tribe of Simeon, born to a Canaanite woman, which may indicate a mixed heritage. The descendants of Shaul, therefore, would be considered part of the tribe of Simeon, and the term "Shaulite" would apply to them.

2. Genealogical Records: The genealogical records in 1 Chronicles 4:24 also mention Shaul: "The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul." This passage reaffirms Shaul's place within the tribe of Simeon and suggests that his lineage continued to be recognized among the Israelites. The Shaulites, as descendants of Shaul, would have been part of the broader narrative of the Simeonite tribe, which played a role in the history of Israel.

3. Tribal Inheritance and Role: The tribe of Simeon, including the Shaulites, was allocated land within the territory of Judah, as described in Joshua 19:1-9. This allocation was due to the Simeonites' smaller population, which necessitated sharing territory with the larger tribe of Judah. The Shaulites, as part of this tribe, would have shared in the inheritance and responsibilities of maintaining their allotted land and participating in the communal life of Israel.

4. Cultural and Historical Context: The mention of Shaul as the son of a Canaanite woman is significant in understanding the cultural and historical context of the Shaulites. This detail may reflect the complex interactions between the Israelites and the surrounding Canaanite populations. The integration of Canaanite elements into Israelite society, as seen in the lineage of Shaul, illustrates the diverse backgrounds that contributed to the formation of the tribes of Israel.

5. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, the inclusion of Shaul and his descendants in the biblical narrative underscores the theme of God's covenant with all the tribes of Israel, regardless of their origins. The Shaulites, as part of the Simeonite tribe, were included in the blessings and responsibilities of the covenant community, highlighting the inclusive nature of God's promises to His people.

In summary, the Shaulites were descendants of Shaul, a son of Simeon, and were part of the tribe of Simeon. Their heritage, land allocation, and role within the Israelite community are integral to understanding their place in biblical history. The references to Shaul and his descendants in the genealogies and tribal records provide insight into the complex tapestry of Israel's tribal structure and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.7587. Shauli -- descendant of Shaul
... of Shaul NASB Word Usage Shaulites (1). Shaulites. Patronymic from Sitnan; a Shaulite
or descendant of Shaul -- Shaulites. see HEBREW Sitnan. 7586, 7587. ...
/hebrew/7587.htm - 6kShaulite (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shaulite (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:13 of Zerah, the
family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. ...
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Shaulites (1 Occurrence)

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Sha'ul (5 Occurrences)
Sha'ul. Shaul, Sha'ul. Shaulite . Multi-Version Concordance Sha'ul (5 Occurrences). ...
(See RSV). Shaul, Sha'ul. Shaulite . Reference Bible.
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