Saul was chosen by God as the first king over Israel because the people rejected God as their king and demanded a king like the other nations. God selected Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul possessed humility at the beginning of his reign. God gave Saul His Spirit, turned him into another man, and gave him a new heart to assure him that God would be with him. Saul displayed fear when he hid among the supplies at the time of his presentation as king. Saul lacked confidence in God and did not see God even though Samuel assured him that God would be with him. God blessed Saul's leadership in the early years of his reign. Saul's downfall began when he thought so highly of himself and forgot to trust God. When faced with the Philistines, Saul took matters into his own hands instead of waiting for Samuel and sinned by offering the sacrifice himself. Saul directly disobeyed the command from God to destroy all the Ammonites and all of their possessions. He spared King Agag and kept the best stock. When confronted by Samuel, Saul tried to justify his actions by claiming he set aside the best of the plunder to offer as a sacrifice to God. Saul's humility was replaced with ego and pride. Saul set up a monument to himself. Saul did not see God and was more faithful to Samuel than to God. Saul's real enemy was his own pride and jealousy. Saul ultimately was rejected as king because his heart was not loyal to God.