According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, Saul's end was that of a hero and a saint. Can you imagine that? Despite his flaws, despite his errors, he died a man redeemed. The stories tell us his final days were filled with regret, particularly over the execution of the priests of Nob. This remorse, they say, secured him pardon in the eyes of God.
It's fascinating, isn't it? The tradition goes even further, suggesting Saul's piety was so profound that even David couldn't match it! The comparison is striking. David, with his many wives and concubines, versus Saul, who had only one wife. And consider this: when faced with mortal danger from his son Absalom, David hesitated, fearing for his life. But Saul, knowing he wouldn't survive his final battle, still went forth.
The picture painted is of a man who led a saintly life within his own home. He observed the priestly laws of purity, maintaining a state of ritual cleanliness—a concept known as taharah in Hebrew. He was, in many ways, a righteous man trapped in a role he may not have been fully prepared for.
And the narratives don’t shy away from comparing the two kings. We're told that God even reproached David for cursing Saul in his prayers. The man who would become the greatest king in Israel being rebuked for speaking ill of his predecessor.
There’s a powerful story connected to this. Remember when David, in his youth, cut off a corner of Saul's mantle? Well, the tradition says that in his old age, David was punished for this act of disrespect. He was afflicted with a cold that no amount of clothing could cure. A shiver down the spine, perhaps, as a reminder of the respect due to even a fallen king.
The ultimate redemption of Saul, though, may be the most striking. When a great famine struck the land during David’s reign, God revealed the cause: Saul’s remains hadn't been buried with the honor he deserved. And at that very moment, a heavenly voice—a bat kol, a divine echo—resounded, calling Saul "the elect of God."
What does this tell us? Perhaps it’s a lesson in the complexities of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the possibility of redemption. Even in failure, even in death, Saul, the first king of Israel, found grace. His story, though tragic, serves as a powerful reminder that even our mistakes can be a path toward ultimate recognition and, perhaps, even forgiveness.