Father of Saul, the first king of Israel
Kish
Named in 13 verses across 4 books, first in 1 Samuel 9:1.
קִישׁKish
ΚίςKish
The name means “hard; difficult; straw; for age.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Kish Written by AI
Kish, a Benjamite from the family of Matri, was the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He is introduced in 1 Samuel 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 (1 Samuel 9:3). This journey led to Saul's meeting with the prophet Samuel, who anointed him as king over Israel (1 Samuel 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 (1 Samuel 10:21). Later, when Saul faced a Philistine threat, some people questioned his ability to lead, referring to him as "the son of Kish" (1 Samuel 10:11). Kish's family background is further elaborated in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:30). 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 (2 Samuel 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 (Acts 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.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Kish, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
A bow. (1.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chr. 23:21; 24:29).
(2.) A Benjamite of Jerusalem (1 Chr. 8:30; 9:36).
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(3.) A Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29:12).
(4.) The great-grandfather of Mordecai (Esther 2:5).
(5.) A Benjamite, the son of Abiel, and father of king Saul (1 Sam. 9:1, 3; 10:11, 21; 14:51; 2 Sam. 21:14). All that is recorded of him is that he sent his son Saul in search of his asses that had strayed, and that he was buried in Zelah. Called Cis, Acts 13:21 (R.V., Kish).
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 1 Samuel 9:1
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.
- 1 Samuel 9:3
One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.”
- 1 Samuel 10:11
When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- 1 Samuel 10:21
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.
- 1 Samuel 14:51
Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
- 2 Samuel 21:14
And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.
- 1 Chronicles 8:30
and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab,
- 1 Chronicles 8:33
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
- 1 Chronicles 9:36
Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab,
- 1 Chronicles 9:39
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
- 1 Chronicles 12:1
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;
- 1 Chronicles 26:28
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.
- Acts 13:21
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.