Saul was the first king of Israel, serving for 40 years from the town of Gibeah in Benjamin. The prophet Samuel had been called on to choose a king for the people. After God had approved of the plan, Samuel anointed him to be king. An able warrior, Saul fought well in the northern tribes of Israel, but faced much difficulty against the resurgence of the Philistines on the southern coastlands. Being the tallest among his troops, he seemed the Israelite's best hope against the Philistine giant named Goliath.