ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses then on the musical afterlife of the first book of Samuel from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, specifically on the tragic story of King Saul from I Samuel 9-31 in operas, oratorios and songs dating from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century. The works selected were all intended for secular performances in theatres, concert halls and churches outside of liturgical celebrations. The biblical narrator introduces Saul as the handsome, young and only son of Kish of the Tribe of Benjamin, whose ancestry is listed to highlight Saul's importance as the future first King of Israel. Insiders and outsiders are significant in the story of Saul. Insiders comprise the king's family whose relationship was marred owing to their relationship with Saul's opponent, David. Saul's tumultuous relationship with three of his adult children – Jonathan, Merab and Michal – is a reoccurring theme in the biblical narrative.
