Kish was a wealthy farmer from the tribe of Benjamin.1 Emphasis on his lineage serves two purposes. It connects his son Saul with Samson (Judges 13:2), Micah (Judges 17:1), and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1).2 It also serves to show that Saul is someone from the nobility.3 Even though he is from the smallest tribe (cf. 2 Kings 15:20; 1 Kings 11:28; Ruth 2:1), he remains a member of the ruling class.4 Though Saul’s hometown is not mentioned, it is generally understood to be Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 10:26).5
1 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.