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.
Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish ... This is only a very abridged account of Saul's descent; and it is only by a combination of several isolated passages that a complete list of his ancestors can be obtained. The following table exhibits a full view of the information Scripture gives upon the subject:
1. Benjamin.
2. Becher (Genesis 46:2; 1 Chronicles 7:6).
3. Abiah, or Aphiah (1 Chronicles 7:8).
4. Bechorath.
5. Meter, or Matri (1 Samuel 10:21).
6. Zaror.
7. Abiel, or Jehiel (cf. 1 Samuel 14:51 with 1 Chronicles 9:35).
8. Ner.
9. Kish.
10. Saul.
(See Hervey's, 'Genealogies,' pp. 213, 214; Jackson's 'Chronologies,' 1:, p. 144.)
A mighty man of power - i:e., of great wealth and substance. The family was of high consideration in the tribe of Benjamin, and therefore Saul's words (1 Samuel 9:21) must be set down among the common forms of affected humility which Oriental people are accustomed to use.