Read this when
The David Story (1 and 2 Samuel)
He killed Goliath, became king, and then became the villain of his own story. 'Thou art the man.' The oldest callout in literature.
Who it's for
The David narrative follows a gifted, beloved young man as he becomes king, misuses his power and watches his family repeat his violence.
Feelings it meets
What it is
The Books of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible follow David from his anointing as a young shepherd and his rise through military success to the throne of a united Israel. The story covers King Saul's growing jealousy of him and the protective friendship of Saul's son Jonathan, then David's adultery with Bathsheba and arranging of her husband Uriah's death, which the prophet Nathan condemns through a parable.
Where to find it
The King James and other older translations are public domain and free online (Project Gutenberg KJV, Bible Gateway). Robert Alter's 'The David Story' (Norton) is in print and in libraries.
Before you start
Heads up: A rape and two suicides.
Age: Ages 16+
All right, then, I'll go to hellMark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
