1 Samuel 15
Saul was instructed by the Lord to go and completely destroy the wicked Amalekites, wiping them out entirely, even all their livestock. But Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and the best of their sheep and catttle-- "these they were unwilling to destroy". Samuel was angry when he learned that Saul had violated the Lord's instructions. Samuel rebuked Saul for his rebellion and arrogance. Samuel told Saul that the Lord has now "torn the kingdom of Israel from you and has given it to one of your neighbors--to one better than you".

1 Sam 14
Saul's son, Jonathan, left the Israelite camp to meet the Philistine army. He had only his armor bearer along with him, yet he was full of faith in God's provision, saying " nothing can hinder the Lord, for He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few". With God's help, Jonathan bravely fought the Philistines and their army began to panic with fear and it was reported to Saul that the Philistine army was melting away in every direction. Saul's men joined the battle and found the Philistines in confusion and killing each other. They recognized that the Lord had delivered Israel that day. But, the Israelites were faint and weary since Saul had directed them to take an oath not to eat anything all day. The Israelite army consequently was so hungry that evening that they broke God's command not to eat meat that still contained blood. Also, since Jonathan didn't know about Saul's oath, he had eaten during the day and therefore Saul ordered his execution. The Israelite people rescued Jonathan from Saul, saying " he was used of God to do a mighty miracle today", saving Israel from defeat by the Philisitines.

1 Samuel 13
Saul and Jonathan were leading the Israelites against the Philistines in battle, but the Israelite army began "quaking with fear" when they became hard pressed and "hid in caves and thickets among the rocks and in pits and cisterns". Saul was waiting for Samuel to come offer up the burnt offering and the fellowship offering in order to seek the Lord's favor in the battle, but Samuel was late. When Samuel didn't arrive at the arranged time to perform the offerings unto the Lord, Saul disobeyed the Lord's command and he offered up the offerings himself. When Samuel finally arrived, he said to Saul "you have done a foolish thing and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command".

1 Samuel 12
Samuel addressed the people of Israel once more, reminding them of the Lord's grace and goodness and faithfulness to His people. He tells them to "be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you....But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors."

1 Samuel 11
The Ammonites were going to war with the Israelite town of Jabesh, but the citizens of Jabesh asked for 7 days before they invaded. The King of Ammon agreed, so they sent word to Saul. "The Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry". Saul mobilized 300,000 men from Israel and sent word to Jabesh that he would be there to rescue them soon. The ammonites were wiped out by Saul's army, but Saul gave God the glory, saying "today the Lord has rescued Israel". Then Samuel addressed the people again and before the Lord they affirmed Saul as their king and "all the Israelites were filled with joy".

1 Samuel 10
Samuel anointed Saul as King over Israel, pouring oil over his head, saying " I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you ruler over His special possession". The "Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul" , he was "changed into a different person", and the Lord "gave him a new heart". Samuel then gathered all the people of Israel and said, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, has declared: I brought you from Egypt and rescued you from the Egyptians and from all of the nations that were oppressing you. But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, ‘No, we want a king instead!" All the people shouted, "Long live the king".

1 Samuel 9
God spoke to Samuel, " ..Tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin... Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines... I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me". The next day a Benjamite man named Saul arrived in search of some assistance in finding his family's lost donkeys. The Lord spoke to Samuel again, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people". Samuel said to Saul, "Today you are to eat with me and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. As for your donkeys you lost, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your family line?" Samuel then brought Saul to the dinning area and seated him at the head of all those who were invited, and Saul was treated with much honor. Before Samuel sent him on his way at daybreak, he told Saul that he had a message for him from God.