1 Samuel 18
The Lord was with David and he continued in his success in all that Saul asked of him. "Every time the commanders of the Philistines attacked, David was more successful against them than all the rest of Saul's oficers." David became famous and people sang, " Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!" and this made Saul very angry and he "kept a jealous eye on David". All Israel loved David because he was so successful, but Saul became afraid of David when he continually saw that the Lord was with him.

1 Samuel 17
On opposite sides of the vally of Elah, the Philistine and the Israilite armies gathered and prepared battle lines. A standout champion warrior in the Philistine camp, Goliath, shouted words of defiance against the army of Israel, which caused the Israelites to be "terrified and deeply shaken". For forty days, Goliath continued his defiance and offered a challenge to fight anyone from the Israelite army, but each time "as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright". One day, David was visiting his older brothers on the Israelite battle line and observed Goliath's threats. David asked, "Who is this pagan Philistine, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the Living God?" Later, David reported to King Saul, "Don't worry about a thing. I'll go fight this Philistine.. the Lord who has saved me from the claws of lions and bears will save me from this Philistine". Goliath sneered at David in comtempt and cursed him by the names of his pagan Gods, but David replied, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty... Today, the Lord with conquer you...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel .. and that He does not need weapons to rescue His people. It is His battle, not ours." Using a simple stone hurled at his forehead, David killed Goliath.

1 Samuel 16
Saul had been rejected as king over Israel and "the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him". A tormenting spirit was sent by the Lord, filling Saul with depression and fear. Next, the Lord selected one of the son's of Jesse of Bethlehem, David, to be His new King of Israel and asked Samuel to anoint him. "From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David".

1 Samuel 15
Saul was instructed by the Lord to go and completely destroy the wicked Amalekites, wiping them out entirely, even all their livestock. But Saul and his army spared the Amalekite king and the best of their sheep and catttle-- "these they were unwilling to destroy". Samuel was angry when he learned that Saul had violated the Lord's instructions. Samuel rebuked Saul for his rebellion and arrogance. Samuel told Saul that the Lord has now "torn the kingdom of Israel from you and has given it to one of your neighbors--to one better than you".

1 Sam 14
Saul's son, Jonathan, left the Israelite camp to meet the Philistine army. He had only his armor bearer along with him, yet he was full of faith in God's provision, saying " nothing can hinder the Lord, for He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few". With God's help, Jonathan bravely fought the Philistines and their army began to panic with fear and it was reported to Saul that the Philistine army was melting away in every direction. Saul's men joined the battle and found the Philistines in confusion and killing each other. They recognized that the Lord had delivered Israel that day. But, the Israelites were faint and weary since Saul had directed them to take an oath not to eat anything all day. The Israelite army consequently was so hungry that evening that they broke God's command not to eat meat that still contained blood. Also, since Jonathan didn't know about Saul's oath, he had eaten during the day and therefore Saul ordered his execution. The Israelite people rescued Jonathan from Saul, saying " he was used of God to do a mighty miracle today", saving Israel from defeat by the Philisitines.

1 Samuel 13
Saul and Jonathan were leading the Israelites against the Philistines in battle, but the Israelite army began "quaking with fear" when they became hard pressed and "hid in caves and thickets among the rocks and in pits and cisterns". Saul was waiting for Samuel to come offer up the burnt offering and the fellowship offering in order to seek the Lord's favor in the battle, but Samuel was late. When Samuel didn't arrive at the arranged time to perform the offerings unto the Lord, Saul disobeyed the Lord's command and he offered up the offerings himself. When Samuel finally arrived, he said to Saul "you have done a foolish thing and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command".

1 Samuel 12
Samuel addressed the people of Israel once more, reminding them of the Lord's grace and goodness and faithfulness to His people. He tells them to "be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you....But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against His commands, His hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors."