He was born in Kuwait on 3rd Shawwal 1319 (H), [12th January 1902], on eve of King Abdul-Aziz recapture of Al-Musammak in Riyadh, the first of the series of triumphs that brought about the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He received his religious education from Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Bin Mufeirig, and had learn the Quran by heart before age of eleven.
When thirteen years old, King Abdul-Aziz sent him on an official mission to Qatar. Later, he was put in command of a series of military expeditions to Turbah, Hail, and Al-Siblah, achieving total success in each offensive.
His first official duty outside the Arabian Peninsula was a visit to Egypt in 1344 (H) He was received with warmth and affection by government dignitaries as well as the general public, which indicates the high esteem in which King Abdul-Aziz was held in that friendly nation.
In 1347 (H), he left for Al-Ihsa where he remained for some months to put local affairs in order.
When Humaid el-Din, King of Yemen attacked Saudi territory following the failure of efforts to bring about peaceful resolution to the dispute, King Abdul-Aziz dispatched Saud and Faisal at the head of an army to reverse this setback, Prince Saud marched on Sedda and Najran, while Prince Faisal proceeded towards Medli and Hadaydan. In the face of this, the Yemeni king sued for peace , and the two leaders returned home in triumph.
On 16th Muharram 1352 [10th May 1933], in response to directive issued by King Abdul-Aziz, the Shoura and Council of Trustees pledged their allegiance to Prince Saud as Crown Prince. At that time the Prince was in Riyadh, and so his brother Prince Faisal accepted their homage on his behalf.
King Abdul-Aziz sent the Crown Prince a cable with some paternal advice on the responsibilities of his new appointment. It included these words:
"Try always to give due attention to the affairs of those whom the Almighty has placed in your care. Apply the Shariah in all matters, both private and public, great and small, without exception or hesitation."
In reply, Prince Saud sent to the King a cable in which he pledged to follow his father's directive:
"In reply to your cable of the 18th instant, I wish to affirm the truth of Your Majesty's that our existence is in the hand of God Almighty. I shall strive without rest to carry out the advice rendered to me by Your Majesty, and I pray that God will look with favour on my effort on behalf of Islam and all Muslims."
Prince Saud undertook visits to a number of countries with the purpose of consolidating friendly relations.
The first was a tour which included Palestine, Eastern Jordan, Iraq, Italy, Switzerland, France, Britain, Holland and Belgium.
In 1356 (H), he represented his father King Abdul-Aziz at the coronation of the British monarch. He returned to Britain the following year for medical treatment, also travelling to Italy, Switzerland and France. In 1359 (H), he visited Kuwait, India, and U.S.A., where he met with President Harry Truman.
On the first of Safar 1372 King Abdul-Aziz Issued the Royal Decree which established a council of ministers under the chairmanship of the Crown Prince. In Zulhajah of the same year, the King issued a further Decree appointing the prince as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the Security Forces.
On the demise of King Abdul-Aziz in Rabi al-Awwal 1373[November 1953], the nation pledged its allegiance to the new King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.
The first public engagement of the King Saud was the convocation of the Council of Ministers on 2nd Rajab 1373 [7th March 1954]., at which a number of new ministers were added to the government. The Ministry of Education was instituted under Prince Fahd, who laid down the foundations of the Kingdom's academic renaissance. The first university in the Arabian Gulf was established in the reign of King Saud: the King Saud University, inaugurated in Riyadh in 1957. The Islamic University of Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah followed in 1381 (H), [1961], together with the Institute of Administration, teacher training colleges, and primary, intermediate and secondary schools throughout the Kingdom. In accordance with the aim to serve Islam and Muslims everywhere, King Saud held the Islamic conference, and inaugurated the first session of the Muslim World League in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played an active and effective role in all major Arab and international events that took place during the reign of King Saud. Among these was the tripartite aggression against Egypt by Britain, France and Israel on 25th Rabi-Al-Awwal 1370 [29th October 1956], following the nationalisation of the Suez Canal. The King, together with his government and subjects gave strong support to his brethren in Egypt in their resistance to aggressors. Diplomatic relations were severed with Britain and France, and huge financial aid was directed to the Egyptian government.
The King made strenuous efforts to unite the rulers of Islamic countries together to form a common Islamic front in solidarity with Egypt. Saudi troops were dispatched to Jordan to take up position and await further developments. As the crisis unfolded, the King contacted the American President Eisenhower and requested that he intervene to stop the aggressors. This intervention took place accordingly. The King was instrumental also in removing Israeli troops from Sinai through the United Nations.
When the King's health began to deteriorate to such a degree that he was less able to discharge his duties as he saw fit, he decided to pass on the burden of responsibility to his Crown Prince and brother Prince Faisal. This occurred on 27th Jamadi Al-Akherah 1384 [3rd November 1964]. King Saud underwent a period of medical treatment abroad before passing away on 6th Dhul-Hijjah 1388 [24th January 1969].
