The Ballad of King Saul (adapted from 1Samuel 13)
In ancient times of Israel's land, Saul was crowned with a scepter in his hand. At forty years, he began to reign, And soon he faced a battle, a great campaign.
Two years had passed since he took the throne, And with three thousand men, he set out alone. Two thousand with him, in Michmash they stayed, While Jonathan, with a thousand, in Gibeah laid.
Jonathan attacked the Philistines' garrison, And the news of it spread to every nation. Saul blew the trumpet for all to hear, And Israel's people gathered near.
But thirty thousand chariots of the foe, Six thousand horsemen, and a multitude below, Camped in Michmash, ready to fight, And the Israelites trembled with fright.
Distressed and hiding in caves and rocks, They prayed for help, as they faced the shock. Some had fled to Gad and Gilead, But Saul remained, his people filled with dread.
For seven days, they waited for Samuel's return, But he didn't come, and their hearts did burn. Saul grew restless and decided to pray, And offered the burnt offering, come what may.
As he finished, Samuel came into sight, And Saul rushed to greet him with all his might. But Samuel saw what Saul had done, And said he had failed to obey the Lord, the One.
Samuel said that Saul had done foolishly, And that he'd lost his chance to reign successfully. God had found a man after His heart, And Saul's kingdom would soon depart.
With only six hundred men at his side, Saul and Jonathan faced the enemy with pride. The Philistines divided their forces in three, And the Israelites wondered what would be.
In all the land of Israel, no smith was found, For the Philistines had forbidden swords to be around. So the Israelites went to the enemy instead, To sharpen their tools and weapons, in dread.
The day of the battle came at last, And the Israelites had no swords to grasp. But Saul and Jonathan had weapons, indeed, And with them, they'd fight, and they'd succeed.