Samuel gives his final public address, legitimizing Saul as the king and leader of Israel. He establishes the fact he was faithful to the people of Israel as well as to God and could be held blameless, yet he issues one final warning to turn their hearts to Yahweh. He thus steps away from serving as judge while continuing to serve as priest.

Saul gathers in personal troops for himself and his son Jonathan. Still subjected to the authority of the Philistines, Jonathan sets off a chain of events reigniting war with them, as Saul assumes priestly authority that is not his.