Saul continues to write his own rules for leadership and battle. He spares those who should not be spared and offers sacrifices that are not his responsibility to offer. As a result, God rejects Saul as king. He would continue to reign, but his son would not be his successor. God would raise up a king from another family.
Samuel is directed to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem, part of the tribe of Judah. He is further directed to anoint Jesse's youngest son, David, as the new king of Israel. Again, David's rule would not begin immediately, but God's choice had been made.
Saul, meanwhile, is troubled and suffers from deep anxiety. Music is thought helpful to soothe him, and he selects David (yes, the same one!) to provide relaxing music for him. Perhaps Saul's anxiety was partly caused by the presence and oppression of the Philistines. Their champion warrior, Goliath, taunted the army of Israel until David agreed to fight him. David was convinced that anyone who blasphemed God as openly as Goliath did would certainly be defeated in battle. Armed with only a slingshot, David defeats Goliath and puts the Philistine army to flight.
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