The name Saul was likely a prominent name among the Israelites and one that was given in honour. After all, the first king the nation knew was named Saul. Upon consideration of these truths, I have often wondered if Saul of Tarsus (later the apostle Paul), whose family obviously elevated their Jewish heritage (Acts 22:3), was named after the first king. With that in mind, consider the similarities between the two men.
Both were Benjamites.
King Saul was a Benjamite (1 Samuel 9:21).
Saul of Tarsus was of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5).
Both were transitional men.
King Saul was the transitional man from the leadership of judges to that of kings.
Saul of Tarsus was a transitional man in turning the focus from the Jews to the Gentiles.
Both deemed themselves to be the least.
King Saul said his family was the least and that he did not feel worthy to be king (1 Samuel 9:21).
Saul of Tarsus, at the time Paul, said he was the least of the apostles and not meet to be called an apostle (1 Corinthians 15:9).
Both excelled their peers.
King Saul excelled his peers (1 Samuel 9:2).
Saul of Tarsus, again as Paul, excelled many of his equals (Galatians 1:14).
Both fell upon their faces before a prophet supposed to be dead.
King Saul fell on his face before Samuel (1 Samuel 28:14).
Saul of Tarsus fell on his face before the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 9:4-5).
Both asked of the prophet what he should do.
King Saul asked Samuel what he should do (1 Samuel 28:15).
Saul of Tarsus asked Jesus what He would have Saul to do (Acts 9:6).
Both sought to kill a man because of his love for another man.
King Saul attempted to kill Jonathan because Jonathan loved David (1 Samuel 20:33).
Saul of Tarsus consented to kill Stephen because Stephen loved the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1).
Both persecuted God’s anointed.
King Saul persecuted David (1 Samuel 18:11).
Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 9:4).
Both presented/present a daughter to the anointed king.
King Saul gave his daughter to David to wife (1 Samuel 18:27).
Saul, now Paul, will, in a sense, present a daughter to the Lord Jesus Christ to wife (2 Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 4:19).
Comments