THE SIGNIFICANT CIRCUMSTANCE which paved the way for Saul to become king of Israel was the persistent demand for a king by the Israelites. Without this demand, Saul would not have become royalty. This demand was formally spoken by the elders of Israel (1 Samuel 8:4) to Samuel, the prophet, who was then the virtual head of the nation in spiritual matters and civil matters—he was both a prophet and a judge (1 Samuel 7:15). He was the last judge of Israel—the first was Othniel, who