King
Saul
First King of United Israel
1050-1010 BC
Saul and the Witch of Endor — Gustave Doré, The Holy Bible (1866), public domain
Biography
Saul, son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, was Israel's first king. Initially humble and reluctant, he was anointed by Samuel when Israel demanded a king. His reign began with victory over the Ammonites. However, at Gilgal he unlawfully offered sacrifices rather than waiting for Samuel. He failed to destroy the Amalekites completely, sparing Agag and the best livestock. Samuel declared God had rejected Saul.
The Spirit departed from Saul and an evil spirit tormented him. He spent his later years pursuing David. His consultation of the witch at Endor revealed his spiritual bankruptcy. Saul and three sons died at Gilboa, where Saul fell on his own sword.
To obey is better than sacrifice
Key events
- 1Anointed by Samuel1 Samuel 10:1→
Secretly anointed, confirmed by lot
Read the verse here
1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
- 2Victory at Jabesh-gilead1 Samuel 11:1-11→
Defeated Ammonites
Read the verse here
1 Samuel 11:1-11Soon Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
- 3Unlawful sacrifice1 Samuel 13:8-14→
Offered sacrifice instead of waiting
Read the verse here
1 Samuel 13:8-14And Saul waited seven days for the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the troops began to desert Saul.
- 4Failed to destroy Amalekites1 Samuel 15:1-35→
Spared Agag
Read the verse here
1 Samuel 15:1-35Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.
- 5Death on Mount Gilboa1 Samuel 31:1-6→
Fell on his own sword
Read the verse here
1 Samuel 31:1-6Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
More key verses
“The Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul”
What they got right, and what they got wrong
Strengths
Initially humble, tall and impressive, capable military leader
Weaknesses
Pride, jealousy, disobedience, paranoia
Lessons
Partial obedience is disobedience. Pride and jealousy can destroy even promising beginnings.
Spiritual significance
Saul demonstrates that God looks at the heart. His initial humility gave way to pride and self-will.
How Saul points to Jesus
As a rejected king, Saul contrasts with Christ — chosen by people but rejected by God, opposite of Christ.
Saul in Scripture
356 verses use this name, in 5 books. Open a book to read its mentions here. Text: Berean Standard Bible. Names repeat in Scripture, some of these verses may speak of another person called Saul.
Old TestamentNew Testamentsegment width = share of mentions
Old Testament4 books · 325 mentions
1 Samuel244 mentions
- 1 Samuel 9:2And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.
- 1 Samuel 9:3One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys.”
- 1 Samuel 9:4So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah, but did not find the donkeys. He and the servant went through the region of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they went through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.
- 1 Samuel 9:5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”
- 1 Samuel 9:7“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”
239 further mentions in 1 Samuel — read them in the book.
2 Samuel57 mentions
- 2 Samuel 1:1After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.
- 2 Samuel 1:2On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.
- 2 Samuel 1:4“What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”
- 2 Samuel 1:5Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?”
- 2 Samuel 1:6“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him.
52 further mentions in 2 Samuel — read them in the book.
1 Chronicles23 mentions
- 1 Chronicles 5:10During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the homes of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.
- 1 Chronicles 8:33Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
- 1 Chronicles 9:39Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
- 1 Chronicles 10:2The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.
- 1 Chronicles 10:3When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him.
18 further mentions in 1 Chronicles — read them in the book.
New Testament1 book · 31 mentions
Acts31 mentions
- Acts 7:58They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
- Acts 8:1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
- Acts 8:3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
- Acts 9:1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
- Acts 9:3As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
26 further mentions in Acts — read them in the book.
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