Saul

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King Saul

The first king of Israel.

When David marries Abigail and Ahinoam of Jezreel, Saul gives Michal to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim. (1 Samuel 25:39-44)

He was a choice man, the tallest and most handsome man in Israel, but from the humblest family of the least tribe. (1 Samuel 9:2,21) He has a deeply religious and spiritual life, is even among the prophets in a way, and constantly uses the LORD's name when he talks, but he does not follow the LORD nor inquires of him.

He is anointed as first king of Israel while searching for his father's donkeys. He prophesies the first of several times, among other signs to know he will be king, so his people asked if he is also among the prophets. He spends the first part of his reign struggling against enemy nations. After his first victory, he waits while Jonathan takes initiative, does the sacrifice himself instead of waiting on Samuel, makes rash vows that pointlessly hurt his son, and fails to carry out the LORD's wrath against Amalek.

His kingdom is torn from him, and he loses the Spirit of the LORD but not his anointing as king. He gains an harmful spirit from the LORD. He takes in David to soothe it with music and, loving him, elevates him to armor-bearer and a commander in his army.

David's sweeping success, popularity, and "Saul his thousands, and David his ten thousands," stirred jealousy and hatred in Saul. He tried to snare David in marriage to Michal as reward for killing Goliath, threw spears at him, and when he escaped, pursued him in the wilderness to the detriment of Israel's border security. When he suspects Ahimelech of aiding David, he kills the 85 prophets of the LORD and the people of Nob. He only stops when David flees to Gath.

When the LORD falls silent, he seeks out the dead Samuel via a medium to learn he and his sons will be killed by the Philistines. They kill him on Mount Gilboa, put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. Jabesh-gilead recover his family's bodies, burn them, and bury the bones under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh. 1 Samuel tragically ends with Saul's dishonorable burial. (1 Samuel 31)

When David is anointed king in Hebron, he only rules Judah, while the other tribes are rallied by Abner around Ish-bosheth. There is a civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul for seven years and six months. (2 Samuel 2) The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, beheaded Ish-bosheth and presented the head to David, claiming the LORD avenged him on Saul and his offspring. David had them executed. (2 Samuel 4)

When all Israel met to make a covenant with David and anoint him king over all Israel and Judah, they said, "In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel." (2 Samuel 5:1-2)

Through Jonathan, Mephibosheth remained of Saul's house. David elevated him, giving him back all that belonged to Saul, having Saul's servant Ziba's family serve him, and allowing him to always at his table like a king's son. (2 Samuel 9) Ziba convinced David to turn over Mephibosheth's belongings to him, though. (2 Samuel 16:1-4)

As King David was fleeing Absalom's conspiracy, he passed through Bahurim where he encountered Shimei, the son of Gera, who cursed continually, threw stones, and flung dust until he left in peace. “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” (2 Samuel 16:5-14)

Saul's Life

At some point, he put the Gibeonites to death, despite the people of Israel's vow to spare them. (2 Samuel 21:1-5)

Active prophets during his time

Saul, who was also called Paul