Saul (שאול המלך) (or Sha'ul, also Saul ben Kish) (Arabic: طالوت ,Tālūt) (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Modern Šaʾul Tiberian Šāʾûl ; "asked for" or "borrowed") (1079 - 1007 BC) was the first king of the united Kingdom of Israel (reigned 1047 - 1007) according to the Hebrew Bible. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel and reigned from Gibeah. He committed suicide during a battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, during which three of his sons were also ki...
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Saul (שאול המלך) (or Sha'ul, also Saul ben Kish) (Arabic: طالوت ,Tālūt) (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Modern Šaʾul Tiberian Šāʾûl ; "asked for" or "borrowed") (1079 - 1007 BC) was the first king of the united Kingdom of Israel (reigned 1047 - 1007) according to the Hebrew Bible. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel and reigned from Gibeah. He committed suicide during a battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, during which three of his sons were also killed. The succession to his throne was contested by his only surviving son Ish-bosheth and David, who eventually prevailed.
The main account of Saul's life and reign is found in the Book of Samuel.
According to the Tanakh, Saul was the son of Kish, of the family of the Matrites, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel. (1 Samuel 9:1-2; 10:21; 14:51; Acts 13:21) It appears that he came from Gibeah.
Saul married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. They had four sons and two daughters. The sons were Jonathan, Abinadab,...
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