Saul and David.

Samuel was the last Judge of Israel, and he was a very well-respected holy man who wore various hats as Judge, prophet and priest. Samuel had two sons who were slated to succeed him but—unfortunately—they were corrupt and so the people rejected them, asking instead that Samuel find them a unifying king. (1 Sam.8:1-4)

After a search, Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king. Saul definitely looked the part—the Bible describes him as handsome and tall. (1 Sam. 10:23-24)  Unfortunately, Saul was consistently disobedient to God’s decrees, and so Samuel washed his hands of him and returned home. (1 Sam. 15:10,24) God then informed Samuel to go seek out the next king from the house of Jesse, who was a shepherd living in Bethlehem. (1 Sam. 16:1)

In secret, Samuel traveled to meet Jesse, who had assembled his seven sons for this auspicious visit. Samuel, however, looked them over and then asked the man if he had any other sons, since God was telling Samuel that the next king was not among them.

Jesse disclosed that his youngest son, David, was out tending the sheep in the fields.  “That’s him,” said God, and David was brought in and anointed in secret as the next King of Israel. (1 Sam. 16:11-12)

Meanwhile, King Saul was a troubled man—apparently suffering from bouts of depression—and so David joined the royal household as a skilled harpist, his music helping to soothe the spirit of the king. (1 Sam. 17:14-18) King Saul was also having problems with the Philistines, and in particular a giant warrior named Goliath. The king decreed that whoever defeated Goliath would have his own daughter in marriage and never pay taxes again. (1 Sam. 17:25) David stepped forward to take-on the task, much to the surprise of everyone who knew him as a shepherd/harpist.

But his years in the fields had made David handy with a slingshot, and so the young man found a likely rock and struck the giant down, promptly cutting off the big man’s head with his own sword.(1 Sam. 17:48)

As you can imagine, the crowd went wild and David was a hero; so much so that King Saul saw him as a rival, and wanted him dead. David’s wife, Michal, helped him shimmy out a window in the middle of the night, and King Saul’s son—Jonathan—helped to hide and protect David as he made his escape. (1 Sam.19:11; 20:1) He then lived on the run, hiding in caves, wilderness areas, and even among Israel’s enemies for many years—barely escaping death on many an occasion.   

Fun fact: Many of the psalms in the Book of Psalms (later on, in the Old Testament) were songs written by David—only we don’t know the melodies, only the lyrics. You can see how things are going in his life by the tenor of the songs—some are grateful: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose.” (Psalm 23). Some are despairing: “Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.” (Psalm 55) And some seek vengeance: “O God; smash their teeth in their mouths; the jaw-teeth of the lions break.” Take a look, the language and imagery are amazing.