The Making of a King: A Story of David as He Grows to Be the King of a Nation

By Joe Becerra and Ava Becerra

Jonathan, King Sauls oldest son overheard the argument between his father and Samuel, the Prophet. The argument was fierce and tense. He had never seen Samuel so distraught. Samuel had just finished telling his father that he was no longer to be king of the country when Jonathan reached them. It must be a mistake, Jonathan thought.

Samuel turned from Saul and ordered the two soldiers, Bring King Agag before me. In minutes, King Agag stood before them with a confidence that he would soon be free. He had been the only one spared from the attack of the city. Without hesitation Samuel turned and pulled the sword from King Sauls sheath and began to slay King Agag. After Samuel was through he returned the sword to Saul and stared intensely into Sauls face and said, It is done as God has commanded. The flesh of King Agag laid waste on the ground.

The prophet began his journey back to his home and began to pray as he walked down the hill. His mind was racing with questions and concerns. Who would be the next king of Israel? Would he be able to lead the country? Israel was in a war with the Philistines, the Moabites, and other countries. Losing a king at this time could destroy their country.

He loved King Saul. It was unfortunate that King Saul went his own path rather than the path that was chosen for him. Regardless, a new leader was needed. Let Gods will be done. He headed for his home and began to prepare himself for the selection of a new king.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490802787

Joe Becerra

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Copyright © 2013 Joe & Ava Becerra.

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Illustrated by

Alexander Gonzalez, [e-mail]

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0279-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-0278-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913092

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/05/13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Work Cited

Introduction

Chapter 1   A King Is Born

Chapter 2   The Growing Period

Chapter 3   David The Young Shepherd

Chapter 4   The Lion

Chapter 5   The Weapon

Chapter 6   Goliath The Enemy

Chapter 7   The Anointing

Chapter 8   The Posturing

Chapter 9   The Valley Of Elah

Chapter 10   David’s Victory

WORK CITED

Detailed work came from I Samuel Chapter 8 through I Samuel Chapter 19

All scripture quotations and excerpts are taken from the Holy Bible: The King James Version Study Bible, Published by Thomas Nelson 135

&

New International Version Disciple’s Study Bible Published by Cornerstone Bible Publishers (ISBN) 1-55819-953-5Introduction

INTRODUCTION

T he boy stood upright by the edge of the cliff. He was very lean and his muscles were just beginning to develop. Although others, family and friends viewed him as a small shepherd boy, they did not know deep within his soul he was as rugged as the desert wilderness. On top of the cliff he continuously surveyed the terrain below him. He knew that within the next few days he would be moving the sheep, his father’s flock into a new grazing area. He also knew that there would be more challenges he would have to face. These challenges would eventually shape his understanding of life.

David was his name. He was quite an unusual character, different from his older brothers. He had no interest in politics or being a soldier. He had no ambitions of being a commander or king. He was content working on his father’s ranch. Yes, his people, his culture by their standards would consider him a weak person.

He always wanted to fit in with his clan but somehow never did. His father Jesse, a Jew from the Benjamin tribe, loved him, but could never feel comfortable with David in the day to day needs of the family. David knew the traditions of his culture by heart. He could recite their history by memory. He knew his family was chosen for something great. His father, a great man of faith; his brothers were strong warriors, but he never could quite figure it out which of his family members was called by God. His brothers were not kind to him and paid him little attention. On the other hand, his brothers were seasoned fierce soldiers in countless battles against the Philistines.

He never imagined an adolescent shepherd boy with a simple life like himself would eventually lead a country and become a king. All David knew was at night he could see the splendor and vastness of the heavens, the beauty of the universe and above all his greatest joy in life was the chance to pray and talk to his God. Not knowing that God was very aware of who he was and what his life’s destination would be for his family, tribe and country.

CHAPTER 1

A King is Born

T he Philistine army had just arrived at the outskirts of Bethlehem. It was late in the evening and the army was using torches to see. The commander was slightly above the city and could see some lights burning in the homes. He had pushed his unit of two thousand soldiers through some rugged territory and they too were tired. He lifted his tired body off the saddle for a few seconds just enough time to ease the soreness. They had come from the city of Ekron located by the Mediterranean Sea. It had taken his army three days of constant marching over some rough terrain. He contemplated camping on the opposite side of the mountain and keeping concealed but decided to push through and camp nearby the city. It was a strategic gamble. He wished to produce fear into his enemy and by camping his soldiers just outside the city. It would create the most optimum fear in his enemy. However, the element of surprise would be lost. While lifting and pointing his arm he ushered orders to his subordinates, Break into groups of a hundred, feed and bed the soldiers. I want them ready for battle first thing in the morning."

His lieutenant saluted and said, Yes sir. The lieutenant made an about face and barked out in a rough and loud voice, Sound the horn to make camp and bring me the other lieutenants." The soldiers did as instructed.

Yes, the commander wanted them battle ready the next morning. He sat on his horse, an Arabian thorough bred, a beautiful black stallion; a prize from a previous campaign against Egypt, a simple pull of the reins and the horse became attentive to his master’s requests. The commander was tall and lean with several scars on his arms and face, indicative of the many years of military service and battles. He was a career man always looking for his next promotion. He wanted the next commission as a general. It was his. He had earned it.

He viewed the terrain and saw several ideal places for major confrontations. The commander was hoping that the enemy, a Jewish people, would be primitive enough to leave the city and head outside the wall. He needed them to be drawn out of their homes and battle them outside the city wall preserving the city. By capturing the city, without destroying it would ensure him of advancement. It would become another strong hold for their army.

The commander still wished he could have brought his friend and companion, a young soldier named Goliath. They were both raised in the city of Gath. Goliath was