The Two Sauls: Saul the King of Israel and Saul of Tarsus
UPDATED:
NOV 16, 2023 7:13 PM EST
Detail of "The Conversion on the Way to Damascus," by Caravaggio (1601)
Public Domain, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia
Who Was Saul in the Bible?
There were two important Sauls in the Bible—one in the Old Testament and the other in the New Testament. The first Saul, King Saul, was significant because he became the first king to rule over Israel. The second Saul, Saul of Tarsus, became one of Jesus's apostles, Paul.
These two men, in addition to having the same name, were similar in quite a few other ways, as well.
Similarities
- Neither one was born into his eventual role. King Saul was not born a king, and Saul of Tarsus was not born an apostle.
- Both were Jews.
- Both came from the tribe of Benjamin (one of the 12 tribes of Israel).
- Both were called by God to become something special: One became the first king of Israel, and the other became one of Jesus's apostles.
- Both died fighting: one for his earthly kingdom and one for God's kingdom.
What Does Saul Mean?
The name Saul means "prayed for." The meaning of the name is significant because the children of Israel had asked God for a king, and Saul was His immediate answer to them.
Note: All translations below are from the King James Bible.
"Saul, Hiding Among the Stuff," by James Smetham (1866)
King Saul of Israel
Saul was the son of Kish, and he came from the tribe of Benjamin. The Bible says that he was tall and handsome, but that he was also a humble man.
When the prophet Samuel told him that the Lord had chosen him to lead the people, Saul did not understand why he, of all men, had been picked. According to 1 Samuel 10:22, when Samuel called for Saul to appear before the Israelites as their king, Saul hid among the hakkēlîm, a Hebrew word that has been translated variously to baggage, equipment, supplies, and stuff. This action has been interpreted by biblical scholars to mean that Saul thought he was unworthy of the role he had been called upon to fill.
Despite this, Saul was anointed as king of Israel by Samuel, and when it became evident that the Spirit of God was upon him he became a beloved ruler.
"Saul and David," by Rembrandt (between 1651 and 1658)
Public Domain, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia
King Saul's Downfall
Saul's favor with God did not last very long. The Bible says that Saul's kingship was taken from him because he disobeyed God by rebelling against His will.
The nature of Saul's infraction is explained in the first Book of Samuel. Samuel told Saul that he had been made king when he was "small in his own eyes" (1 Samuel 15:17). After being made king, however, Saul began to succumb to pride. He began to think more highly of himself and even began to equate his own wisdom with that of God. During a battle with the Amalekites, Saul chose to do what he wished rather than following God's instructions, demonstrating that he valued his own judgment over God's.
"Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king." (1 Samuel 15:22–23)
When Samuel confronted Saul and told him that God was displeased, Saul tried to repent. But it was too late. Saul was tormented by an evil spirit that had been sent by God. "But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him." (1 Samuel 16:14)
The End of King Saul's Reign
After that, it was all downhill for Saul. The kingdom was taken from him and given to David. Although Saul tried his best to retain power, he could not fight against God's will. In the end, Saul died in battle by his own hand.
"Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together." (1 Chronicles 10:4–6)
"The Conversion of St. Paul," by Michelangelo (c. 1542–45)
Public Domain, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia
Saul of Tarsus (a.k.a. Paul the Apostle)
Saul of Tarsus was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin. Proud of his heritage and his identity as a Pharisee (a religious sect within Judaism), he initially saw the rise of Jesus and his teachings as a threat to his community.
Saul went on a mission to persecute those who dared to follow Jesus. The Bible says that he was present at Stephen's stoning and that he held the clothes of those who carried out the murder.
"And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him." (Acts 22:20)
Despite Saul's behavior, God called him to His service.
Road to Damascus
Saul was on his way to Damascus to torment those who followed Jesus when suddenly he had a divine vision. The proud man was humbled in that instant and he was forever changed.
"As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 9:3–5)
He Became an Apostle
Saul of Tarsus became known as Paul, and he became an apostle of the very same Jesus he had once scorned. He preached the Gospel far and wide, and he supported himself by working as a tentmaker.
The zeal with which he had once persecuted Jesus's followers was converted into zeal for the Lord, and he did many great things in the name of the Lord. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead. For the rest of his life, he boldly did what was set before him, constantly seeking to please God and to do His will in everything.
"St. Paul Preaching in Athens," by Raphael (1515)
Raphael, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Two Sauls: Opposite Journeys
The two biblical Sauls had some striking similarities and yet had very different paths. Both were humble and both had pride—but at different points in their lives.
When Saul the son of Kish was first anointed king, his humility was a virtue that may have been the reason God chose him for the job. As he grew into his role, however, he became prideful, rendering him blind and deaf to God's will. This caused God to regret making him king, and his throne was eventually transferred to King David.
Saul of Tarsus, on the other hand, started out being prideful. His pride blinded him so he could not see that he was fighting against God. When God opened his eyes, pride fell from him and humility took over. He was able to give himself to God's will and preach the Gospel.
Both men had humility: Saul at the beginning and Paul at the end. Both men had pride: Paul at the beginning and Saul at the end.
Lesson: Rebellion vs. Submission
To me, the two Sauls show how a person can start well and end badly, and conversely how a person can start badly and end well. It all has to do with rebellion and submission. It all has to do with the question, "Whom will ye serve this day?"
