First impressions can be deceiving, especially when the image created by a person's appearance is contradicted by his or her qualities and abilities. Saul presented the ideal visual image of a king, but the tendencies of his character often went contrary to God's commands for a king. Saul was God's chosen leader, but this did not mean he was capable of being king on his own.
   During his reign, Saul had his greatest successes when he obeyed God. His greatest failures resulted from acting on his own. Saul had the raw materials to be a good leader - appearance, courage, and action. Even his weaknesses could have been used by God if Saul had recognized them and left them in God's hands. His own choices cut him off from God and eventually alienated him from his own people.
   From Saul we learn that while our strengths and abilities make us useful, it is our weaknesses that make us usable. Our skills and talents make us tools, but our failures and shortcomings remind us that we need a Craftsman in control of our lives. Whatever we accomplish on our own is only a hint of what God could do through our lives. Does he control your life?

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Saul's Strengths and Accomplishments
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* First God-appointed king of Israel
* Known for his personal courage and generosity
* Stood tall, with a striking appearance

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Saul's Weaknesses and mistakes
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* His leadership abilities did not match the expectations created by his appearance
* Impulsive by nature, he tended to overstep his bounds
* Jealous of David, he tried to kill him
* He specifically disobeyed God on several occasions

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Lessons from Saul's Life
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* God wants obedience from the heart, not mere acts of religious ritual
* Obedience always involves sacrifice; but sacrifice is not always obedience
* God wants to make use of our strengths and weaknesses
* Weaknesses should help us remember our need for God's guidance and help

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Saul's Vital statistics
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* Where: The land of Benjamin
* Occupation: King of Israel
* Relatives: Father: Kish.
                  Sons: Jonathan and Ish-Bosheth.
                  Wife: Ahinoam.
                  Daughters: Merab and Michal

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Key verses
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"But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king'" (1st Samuel 15:22, 23).

His story is told in 1st Samuel 9-31. He is also mentioned in Acts 13:21.