Who was Israel's first king?

Saul was Israel's first king.

The people of Israel rebelled against God and demanded a king like other nations. Samuel was upset, but at God’s direction Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. God’s desire and intention was that the people would be presided over by a heavenly king—Himself. God gave them their earthly king but warned them of the troubles it would bring. Saul was not interested in leading God’s people and because of his disobedience, he ultimately is rejected by God. God’s intent was to rule the people as their heavenly king, but the Israelites didn’t trust that plan. God had a better plan that would later be fulfilled: a plan to send His Son, Jesus. Jesus would be the perfect King who would bring peace and salvation to the world.