<P> Saul's life and reign are described in the Hebrew Bible . He was anointed by the prophet Samuel and reigned from Gibeah . He fell on his sword (committing suicide) to avoid capture in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, during which three of his sons were also killed . The succession to his throne was contested by Ish - bosheth, his only surviving son, and his son - in - law David, who eventually prevailed . A similar yet different account of Saul's life may be given in the Quran . Neither the length of Saul's reign, nor the extent of his territory are given in the Hebrew Bible; the former is traditionally fixed at twenty or twenty - two years, but there is no reliable evidence for these numbers . </P> <P> The biblical accounts of Saul's life are found in the Books of Samuel: </P> <P> According to the Tanakh, Saul was the son of Kish, of the family of the Matrites, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel . It appears that he came from Gibeah . </P> <P> Saul married Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz . They had four sons and two daughters . The sons were Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua and Ish - bosheth . Their daughters were named Merab and Michal . Saul also had a concubine named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, who bore him two sons, Armoni and Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 21: 8). </P>

Who is a king according to the bible