Topical Bible: Saul: King of Israel: His Personal Appearance

◄ Saul: King of Israel: His Personal Appearance ►

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Saul, the first king of Israel, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the books of 1 Samuel. His personal appearance is noted in several passages, providing insight into how he was perceived by those around him.

The Bible describes Saul as an impressive and striking figure. In 1 Samuel 9:2 , it is written, "He had a son named Saul, a choice and handsome young man. There was no one more handsome among the Israelites than he, and he was a head taller than any of the people." This description highlights Saul's physical attributes, emphasizing his height and handsome appearance, which set him apart from others in Israel. His stature and appearance likely contributed to his initial acceptance and popularity as king, as physical presence was often associated with leadership qualities in ancient cultures.

Further emphasizing his commanding presence, 1 Samuel 10:23-24 recounts the moment when Saul was presented to the people as king: "So they ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people, he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, 'Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.' And the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'" This passage underscores the impact of Saul's appearance on the Israelites, as his height and demeanor were seen as signs of divine selection and favor.

Despite his impressive physical appearance, Saul's reign was marked by a series of personal and leadership challenges. His outward appearance, while initially advantageous, could not compensate for the internal struggles and disobedience that ultimately led to his downfall. Nevertheless, Saul's physical description remains a significant aspect of his identity in the biblical account, illustrating the importance of appearance in the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel.

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1 Samuel 9:2
And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
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1 Samuel 10:23
And they ran and fetched him there: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
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Library

Saul Rejected
... message committed to every prophet in Israel, and which ... in secret, so Samuel consented
to honour Saul before the ... to say, he ceased to be God's king, and became ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

The First Kings.
... eldest, like Saul, was fine-looking"tall, athletic, and commanding in his personal
appearance. Samuel thought he must be the future king of Israel; but God ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... of the world, in the passage of Israel through the ... Latinized form for his Hebrew
name "Saul" (Desired), and ... illustration from the life of King Alfred (Mohammed ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... the slaughtered troops at Gibeah and Rimmon, Saul's sullen figure ... as a boy he may
never have seen the King, and to ... he never, for himself or for Israel, lost the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... orthodox Jew waiting for the hope of Israel to make ... all sudden and radical conversions
that of Saul was the ... This is implied in his words to King Agrippa, Acts ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 31 the conversion of.htm

The Ministry in Galilee --Its Aim and Method
... The restriction of their field to Israel (Matthew 10:5 ... The evil spirit which came
upon King Saul is a similar ... use of incantations handed down from King Solomon. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iii the ministry in galileeits.htm

Matthew.
... a faith the like of which Jesus did not find in Israel. ... as the names of Peter and
Paul replaced Simon and Saul. ... Jerusalem is the city of the great king"); 23:1 ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

Acts IX
... within the dominions of the Arabian king Aretas, would ... before the Gentiles, and kings,
and the children of Israel. ... it was not a reality, then Saul was deceived ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ...
... his dazzling rays (as it did Saul on the ... been honoured to be the first host of Israel's
King.'. ... business?' And, positively and negatively, His first appearance ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the marriage feast.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... a lion's whelp." "In the person of Saul," as Calvin ... 7, says to Abimelech, the heathen
king, "Now therefore ... for example, the blessings which Israel enjoyed by ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm