Previously, in Shmuel Alef...

For many years, the nation of Israel did not have a king. They were led by judges (shoftim), who were also prophets (nevi’im). The people requested a king, and though he was against the idea, the Shmuel the Prophet eventually did anoint someone whom God chose – a tall, handsome man named Shaul, from the tribe of Binyamin. After a battle against Amalek, King Shaul did not follow God’s exact instructions, and because of that God rejected him as king. God chose me to take over instead. (Chapters 8-15)

God told Shmuel to anoint a new king – one of the sons of Yishai in Beit Lechem. Shmuel met my older brothers one by one, looking for someone tall and impressive like Shaul, but God’s chosen one was not there. God told Shmuel, “Man only sees what is visible to the eyes but God sees into the heart.” When Shmuel asked my father Yishai if he had any other sons, he mentioned that his youngest (me!) was out tending the flock. When I came home, Shmuel knew that I was chosen by God to be the next king. Shmuel anointed me quietly, in front of only my family. From that moment, the spirit of God was on me. (16:1-13)

The spirit of God left King Shaul, and he was troubled by a bad spirit. His servants suggested that music from a harp player could make him feel better. One servant suggested me, describing me as a skilled musician, a courageous warrior, sensible in speech, and handsome. My music did help Shaul, and the king was very pleased with me – at least at first. (16:14-23)

This is a picture of me using my slingshot to shoot a rock at Goliat’s head, killing him. The Pelishtim are a neighboring nation, and they are a constant threat, often attacking us. They had a tall champion named Goliat, and all of Shaul’s soldiers were afraid to fight him. While protecting my sheep, I had killed lions with my slingshot before, so I knew I could kill Goliat the same way. No one expected me to succeed, but I did. After this, the battle turned in our favor, and we chased the Pelishtim away. Shaul put me in command of the troops, and I was very successful. Everyone could see that God was with me, and King Shaul felt that he was being replaced. The greater my success, the more distressed and afraid Shaul became. Twice, while I was playing the harp for him, Shaul threw a spear at me, but I dodged it. (17:1-58, 18:8-16)

Shaul offered her to me in marriage, if I would kill a hundred Pelishtim, and bring him their foreskins. Perhaps he was hoping that the Pelishtim would kill me in battle, but I survived and brought the foreskins. Michal loved me. When she heard that her father was trying to kill me, she helped me escape from the window. (18:20 -29, 19:11-17)

Given that King Shaul was trying to kill me, you might be surprised that this is a picture of me and my best friend - King Shaul’s son Yonatan. Yonatan was very impressed with me, and loved me. Yonatan knew that his father wanted to kill me, and made plans to protect me. Yonatan was loyal to me, despite how upset that made his father. We made a pact, and I promised to be good to Yonatan and his children forever, even after his death. (18:1-4, 19:1-7, 20:1-42)

Once, when Shaul was searching for me in order to kill me, I found him sleeping with his spear stuck into the ground beside him. My men encouraged me to kill him with it, but I refused to kill God’s anointed. I took the spear, proving that I had the chance to kill Shaul, and I didn’t take it. (26:7-12)

The aron habrit (Ark of the Covenant) contains the tablets of the Ten Commandments, and it is very holy. It used to be in the Mishkan (the portable Temple) in Shiloh. Some Israelites brought it into war, and it was captured by the Pelishtim. The Pelishtim were plagued, and eventually returned it to the Israelites in Kiriat Yearim. After those plagues, and considering that there is no permanent Temple to put it in, no one is in a rush to move the aron. (Chapters 4-7)

Though Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) looks like it is part of our territory, it isn’t. It is a Yevusi city. The Kingdom of Israel does not have a capital city. You can see some of our enemies: Moav to the East, Edom, also called Amalek, to the South, and the Pelishtim on the coast. There was a terrible battle just now with the Pelishtim. Shaul and Yonatan were killed. (Chapters 30 and 31)