Kish Summary
STEPBible TIPNR
Kish was a Benjamite, the father of Saul, who was anointed by Samuel as the first king of Israel.
a mighty man of valor [perhaps wealth or influence] (1SA 9:1)
Lineage: Aphiah › Bechorath › Zeror › Abiel › Kish
Names
-
en
Kish
hard; difficult; straw; for age
-
en
Cis
· Also called same as Kish
-
en
Kish
· Also called · H7027 G2797 · 1SA 9:1 bow, power
-
he
קִישׁ
qiysh · H7027 · 1SA 9:1 bow, power
- he קִישׁ · H7027G
- el Κις Kis · G2797 · 1SA 9:1
- el Κίς · G2797
- bg Кис
Mentioned in (13)
SDA Books
Awaiting permission to publishLinked through an explicitly cited Bible passage
Loading book references…
Conditional birth estimate · c. 1179 BC – 1134 BC
Conditional birth bounds under generation assumptions; not attested parental ages, biological limits or a lifespan.
Below are relatives with a selected birth year, the generations separating them, and the interval allowed by each anchor. Each relative’s page shows available dates and sources. The overall estimate uses the intersection of the allowed intervals.
| Relative / anchor year | Generations | Conditional interval |
|---|---|---|
| Abinadab · 1093 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1183 BC – 1133 BC |
| Ish-bosheth · 1089 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1179 BC – 1129 BC |
| Jonathan · 1094 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1184 BC – 1134 BC |
| Malchi-shua · 1092 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1182 BC – 1132 BC |
| Merab · 1091 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1181 BC – 1131 BC |
| Michal · 1090 BC Descendant |
2 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1180 BC – 1130 BC |
| Mephibosheth · 1060 BC Descendant |
3 20–45 years per generation |
c. 1195 BC – 1120 BC |
Grandparents (1)
Kish Article
STEPBible TIPNR
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.
Kish 5 Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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).
Sources: BibleData (CC BY 4.0, Kish_1) · STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0, Kish@1Sa.9.1-Act) · Theographic Bible Metadata (CC BY-SA 4.0, kish_1784)