Saul's father living at the time of United Monarchy
Kish was a Benjamite, the father of Saul, who was anointed by Samuel as the first king of Israel.
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Also known as Cis
Kish, a Benjamite from the family of Matri, was the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He is introduced in 1Sa.9.1 as a wealthy and influential man. Kish's donkeys went missing, and he sent his son Saul and a servant to search for them (1Sa.9.3). This journey led to Saul's meeting with the prophet Samuel, who anointed him as king over Israel (1Sa.10.1).
Kish is mentioned several times in the context of Saul's kingship. He was present when Saul was chosen by lot as king at Mizpah (1Sa.10.21). Later, when Saul faced a Philistine threat, some people questioned his ability to lead, referring to him as "the son of Kish" (1Sa.10.11).
Kish's family background is further elaborated in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin (1Ch.8.30, 33; 9.36, 39). These passages confirm Kish as the father of Saul and provide details about his ancestors and descendants.
After Saul's death, David honored the remains of Saul and his son Jonathan by burying them in the tomb of Kish at Zela (2Sa.21.14). This act demonstrates David's respect for Saul's family and his desire to bring closure to the tragic events surrounding Saul's reign.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul, in his speech at Antioch, mentions Kish as the father of Saul when recounting the history of Israel (Act.13.21).
Throughout the biblical narrative, Kish is primarily known as the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. His life and influence are closely tied to the rise and reign of his son, and his legacy is remembered in the context of Israel's early monarchy.
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13 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H7027
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.
One day the donkeys of Saulʼs father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.”
When all those who had formerly known Saul and saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.
Saulʼs father Kish and Abnerʼs father Ner were sons of Abiel.
And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saulʼs father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.
and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle;
Everything that had been dedicated by Samuel the seer, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah, along with everything else that was dedicated, was under the care of Shelomith and his brothers.
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who rules forty years.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.