Saul

How Nave’s arranged it

• 1. Also called SHAUL
• King of EdomGenesis 36:37Genesis 36:381 Chronicles 1:481 Chronicles 1:49
• 2. King of Israel
• A Benjamite, son of Kish1 Samuel 9:11 Samuel 9:2
• Sons of1 Chronicles 8:33
• His personal appearance1 Samuel 9:21 Samuel 10:23
• Made king of Israel1 Samuel 91 Samuel 101 Samuel 11:12–15Hosea 13:11
• Lives at Gibeah of Saul1 Samuel 14:21 Samuel 15:34Isaiah 10:29
• Defeats the Philistines1 Samuel 131 Samuel 14:461 Samuel 14:52
• Strikes the Amalekites1 Samuel 15
• Is reproved by Samuel for usurping the priestly functions1 Samuel 13:11–14
• Samuel rebukes him for disobedience by not exterminating the Amalekites; the loss of his kingdom is foretold1 Samuel 15

The passages, in Bible order (38)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 36:37

   When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 36:371 voice

   “And Samlah died,.... As is supposed, about A. M. 2283. and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead; Rehoboth was one of the cities built by Ashur, Gen 10:11; and was situated near the river Euphrates; and so the Targum of Jonathan calls it Rehoboth which is by Euphrates; but Jerom (n), from Eusebius, takes it to be another city by a river in Edom, and says, that there was in his days a garrison in the country of Gabalena (a part of Idumea), a large village called by that name. (n) De loc. Heb. fol.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 36:37→

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2. Genesis 36:38

   When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 36:381 voice

   “And Saul died,.... About A. M. 2325: and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead: whose name, inverted, is observed by Grotius to be the same with Hannibal; it signifies a gracious lord or king.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 36:38→

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3. 1 Samuel 9:1

   Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:12 voices

   “The name Benjamin is a combination, then, of two words, son and right hand: ben means "son" and jamin means "right hand."Let us remember once for all that the tribe of Benjamin was called Jemini.

   “Now there was a man of Benjamin,....

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 9:1→

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4. 1 Samuel 9:2

   And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 9:22 voices

   “Concerning whom it is fittingly added: "And he had a son whose name was Saul, chosen and good." For he who is an imitator of such men is useful not only for the labor of ministry but fit for the fruit of inheritance. Indeed, Judas too was chosen for ministry; but because he was not good, he lost the right of succession.

   “The name Benjamin is a combination, then, of two words, son and right hand: ben means "son" and jamin means "right hand."Let us remember once for all that the tribe of Benjamin was called Jemini.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 9:2→

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5. 1 Samuel 10:1

   Then 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?

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 10:12 voices

   “1. This indeed is expressed by this anointing, which even now is materially displayed in the holy Church: because he who is placed in a position of authority receives the sacrament of anointing. Because indeed the anointing itself is a sacrament, he who is promoted is well anointed outwardly if he is strengthened inwardly by the power of the sacrament. Let us therefore first consider more attentively the very properties of oil. Oil indeed rises above other liquids, oil nourishes fire, oil is accustomed to heal wounds.

   “Then Samuel took a vial of oil,....

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 10:1→

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6. 1 Samuel 10:23

   So they ran and brought Saul, and when he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 10:232 voices

   “36. The prelate stands in the midst of the people when his strength is observed by all his subjects. For to stand is a mark of virtue. He who does good works steadfastly, therefore, stands. And because good works provide an example to those of lesser rank, he is seen to stand in the midst of the people, not in solitude. This is also fittingly understood as referring to the uprightness of intention. For he who stands with uprightness of body raises his head on high.

   “And they ran and fetched him thence,.... Being in haste to see their king elect, and proclaim him: and when he stood among the people; being brought among them, and presented to them: he was higher than any of the people, from the shoulders, and upwards; which made him look very graceful and majestic; height of stature, and a comely form, as Kimchi observes, recommend to royal dignity; and make the people stand more in awe of a prince, and have always been reckoned among all other nations to make a prince venerable; see Gill on 1Sa 9:2.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 10:23→

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7. 1 Samuel 11:12–15

   Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!”

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:12–152 voices

   “15. For the Lord had said above to Samuel: They have not rejected you, but me, that I should not reign over them (1 Kings VIII, 7). But of Saul it was said a little before: Because they despised him, and did not bring him gifts (Ibid., X, 27). But he who was rejected, and he who was despised, after the enemies had been slain and victory obtained, heard the people crying out: Give us the men, and we will kill them.

   “And the people said unto Samuel,....

