This week's First Testament text tells the story of God's surprising choice of David as the new king over Israel. Contrasting the tale of Saul's anointing with that of David's selection as king reveals a vast disparity between the two men.

Perhaps the individual most cognizant of these differences is Samuel. Samuel is already a respected seer among the twelve tribes when the people's clamoring for a ruler goaded God into approving them a king. The Lord speaks privately with Samuel, revealing to him where this ruler will hail from and assuring the prophet that this man will be easily recognizable. Samuel evidently has little to complain about in God's choice. We are told that the new king's father is Kish, a respected wealthy member of the powerful tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam. 9:1). Saul himse…