A Story of God and All of Us - By Roma Downey Page 0,52

rather than react with violence, he desires to be alone.

"Bring me wine!" orders Saul as he throws open the door to his tent. A servant pours wine. Saul sits and drinks, staring hard at the scrap of fabric in his hands. "Perhaps I was too hasty," he says, shaking his head. "Perhaps I should ask Samuel's forgiveness."

Saul calls to his servant. "Bring Samuel to me," he orders.

"He's gone, Highness," replies the servant.

Saul storms out, screaming for Samuel, But the prophet is long gone--gone to find a new king.

That king will be David.

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PART FOUR

A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

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David is just sixteen years old when Samuel anoints him as Saul's successor to the throne of Israel. A thousand years from now his direct descendant, Jesus of Nazareth, will also be proclaimed King of the Jews.

But even though David will eventually take the throne, Saul remains Israel's king for now. Saul knows nothing of Samuel's whereabouts or action, or David's right to his throne. It is the end of yet another battle in the midst of the endless, arid desert of the Promised Land. Once again, Saul's army has won, for he has no equal in waging war. Despite being outnumbered, he continues to defeat the Philistines, Israel's most feared enemy.

A bloodied Saul and his teenage son, Jonathan, walk slowly through the troops. Jonathan congratulates the men; Saul says nothing. Despite the victory, he feels beaten down, overwhelmed. An omnipotent warrior, Saul is an inept ruler once the fighting ends. And even the most epic of battles eventually comes to an end.

"Saul, Saul, Saul," chant his men. They would endure any hardship for their king, fight any foe. "Saul has killed thousands, Saul has killed thousands,"

they cry, the thunder of their voices carrying across the land.

But inside Saul's head, those cheers are muddled and distorted. He finds no peace in victory and is worn down by the strain of being king. Despite his victories, he still stings from his final confrontation with Samuel. And the question, that infernal question, constantly nags at him: Has God turned His back on me?

"Father," exults Jonathan, "this day is ours. The Philistines are crushed."

Of Saul's three sons, Jonathan is the most pure of heart. He is proud of his father's accomplishments and courage. Other men would bask in

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the praise of such a wonderful young man, but Saul just waves him away and walks alone to his tent. The chants of his men fade to a dull rumble as he pulls back the canvas flap and seeks a moment's peace.

Saul's servant knows this foul mood well, and he is waiting with a goblet of the king's favorite wine. But Saul knocks it flying with a violent swing. "Did I ask for wine?" he growls.

Red wine soaks the walls of his tent and the bright fabric of the pillows covering the floor. Even as his servant rushes to clean up the mess, Saul leans over a bowl of water to wash the blood of battle off his hands and face.

"What's wrong, Father?" It's Jonathan.

Saul ignores him and begins to slap water onto his face, trying to drown out the sound of his beloved son's voice.

"Tell me what's wrong," insists Jonathan.

"Nothing's wrong," bellows Saul.

"Today was a great victory. Why is that never enough?"

Saul dismisses Jonathan and his servant with an angry wave. "I need rest.

That is al . A little sleep. Now leave me."

The servant knows to exit as hastily as possible if he wants to keep his head. But Jonathan is not afraid of his father. He holds his ground, hoping that Saul will mumble a word or two that will explain his rage. But it's as if he's not there. Saul lies down top his favorite pillow and falls into a deep sleep within seconds.

But Saul's sleep is not restful. It never is. It's been years since Samuel left, and he has since died. But Saul's fear that he disobeyed God haunts him each and every time he closes his eyes. In his dreams, he relives that long-ago battle with the Amalekites. He winces at the memory of ignoring Samuel. Saul's impatience--his insistence on not waiting those seven days, and his offering sacrifice himself before Samuel could arrive--haunts him. He was so youthful then, so callow, so eager for his first battle to be won.

And when he won, what did Saul do then? Once again, he disobeyed God.

Yes, he killed most of the Amalekites. Soldiers, babies, children, 131

women, and the inferior livestock were all put to the