Saul means “asked for.”
Despite historically being led by God through human leaders and judges, the tribes of Israel “asked for” for a king to be the other nations around. God then commanded the judge Samuel to anoint Saul as the first king over Israel.
Saul’s early days as king demonstrated God’s desire that Saul should be a godly, spiritual king. God sent His Spirit upon Saul to empower his leadership over Israel. God blessed Saul and his son Jonathan with success in several battles against Israel’s enemies.
Saul, however, soon demonstrated failure to seek godly counsel, to exercise wisdom, and to follow plain instructions in God’s Law. He made an unlawful sacrifice before a battle, and this led to server consequences. Because of Saul’s disobedient rebellion, Samuel revealed that God would remove the kingdom from Saul’s household.
Soon, upon God’s selection of a new king (David), he removed his Spirit from Saul, and instead gave him a “harmful” or “miserable” spirit. Saul suffered apparent depression and paranoia. Soon, looking for comfort, he received into his service the young David who played the harp to ease Saul’s trouble mind.
As David’s fame and renown expanded among the people of Israel, Saul turned on David in jealous and paranoid rage. Strife ruled in Saul’s court, family, and the nation. No longer receiving direction from Samuel, Saul turned to the medium/witch of Endor which led to greater trouble. After consulting the medium, in the fortieth year of his reign, Saul was severely wounded in battle against Philistine forces. Saul then (apparently) fell on his own sword to avoid torture by his enemies. Saul, his three sons and armor bearer died on the battlefield.
Key Verses: 1 Samuel 8:4-7; 9:1-2,17, 21; 10:6,9; 12:13-15; 15:22-23; 16:14; 28:6,19; 31:4-6
