King David

[first lines]

Saul's guard: The king cannot speak with you now. He is engaged in the affairs of state.

Samuel: Since when have the affairs of state taken precedence over the affairs of God?

[shoves his way past and enters Saul's throne room]

Saul: ...Samuel. We welcome you. With God's blessing, our victory is complete.

Samuel: Is THIS how you show Him your gratitude... by robbing the Amalekites of their women and cattle? By holding their king in chains?

Saul: We were discussing a possible treaty. The king is to be ransomed...

Samuel: A *treaty?* *Ransom?* Saul, for this you have betrayed your own soul in the sight of God. His instructions were plain enough: "... Spare nothing from the sword."

[beheads the Amalekite king]

Samuel: ... When our tribes clamored for a king, to make us like other nations, I answered them: "We are not like other nations. The Lord of Hosts is both our God and our King." The people said, "We want a king we can see. We want a king of our own flesh and blood."

[holds up the severed head]

Samuel: Here are your kings of flesh and blood. Here is a king you can see.

[throws the head at Saul's feet]