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However, when Judge [[Samuel]] received orders from [[God]] to search for a king in Israel, after the people of Israel had said that they wanted a king, "like other nations," Saul was [[God]]'s candidate.<ref name=Spiro>Spiro, Ken, Rabbi. "[http://www.aish.com/literacy/jewishhistory/Crash_Course_in_Jewish_History_Part_16_-_King_Saul.asp Entry for King Saul]." ''Crash Course in Jewish History,'' Part 16. Aish HaTorah, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.</ref><ref name=Catholic>Driscoll, James F. "[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13486d.htm Entry for Saul]." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'', vol. VIII. New York. Robert Appleton Co., 1910. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from [http://www.newadvent.org/ New Advent].</ref>

However, when Judge [[Samuel]] received orders from [[God]] to search for a king in Israel, after the people of Israel had said that they wanted a king, "like other nations," Saul was [[God]]'s candidate.<ref name=Spiro>Spiro, Ken, Rabbi. "[http://www.aish.com/literacy/jewishhistory/Crash_Course_in_Jewish_History_Part_16_-_King_Saul.asp Entry for King Saul]." ''Crash Course in Jewish History,'' Part 16. Aish HaTorah, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.</ref><ref name=Catholic>Driscoll, James F. "[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13486d.htm Entry for Saul]." ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'', vol. VIII. New York. Robert Appleton Co., 1910. Retrieved June 22, 2007 from [http://www.newadvent.org/ New Advent].</ref>

Saul's selection began as a search for some lost donkeys belonging to his father, [[Kish]]. When Saul had gone a great distance at the head of a search party, he at first wondered whether they ought to turn back if they didn't want his father to start worrying about ''them'' instead of the donkeys. But a member of the party said that they had come to a town where a "seer," that is to say a [[prophet]], lived. Though the party had little enough with which to pay a prophet, Saul agreed to send for him. That prophet turned out to be Samuel, and Samuel told Saul that "the desire of Israel" was "on" him--the equivalent of a modern military recruiter saying, "Your country wants ''you.''"<ref name=GeoCities/><ref name=Spiro/><ref name=Catholic/>

Saul's selection began as a search for some lost donkeys belonging to his father, [[Kish]]. When Saul had gone a great distance at the head of a search party, he at first wondered whether they ought to turn back if they didn't want his father to start worrying about ''them'' instead of the donkeys. But a member of the party said that they had come to a town where a "seer," that is to say a [[prophet]], lived. Though the party had little enough with which to pay a prophet, Saul agreed to send for him. That prophet turned out to be Samuel, and Samuel told Saul that "the desire of Israel" was "on" him&mdash;the equivalent of a modern military recruiter saying, "Your country wants ''you.''"<ref name=GeoCities/><ref name=Spiro/><ref name=Catholic/>

Saul couldn't believe it, and made the protest described above. But Samuel persisted, and eventually persuaded Saul to accept a private anointing. ''Then'' Samuel told Saul where his lost donkeys could be found. Later, Samuel anointed Saul publicly and declared him to be Israel's first king.<ref name=GeoCities/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Samuel|chap=9-10}}</ref>

Saul couldn't believe it, and made the protest described above. But Samuel persisted, and eventually persuaded Saul to accept a private anointing. ''Then'' Samuel told Saul where his lost donkeys could be found. Later, Samuel anointed Saul publicly and declared him to be Israel's first king.<ref name=GeoCities/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Samuel|chap=9-10}}</ref>

Saul was so impressed that he made David a general officer. Jonathan was even more impressed: he and David sealed a friendship that made them closer than brothers.

Saul was so impressed that he made David a general officer. Jonathan was even more impressed: he and David sealed a friendship that made them closer than brothers.

But Saul eventually grew jealous of David, especially when the people credited Saul with killing thousands of enemy, and David with killing myriads.<ref>The Hebrew word, translated ''myriad'' here, is commonly rendered "ten thousand" or "ten of thousands."<ref name=GeoCities/>

But Saul eventually grew jealous of David, especially when the people credited Saul with killing thousands of enemy, and David with killing myriads.<ref>The Hebrew word, translated ''myriad'' here, is commonly rendered "ten thousand" or "ten of thousands."</ref><ref name=GeoCities/>

As part of the reward for killing Goliath, Saul was supposed to let David marry his daughter [[Merab]]. But when the time came, Saul refused--though he did let David marry his younger daughter [[Michal]], who as it happened had fallen in love with David.

As part of the reward for killing Goliath, Saul was supposed to let David marry his daughter [[Merab]]. But when the time came, Saul refused--though he did let David marry his younger daughter [[Michal]], who as it happened had fallen in love with David.