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Top 10 Facts about Saul the King

Painting of Saul the King.

King Saul was the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel as per the Hebrew Bible.

The reign of Saul the King is traditionally placed in the late 11th century before Christ.

This is a period that marked the transition of Israel and Judah from being a scattered tribal society to an organized statehood with Kings.

The link between the biblical narration of Saul and history is not fully accepted universally, as what is known comes directly from the Hebrew Bible.

Saul was anointed by Prophet Samuel to become King who resigned from Gibeah.

It is believed that Saul the King killed himself by falling over his sword to avoid being taken captive by the Philistines.

This was during the battle at Mount Gilboa where three of his sons were killed.

He was succeeded by his son-in-law David after the contest with his surviving son Ish Bosheth.
Here are the ten facts about Saul the King:

1. Saul the King Marriage Life

Marble statue of King Saul by William Wetmore Story, in the NC Museum of Art. Carved 1865.

In the biblical era, Kings used to have several wives which was a symbol of wealth and respect.

Saul the King married Ahinoam who was the daughter of Ahimaaz.

The two had seven sons namely Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua, Ishvi, Armani, Mephibosheth and Ish Bosheth, as well as two daughters.

Saul the King also had a concubine named Rizpah who sired for him two sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth.

2. Saul’s Sons and Remaining Lineage Killed to Finish Famine

There was a massive famine during the reign of King David, after the death of Saul the King.

God told King David that the famine was due to the mistreatment of Gibeonites under the rule of Saul the King.

The Gibeonites then demanded the killing of the remaining lineage of Saul the King to compensate for the loss of priests killed under Saul’s orders.

King David allowed them to kill the remaining lineage of King Saul.

The Gibeonites killed the surviving sons of Saul the King as well as his grandsons.

3. Saul the King Won Several Military Campaigns

During the era of Saul the King, there were several wars and rivalries between various kingdoms that wanted to show their superiority as well as expand their territories.

Saul the King conducted several military campaigns in which he was successful.

He led the campaigns against the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Aram Rehob, against the kings of Zobah and the Philistines.

4. Saul Failed to Follow Instructions from Prophet Samuel

Samuel Cursing Saul, by Hans Holbein the Younger.

The prophet Samuel served as the guide of Saul the King who gave him instructions on what he should do and not do.

The prophet had given the king instructions of going into war with the Amalekites and destroying everything from this kingdom.

Saul the King went ahead and attacked them killing everything but keeping to himself the best livestock as well as having mercy on King Agag.

After learning that Saul never heeded his instructions, Samuel informed him that God has rejected him as king.

Saul the king tried to hold the garment of Samuel as he was leaving but tore it.

Samuel informed him that that is how his kingdom will be torn off from him.

5. Saul the King Offered David his Daughter

David Presents the Head of Goliath to King Saul.

During the siege of the Philistines, Saul the King wanted the option of fighting one of the opposition’s warriors, Goliath.

David the son of Jesse offered himself to fight the giant who was a threat to their kingdom.

He successfully killed Goliath and gained popularity.

The popularity of David against Goliath made Saul the King officer his elder daughter Merab as his wife.

6. Saul the King Plotted to Kill David

Jan van den Hoecke – David playing the harp for King Saul.

The popularity of David across the kingdom of Saul the King threatened the leadership that made him plot to kill the son of Jesse.

The first attempt was when he offered another daughter, Michael in marriage to David. David turned the offer down because he was poor.

Saul the king told David to offer 100 foreskins of Philistines as dowry to get him killed.

David though obtained 200 foreskins of the Philistines and married the daughter of Saul the King.

The next plot was after a dinner invitation from Saul the King who threw a spear at him but it missed.

The last plot was after he sent assassins to kill David, but his wife Michal helped him escape.

7. Saul Ordered the Killing of Several Priests

During the period of the siege of the Philistines, Saul the King was unsettled with how David was gaining popularity.

David successfully killed Goliath which earned him more praise.

However, Saul was informed that high priest Ahimelech assisted David with a sword.

With fury, Saul the King ordered the deaths of the priest and eighty-five other priests.

Saul the King also ordered the killing of the entire population of Nob where the priests were from.

8. Saul Consulted a Witch before going to War

King Saul was so desperate to win the war against the Philistines as they had assembled for a second time.

He sorts help from a witch at Endor since Prophet Samuel had died.

At the consultation with the witch, Saul hid his identity to get the services because there was word that witchcraft was a capital offence.

9. Saul the King told for Second Time about his Death

Saul_Rejected_as_King_(Bible_Card).

During the siege by the Philistines, Saul sort help from the witch where he went in disguise.

The witch summoned the spirit of Prophet Samuel who told him about the prophecy of what was to happen.

Samuel revealed for a second time that God had fully rejected him and never listened to his prayers.

Saul the King was told for a second time that his kingdom was to fall and be handed to David.

He collapsed out of fear but the witch helped him regain for the battle.

10. The Death of Saul the King

King saul- By Willem.

During the war at Mount Gilboa, Saul the King and the Israelites were overwhelmed by the warriors of the Philistines.

Sensing defeat, the Israelite soldiers fled from the battleground.

Saul the King noticed that his three sons were killed.

This made Saul the King turn to his sword which he drove into his chest killing himself.

The reign of Saul the King was set to be successful, but his impatience and lack of belief made him fail which was a lesson to his predecessor.