CHARACTERS
SAMUEL SCRIBE SAUL DAVID GOLIATH HIGH PRIEST (sings bridge in “Freedom”) JONATHAN	Extras:   SAUL'S COURT SAUL’S SOLDIERS TOWNSPEOPLE DAVID’S SOLDIERS PHILISTINE SOLDIERS

[With the doubling of parts (say) between townspeople and Saul’s servants, DAVID can be adequately performed with a cast of 20 to 25 male and female.]

MUSIC

INSTRUMENTS:
Piano
Flute (double on piccolo and alto flute)
Clarinet (doubles on bass clarinet)
Trumpet
Trombone
Percussion: snare drum, bass drum, triangle, tambourines, woodblock, cymbals (crash and ride), tympani (2)
Shofar
 

DAVID: THE LIBRETTO

This narration should be illustrated through mime and dance. Spotlight Samuel (stage left) as narration begins. Spotlight Saul (stage right) when the line “Now there was a man whose name was Saul” is read. Samuel and Saul then meet center stage with Saul kneeling to receive his anointment. Saul then leaves Samuel to fight the Amelekites who have entered from the left. Saul swings his sword wildly to convey the battle. The Amelekites exit stage right and Saul returns to Samuel. Samuel is displeased by Saul’s disobedience and starts to leave. Saul, in an act of desperation, grabs Samuel’s cloak and tears it. Samuel continues walking off stage as Saul prepares to sing SAUL’S LAMENT.

SCRIBE: And it came to pass when Samuel the prophet was old that the elders of Israel came to him and said, “Make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” And Samuel spoke these words in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said, “Hearken unto their voice and make them a king.” Now there was a man whose name was Saul and there was not a goodlier person than he among the children of Israel.

And the Lord revealed unto Samuel to anoint Saul to be prince over Israel. And Samuel said unto all Israel, “Behold I have hearkened unto your voice and have made a King over you.”

And there was a sore war against the Amelikites all the days of Saul’s reign. And Samuel said unto Saul, “Go and smite the Amelikites and destroy all that they have." But Saul spared the King and the best of the sheep, and the lambs and all that was good. And Samuel came to Saul and said, “The Lord anointed thee King and sent thee on a journey. But because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected thee from being King.” Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrified him.