1 Samuel 9:1

“Now there was a man of Benjamin, etc.] Of the tribe of Benjamin, which had its name from the youngest son of Jacob, and one of this tribe was the first king of Israel: whose name was Kish: whom the apostle calls Cis, (<441321>Acts 13:21), and Josephus f162 Cises; his name, according to Hillerus f163, signifies “ensnared”; for what reason it was given him is not certain: the son of Abiel; in (<130833>1 Chronicles 8:33 9:39), he is called Ner that begat Kish; and in this book, (<091450>1 Samuel 14:50,51) Ner and Kish are represented as brethren, the sons of Abiel: to reconcile this, it may be observed, that Ner being the elder brother, on the death of his father Abiel, had the care and…”

“SAUL, DESPAIRING TO FIND HIS FATHER'S ASSES, COMES TO SAMUEL. (Sa1 9:1-14) a mighty man of power--that is, of great wealth and substance. The family was of high consideration in the tribe of Benjamin, and therefore Saul's words must be set down among the common forms of affected humility, which Oriental people are wont to use.”

“The genealogy of Saul is here given as far as Aphiah (“Abiah,” 1 Chronicles 7:8), who was of the house of Becher the son of Benjamin Genesis 46:21. “Kish” 1 Chronicles 9:35-39 was the son of “Ner” the son of “Jehiel,” (or, “Abiel” here and 1 Samuel 14:51), the first settler (“father,” 1 Chronicles 9:35) at Gibeon, or Gibeah of Saul, and who married “Maachah,” a daughter or granddaughter of Caleb. If so, it is obvious that the names of several generations are omitted between Kish and Abiel, and among them that from which the family of Matri 1 Samuel 10:21 was called. return to 'Top of Page'”

“9:1–11:15 Saul’s rise to power involved a threefold sequence: (1) his secret anointing by Samuel (9:1–10:16), (2) his selection by lot (10:17-27), and (3) his victory over the Ammonites (11:1-15). See also study note on 13:1–16:13. 9:1 influential man named Kish: Saul came from a wealthy family.”

“Kish: Sa1 14:51; Ch1 8:30-33, Ch1 9:36-39; Act 13:21, Cis a Benjamite: or, the son of a man of Jemini power: or, substance. Sa1 25:2; Sa2 19:32; Job 1:3 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 9:2”

“When the Lord had instructed Samuel to appoint a king over the nation, in accordance with its own desire, He very speedily proceeded to show him the man whom He had chosen. Saul the Benjaminite came to Samuel, to consult him as a seer about his father's she-asses, which had been lost, and for which he had been seeking in all directions in vain ( Sa1 9:1-14). And the Lord had already revealed to the prophet the day before, that He would send him the man who had been set apart by Him as the king of Israel; and when Samuel met with Saul, He pointed him out as the man to whom He had referred ( Sa1 9:15-17). Accordingly, Samuel invited Saul to be his guest at a sacrificial meal, which he was…”