King of Israel: Saul

Saul was the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel. His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BC, supposedly marked the transition of Israel and Judah from a scattered tribal society ruled by various judges to organized statehood.

According to the Bible, he was anointed as king of the Israelites by Samuel, and reigned from Gibeah. A popular movement had arisen to establish a centralized monarchy like other nations. As a result, Samuel assembled the people at Mizpah in Benjamin to appoint a king, (fulfilling his previous promise to do so). Samuel selects the tribe of Benjamin, from within the tribe selecting the clan of Matri, and from them selecting Saul. After having been chosen as monarch, Saul returns to his home in Gibeah, along with some followers.

Saul conducts military campaigns against the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Aram Rehob and the kings of Zobah, the Philistines, and the Amalekites. The Bible states that "wherever he turned, he was victorious". In the second year of his reign, King Saul and a small force of a few thousand Israelite soldiers defeated a Philistine force of 3,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and more than 30,000 infantry in the pass of Michmash.

Several years after Saul's victory against the Philistines at Michmash Pass, Samuel instructed Saul to make war on the Amalekites and to "utterly destroy" them including all their livestock. Saul went to war and defeated the Amalekites but left the king, Agag, alive along with his best livestock. When Samuel learns that Saul has not completely obeyed his instructions so that he could plunder the livestock for self-gain, he informs Saul that God has rejected him as king.

Samuel headed to Bethlehem, (ostensibly to offer sacrifice) and invited Jesse and his sons. Dining together, Jesse's sons are brought one by one to Samuel, each being rejected; at last, Jesse sends for David, the youngest, who is tending sheep. When brought to Samuel, David is anointed by him in front of his other brothers.

When the Philistines return with an army to attack Israel, the Philistine and Israelite forces gather on opposite sides of a valley. The Philistine's champion Goliath issues a challenge for single combat, but none of the Israelite accept. David, who happens to be delivering food to his three eldest brothers in the army, hears Goliath's challenge and speaks mockingly of the Philistines to some soldiers. Saul summons David and appoints David as his champion. David easily defeats Goliath with a single shot from a sling.

Following this, scripture describes the increasing tensions between Saul and David, as the latter shows his prowess in battle and becomes increasingly popular. Saul begins to pursue David to kill him, leading David to hide in various places. When David sneaks into Saul's camp and steals Saul's spear, he leaves his own behind at the feet of the sleeping king, leaving him unharmed. This subsequently proves to Saul that David is loyal, and they become reconciled.

The Philistines make war again and Saul leads his army to face them at Mount Gilboa. Before the battle he goes to consult a medium at Endor. Unaware of his identity, the medium reminds him that the king has made witchcraft a capital offense, but he assures her that Saul will not harm her. She conjures a spirit that proves to be the prophet Samuel, and Samuel tells him that God will no longer hear his prayers and has given the kingdom to David.

Saul's death is described in 1 Chronicles 10 but a conflicting account is given by a young Amalekite, (who lies, thinking to win David's favor). When the defeated Israelites ran from the enemy, Saul asked his armour bearer to kill him, but the armour bearer refused. This led Saul to  fall upon his own sword. The Amalekite instead told David that he found Saul leaning on his spear after the battle and delivered the coup de grâce. David had the Amalekite put to death, advancing the notion that David would never kill the Lord's anointed king (1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26).

Saul's son Ish-bosheth succeeded him on the throne and was later murdered by his own military leaders, leaving Saul's son-in-law, David to became king.