# Saul (OT)

## Facts:

Saul was an Israelite man whom God chose to become the first king of Israel.

* Saul was tall and handsome, and a powerful soldier. He was the kind of man that the Israelites wanted to be their king.
* Although he served God at first, Saul later became proud and disobeyed God. As a result, God appointed David to take Saul’s place as king and allowed Saul to be killed in battle.
* In the New Testament, there was a Jew named Saul who was also known as Paul and who became an apostle of Jesus Christ.

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names))

(See also: [king](../other/king.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Chronicles 10:1-3](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/10/01)
* [1 Samuel 9:1](rc://en/tn/help/1sa/09/01)
* [2 Samuel 1:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/2sa/01/01)
* [Acts 13:22](rc://en/tn/help/act/13/22)
* [Psalm 18:1](rc://en/tn/help/psa/018/001)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[17:1](rc://en/tn/help/obs/17/01)__ __Saul__ was the first king of Israel. He was tall and handsome, just like the people wanted. __Saul__ was a good king for the first few years that he ruled over Israel. But then he became a wicked man who did not obey God, so God chose a different man who would one day be king in his place.
* __[17:4](rc://en/tn/help/obs/17/04)__ __Saul__ became jealous of the people’s love for David. __Saul__ tried many times to kill him, so David hid from __Saul__.
* __[17:5](rc://en/tn/help/obs/17/05)__ Eventually, __Saul__ died in battle, and David became king of Israel.

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H7586, G45490
