Who provided the counsel that led to the selection of Saul as king?

The selection of Saul as king is attributed to the counsel of Samuel, the prophet. In the historical context of 1 Samuel, the Israelites were dissatisfied with the rule of the judges and requested a king to lead them, like other nations had. Samuel, acting on behalf of God, was instructed to comply with the people's request, even though it was not the ideal situation according to divine guidance.

The process involved God revealing to Samuel that Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, would be the chosen king. Samuel was responsible for anointing Saul, marking the transition from a theocratic system of judges to a monarchical system. This event is significant in the narrative of Israel’s history as it sets the stage for the monarchy and introduces the complexities and challenges that would follow, particularly under Saul's reign.

Eli, David, and Nathan, while important figures in their own right within the Old Testament, were not directly involved in the counsel that led to the selection of Saul as king. Eli was a judge and priest but served before Saul's time. David would later become king after Saul, and Nathan was a prophet during David's reign, dealing with issues that arose during that period. Thus, Samuel's role as the prophet who anointed Saul