Kish (qish; Kis, Keis, "bow," "power")^[1](c.1104 - c.1029 BC) was the the father of the Israelite King Saul (1 Chronicles 12:1), the first king of the Israelites.

[edit] Life

Kish was a Benjamite of the family of the Matrites (1 Samuel 9:1; 14:51; Acts 13:21; 1 Samuel 10:21), and there is some question over whether he is the brother or son of Ner (1 Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39; 1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 6:28). The question may be resolved by reading both Ner and Kish as sons of Abiel.

[edit] Residence

It appears that Kish resided at Gibeah. His sepulcher is in Zela, in the region of Benjamin in modern-day Israel. (2 Samuel 21:14)

[edit] Other biblical Figures named Kish

"Kish" is the name of one of Mordecai's ancestors. Many equate the two, but some, including Ibn Ezra, argue that this is a different, second Kish.

[edit] Place named Kish

There is a town in Iraq named Kish that was part of Sumer in ancient times.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/ "Kish", International Standard Bible Encyclopedia