1 Chronicles 8:30

The sons of Abi-Gibeon — that is, the Benjamite clans of Gibeon. The name of Ner has fallen out between Baal and Nadab. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 9:36.) That of Baal is interesting. Comp. 1 Chronicles 8:33, where we find Eshbaal and Merib-baal (rather Meri-baal, i.e., “man of Baal”); comp. Merbal in Herod, vii. 88. It appears from Hosea 2:16 that the title Baal (lord) was once applied to Jehovah in common, speech: “Thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt no more call me Baali.” After the name had become associated with a foreign and idolatrous cultus, it was discarded in favour of the synonymous Adon (Adonai).