Jesus recounted the story of King Saul and the witch of Endor at this place for the apostles' instruction. [1]
David's betrayal in joining the Philistine alliance ultimately led to Saul's defeat, which was wrongly attributed to ritual errors instead of apostasy. [2]
Joseph recounted olden history of King Saul and the subsequent events of Israel's turbulent history to Jesus during their business trip to Scythopolis. [3] David strategically built alliances by marrying King Saul's daughter, Nabal's widow, Talmai's daughter, six Jebusite women, and Bathsheba. [4]
David justified Saul's downfall at Gilboa due to his attack on the Canaanite city, Gibeon, which had a peace treaty with the Ephraimites, resulting in Yahweh forsaking him; subsequently, in a compromise with the Canaanites, David hanged seven of Saul's descendants. [5] Saul was made king by his troops, not by priest or prophet, in order to establish a divine line of descent for David's kingship. [6]
Saul's rallying of the northern clans to withstand the Ammonites led to his coronation as king by popular election, with no priest or prophet involvement. [7] Saul demanded 100 Philistine foreskins as Michal's dowry, reflecting a history of poisoned weapons and mutilations in the race's early days. [8] Saul took his life on Mount Gilboa, as Jesus journeyed past ancient villages and historic spots. [9]