A Story of God and All of Us Young Reade - By Roma Downey Page 0,20

themselves at Samson, desperate to pull him from the pillar, but he swats them away as the roof begins to cave and great sections fall to the floor.

Samson finishes what he started. The pillar topples, and finally Samson can stop pushing. He stands and smiles, nearly invisible in the dust and ruin. All around him the temple is collapsing, and he knows that his time has come.

But Samson's victory is short-lived. The Philistines continue to wage war on the Israelite people.

It has been many years since the God of Abraham 77 has spoken to his people, when he sends them a prophet. Samuel, whose name means "he hears God," turns to God to wage war against the Philistines. He leads the Israelites to many great successes. God will reveal the future of the Israelites to this man. Not only will he deliver the Israelites from the Philistines, but he will also become their greatest spiritual leader since Moses.

Now well over fifty, Samuel gathers with the elders and priests at his home.

Phinehas, an elder, speaks for the group. "We are grateful, prophet. You have given us great victories."

"God has given us great victories," Samuel corrects him.

"But who will speak to the Lord after you are gone?"

"Tell me: what do our people want? What will reassure them that God will hear their cries?"

Phinehas speaks just two words: "A king."

Samuel is dumbfounded. "A king? This is a most dangerous idea. God is our king."

"Why should we be different from other nations?" demands Phinehas.

"But look what other nations' kings have done to their people. Kings become tyrants. They enslave their own kind," Samuel shouts.

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"But never in history has a king been anointed by a prophet of God. That king would be different."

"God has promised us this land," Samuel argues. "It is not right for one of us to become king."

"How do we know that, Samuel?" counters Phinehas. "Have you asked him?"

Samuel is alone atop a desert hill. His thoughts are focused on God. Their partnership has molded the Israelite people ever since the death of Samson.

In the many dreams and conversations in which God has revealed his plans, there has never once been mention of an earthly king. So this idea put forth by the elders--an idea that has great merit--is stupefying. Is this an idea of man's or of God's? Samuel needs to know the answer.

"I have given everything," he explains to God. "But if you say I should give them a king, of course I will. But what should I do?"

God tells Samuel that they are not rejecting Samuel when they ask for a king. They are, instead, rejecting God. He tells Samuel to warn the people that an earthly king will be corrupt and they will be very sorry when they live under the pain he causes them. But despite God's and Samuel's warnings, the people

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demand a king, so God decides to answer their prayers and give them one.

God plants an image in Samuel's head. It is that of a man who is physically head and shoulders above everyone else. Good with a sword and at home on the field of battle: Saul.

Samuel bows his head. Then an idea hits him. He looks up at the darkening skies. "He will be the king and I will still be your prophet, O Lord. I can guide your king."

Samuel goes in search of Saul, to name him the first king of Israel. He finds him weeks later, in a small village. Before a crowd of hundreds who chant his name in adulation, Saul is proclaimed the Israelite ruler. Samuel anoints the new king with oil, and the Holy Spirit comes upon him.

It does not take long for Saul to lead the Israelites into battle. On the morning of one planned attack, Saul and a small band of soldiers crouch low and run up a slope that overlooks an encampment of the enemy. Saul has been told by Samuel to wait seven days, at which time Samuel will come and make the required sacrifice to God. Those seven days have almost passed.

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"Are the men ready?" he says in a level voice to a nearby officer.

"Yes," comes the reply.

"And Samuel," Saul asks. "Any sign? We must make a sacrifice before we strike."

The officer takes a breath and shakes his head.

There has been no sign, no message, nothing at all to let Saul know Samuel's whereabouts or plans. This is the first test of their uneasy partnership. Saul feels abandoned. There is no longer time to