Further Reading
- Four Lessons From the Rise and Fall of King Saul
The account of King Saul is certainly a troubling section of Scripture. But it does hold some important lessons about the level of faithfulness God expects from His people. - The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle | Loyola Press
St. Paul the Apostle was the greatest of the early Christian missionaries. He first appears in the Acts of the Apostles under the name of Saul. - What Did the Apostle Paul Mean by "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth"?
Have some people taken the King James Version of "rightly dividing the word of truth" too far?
Comments
M.P. Minor on December 28, 2017:
Awesome read providing the description of the two Sauls. Saul the King had pride or was it jealousy of David because he was out to get David. Saul who was called by Jesus Christ in heaven Mark 13:26 would eventually be called Paul use the name of Jesus Christ who saved him but to provide his testimony to others through miracles in the name of Jesus.
jan McKown on December 22, 2017:
My college book on the New Testament says St. Paul was a 5-star general. His scars mentioned in Galatians were maybe battle scars. Cannot find info on Paul being a soldier.
Eightyl on November 16, 2017:
I'm bless by reading your article thank you so much
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on February 04, 2017:
Hello again, lambservant,
I often think of the two Sauls and their lives. Saul (OT) tried his best to fight against his hate of David but he always sought to end his life. He started out loving David but jealousy took over. There are so many lives in the Bible that show me it is only by the grace of God.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
lambservant on February 04, 2017:
I stumbled across this after reading your article on Jonah. The contrast and similarities here are striking. Another interesting topic and very well done.
The Messenger on October 07, 2015:
Hi followers of Christ. @Eric, Paul performed miracles and preached the gospel of Jesus through the power bestowed on him by Jesus, and not his own power. If that was the case, then he would've performed them and preached before his encounter with Jesus.
Tina on May 18, 2015:
Thank you!
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 13, 2015:
Hello Eric,
I base my claim on Paul's letters to the churches in Ephesus, Corinth, Phillipi, Rome, Thessalonica, Galatia etc. He proclaimed Christ in all of those.
In the Book of Acts it says in Chapter 28 that he preached the kingdom of God and the things which concerned Christ.
As for Paul not denying that he was a god... he did just that in Acts Chapter 14 when the people were convinced that he was Hermes and Barnabas was Zeus and he was not stoned then for that.
Eric on May 07, 2015:
I find it strange that the article claims Saul/Paul did miracles in the Name of Jesus, when in fact, Saul/Paul did these things in his own power without preaching the Name of Jesus. The ONLY account of Saul/Paul using the Name of Jesus to perform miracles or healings or predict the future or avoid death that I can recall was when he cast the spirit of predicting the future from the girl who followed him around annoucing he was a wonderful man come to teach people how to be saved. You would think Saul/Paul would have appreciated that? Peter on the other hand was very careful to preach the Name of Jesus and give credit to Jesus for any miracles. Saul/Paul was not so careful and was more than once mistaken for a god. Saul/Paul did not deny he was a god and accepted gifts from those thinking him to be a god. The one time Saul/Paul denied not being a god, he waited too long to announce this, and the damage was done, and finally he was stoned almost to death.
dorcas on March 04, 2015:
Am blessed
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on July 04, 2013:
Wynn, this knowledge in the Bible. All one simply has to do is read it.
Thank you for your question.
wynn on July 02, 2013:
where do ou get this knowledge that is not in the bible?
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 23, 2012:
Hi Michele,
Thanks so much for reading. Both Saul and Paul's lives have always intrigued me because both of them changed - one for the better and one for the worse. Pride really can cause man to fall. It is a terrible sin.
Michele Travis from U.S.A. Ohio on May 22, 2012:
North Wind, this was a very good teaching on the stories of these two men. Both had pride, but Paul gave his up for God, and Saul died because of his pride. It sort of reminds me of the saying "Pride comes before the fall, and the fall, before destruction." Or something like that. I am not sure it that is the exact way it is said.
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 21, 2012:
Hi teaches12345,
Yes, the two Sauls did have opposite lives. Their similarities were strange, though. Perhaps Paul was even named after King Saul because both were from the tribe of Benjamin and the name Saul would have been an honor to receive as he was the first king of Israel.
Thanks so much for reading and for the vote up.
Dianna Mendez on May 20, 2012:
A very detailed and well done comparison on the lives of these two men of the Bible. I see them as almost opposites in all areas of their lives. Paul's writings are so inspirational for me and have helped me through the years to live out my faith. Thanks for posting. Voted up.
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 20, 2012:
Hi Civil War Bob,
Ha! Yes I can see how the picture made you think that. I think that it was a little of both. Thank you for reading and for the vote.
God bless you and yours.
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 20, 2012:
Hi gingerka,
Yes I think that pride is one of the easiest sins that we can fall prey to. I too, will submit.
North Wind (author) from The World (for now) on May 20, 2012:
Thanks Faith Reaper. Take care and God bless you!
Civil War Bob from Glenside, Pennsylvania on May 20, 2012:
Good hub, North Wind...voted up, useful, and interesting. Your picture of David playing before Saul made me think that Saul was also a music critic with a bad aim when he threw his spear at David! Or David had great reflexes! Enjoy your day.
gingerka from Colorado on May 20, 2012:
Pride is a dangerous thing and can certainly cause havoc in our lives. That is a hard lesson to learn. I will submit to and serve the Lord.
Faith Reaper from southern USA on May 20, 2012:
Amen on that question for sure! Very interesting hub and great topic. In His Love, Faith Reaper