Bible Characters
King Saul: The First King of Israel (+Quiz)
Anointing, wars, sin, jealousy of David, and a fall at Gilboa.
Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, was the first king of Israel - "a handsome young man, head and shoulders taller than any of the people." His story in the Book of First Samuel is the tragedy of a great king who lost his way - and a central subject in Bible quizzes.
▶ Play now: the Saul quiz — 50 questions per level
The Selection and Anointing
Saul set out to search for his father's lost donkeys and found a kingdom. The prophet Samuel anointed him with oil in secret, and afterward he was publicly crowned before all the people at Gilgal. Thus arose the first king, in the transition period from the era of the judges.
The Wars with the Philistines
Saul fought the Philistines, the Ammonites, and Amalek and delivered Israel. His son Jonathan was a brave warrior, and together they waged difficult campaigns. But the military pressure also led to rash decisions.
The Sin of Amalek
Samuel commanded Saul to utterly destroy Amalek. Saul spared Agag, king of Amalek, and the best of the flocks, and thereby disobeyed the command. Samuel rebuked him: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings... as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?" and announced that the kingdom would be torn from him.
Saul and David
When David rose and defeated Goliath, Saul loved him at first - but jealousy consumed him: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul pursued David for years, and David twice refrained from harming him, though he could have.
The Medium of Endor
On the eve of the final battle, terrified and with Samuel already dead, Saul turned to the medium of Endor to summon Samuel. The prophecy he received was harsh: tomorrow he and his sons would fall. This was the depth of his despair.
The Fall at Gilboa
In the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, Jonathan and his brothers fell, and Saul, wounded, fell on his own sword. David lamented over him and over Jonathan in a famous elegy: "How the mighty have fallen" - honor to a rival who never surrendered his nobility.
Play the Saul quiz
Bible Quiz now has a dedicated Saul quiz — real questions from the bank across five difficulty levels, 50 questions per level, from the easy questions up to the "Super-Rabbi" level with exact verses and numbers. You can also reach it from the character area or the game screen, via the "by hero" button.
FAQ
Who was the first king of Israel?
Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel.
What was Saul's sin in the war with Amalek?
He spared Agag, king of Amalek, and the best of the flocks instead of destroying everything as he was commanded.
Why did Saul pursue David?
Out of jealousy, after they sang, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."
How did Saul die?
In the battle at Mount Gilboa against the Philistines - his sons fell, and he fell on his own sword.