David,
Outside of Jesus, is one of the most described people in scriptures. Everything from appearance to attitudes and personality.
It amazes me how wrong they can get the guy. It's a wonder they all aren't speaking Elizabethan era English.
They spent a lot of money but somehow skipped the $20 for the hair dye for David?
Jesse, somehow, must have had his own Torah scroll. That part is a key fact missing from the movie. But completely evident with every Psalm David wrote. (Which David sang to the sheep all day every day he was shepherding)
David was as quick as greased lightning. And he had things he was quick tempered about. His Father Jesse would have been considered a wealthy man. The big sons would have helped make his farm a success. (Where was the farm?) David, being so young and small, wouldn't be allowed to farm but instead be the shepherd. David wasn't afraid of lions, bears, or wolves....he hunted them for sport and taunted them. The sheep he used as bait. Definitely not mild mannered or full of self doubt. When David was under duress he clung tighter to the LAW than when he wasn't under such stress.
And Samuel?
He could have given master classes in sarcasm and dry wit. He never had difficulty hearing God...and when he spoke he knew beyond all doubt he carried God's full might, power, and authority with him. He, like the books of Samuel 1&2, makes you feel stupid for not having faith in God.
His treatment of Saul is no different. He should be more angry and scolding.
Samuel is and should be used for comedic relief in the story line.
Saul should be whining more...more fearful....more paranoid. Not so crazy.
Also....this is a patriarchal and Caste-based society. Judah was a very small tribe at this time. But they would at least have known that their tribe was to be the leadership of Israel. Granted, one look at Eli and his sons....and it's a wonder that the people knew they had a God.
And if they did not prosecute Eli's sons for sleeping around....much less Saul's extra son.
The women aren't like today's women. They wanted children. They were desperate for them ALWAYS. They have a son and all is great in their world...children were their retirement plan. (Which requires sex) Most marriage contracts were written in such a way as to obligate the men for sex....the women always wanted more but the men were only required to provide what was in the Ketubah. (They wanted kids....the more the better)
