שמואל א, פרק ט׳, פסוק א׳

The emergence of the first royal family in Israel begins with a detailed genealogy, illustrating how virtue, public kindness, and personal bravery pass down through generations. The selection of the first king was not a random occurrence but rested on a solid family foundation and Divine providence, which elevates the worthy even from the smallest of tribes. The lineage traces back to Kish, an upright man firmly rooted in the positive essence of his tribe. He embodied the strength of Benjamin—meaning "son of the right hand," the name given by Jacob—rather than the tragic connotation of sorrow initially given by Rachel [מנחת שי, רד״ק]. Furthermore, even though the tribe of Benjamin suffered immense disgrace following the tragic events of the concubine in Gibeah, Kish belonged to a noble lineage of righteous men who were simply unable to protest or prevent that terrible sin [חומת אנך, אברבנאל]. He was known as the son of a great and highly respected man from his tribe [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The grandfather of this new royal line was Abiel, who was famously known by another name: Ner, meaning lamp. He earned this nickname through his dedication to public welfare, regularly lighting lamps in dark alleys and streets to illuminate the way for others. This same Abiel had two sons: one was Kish, and the other was named Ner after his father, who would eventually father the great military commander Abner [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם]. Kish himself possessed immense physical strength, courage, wealth, and a highly respected status [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These ancestral merits directly explain why God chose his son, Saul, for the throne. The combination of a grandfather who selflessly lit the way for the public and a father renowned for his valor created the perfect foundation for leadership. A father's bravery naturally instills courage in his son, equipping him with the exact qualities a king needs to save Israel [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The decision to establish the first monarchy from the tribe of Benjamin sparks a profound theological discussion, particularly in light of Jacob’s ancient blessing that the royal scepter would not depart from Judah. Certain perspectives suggest that this initial kingship was merely a temporary measure, born out of Divine anger over the people's demand for a king [רמב״ן]. However, the primary opposing view maintains that God chose Saul completely and willingly from the start, with the full intention that his royal line would endure forever. According to this approach, Jacob’s blessing to Judah referred to general greatness and leadership, not an exclusive right to the throne. By selecting a king from Benjamin—the smallest and most diminished tribe at the time—God demonstrated that He raises leaders from humble beginnings so that a king will not grow arrogant over his lineage, but will instead place his trust entirely in Him. Had Saul not sinned, his kingdom would have been established for his descendants eternally. Consequently, the later royal covenant made with David was actually a personal reward for David's own righteousness, rather than an automatic right belonging to the tribe of Judah [אברבנאל].