There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes Kish's lineage and his status as "a man of wealth," but the really interesting part is that he's from the tribe of Benjamin. This isn't just a random detail; it sets the stage for Saul's rise to kingship, as Benjamin was the smallest and weakest of the tribes, making its leader's elevation an act of God's surprising grace.
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter kicks off the story of Israel's first king, Saul. Kish, Saul's father, is introduced as a man of standing from the tribe of Benjamin. The narrative immediately sets up the search for lost donkeys that will unexpectedly lead Kish's son, Saul, to his divine appointment as king, shifting the entire trajectory of Israel's history.
We meet Kish, the father of Israel's first king, Saul. But what does this genealogy tell us about him and his place in history?
A Man of Standing
This verse introduces Kish, but it's not just a random name drop. It anchors him within a specific lineage:
Being 'a man of wealth' in ancient Israel carried more weight than just personal riches. What responsibilities might have come with Kish's status?
More Than Just Money
The description of Kish as "a man of wealth" speaks volumes in the context of ancient Israelite society. It implies:
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Understand the original words
Binyamini · Hebrew Proper Noun / Adjective
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's youngest son. The tribe was known for its warrior culture and produced Israel's first king, Saul, though it nearly faced extinction in the period of the Judges.
chayil · Hebrew Noun
In this context, it refers to a person of substance, dignity, or power. It often implies a combination of financial prosperity, social standing, and military capability within the community.
The introduction of Saul through Kish highlights a moment when Israel's societal structure was in transition, moving from the decentralized leadership of the Judges to a centralized monarchy, with established families like Kish's playing a role in this significant shift.
c. 1100-1050 BC
Period of the Judges Ends
This era saw Israel governed by various judges, a time marked by cyclical apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, leading to a desire for a king.
c. 1070 BC
Eli's Priestly Rule in Shiloh
The aging High Priest Eli presided over Israel during a time of spiritual decline and Philistine military pressure, with his own sons behaving wickedly.
c. 1070 BC
Ark of the Covenant Captured
In a devastating battle, the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the Ark of the Covenant, a profound spiritual and national crisis.
c. 1050 BC
Samuel's Prophetic Ministry
Samuel, a revered prophet and judge, served as a spiritual leader, lamenting the state of Israel and ultimately initiating the transition to monarchy.
c. 1050 BC— this verse
Saul's Father, Kish, is Wealthy
Kish, from the prominent tribe of Benjamin, is described as a man of means, living in Gibeah, indicating a stable, established family in a region near key religious and political centers.
c. 1050 BC
Israel Demands a King
The people of Israel, influenced by surrounding nations and Samuel's aging sons' corruption, clamored for a king to rule over them like other peoples.
This passage prophesies that Benjamin will be like a ravenous wolf, dividing the spoil, which foreshadows the tribe's fierce and often independent nature, reflected in Kish and Saul's family.
Judges 19:1This chapter also begins by highlighting a man from the tribe of Benjamin, setting a precedent for the narrative where tribal identity and lineage are significant.
1 Samuel 14:51This verse lists Saul's family members, directly connecting Kish to Saul and reinforcing the importance of his lineage as the father of the first king.
Philippians 3:5Paul references his own tribe of Benjamin, showing how tribal identity was still a point of pride and significance even centuries later in the New Testament era.
The verse emphasizes Kish's lineage and his status as "a man of wealth," but the really interesting part is that he's from the tribe of Benjamin. This isn't just a random detail; it sets the stage for Saul's rise to kingship, as Benjamin was the smallest and weakest of the tribes, making its leader's elevation an act of God's surprising grace.
This chapter kicks off the story of Israel's first king, Saul. Kish, Saul's father, is introduced as a man of standing from the tribe of Benjamin. The narrative immediately sets up the search for lost donkeys that will unexpectedly lead Kish's son, Saul, to his divine appointment as king, shifting the entire trajectory of Israel's history.
This chapter kicks off the story of Israel's first king, Saul. Kish, Saul's father, is introduced as a man of standing from the tribe of Benjamin. The narrative immediately sets up the search for lost donkeys that will unexpectedly lead Kish's son, Saul, to his divine appointment as king, shifting the entire trajectory of Israel's history.
"There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth." — The verse emphasizes Kish's lineage and his status as "a man of wealth," but the really interesting part is that he's from the tribe of Benjamin. This isn't just a random detail; it sets the stage fo…
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Last reviewed October 2026