of
Gibeah in Benjamin. As this flesh is cut into small pieces so will the
flesh of the men of your village be chopped up if you do not come at
once, armed for battle, to help our brothers in Jabesh in Gilead east
of the Jordan, which is besieged by the Ammonites." "Who is Saul?"
many asked, and few could answer. Some perhaps were able to explain
that he was a brave and able young farmer, a friend of a prophet named
Samuel, in the tribe of Benjamin. But it was the raw meat that
persuaded them to obey the summons. Here is a real leader, they said,
a man who means what he says. And two or three nights later an army of
Hebrews, with Saul in the lead, came dashing in among the tents of the
Ammonites who were besieging Jabesh and put them to flight. The
Gileadites were saved; and for years to come they remembered Saul with
gratitude.

THE KINGDOM OF SAUL

Shortly after this victory there was a great gathering of the Hebrews
of Benjamin and some of the neighboring tribes and Saul was elected as
king. Would he also become a tyrant? Would he make their children
slaves and take the best of their flocks and herds and wheat and oil,
leaving them in poverty while he lived in luxury? There were many who
thought so. The prophet Samuel, himself Saul's friend, warned them of
the danger although he helped to make Saul king. But the danger from
the Philistines was so great and they had suffered so much from their
enemies on account of their lack of unity that they were willing to
take the risk of organizing themselves as a kingdom under Saul.

=The first victories over the Philistines.=--Soon there came a summons
to battle. The first encounter turned out well for the Hebrews. One of
Saul's sons named Jonathan was especially brave and skillful as a
leader, and was much loved by the people. Other victories followed.
More and more clans and tribes flocked to Saul's standard. A young man
from Judah, named David, became famous as a captain and was made the
chief commander of Saul's armies. The Philistines were not driven out
from their forts, but they were held in check and the sky seemed
brighter. There was a chance now for victory and peace. Everyone was
hopeful for better things. When the soldiers came back from fighting
the Philistines, the women would go to meet them with songs and
dances. One of their songs ran like this:

="Saul has slain his thousands
And David his ten thousands."=

=Saul's jealousy.=--When Saul heard