Melek

Descendant of Saul through Jonathan

Also known as: Melech

The united kingdomLeaderc. 1000 BC

Melek (also known as Mikja) was a descendant of King Saul through the line of Jonathan. He is mentioned in the genealogies in 1 Chronicles as the son of Mica (grandson of Mephibosheth/Meribbaal). His significance lies primarily in maintaining Saul's lineage after the fall of the royal house.

Family

FatherMicah ChildPhenon ChildMelek ChildTarea ChildAhaz (son of Jotham)

Key events

Mentioned in Saul's Genealogy

Melek is listed as the son of Mica in the genealogy of Saul's descendants in 1 Chronicles.

1 Chr 8:35 Show in context →

35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.

וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ וְתַאְרֵ֥עַ וְאָחָֽז׃ ‬

Repeated in the genealogy

Melek's lineage is repeated in a parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles chapter 9, confirming his place among Saul's descendants.

1 Chr 9:41 Show in context →

41The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. [Footnote: The Hebrew text here lists only three sons; the name Ahaz is supplied from the parallel list in chapter 8 and from ancient versions, since verse 42 continues with Ahaz.]

וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ וְתַחְרֵֽעַ׃ ‬

Continuation of Saul's dynasty

Through Melek and his descendants, Saul's lineage was preserved even after the kingdom passed to David's house.

1 Chr 8:33 Show in context →

33Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.[^1] [^1]: Eshbaal is called Ish-bosheth in the books of Samuel.

וְנֵר֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־קִ֔ישׁ וְקִ֖ישׁ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־שָׁא֑וּל וְשָׁא֗וּל הוֹלִ֤יד אֶת־יְהֽוֹנָתָן֙ וְאֶת־מַלְכִּי־שׁ֔וּעַ וְאֶת־אֲבִֽינָדָ֖ב וְאֶת־אֶשְׁבָּֽעַל׃ ‬

1 Chr 8:34 Show in context →

34The son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah.[^1] [^1]: Merib-baal is called Mephibosheth in the books of Samuel.

וּבֶן־יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן מְרִ֣יב בָּ֑עַל וּמְרִ֥יב בַּ֖עַל הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־מִיכָֽה׃ ס ‬

1 Chr 8:35 Show in context →

35The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.

וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ וְתַאְרֵ֥עַ וְאָחָֽז׃ ‬

1 Chr 8:36 Show in context →

36Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah; Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri fathered Moza.

וְאָחָז֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יְהוֹעַדָּ֔ה וִיהֽוֹעַדָּ֗ה הוֹלִ֛יד אֶת־עָלֶ֥מֶת וְאֶת־עַזְמָ֖וֶת וְאֶת־זִמְרִ֑י וְזִמְרִ֖י הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־מוֹצָֽא׃ ‬

Melek's sons

Melek had sons who continued Saul's lineage, including Pithon, Melek, Tarea, and Ahas according to the chronicler's account.

1 Chr 9:41 Show in context →

וּבְנֵ֖י מִיכָ֑ה פִּית֥וֹן וָמֶ֖לֶךְ וְתַחְרֵֽעַ׃ ‬

1 Chr 9:42 Show in context →

42Ahaz was the father of Jarah; Jarah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri; and Zimri was the father of Moza.

וְאָחָז֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יַעְרָ֔ה וְיַעְרָ֗ה הוֹלִ֛יד אֶת־עָלֶ֥מֶת וְאֶת־עַזְמָ֖וֶת וְאֶת־זִמְרִ֑י וְזִמְרִ֖י הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־מוֹצָֽא׃ ‬

Mentioned in the Bible (2)

1 Chronicles 8:35 1 Chronicles 9:41