The battle-weary King Saul struggles to defend his Kingdom from one of Israel's ancient enemies, the Philistines, by marrying off his daughter, Merav, to Mattiyahu of Judah. All are hopeful this strategic marriage will unify the twelve Israelite tribes. In the midst of the wedding preparations, the prophet Samuel beckons Saul and relays a message from God that he must destroy the Amalekites, another of Israel's ancient enemies. Saul dares to challenge the Prophet Samuel, setting in motion a series of calamities that will threaten his rule of the kingdom. Meanwhile, the shepherd, David, is determined to settle his family's debts. He travels to the King's palace in Gibeah with his cousin Yoab and makes the bold proposition that he can kill the lion hunting his flock. Queen Ahinoam scoffs at David, but daughter Michal thinks he just might accomplish this dangerous feat,

King Achish has been using his fierce general, Goliath, to demoralize King Saul's depleted and outnumbered army of soldiers. Saul sends his son Ishbaal to fight Goliath, but when that yields disastrous results, Saul offers any man who beats Goliath a bounty and the hand of his daughter in marriage. Everyone is shocked when David volunteers to fight Goliath with his slingshot in the Valley of Elah. Despite everyone's pleas, Michal escapes Gibeah, believing her place is by her father's side at the battlefield. Meanwhile, Rizpah's true origins are revealed, and David's older brother, Eliab, inadvertently helps David realize his destiny.