1 Samuel 9:1
New International Version
There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.

New Living Translation
There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

New King James Version
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

New American Standard Bible
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite, a valiant mighty man.

NASB 1995
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

NASB 1977
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

Amplified Bible
There was a man of [the tribe of] Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of influence and wealth.

Christian Standard Bible
There was a prominent man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There was an influential man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite.

American Standard Version
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

Contemporary English Version
Kish was a wealthy man who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. His father was Abiel, his grandfather was Zeror, his great-grandfather was Becorath, and his great-great-grandfather was Aphiah.

English Revised Version
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There was a man from the tribe of Benjamin whose name was Kish. He was a son of Abiel, grandson of Zeror, and great-grandson of Becorath, whose father was Aphiah, a descendant of Benjamin. Kish was a powerful man.

Good News Translation
There was a wealthy and influential man named Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin; he was the son of Abiel and grandson of Zeror, and belonged to the family of Becorath, a part of the clan of Aphiah.

International Standard Version
There was a man from Benjamin named Kish, Abiel's son, the grandson of Zeror and great-grandson of Aphiah's son Becorath. A prominent man from Benjamin,

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
There was a Benjaminite man named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. He was a prominent person.

New Heart English Bible
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a mighty man of valor.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a mighty man of power.

World English Bible
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there is a man of Benjamin, and his name [is] Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor,

Young's Literal Translation
And there is a man of Benjamin, and his name is Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, mighty of valour,

Smith's Literal Translation
And there will be a man of Benjamin, and his name Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorah, son of Aphiah, son of a man, a Jaminite, a man of strength.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now I there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Cis, the son of Abiel, the son of Seror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphia, the son of a man of Jemini, valiant and strong.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a man of Benjamin, strong and robust.

New American Bible
There was a powerful man from Benjamin named Kish, who was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite.

New Revised Standard Version
There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Becorath son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW there was a man from Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zerod, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was one man from Benjamin, and his name, Qish, son of Abiel, son of Tserud, son of Bekaruth, son of Aphikh, a man from Benjamin, a mighty man of power
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valour.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was a man of the sons of Benjamin, and his name was Kis, the son of Abiel, the son of Jared, the son of Bachir, the son of Aphec, the son of a Benjamite, a man of might.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Chosen as King
1Now 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. 2And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.…

Cross References
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.

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 9:39
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 Samuel 10:20-21
Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / 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 14:50
His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

1 Samuel 15:1
Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 17:55
As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.”

1 Samuel 24:20
Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

1 Samuel 28:3
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

1 Samuel 31:2
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

2 Samuel 2:8
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim,

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.

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.


Treasury of Scripture

Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

Kish

1 Samuel 14:51
And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.

1 Chronicles 8:30-33
And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab, …

1 Chronicles 9:36-39
And his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Ner, and Nadab, …

Cis

1 Samuel 25:2
And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

2 Samuel 19:32
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

Job 1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

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1 Samuel 9
1. Saul despairing to find his father's donkeys
6. by the counsel of his servant
11. and direction of young maidens
15. according to God's revelation
18. comes to Samuel
19. Samuel entertains Saul at the feast
25. Samuel, after secret communication, brings Saul on his way














Now there was a man of Benjamin
The phrase introduces us to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin holds a significant place in Israel's history, being the smallest tribe but often noted for its fierce warriors. The Hebrew root for "Benjamin" (בִּנְיָמִין) means "son of the right hand," symbolizing strength and favor. This introduction sets the stage for the emergence of Saul, Israel's first king, highlighting God's sovereign choice from a seemingly unlikely tribe.

named Kish
The name "Kish" (קִישׁ) in Hebrew can mean "bow" or "power." Kish's introduction is crucial as it establishes the lineage from which Saul, the first king of Israel, would come. The mention of Kish emphasizes the importance of family heritage and God's providential hand in choosing leaders for His people.

son of Abiel
Abiel (אֲבִיאֵל) means "God is my father." This name reflects a heritage of faith and divine acknowledgment. The genealogy here is not just a record of ancestry but a testament to the faithfulness of God through generations, preparing the way for Saul's anointing as king.

the son of Zeror
Zeror (צְרוֹר) means "bundle" or "parcel." This name might suggest a person of substance or wealth, indicating that Saul's family was of some standing in the community. The lineage underscores the idea that God often works through established families to fulfill His purposes.

the son of Becorath
Becorath (בְּכוֹרַת) is derived from the root meaning "firstborn." The mention of Becorath may imply a position of prominence or leadership within the family line. This detail adds to the narrative of God preparing a leader for Israel from a line of significance.

the son of Aphiah
Aphiah (אֲפִיחַ) is a name that is less clear in meaning but is part of the genealogical record that establishes Saul's heritage. Each name in this lineage serves to connect Saul to a broader history and divine plan, emphasizing the continuity of God's work through generations.

a Benjamite
Reiterating Saul's tribal affiliation, this term reinforces the identity and characteristics associated with the tribe of Benjamin. Known for their bravery and skill in battle, the Benjamites were a fitting choice for producing a leader who would lead Israel in times of conflict.

of mighty valor
This phrase highlights the reputation and character of Kish, Saul's father. The Hebrew term for "mighty valor" (גִּבּוֹר חַיִל) conveys strength, courage, and capability. It sets the expectation for Saul's potential as a leader, suggesting that he comes from a lineage of strength and honor. This description foreshadows Saul's role as a warrior king, chosen by God to lead His people.

