This verse introduces Kish, who is important because he is the father of Saul, the first king of Israel. Let's break down what the verse is telling us:

"Now there was a man of Benjamin": This tells us Kish was from the tribe of Benjamin. In the context of the book of Samuel, this is significant. The tribe of Benjamin had a somewhat troubled history, and its relative obscurity might have been a factor in choosing Saul as king (he wouldn't naturally be seen as a threat to the established order).

"whose name was Kish": Simply stating his name.

"the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite": This is a genealogy, tracing Kish's lineage back several generations. Genealogies were important in ancient Israelite culture as they established identity, tribal affiliation, and sometimes status or inheritance rights. While the details of these ancestors aren't further elaborated on, the inclusion of this genealogy reinforces Kish's connection to the tribe of Benjamin.

"a mighty man of valor": This describes Kish's character and standing in the community. He was a man of wealth, influence and military prowess. "Mighty man of valor" suggests he was someone of importance, likely a respected leader and warrior. It indicates that Kish was not just any ordinary Benjamite.

In essence, this verse sets the stage by introducing Kish, a respected and capable man from the tribe of Benjamin, and provides a connection to his ancestors, making the point that he's not just some random person. His background helps explain how his son, Saul, could later become king, as Saul would inherit his father's position and status. The verse also hints that despite being from a smaller tribe, Kish had the right qualities to be noticed and respected, which is essential for understanding why his son was chosen to be Israel's first king.