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 11:12–15→

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8. 1 Samuel 13:1

   Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel forty-two years.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:11 voice

   “1. Above, when the matter of ordaining a king was being discussed, it was said of him who by divine judgment was to be preferred over the rest, that he was chosen and good. Likewise, concerning him already chosen for the kingdom and set in the midst of the people, Samuel said: "Surely you see whom the Lord has chosen, for there is none like him among all the people" (1 Sam. 9:24).

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 13:1→

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9. 1 Samuel 13:11–14

   “What have you done?” Samuel asked. And Saul replied, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me, and that you did not come at the appointed time and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash,

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 13:11–142 voices

   “16. The prophet indeed knew what he had done, but by asking, he was reproving the act of disobedience. Hence also to Adam sinning in paradise, the Lord says: "Adam, where are you?" (Gen. 3:9). The magnitude of the guilt can also be conveyed through this question — as if he were saying openly: Does it seem a small thing to you that you sinned by disobeying? Rather, by sinning you fell from the lofty summit of your glory.

   “And Samuel said, what hast thou done?

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 13:11–14→

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10. 1 Samuel 14:2

    Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:22 voices

    “And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah,....

    “Gibeah, as we said, is interpreted as "hill"; Migron is said to mean "from the throat." Now holy preachers are very exalted, not only in works, but also in contemplation. The outer part of this loftiness, therefore, is that of works, while the inner part is that of contemplation. Through this outer part of their exaltedness, they are seen by us as an example; but through the inner part, they are joined to the Creator in great love.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:2→

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11. 1 Samuel 14:46

    Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:461 voice

    “When Jonathan's fault is discovered, when the king is found not to have fulfilled his oath, he is said to cease pursuing the Philistines, because when pastors are weighed down by their own weakness, they cannot vigorously seek the gains of others. For to cease pursuing the Philistines is to stop for a time pursuing the vices of others by preaching.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:46→

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12. 1 Samuel 14:52

    And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 14:522 voices

    “Such men, because they profitably stand over the chosen faithful, because they mightily advance their subjects to victories of virtues, it follows: "And there was fierce war against the Philistines all the days of Saul." The war of those teachers is weak and altogether feeble who have neither the light of divine knowledge nor the strength of good work. Therefore war is called powerful when harsh sons rule over the chosen peoples, because he is able to speak good things profitably to others who has been accustomed to precede his words with great deeds.

    “And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul,....

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 14:52→

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13. 1 Samuel 15:1

    Then 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.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:11 voice

    “We said above that Amalek designates the vice of lust, which as it were licks, since it suggests pleasure by flattering. Progress in the way of life is therefore shown, in that above he is declared to have been struck by Saul, and now he is not simply commanded to be struck, but all his possessions to be destroyed. First indeed the teacher strikes him, when through his word it is brought about that chastity is maintained in the hearts and bodies of the converted.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 15:1→

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14. 1 Samuel 15:21–25

    The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:21–252 voices

    “And when Saul was charged with negligence and a breach of the law, he did not benefit his cause by alleging his conduct on other matters. For a defence on one count will not operate to obtain an acquittal on another count; but if all things should be done according to law and justice, a man must defend himself in those particulars wherein he is accused, and must either disprove the past, or else confess it with the promise that he will desist, and do so no more.

    “20. When something belonging to someone is taken away by the violence of armed men, it is called plunder. But the vices of the flesh and soul, because they are propagated at the devil's suggestion, are as it were his own property. Whoever therefore, recently lax within himself but now violent, destroys vices, takes plunder; because he powerfully seizes what belongs to another. And it should be noted that both slaughter and plunder are mentioned, so that it may be taught that some things are left behind dead while others are carried away alive.

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 15:21–25→

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15. 1 Samuel 15:34

    Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:341 voice

    “41. What is the house of the transgressor, if not the habit of wicked work? For whoever is enclosed in a perverse habit dwells, as it were, in a house. Saul therefore ascended to his house, when any reprobate, after the rebuke of teachers, returns to the practice of evil work. For he descended, as it were, to the plains when he feigned humility in order to learn the commands of his superiors. But what does it mean that Samuel is said to have departed before Saul ascended to his house?

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 15:34→

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16. 1 Samuel 16:17–23

    And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

    ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:17–232 voices

    “And Saul said unto his servants,.... Approving of, and pleased with the advice they gave: provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me; for being a sovereign prince, he could command whom he would to attend to his person and service.

    “Provide for me someone who sings well, etc., Indeed, he said, I know many who are skilled in singing, but provide and bring to me someone who sings well; which is like the Jews agreeing with the words of the apostles, saying, indeed we know …

    Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 16:17–23→

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