Smith's Bible Dictionary.pdf - Online Christian Library

Smith's Bible Dictionary
•The first king of Israel, the son of Kish, and of the tribe of Benjamin. (B.C, 1095-1055.) His
character is in part illustrated by the fierce, wayward, fitful nature of the tribe and in part accounted
for by the struggle between the old and new systems in which he found himself involved. To this
we must add a taint of madness. which broke out in violent frenzy at times leaving him with long
lucid intervals. He was remarkable for his strength and activity, (2 Samuel 1:25) and, like the
Homeric heroes, of gigantic stature, taller by head and shoulders than the rest of the people, and
of that kind of beauty denoted by the Hebrew word “good,” (1 Samuel 9:2) and which caused him
to be compared to the gazelle, “the gazelle of Israel.” His birthplace is not expressly mentioned;
but, as Zelah in Benjamin was the place of Kish’s sepulchre. (2 Samuel 21:14) it was probable;
his native village. His father, Kish, was a powerful and wealthy chief though the family to which
he belonged was of little importance. (1 Samuel 9:1,21) A portion of his property consisted of a
drove of asses. In search of these asses, gone astray on the mountains, he sent his son Saul It was
while prosecuting this adventure that Saul met with Samuel for the first time at his home in Ramah,
five miles north of Jerusalem. A divine intimation had made known to him the approach of Saul,
whom he treated with special favor, and the next morning descending with him to the skirts of the
town, Samuel poured over Saul’s head the consecrated oil, and with a kiss of salutation announced
to him that he was to be the ruler of the nation. (1 Samuel 9:25; 1 Samuel 10:1) Returning homeward
his call was confirmed by the incidents which according to Samuel’s prediction, awaited him. (1
Samuel 10:9,10) What may be named the public call occurred at Mizpeh, when lots were cast to
find the tribe and family which was to produce the king, and Saul, by a divine intimation was
found hid in the circle of baggage which surrounded the encampment. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
Returning to Gibeah, apparently to private life, he heard the threat issued by Nahash king of
Ammon against Jabesh-gilead. He speedily collected an army, and Jabesh was rescued. The effect
was instantaneous on the people, and the monarchy was inaugurated anew at Gilgal. (1 Samuel
11:1-15) It should be, however, observed that according to (1 Samuel 12:12) the affair of Nahash
preceded and occasioned the election of Saul. Although king of Israel, his rule was at first limited;
but in the second year of his reign he began to organize an attempt to shake off the Philistine yoke,
and an army was formed. In this crisis, Saul, now on the very confines of his kingdom at Gilgal,
impatient at Samuel’s delay, whom he had directed to be present, offered sacrifice himself. Samuel,
arriving later, pronounced the first curse, on his impetuous zeal. (1 Samuel 13:5-14) After the
Philistines were driven back to their own country occurred the first appearance of Saul’s madness
in the rash vow which all but cost the life of his soil. (1 Samuel 14:24; 44) The expulsion of the
Philistines, although not entirely completed, ch. (1 Samuel 14:52) at once placed Saul in a position
higher than that of any previous ruler of Israel, and he made war upon the neighboring tribes. In
the war with Amalek, ch. (1 Samuel 14:48; 15:1-9) he disobeyed the prophetical command of
Samuel, which called down the second curse, and the first distinct intimation of the transference
of the kingdom to a rival. The rest of Saul’s life is one long tragedy. The frenzy which had given
indications of itself before now at times took almost entire possession of him. In this crisis David
was recommended to him. From this time forward their lives are blended together. [David] In
Saul’s better moments he never lost the strong affection which he had contracted for David.
Occasionally, too his prophetical gift returned, blended with his madness. (2 Samuel 19:24) But
his acts of fierce, wild zeal increased. At last the monarchy itself broke down under the weakness
of his head. The Philistines re-entered the country, and just before giving them battle Saul’s courage
failed and he consulted one of the necromancers, the “Witch of Endor,” who had escaped his
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William Smith