but you have this day rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, [No], but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes, and by your thousands.
Throughout these verses Saul behaved in an exemplary fashion. However notice that the writer made no reference to his regard for God or God’s Word. By every outward appearance, Saul was very capable of serving as Israel’s king. This is what the people wanted, a man similar to themselves to lead them, and that is exactly what God gave them.