1 Samuel 8.1 - 15.31. This week John opens up two weeks looking at the relationship and the differences between Saul, the first king of Isreal and David, his successor. As we focus more on King Saul, we hope you feel the challenge that is just as relevant now as it was then, that keeping up appearances means everything to this king. He is obsessed with what people think of him, and as a result fails to obey his God. 30 April 2023.