Saul

Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.

A tall, handsome man goes looking for lost donkeys — and finds a kingdom instead. God's choices rarely look the way we expect.

Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?

Samuel pours oil on Saul's head and the Spirit rushes upon him. The reluctant king hides among the baggage on the day he's presented.

Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD. This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels…

Saul spares the king and the best livestock when God said destroy everything. To obey is better than sacrifice — and Saul chose sacrifice.

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me…

Saul dies on Mount Gilboa, wounded and surrounded. His armor is hung in a pagan temple. The first king's story ends in tragedy.