In this condition of affairs Saul did not see fit to assume the royal dignity. Leaving Samuel to administer the government as formerly, he returned to Gibeah. He was honorably escorted thither by a company, who, seeing the divine choice in his selection, were determined to sustain him. But he made no attempt to maintain by force his right to the throne. In his home among the uplands of Benjamin he quietly occupied himself in the duties of a husbandman, leaving the establishment of his authority entirely to God.

Saul ville ikke tage imod kongeværdigheden under disse omstændigheder. Han lod Samuel styre landet som tidligere og rejste hjem til Gibea. Han blev ledsaget af en skare mænd, som var klar over, at han var valgt af Gud, og var fast besluttede på at støtte ham. Men han gjorde ingen forsøg på at hævde sin ret til tronen med magt. I sit hjem i Benjamins bjerge arbejdede han stille og roligt som landmand og overlod til Gud at indsætte ham i hans høje embede.