Kish קִישׁ
Father of Saul, the first king of Israel
Who is Kish in the Bible?
Kish was a wealthy Benjamite from the family of Matri and the father of Saul, who became the first king of Israel. Introduced in 1 Samuel 9:1 as a man of influence and means, Kish sent his son Saul to search for lost donkeys, a journey that led to Saul's encounter with the prophet Samuel, who anointed him as king (1 Samuel 9:3, 10:1). Kish appears again when Saul was chosen by lot at Mizpah to be Israel's king (1 Samuel 10:21), and his name surfaces in moments when people questioned Saul's leadership, calling him "the son of Kish" (1 Samuel 10:11). His significance lies in being the father through whom God brought about Israel's transition from a judge-led society to a monarchy, making Kish an important figure in the nation's pivotal shift in governance.
Biography
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.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Ner Tribe of BenjaminAbner's fatherFather of Abner, King Saul's commander.View full profile →
- Abdon Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel') from GibeonView full profile →
- Zur Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Baal Tribe of ReubenSon of ReaiahA descendant of Reuben.View full profile →
- Nadab Tribe of JudahSon of ShammaiSon of Shammai, from the tribe of Judah.View full profile →
- Gedor Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, the founder of Gibeon.View full profile →
- Ahio Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielSon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel'), a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Zecher Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, founder of GibeonView full profile →
- Mikloth Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielA Benjamite, son of Eshek.View full profile →
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Samuel 5 verses
- 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 1 verse
- 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 5 verses
- 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;"
Acts 1 verse
- 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."
Study Acts →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | קִישׁ |
| Greek | Greek | Κίς |