Kish in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE

kish (qish; Kis, Keis, "bow," "power"): The name of five persons mentioned in the Bible: (1) The son of Abiel and the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, of the family of the Matrites (1 Sam 9:1; 14:51; compare Acts 13:21; 1 Sam 10:21). According to 1 Ch 8:33 and 9:39, "Ner begat Kish" By reading "Ner begat Abner" (compare 1 Sam 14:51; 1 Ch 6:28), the difficulty is at least partly overcome. In 1Ch 12:1, Kish is also mentioned as the father of Saul, and again in 2 Sam 21:14, we are told that the sepulcher of Kish was located in the country of Benjamin, in Zela. His place of residence seems to have been at Gibeah. (2) Another Kish is mentioned (1 Ch 8:29 f; 9:35 f) as the son of Jeiel and his wife Maacah. He is usually supposed to be the uncle of Saul's father. (3) A Levite, the son of Mahli the Merarite (1 Ch 23:21 f; compare 24:29). (4) Another Merarite Levite in the time of Hezekiah (2 Ch 29:12). (5) The great-grandfather of Mordecai, of the tribe of Benjamin (Est 2:5). William Baur