Page "History of Kuwait" Paragraph 10

Soon after the colony was founded, a Sabah became leader, ruling until his death in 1762.

One tradition has it that political preeminence went to the Sabahs as part of an explicit agreement in 1716, the heads of the al-Khalifa, al-Sabah, and al-Jalahima agreed to give the Sabahs preeminence in government and military affairs, subject to consultation, while the Khalifas controlled local commerce and the Jalahima maritime affairs.

Another account has it that after reaching Kuwait the Bani Utub held a council and elected a representative to go to Basra to explain their peaceful intent to the Ottomans.

The man chosen was a Sabah, Sabah I bin Jaber.

Sabah diplomacy may have also been important with neighbouring tribes, especially as Bani Khalid power declined.

This selection is usually dated to 1756.