Saul (/ sɔːl /; Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Šāʾūl; transl. "asked/prayed for"; Greek: Σαούλ, Saoúl) was a monarch of ancient Israel and Judah and, according to the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, the first king of the United Monarchy, a polity of uncertain historicity.
Saul was the first king of Israel (c. 1021–1000 bce). According to the biblical account found mainly in 1 Samuel, Saul was chosen king both by the judge Samuel and by public acclamation.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Acts 9 NIV - Saul’s Conversion - Meanwhile, Saul - Bible Gateway
He chose to use his Hebrew name, Saul, until sometime after he began to believe in and preach Christ. After that time, as “ the apostle to the Gentiles ” (Romans 11:13), he used his Roman name, Paul.
King Saul stands as one of the most tragic and complex figures in biblical history. As Israel's first monarch, he represented the nation's transition from a loose confederation of tribes led by judges to a unified kingdom under royal authority.
Saul was chosen by God himself to be the first king of Israel. Saul defeated many of the enemies of his country, including the Ammonites, Philistines, Moabites, and Amalekites. He united the scattered tribes, giving them greater strength. He reigned for 42 years. King Saul was courageous in battle. He was a generous king.