King Saul reigned for 40 years. He was the 1st of 3 kings

1 Samuel 11:1-15. King Saul reigned for 40 years between 1043BC-1011BC. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and the first King of Israel.

Saul prophesied after Samuel anointed him as King and before being presented to Israel as their King.

King Saul’s first physical act was to lead Israel into battle against the Ammonites, a long time enemy of Israel, and totally wipe them out.

Hebrew name of Saul means: asked for.

Background Reading:

Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites

11:1 So after a month, Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh told Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”

2 Nahash the Ammonite told them, “I’ll make a covenant with you on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”

3 The elders of Jabesh told him, “Leave us alone for seven days so that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then if no one delivers us, we will come out to you and surrender.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported the terms to the people, all the people cried loudly.

5 Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind the oxen and he said, “What’s with the people? Why are they crying?” They reported to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

6 When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God came on him, and he was very angry. 7 He took a yoke of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers through all the territory of Israel: “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not come out and join Saul and Samuel!” The fear of the LORD fell on the people and they came out as one man.

8 Saul mustered them at Bezek, and there were 300,000 Israelis and 30,000 men of Judah. 9 They told the messengers who had come, “You are to say this to the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be delivered.’” The messengers went and reported to the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.

10 The men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you and surrender. Then you can do whatever you want to us.”

11 The next day Saul separated the people into three companies. They came into the camp during the morning watch, and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered so that no two of them remained together.

12 The people told Samuel, “Who said, ‘Will Saul reign over us?’ Bring them to us and we will put them to death!”

13 But Saul said, “Let no one be put to death this day, because today the LORD has delivered Israel.”

14 Then Samuel told the people, “Come, let’s go to Gilgal and reaffirm the kingship there.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul king in the LORD’s presence in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings in the LORD’s presence, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
1 Samuel 11:1-15

Also 1 Samuel 22:11-18 — Saul killed God’s Prophets.

Saul had his kingdom taken away because he disobeyed God. What he did shows that he was not a man of faith.
Instead, he is in the “faith chapter” for being the opposite: killing God’s faithful servants the Prophets of God, Hebrews 11:37. They were put to death by the sword; on Saul’s orders. 85 priests and their women and children, orders carried out by Doeg the Edomite.

Saul had no heart towards God.
If you want to read to full story of the life of Saul, look it up in a Bible.


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