9. 1 Samuel. Even the best human leaders fail us, but God is faithful to his people and promised a king who would be powerful, wise, righteous and faithful. 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel narrates the establishment of the ministry of the prophet Samuel who anoints Saul as the first king of Israel and is witness to the rise of the united kingdom in Israel. These books then trace Saul’s demise and David’s ascendance and kingship.