Saul ruled the people of ancient Israel by uniting the twelve tribes under a single monarchy, becoming the first king of Israel. His leadership was marked by military campaigns against neighboring nations, including conflicts with the Philistines, but he did not conquer Judah or Canaan as suggested. While he sought to establish a centralized rule, his reign was also characterized by internal strife and challenges to his authority, particularly from figures like David. Saul's rule laid the groundwork for the future development of the Israelite kingdom, but he did not create a religious empire in the conventional sense.
He ruled in Israel as the first King anointed by Samuel.
King Saul. See: Jewish history timeline
King Saul was anointed by the prophet Samuel, at God's instruction. Saul united the Israelites under his rule, thus forming the united kingdom of Israel.
King Saul reigned over Israel from circa 1049 BC to 1007 BC, which is roughly 42 years.
The first kings of Judah and Israel were Saul, David, Solomon. They ruled from 1020 BCE to 931 BCE.
Because Saul was not completely obedient to God. In the battle against Amalek, which God had commanded explicitly, Saul didn't finish the job (1 Samuel ch.15; and see also Exodus ch.17 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
King Solomon.
After God chose Saul as the first king of Israel, his personality changed. Power corrupted him, changing him from a humble man to one who was full of pride and self-will. Saul continued to defy God's rule until a new king, David, was chosen to rule. Saul died when he fell upon his sword on the battlefield.
In those days Isarael was having Judges to rule over them Then the people said like other tribes we to want a king, but the prophet Samuel tried to discourage then saying god is there to guide us, but his words fell on deaf years, and with a bitter heart he chose Saul as king of Israel.
God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Saul disobeyed God so God chose a new king who was David. Of David's sons, God chose Solomon to succeed David. God also promised David that his line would continue to rule forever.
He did not. Contemporaneous with the Kingdom of Israel was the golden age of the Phoenician merchant city states. They traded with them. As a matter of fact, they brought the cedars for the temple that Solomon built.