Saul, the first king of Israel, was anointed by the prophet Samuel but eventually fell out of favor with God due to disobedience, including unlawfully offering sacrifices and sparing the Amalekite king Agag and the best livestock against God's command

. His reign was marked by military conflicts, particularly against the Philistines, and increasing jealousy and hostility toward David, who was rising in popularity and seen as a rival to the throne

. Saul's relationship with David was complex: Jonathan, Saul's son, became David's close friend and supporter, but Saul repeatedly sought to kill David, who narrowly escaped several assassination attempts

. Saul's disobedience and consultation with a medium (witch of Endor) to seek guidance from the spirit of Samuel further demonstrated his spiritual decline and loss of divine favor

. Saul died during a battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa. Wounded and fearing capture, he asked his armor-bearer to kill him, but when the armor-bearer refused, Saul fell on his own sword to commit suicide

. After his death, the Philistines desecrated his body and those of his sons, but the people of Jabesh-Gilead later retrieved and buried them

. His death marked the end of his troubled reign, which was characterized by his failure to fully obey God and the eventual transfer of kingship to David

. Additionally, it is important to note that this Saul is distinct from Saul of Tarsus (later Paul), who was a persecutor of Christians before converting to Christianity and becoming the Apostle Paul