# Saul — Leviathan character guide

> Saul in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** king Saul

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-of-man

## Who they are

First king of Israel, later rejected by God for disobedience.

## In the story

### [XX: Of Dominion Paternal, and Despotical](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xx-of-dominion-paternal-and-despotical)

King of Israel whose life was spared by David, used to illustrate the duty of subjects to their sovereign.

### [XXXIV: Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration in the Books of Holy Scripture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxxiv-of-the-signification-of-spirit-angel-and-inspiration-in-the-books-of-holy-scripture)

Cited as an example where the 'Spirit of God' came upon him, interpreted as extraordinary zeal rather than a ghost.

### [XXXVI: Of the Word of God, and of Prophets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxxvi-of-the-word-of-god-and-of-prophets)

God foretold Saul of his death by the Witch of Endor, showing God speaks through unaccepted persons.

### [Of the Signification in Scripture of the Word Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-signification-in-scripture-of-the-word-church)

Mentioned as making havoc of the Church (Acts 8:3).

### [Of the Office of Our Blessed Saviour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xli-of-the-office-of-our-blessed-saviour)

Referenced as the king whose election by the Israelites constituted a rebellion that cut off the old covenant, which Christ came to restore.

### [Of Spiritual Darkness, from Misinterpretation of Scripture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xliv-of-spiritual-darkness-from-misinterpretation-of-scripture)

The kingdom of God ceased with the election of Saul when the Jews demanded a king.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters/saul
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters