Saul facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saul |
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David Plays the Harp for Saul, by Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1650 and 1670.
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| King of Israel | |||||
| Reign | late 11th century | ||||
| Successor | Ish-bosheth | ||||
| Died | c. 1012 BCE Jezreel Valley, United Monarchy of Israel |
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| Issue | Ish-bosheth Jonathan Abinadab Melchishua Merab Michal |
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Saul (שאול המלך; or Sha'ul; Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Standard [Šaʾul] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized transliteration standard: (help) Tiberian Šāʾûl ; "asked for") is a King in the Books of Samuel, 1 Chronicles and the Qur'an. He was the first king of the ancient Israel. He reigned from 1047 BC to 1007 BC.
In the Bible, Saul loves and obeys God, until he stops listening to God and becomes slightly greedy, losing God's whole interest for him. Samuel, the prophet, comes and gives him a warning that God is not with him anymore. When turning to leave, Saul grabs Samuel's robe, and it tears. Samuel says (1Samuel15:28~29), "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors - to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
Then the spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and an evil spirit torments him. Saul takes David the shepherd, and the youngest son of Jesse, into his service to play a harp for him and so that he would be soothed when the evil spirit rests upon him. Later he gets jealous of David, and begins to suspect David as the 'one of your neighbors' that Samuel had mentioned. He grows afraid of David, and finally his jealousy turns to hatred, and he wishes to kill him. But Saul's son Jonathan is bound to David in friendship,which makes his anger fume on Jonathan as well.
Later, Saul dies at the battle against the Philistines, and falls on his own sword because he does not want to be abused by the 'uncircumcised' Philistines.
Images for kids
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Saul and the Witch of Endor by Gustave Dore.
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David Plays the Harp for Saul, by Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1650 and 1670.
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Saul threatening David, by José Leonardo.
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The Battle of Gilboa, by Jean Fouquet, the protagonists depicted anachronistically with 15th century armour.
See also
In Spanish: Saúl para niños
