King David

The tribes of Israel need to defeat the superior might of the Philistines: "Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have." (1 Samuel 8:5). And so the prophet Samuel gives the Hebrews their first king - from divine direction of God, Saul, a simple farmer, who with God's help becomes a brave and mighty warrior who leads the united tribes of Israel against their enemies.

Saul, however, has incessant doubts about his mission. Not trustful enough of divine wisdom, he acts of his own accord and thus sins against the Lord. The influential prophet Samuel is instructed by God to turn away from Saul in order to select a new king according to God's will, David. He is still a young boy, tending sheep in the fields, when Samuel secretly annoints him as the next king of the Israelites. When David - as courageous as he is intelligent - emerges victorious from his encounter with Goliath, the Philistines' most powerful warrior, he becomes a hero. His fame arouses the jealousy of King Saul, who senses that David is going to dispute his reign as king of Israel. Thus begins a great struggle of Saul against his greatest warrior - David.

Throughout this entire time of Saul attempting to kill David, David never attempts to turn on Saul, nor dishonour Saul, nor try to usurp the throne from Saul at any time. Instead, David stays most faithful to God's annoited king, right to the end of the life of King Saul in battle. After which, God gives David the everlasting kingship over Israel.