12　The Kings of the Jews

A few centuries before Homer was singing his wonderful songs through the streets of Greece,a great king of the Jews was singing other wonderful songs in Canaan. This king was named David,and he wasn't born a king.He was only a shepherd boy in King Saul's army.This is the way he happened to become king.

At first,as you remember,the Jews had no kings；but they had asked for kings,and at last they were given one by the name of Saul.

David had killed the giant Goliath. We all love this Bible story because we are always glad when the skillful little chap beats the great,big,bragging bully.

Well,King Saul had a daughter,and she fell in love with this brave and athletic young David the Giant-Killer,and at last they were married.

After Saul died,David became king,and he was the greatest king the Jews had ever had. Although Saul had been king,he had lived in a tent,not in a palace,and he didn't even have a capital city.

David eventually conquered a city in Canaan called Jerusalem and made this city the capital of the Jews.