Saul according to the Hebrew Bible, was the first king of the United Kingdom of Israel (Israel and Judah). His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BCE, supposedly marked a transition from a tribal society to statehood.

Three hundred-fifty years after the Israelites entered the Promised Land, their tribal leaders demanded the prophet Samuel make them a king. Despite Samuel's warnings, the people persisted in their requisition of a human leader. God relented and told Samuel to grant them their wish. Saul from the tribe of Benjamin embodied the physical traits of a king and was chosen by God to lead His people. Tall, handsome, and a natural-born military leader, Saul eventually won the loyalty of all twelve tribes. Although a godly man, who enforced the Levitical law against witches and wizards with great zeal, Saul soon proved fallible. Because of his sins of pride and rebellion, the Lord struck him with madness and wrestled the kingdom from his grasp.