This verse is often translated in a way that suggests that Saul was particularly handsome and good-looking. Apart from the explicit reference to his height, however, it is not so much his physical appearance but his nature and personality that are in view. It is testifying to the fact that Saul was a decent young man.1 The specific mention of his height is likely to identify him as being like the kings of other nations seeing as they (the nations) are often described as being tall (see Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:10; 1 Samuel 17:4; 2 Samuel 21:15–22; 1 Chronicles 11:23; Isaiah 18:1–2; Isaiah 45:14; Amos 2:9).
2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.