Editing Saul (section)

== Classical rabbinical views ==
Two opposing views of Saul are found in classical rabbinical literature. One is based on the [[abductive reasoning|reverse logic]] that punishment is a proof of guilt, and therefore seeks to rob Saul of any halo which might surround him. The passage referring to Saul as ''a choice young man, and goodly''<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|9:2|HE}}</ref> is in this view interpreted as meaning that Saul was not good in every respect, but ''goodly'' only with respect to his personal appearance.<ref>[[Numbers Rabbah]] 9:28</ref> According to this view, Saul is only a ''weak branch'',<ref>[[Genesis Rabbah]] 25:3</ref> owing his kingship not to his own merits, but rather to his grandfather, who had been accustomed to light the streets for those who went to the [[beit midrash]], and had received as his reward the promise that one of his grandsons should sit upon the throne.<ref>[[Leviticus Rabbah]] 9:2</ref>

The second view of Saul makes him appear in the most favourable light as man, as hero, and as king. In this view, it was on account of his modesty that he did not reveal the fact that he had been anointed king;<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|10:16|HE}}; Megillah 13b</ref> and he was extraordinarily upright as well as perfectly just. Nor was there any one more pious than he;<ref>[[Moed Kattan]] 16b; [[Exodus Rabbah]] 30:12</ref> for when he ascended the throne he was as pure as a child, and had never committed sin.<ref>Yoma 22b</ref> He was marvelously handsome; and the maidens who told him concerning Samuel<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|9:11–13|HE}}</ref> talked so long with him to observe his beauty for longer.<ref>Berachot 48b</ref> In war he was able to march 120 miles without rest. When commanded to smite [[Amalek]],<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|15:3|HE}}</ref> Saul said: "For one found slain the [[Torah]] requires a [[sin offering]];<ref>{{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|21:1–9|HE}}</ref> and here so many shall be slain. If the old have sinned, why should the young suffer; and if men have been guilty, why should the cattle be destroyed?" It was this humaneness which cost him his crown. And while Saul was merciful to his enemies, he was strict with his own people; when he found out that [[Ahimelech]], a kohen, had assisted David with finding food, Saul, in retaliation, killed the remaining 85 kohanim of Ahimelech's family and the rest of his hometown, Nob.<ref>[http://dafyomi.shemayisrael.co.il/yoma/insites/yo-dt-022.htm Yoma 22b]; Numbers Rabbah 1:10</ref> The fact that he was merciful even to his enemies, being indulgent to rebels themselves, and frequently waiving the homage due to him, was incredible as well as deceiving. But if his mercy toward a foe was a sin, it was his only one; it was his misfortune that it was reckoned against him, while David (who had committed many sins) was so favored that it was not remembered to his injury.<ref>Yoma 22b; Moed Kattan 16b, and Rashi ad loc.</ref> In some respects Saul was superior to David, e.g., in having only one concubine ([[Rizpah]]), while David had many. Saul expended his own substance for the war, and although he knew that he and his sons would fall in battle, he nevertheless went forward, while David heeded the wish of his soldiers not to go to war in person.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Samuel|21:17|HE}}; Leviticus Rabbah 26:7; [[Yalkut Shimoni]], Samuel 138</ref>

According to the Rabbis, Saul followed the rules of [[ritual impurity]] prescribed for the sacrifice,<ref>Yalkut Shimoni, Samuel 138</ref> and taught the people how they should slaughter cattle.<ref>cf {{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|14:34|HE}}</ref> As a reward for this, God himself gave Saul a sword on the day of battle, since no other sword suitable for him was found.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|13:22|HE}}</ref> Saul's attitude toward David was excused by arguing that his courtiers were all tale-bearers, and slandered David to him;<ref>[[Deuteronomy Rabbah]] 5:10</ref> and in like manner he was incited by [[Doeg the Edomite|Doeg]] against the priests of Nob<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|22:16–19|HE}}; Yalkut Shimoni, Samuel 131</ref>—this act was forgiven him, however, and a heavenly voice (''[[bat kol]]'') was heard, proclaiming: "Saul is the chosen one of God".<ref>Berachot 12b</ref> His anger at the [[Gibeonites]]<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Samuel|21:2|HE}}</ref> was not personal hatred, but was induced by zeal for the welfare of Israel.<ref name=nr84>Numbers Rabbah 8:4</ref> The fact that he made his daughter remarry<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Samuel|25:44|HE}}</ref> finds its explanation in his (Saul's) view that her betrothal to David had been gained by false pretenses, and was therefore invalid.<ref>Sanhedrin 19b</ref> During the lifetime of Saul there was no idolatry in Israel. The famine in the reign of David,<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Samuel|21:1|HE}}</ref> seemingly blamed on Saul, was in fact the people's fault, for not according Saul the proper honours at his burial.<ref name=nr84 /> In [[Sheol]], Samuel reveals to Saul that in the next world, Saul would dwell with Samuel, which is a proof that all has been forgiven him by God.<ref>Eruvin 53b</ref>