King David (Sweet Psalmist of Israel)
Synopsis
“A man after God’s own heart.” Imagine anyone being given that title. Only David, the shepherd boy turned king, has ever had such a distinction. The youngest of eight brothers, David had no choice but to be relegated to the fields to tend his father’s sheep. But, David didn’t complain and he didn’t shun his duties. Instead, as with most things in his life, he faced the responsibility with courage and daring. Not many could boast killing lions and bears to assure the safety of their flock. But, David was not average and he was not to be defeated or overcome.
Our story of King David chronicles the life of David from his humble beginnings as a shepherd--to popular King of Israel. The show opens with the coronation of David. Following this powerful opening number, “Canticle of the King,” David is confronted by his mother Keturah, the always influential and delightfully cantankerous family matriarch. She serves as comic relief and narrator throughout the story. Keturah teasingly scolds David for spending so much of his time working out final preparations for the return of the Ark of the Covenant. Worshiping God was something David learned to do as a young child. Later in the musical David reflects on those memories as he sings, “When as a child I heard Your voice, songs filled my heart and I rejoiced. The stars came alive and began to sing, the heavens broke forth; I heard melodies ring.” David’s delight in music, celebration, and worship were central to his life. His passionate personality did not always serve him well and he made his share of mistakes. But, David’s heart for worship stayed with him to the end.
Following the opening scene Keturah takes us back in time to David’s childhood as the prophet Samuel enters with Jessie, David’s disgruntled father. Samuel announces that God has spoken to him and that he has come to anoint the future king of Israel from among the sons of Jessie. Naturally everyone assumes it will be one of Jessie’s older, more “appropriate” offspring. One by one the boys are discounted until the prophet finally asks, “Is there another, perhaps you’ve overlooked?” David is brought from the fields and Samuel of course instantly recognizes David as the one chosen of God. A surprising thing then happens. Instead of ushered David straight to Jerusalem and crowning him king, David is sent back to the fields with only the promise in his heart that some day he will indeed become sovereign king over the land of Israel.
Back in the fields he is visited by his mother Keturah and sister Zeruiah. In this scene Keturah complains to David about having to walk so far each time she comes to visit him. Her feet hurt and she playfully teases David about not being able to find greener pastures closer to home. She and David sing a beautiful duet based on Psalm 23 called, “A Shepherd’s Prayer.” David’s sister dances as they sing. It is one of the most poignant moments in the musical. Lovely, serine, and touching, this song captures the essence of David’s adoration for his family and his God.
It is not long, however, before David finds himself in the encampment of Saul’s army and facing Goliath. Goliath’s voice is prerecorded and all the actors respond to him as though he is standing off stage. The actor who spoke and sang the role of Goliath was excellent and the recording alleviates any problems with extensive makeup and costuming… (to say nothing of finding a nine foot tall man to play the role of Goliath)! David is best played by two actors in this musical. The young David “becomes a man” in the middle of the song, “Goliath’s Fall.” When David releases the stone from his slingshot the lights go black and the young David is replaced by the older David. When the lights come up David is seen standing behind a small set piece where the preset head of Goliath and a sword are concealed. Right on cue with the music, David picks up the sword, raises it over his head, and appears to lop Goliath’s head off. He then grabs the (of course prop) head and raises it in the air as the surrounding army of Israeli soldiers cheer him on. The scene ends as David convincingly and proudly sings, “Here and abroad, men will applaud…the living God! The God of Israel!”
The next scene opens with the joyful and rousing number, “Saul has Slain His Thousands (and David His Ten Thousands.)” The crowd is jubilant at David’s victory over Goliath, but Saul, seen standing in the shadows, is not. Saul’s jealousy toward David grows steadily from this point on and he becomes brash and unpredictable. For much of the rest of the story David is haunted by Saul’s distrust and hatred toward him. Saul becomes obsessed with capturing and killing David and their final confrontation late in the second act is heartrending. To add to the complexity of David’s relationship with Saul note that he is also married to Saul’s daughter Michal, and his best friend is Saul’s son, Jonathan. Sadly, Saul’s obsession with killing David forces the separation of David from both Michal and Jonathan. A disturbing moment occurs when the three of them, each in their own “world” cry out to God. They sing the trio titled, “I Don’t Understand” which sends chills down the spine when in the lyrics, at the most climactic point in the song, the three sing the simple word, “Why?”
David’s heart is broken again when his best friend Jonathan is killed in battle. The stirring and poignant song, “My Brother, My Friend” is reprised when David is told of Jonathan’s death. Both actors appear on stage as the song is sung, but of course Jonathan is just a “memory” in David’s mind as they sing, “My brother, my friend. United, yet divided. Steadfast, till we meet again. My brother!”
Serious as the subject of David’s life is, Gloria Emmerich has captured some wonderful humor throughout the musical. Several pair of “side-kick” characters play an important part in bringing the story to life. The final scene is the culmination of all David’s dreams. The Ark of the Covenant is returned to its rightful place in Jerusalem.
In the final triumphant scene David and the cast sing the magnificent, “Canticle of the King (Reprise).” "I’ll make Your praise magnificent, for You alone are worthy. Here in Your presence we’ll bring in the Ark, on our shoulders we’ll carry Your glory. We have the honor of bringing to pass the promise of Your Word. To let every man bring sacrifices of praise that have never been heard.” David, a man after God’s own heart. That must mean that at God’s very heart are music, praise, and worship. We owe a great debt to David, the sweet, sweet psalmist of Israel.