Lexical Definition

‎Σαούλ‎ Saoúl (sah-ool') Saul ^N:N-M-P
of Hebrew origin (‎שָׁאוּל‎)

Saul.

• Saul (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul

Abbott-Smith

Σαούλ, ὁ indecl. (in FlJ, Σάουλος; Heb. שָׁאוּל)
Saul;
(a) the King of Israel: Ac 13:21;
(b) the Jewish name of the Apostle Paul, used in the indecl. form only in address (cf. Σαῦλος): Ac 9:4, 17 22:7, 13 26:14.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

Greek of: שָׁאוּל

Σαούλ, η, ον,

an adjective descriptive of gait and carriage, defined as τὸ φαῦλον καὶ διερρυηκός by [Refs 5th c.BC+]; σαῦλα ποσὶν βαίνουσα, applied to the gait of the tortoise, straddling, waddling, [Refs]; of the loose, wanton gait of courtesans or Bacchantes, σ. βαίνειν [Refs 6th c.BC+]; also of a prancing horse, σ. βαίνειν, ἵππος ὡς κορωνίης [Refs 7th c.BC+]

Profile

Male • King of Israel, • First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

King living at the time of United Monarchy

Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel, who initially followed God but later disobeyed and was rejected as king.

• A king of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.2;
• referred to as Saul שָׁאוּל, or Saul Σαούλ;
• a son of Kish קִישׁ;
• husband of Ahinoam אֲחִינֹעַם and Rizpah רִצְפָּה;
• father of Jonathan יְהוֹנָתָן, Abinadab אֲבִינָדָב, Malchi-shua מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ, Merab מֵרָב, Michal מִיכָל, Ish-bosheth אִישׁ־בֹּשֶׁת, Armoni אַרְמֹנִי, Mephibosheth מְפִיבֹשֶׁת.

Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel in response to the people's request for a king (1 Samuel 8-10). He was a tall and handsome Benjamite who initially showed humility and potential as a leader (1 Samuel 9:2, 21; 10:6-7, 9-10). However, Saul's reign was marked by disobedience and rebellion against God. He offered an unlawful sacrifice before a battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:8-14) and later disobeyed God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions (1 Samuel 15). As a result, God rejected Saul as king and chose David to replace him (1 Samuel 15:23, 28; 16:1, 13). Saul became jealous of David's success and popularity, leading him to pursue David and attempt to kill him on multiple occasions (1 Samuel 18-26). Saul also massacred the priests of Nob for assisting David (1 Samuel 22:6-23). In a battle against the Philistines, Saul was critically wounded and took his own life to avoid capture (1 Samuel 31:1-6). His body was later recovered by the men of Jabesh-gilead and buried (1 Samuel 31:11-13). Despite his tragic end, Saul's reign united the tribes of Israel and laid the foundation for the Israelite monarchy. His life serves as a warning against disobedience and the consequences of turning away from God.

All entries for Saul: שָׁאוּל ☩ Σαούλ

Related Profiles:

• Kish (father)
• Ahinoam (spouse)
• Rizpah (spouse)
• Jonathan (child)
• Abinadab (child)
• Malchi-shua (child)
• Merab (child)
• Michal (child)
• Ish-bosheth (child)
• Armoni (child)
• Mephibosheth (child)