שמואל א, פרק י״ד, פסוק נ״ב

Throughout Saul's reign, the nation faced an ongoing military struggle. Because the initial campaign against the Philistines ended without a decisive victory, the security situation demanded constant readiness and the development of a high-quality armed force [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

To meet this need, Saul was always on the lookout for capable fighters. His search was a continuous effort; whenever he noticed a man with exceptional military skills, he immediately took action to recruit him [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. He specifically sought out two distinct types of warriors. The first was the naturally strong and brave individual who was highly skilled in physical combat. The second was a soldier who had either already proven his practical success on the battlefield [רלב״ג], or who possessed a deep expertise in military tactics and strategy [מצודת ציון].

Once Saul identified these exceptional men, he brought them under his personal protection [מצודת ציון] and enlisted them into his standing army. Through this relentless process, he ensured that his military forces were composed of the best and most talented individuals in all of Israel [ביאור שטיינזלץ].