Saul
First king of the United Monarchy according to the Hebrew Bible.
Saul (; Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Šāʾūl; transl. "asked/prayed for"; Greek: Σαούλ, Saoúl) was a monarch of ancient Israel and Judah and, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, the first king of the United Monarchy. His reign, traditionally placed in the late eleventh century BC, marked the transition of the Israelites from a scattered tribal society ruled by various judges to organized statehood. The historicity of Saul and the United Kingdom of Israel is not universally accepted, as what is known of both comes largely from the Hebrew Bible.
- Edomite king
- Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned after Samlah (Genesis 36:37) and died, succeeded by Baalhanan (Genesis 36:38).
- Israelite king
- Saul son of Kish was chosen by God to reign over Israel (1 Samuel 9:17).
- Physical description
- Saul was a choice young man, goodly, and from his shoulders upward higher than any of the people (1 Samuel 9:2).
- Tribal affiliation
- Saul was a Benjamite, of the smallest tribe and least family (1 Samuel 9:21).
- Prophetic experience
- Saul prophesied among the prophets, leading to the proverb 'Is Saul also among the prophets?' (1 Samuel 10:11-12).
- Home
- Saul went home to Gibeah (1 Samuel 10:26; 1 Samuel 11:4).
Lore & Background
According to the Hebrew Bible, Saul was the son of Kish, of the family of the Matrites, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. He came from Gibeah. He married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz, with whom he sired at least five sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua, Ishvi and Ish-bosheth) and two daughters (Merab and Michal). He also had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, who bore him two sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth. Saul was anointed as king by Samuel, and reigned from Gibeah. He died at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, where three of his sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua) also died. Saul committed suicide by falling on his sword. His son Ish-bosheth succeeded him, reigning for two years before being murdered by his own military leaders. David then became king.
Reader's Guide
The biblical accounts of Saul's life are found in the Books of Samuel. The source gives three accounts of his rise to the throne: (1) Saul was sent to look for his father's donkeys, met Samuel at Ramah, and was anointed in private. (2) Samuel assembled the people at Mizpah, used Urim and Thummim to select Saul by tribe and clan, and Saul was chosen as king. (3) After the Ammonites besieged Jabesh-Gilead, Saul led a victory and was acclaimed king at Gilgal. The source notes textual inconsistencies in the biblical narrative, including conflicting accounts of Saul's anointing and death. The Hebrew text says Saul reigned for two years, but scholars generally agree the text is faulty and a reign of 20 or 22 years is more probable; Acts 13:21 says forty years.
Did You Know?
- Saul is said to have committed suicide by falling on his sword during a battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa.
- Saul's son-in-law David became king after Saul's death.
- The only male descendant of Saul to survive was Mephibosheth, Jonathan's lame son.
- The source mentions that the biblical narrative contains plays on words and etymological discrepancies that scholars have discussed.
Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)
"So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold." — Saul "And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." — Saul "He also has rejected you from being king." — Saul "Joab and Abishai also pursued Abner. And the sun was going down when they came to the hill of Ammah, which is before Giah by the road to the Wilderness of Gibeon." — Saul
Elsewhere in the Figures of Scripture universe
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