Saul

[ sawl ]

noun

1. the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 9.
2. Also called Saul of Tar·sus [sawl, uhv , tahr, -s, uh, s]. the original name of the apostle Paul. Acts 9:1–30; 22:3.
3. a male given name.

Saul

/ sɔːl /

noun

1. Old Testament the first king of Israel (?1020–1000 bc ). He led Israel successfully against the Philistines, but was in continual conflict with the high priest Samuel. He became afflicted with madness and died by his own hand; succeeded by David
2. New Testament the name borne by Paul prior to his conversion (Acts 9: 1–30)

Saul

1. The first king of Israel , who battled repeatedly with the Philistines . He often felt great despair, which was soothed by David playing his harp. Saul later became jealous of David and tried to have him killed in battle. After a prophesied defeat by the Philistines, Saul killed himself.

Notes

Saul was also the Apostle Paul 's original name.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Saul¹

From Late Latin Saul, from Greek Saoúl, from Hebrew Shāʾūl “asked for (from God)”

Example Sentences

His father, Saul, was a lawyer and member of the Michigan Corrections Commission.

From Washington Post

They also planned to focus on Saul’s 2019 confirmation, by a vote of 77 to 16, as a sign of rare bipartisanship.

From Washington Post

As the partisan fallout from Saul’s firing continues, Kijakazi is confronting the demand for changes from his policies by the administration and advocates.

From Washington Post

Saul’s confirmation was not a small vote, and we plan to protect the Senate position in appointments.

From Washington Post

“Saul’s ideas challenge status quo thinking in some climate circles, mine included, and I think that is good for the broader dialogue,” said Joseph Majkut, director of climate policy at Washington think tank the Niskanen Center.

From Washington Post

Excerpted from BECOMING RICHARD PRYOR Copyright © 2014 by Scott Saul.

From The Daily Beast

He may have been telling the truth when, on hearing that Saul Bellow won the Nobel Prize, he remarked, “Never heard of him.”

From The Daily Beast

The Saul story was in some ways the trickiest story for us this season.

From The Daily Beast

The Javadi story was just intimately bound up with the Saul story.

From The Daily Beast

Well, if it's Carrie and her spy-rabbi Saul, courtesy of the inimitable Mandy Patinkin, the answer is: Yes, we still are.

From The Daily Beast

From the stories of Jonah and King Saul she brought forth some excellent lessons on disobedience.

From Project Gutenberg

During this explanation Frank said nothing, only looked rather bewilderedly at Saul.

From Project Gutenberg

As he came slowly back in the dark, he thought he must see Lord Saul again.

From Project Gutenberg

I to church in the forenoon, and Mr. Mills made a good sermon upon David's heart smiting him for cutting off the garment of Saul.

From Project Gutenberg

The congregation of Saul-street chapel is almost entirely of a working-class character.

From Project Gutenberg