Rise of Kings·1 Samuel

Saul the First King for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Ages 5+·5 min read·Old Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated August 16, 2026

couragefaithGod choosing the unlikely

Saul the First King

Read the lesson transcript

THE RISE OF KINGS — Episode 2: Saul — The First King Based on 1 Samuel 9-11 | Narrated by Jesus

Welcome back! Last time, Israel demanded a king. And God said, "Alright — you'll get one." So buckle up, because Israel's first king is about to walk onto the stage, and he is NOT what you'd expect.

Meet Saul, son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. This guy was tall — I'm talking head and shoulders above EVERYONE in Israel. Strong jaw. Impressive build. If you were casting a movie for "guy who looks like a king," Saul would get the part instantly.

But here's what's wild — Saul was actually humble at first. When Samuel told him privately that God had chosen him to be king, Saul said, "Me? I'm from Benjamin — the smallest tribe! And my family is the least important in the whole tribe!" He genuinely couldn't believe it.

Samuel anointed Saul by pouring oil on his head — that was how you set someone apart for God's purpose. And the Spirit of God came on Saul in power. He even started prophesying! People who knew him were shocked: "Wait — is SAUL with the prophets now?"

Then came the big public moment. Samuel gathered all of Israel to reveal their new king. They cast lots, and it pointed to the tribe of Benjamin... then to Saul's family... then to Saul himself. But when they went to find him — he was HIDING. Among the baggage! Can you picture it? The tallest guy in Israel, crouching behind luggage, hoping nobody would notice.

They dragged him out, and Samuel said, "Look at the one God has chosen! There's no one like him!" And the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

Saul started strong, too. When the Ammonites threatened the city of Jabesh-Gilead, Saul rallied 330,000 soldiers overnight and crushed the enemy. The nation went wild! It seemed like they had made the right choice.

But here's what I need you to hear. There were cracks forming beneath the surface. Small ones. The kind you don't notice until the whole thing crumbles.

And that's the lesson: how you START isn't nearly as important as how you FINISH. Saul looked perfect. He sounded humble. He won early battles. But the real test wasn't in the spotlight — it was coming in the quiet moments when nobody was watching.

How you handle the small, hidden moments — that's what reveals who you really are.

See you in the next episode — because things are about to go very, very wrong.

This retelling is one of our 200 Bible stories for kids — the whole Bible, free, from Genesis to Revelation.

Series: Rise of Kings (Episode 02 of 10) | Scripture: 1 Samuel | Ages 5+

Saul the First King is a Bible story from 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

What Is the Story of Saul the First King for Kids?

THE RISE OF KINGS — Episode 2: Saul — The First King Based on 1 Samuel 9-11 | Narrated by Jesus

This story comes from 1 Samuel and is part of the Old Testament.

What Does the Story of Saul the First King Teach Children?

The story of Saul the First King teaches children important lessons about courage, faith, God choosing the unlikely:

This story teaches children about courage in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"To obey is better than sacrifice." — 1 Samuel 15:22

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Illustration from Saul the First King for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

What made Saul stand out physically from everyone else in Israel?

He was head and shoulders taller than everyone.

How did Saul first react when he learned God had chosen him to be king?

He said he was from the smallest tribe and least important family.

What happened when the people came to crown Saul as king?

He was hiding among the baggage.

What was Saul's first major military victory as king?

He defeated the Ammonites who threatened Jabesh-Gilead.

What is the main lesson from Saul's early story?

How you start isn't as important as how you finish.

Saul the First King for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply - Key Moment Illustration

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

What was your favorite part of the story of Saul the First King?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like Saul in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Rise of Kings Series

This story is episode 02 of 10 in the Rise of Kings series:

300+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

Start your free trial

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of Saul the First King about for kids?

Saul the First King is a story from 1 Samuel. THE RISE OF KINGS — Episode 2: Saul — The First King Based on 1 Samuel 9-11 | Narrated by Jesus

What age is the story of Saul the First King appropriate for?

This retelling of Saul the First King is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is Saul the First King found in the Bible?

Saul the First King is found in 1 Samuel in the Old Testament. It is part of the Rise of Kings series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of Saul the First King for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Saul the First King designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use Saul the First King for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does Saul the First King teach kids?

The story of Saul the First King teaches children about courage, faith, God choosing the unlikely. This story teaches children about courage in a way they can understand.

🌙 Free: The Bedtime Bible Kit

Seven nights of five-minute stories — a story, a prayer, and one question to whisper about.

Free printable + a few helpful emails. Unsubscribe anytime.