Biblical Profile: Saul

Saul

Saul was the first king of Israel. He was chosen by God and the people, but he failed tremendously because he lacked confidence in himself and in God. Saul was a very complex character who sometimes elicits our sympathy. He was also the source of his own problems, especially as he brought heartache and trouble into the lives of those close to him.

Saul, the son of a wealthy landowner, became king unexpectedly and reluctantly. The people had requested a king to help them fight their battles, so they were happy with Saul, who was a head taller than anyone else (1 Sam 10:23). Their military problems were overwhelming, however, and Saul was not a confident military leader. Had it not been for the prophet Samuel and Saul’s son Jonathan, Saul’s reign might have been marked by complete disaster.

Saul offended God by taking rash vows during wartime (14:16-46) and wrongly performing sacrifices before battle rather than waiting for Samuel (13:7b-14). He also failed to obey God’s instruction to destroy all the people and plunder of the Amalekites (15:1-35). So God determined to remove Saul from the kingship and sent Samuel to anoint David. Soon Saul was deeply suspicious of David, his son’s best friend and his own most loyal servant. The reluctant king became a despot, clinging to power at all costs. He spent much time and effort in pursuit of David, seeking to kill him.

Saul was wounded in battle against the Philistines, then fell on his own sword. His death was a result of God’s judgment. Although David had spent considerable time fleeing from Saul, he honored the first king and his son Jonathan with a moving eulogy (2 Sam 1:17-27).

Passages for Further Study

1 Sam 9:1–11:15; 13:1–31:13; 2 Sam 1:1-27; 1 Chr 9:35–10:14