Here's my Samuel script from our group presentation, reformatted to read correctly in blog-form. My section is the second of our "redacted" patchwork of six, between Natalie's and KT's. An uneasy mix of simple dialogue and actual quotes/semi-quotes, read it as you would an outline. The plot elements and significant intricacies of Samuel are difficult to completely relate in a short-format script with any sense of narrative coherency.
Side note: I'll soon be posting a video slideshow of what was supposed to be shown by the projector during our puppet show, had there not been technical difficulties.
FIRST SAMUEL
CH. 11 - 17
NARRATOR: A month later, Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-gilead. Upon learning of the news, Saul slaughters a yoke of oxen and threatens the same fate to any who do not rally behind he and Samuel. It works, Saul now leads an army of three hundred and seventy thousand.
Enter Saul and company.
SAUL: Charge!
The Israelites massacre the Ammonites.
ISRAELITES: Long live King Saul! Death to any who doubted him!
NARRATOR: Saul fulfills his role as a kingly defender. The people rejoice and renew his kingship before the Lord at Gilgal. Samuel delivers his farewell address.
SAMUEL: You do remember that I judged all of Israel without once giving into corruption? And, yet, you still want a king?
ISRAELITES: Yes! How many times do we have to say it?
SAMUEL: You're getting in over your heads, you won't like monarchy. Trust me.
The Israelites groan.
SAMUEL: Fine! But you shall know the wickedness you have done in the sight of the Lord is great in demanding a king for yourselves.
Exit Samuel. Enter Saul and troops.
NARRATOR: With "troops like the sand on the seashore," the Philistines muster to battle Israel. In order to make an offering before the Philistines' arrival, Samuel tells Saul he will meet him in Gilgal within seven days.
SAUL: What's taking him so long? It's been over seven days! Bring the burnt offering here, I'll do it myself.
Saul makes an offering to God. Enter Samuel.
SAMUEL: What have you done!?
SAUL: Samuel! Well, I... I... th-the people were slipping away from me. The Philistines are gathering over in Michmash, you weren't here when you said you would be. What's a king supposed to do?
SAMUEL: You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God. The Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever, but now your kingdom will not continue!
Enter Jonathan and Philistines.
NARRATOR: Despite the severity of his impending punishment, Saul continues to prepare for battle with the Philistines. Unbeknownst to Saul, his son Jonathan has raided the Philistine camp with only his armor-bearer as a companion, driving the Philistines into a panic. Learning of the tumult at the enemy camp, Saul's forces strike, causing the confused Philistines to flee.
SAUL: Cursed be anyone who eats food before it is evening and I have been avenged on my enemies!
NARRATOR: The troops find a tantalizing, oozing honeycomb, but restrain their appetites in fear of Saul's oath. Jonathan, having not heard his father's charge, dips his staff into the honeycomb and indulges himself.
SAUL: God, shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?
No answer.
SAUL: God?
No answer.
SAUL: Alright! Who's been eating? Sin's arisen today! Or as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is in my own son Jonathan, he will surely die!
JONATHAN: I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die.
A commotion erupts amongst the Israelites.
ISRAELITES: Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today.
Exit all.
NARRATOR: And so the people ransomed Jonathan, saving his life.
At God's behest, Samuel goes to Bethlehem to find a new king amongst the seven sons of Jesse.
Enter Samuel, Jesse and sons.
Samuel inspects the sons, looking the oldest, Eliab, up and down.
SAMUEL: Tall and handsome. Surely, you must be the one.
The voice of God interjects.
GOD: Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Samuel nods and continues to inspect the sons.
SAMUEL: Nope... not this one, nope... him neither. No... the Lord has not chosen any of these. Are all your sons here?
Enter David.
JESSE: Here's the youngest, David, just in from keeping the sheep.
Samuel is taken aback.
SAMUEL: You're eyes, they're beautiful!
GOD: Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.
Exit all. Enter Saul and his court.
NARRATOR: With the new king-to-be anointed, the spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, leading his mind to torment him.
SERVANT: My king, perhaps the music of a skilled lyre player will sooth you?
Enter David, playing the lyre.
SAUL: Ahhh, yes.
NARRATOR: Finding relief in David's music, Saul takes him under his wing, making the future-king his armor-bearer.
Around the valley of Elah, both the Israelites and Philistines gather in preparation for battle. The Philistines send forth their champion warrior, Goliath. Standing six cubits and a span tall, decked out in bronze armor, and wielding a huge iron spear, no one dares to duel him.
GOLIATH: Come! Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him, then you shall be our servants!
The Israelites tremble in dismay.
NARRATOR: For forty days, Goliath continues to call for challengers. Tending his father's sheep, David only hears of Goliath's challenge after bringing food to his brothers.
DAVID: I've protected my father's flock from bears and lions, killing them, just as I will kill the one who defies the army of the living God.
Goliath and David face off.
GOLIATH: Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.
DAVID: You come to me with sword and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, so that all may know that there is a God in Israel.
Goliath charges after David, who slings a stone and strikes the Philistine directly on the forehead. Falling on his face, David grasps Goliath's sword and kills him.
The Israelites cheer, while the Philistines flee.
Saul glowers with jealousy.
SAUL: Who is this David?
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