
A richly imagined palace hall opens the drama, its cedar pillars and golden cherubim framing a tense courtroom where royalty, soldiers, and courtiers mingle. The scene buzzes with restless women—Judith, Leah, and Zilla—who crave music, dance, and a respite from the looming Philistine threat. Their chatter quickly turns to envy and suspicion as they speak of a young shepherd named David, whose harp has already begun to stir both admiration and jealousy among the court’s power brokers.
The dialogue reveals a kingdom on the brink: King Saul presides over a realm bruised by war, while his heir and various nobles grapple with loyalties and ambitions. David’s sudden rise, hinted at through rumors of his daring challenge to the giant Goliath, ignites a fierce rivalry that cracks the palace’s fragile peace. As alliances shift and whispers of prophecy echo, listeners are drawn into a world where personal desire clashes with destiny.
Through vivid language and layered characters, the opening sets the stage for a tragic exploration of power, faith, and the cost of greatness, inviting listeners to watch the ancient drama unfold.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (75K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2015-02-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1872–1943
Best known as an American poet and playwright from Kentucky, he built a wide-ranging literary career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, publishing verse, dramas, and reflective essays. His work often reaches toward big themes like history, faith, fate, and the inner life.
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by Cale Young Rice

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by Cale Young Rice
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by Cale Young Rice