(1) Saul.--The inspired compiler of these books--having related the circumstances which accompanied the people's request to the last of the judges for a king--closed the first part of the story of this momentous change in the fortunes of the chosen people with the words of the prophet-judge, bidding the representative elders to return to their homes, and wait the result of his solemn communing with the Eternal Friend of Israel on the subject of this king they so earnestly desired.

The Eternal answered His servant either in a vision, or by Urim, or by an angel visitant. We are in most cases left in ignorance respecting the precise method by which God communicated with these highly-favoured men--His elect servante. The chosen Israelite whom Samuel was to anoint as the first king in Israel would meet the prophet--so said the "word of the Lord" to Samuel--on a certain day and hour, at a given place. The ninth chapter begins with a short account of the family of this man chosen for so high an office, and after a word or two of personal description, goes on to relate the circumstances under which he met Samuel. Saul, a man in the prime of manhood, distinguished among his fellows by his great stature, and for his grace and manly beauty, was the son of a noble and opulent Benjamite of Gribeah, a small city in the south of the Land of Promise.

The whole of this episode in our ancient book is singularly picturesque. We see the yet unproclaimed king occupied in his father's business, and throwing his whole powers into the every-day transactions of the farm on the slopes of Mount Ephraim. In a few words the historian describes how the modest and retiring Saul was roused from the quiet pastoral pursuits in which his hitherto uneventful life had been spent. The reverent, perhaps slightly reluctant, admiration with which the seer of God gazed at the future king of Israel; the prophet's significant address, the symbol gifts, the graceful hospitality, and, above all, the solemn and, no doubt, burning words of the generous old man, woke up the sleeping hero-spirit, and prepared the young Benjamite for his future mighty work. But there was no vulgar elation at the prospect which lay before him, no hurried grasping at the splendid prize which the seer told him the God of his fathers had destined for him. Quietly he took leave of the famous Samuel; the predicted signs of his coming greatness one by one were literally fulfilled; but Saul returned to the ancestral farm in the hills of Benjamin, and was subject to his father, as in old days; and when at last the public summons to the throne came to him, he seems to have accepted the great office for which he had been marked with positive reluctance and shrinking, nor does he appear materially to have altered his old simple way of living until a great national disgrace called for a devoted patriot to avenge it. Then the heroic heart of the Lord's anointed awoke, and Saul, when the hour came, showed himself a king indeed.

Kish, the son of Abiel.--On comparison with the genealogical summaries given in Genesis 46:21; 1Samuel 9:1; 1Samuel 14:51; 1Chronicles 7:6-8, &c, the line of Samuel appears as follows:-- . . .

Verse 1. - A man... whose name was Kish. The genealogy of Saul is rendered obscure by the Hebrew custom of abbreviating such records by the omission of names. The family documents were no doubt kept in full, but when transcribed, as here and in the First Book of Chronicles, only a summary is given, and as the omitted links are not always the same, great difficulty is necessarily the result. The most satisfactory genealogy is that given by Schaff from a comparison of Genesis 46:21; 1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 7:6-8; 1 Chronicles 8:29-33; 1 Chronicles 9:35-39, and is as follows:

1. Benjamin;

2. Becher;

3. Aphish, perhaps same as Abiah; . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now there was
וַֽיְהִי־ (way·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a Benjamite,
מִבִּנְיָמִ֗ין‪‬ (mib·bin·yā·mîn)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

a powerful man,
גִּבּ֖וֹר (gib·bō·wr)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

whose name
וּ֠שְׁמוֹ (ū·šə·mōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

was Kish
קִ֣ישׁ (qîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7027: Kish -- father of Saul, also the name of several other Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Abiel,
אֲבִיאֵ֞ל (’ă·ḇî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 22: Abiel -- 'El is my father', an Israelite name

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Zeror,
צְר֧וֹר (ṣə·rō·wr)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6872: A parcel, a kernel, particle

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Becorath,
בְּכוֹרַ֛ת (bə·ḵō·w·raṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1064: Becorath -- 'first-born', a Benjamite

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Aphiah
אֲפִ֖יחַ (’ă·p̄î·aḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 647: Aphiah -- perhaps helpless

of Benjamin.
יְמִינִ֑י (yə·mî·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3227: On the right hand


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OT History: 1 Samuel 9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 8:22
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