SUMMARY
Saul’s career is summarized.
ANALYSIS
This positive note sounds strange amid the generally negative portrayal of SaulThe first king of Israel More found in the surrounding narrative. At the height of his career, Saul’s military achievements (vv. 47-48) are listed along with details of his family and Abner, his cousin and general (vv. 49-51). Both SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel More (vv. 47-48) and DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More (2 Samuel 8:1-18) receive similar summaries at the height of their careers. The apparently positive character of Saul’s summary, however, may be offset by the lack of any reference similar to the Lord’s giving “victory to David wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:6, 14). All we hear is that Saul “fought against all his enemies on every side….He did valiantly” (1 Samuel 14:47-48). That being said, Saul is rightly praised for his military achievements, which expanded Israel’s borders in every direction.
