This story recounts the process by which God anoints David to be king of Israel after Saul. Prior to this time, Israel has had judges rather than kings. They desire a king in order to be like neighboring nations, so God grants the Israelites their wish. Samuel, an Israelite prophet, anoints Saul as the first king by the command of God. 1 Samuel narrates Saul’s rise to leadership as the anointed one of God and his subsequent fall. Although this story is understated in its approach,

it is a major moment in the history of Israel.