Summary: This is the story of Samuel choosing one of Jesse's sons to be the next King after King Saul. God made it clear through Samuel that he looks upon the heart while man looks on the outward appearance.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 12min
Actors: 10M, 1M/F
Characters
(All characters except for the Master of Ceremonies can be chosen before hand, or can be randomly selected from the audience (or a mix of both).
Master of Ceremonies- Can use this script to help, but should know the general outline of events to take place in the play. HAM IT UP! If an actor / actress is not going the direction they should be going then “steer them” in the right direction with verbal cues or suggestions. Make sure you give every person that you ask a question to plenty of time to answer. If they are not answering, either encourage them...or move on.
Samuel – This is a perfect role for an adult or somebody who is knowledgable about Samuel and who he was.
Jesse – Father of the 8 sons. Can be very proud of all of his sons, or can be embarrassed by them all. Should be able to ad lib and discuss the why or why nots of his sons being a King.
Eliab – Big and Strong, all about the muscles.
Abinidab – Beautiful, fine chiseled features all about the beauty.
Shammah – Wise and Loquacious, all about the words.
Shimea – Health nut, all about being healthy.
Nathaniel- Fashionista, all about fashion.
Raddai – Chef, all about creative culinary creations!
Ozem- Athletic, all about competition and arrogant athletic ability.
David- Small, humble, herds sheep and likes to sing.
Suggested Props:
Eliab – Barbells or weights of any kind, protein bar.
Abinidab- a mirror and/or comb to be 'primping' with constantly
Shammah- reading glasses, a big book
Shimea – Eating a head of lettuce or some other ridiculous healthy food
Nethaniel- Outlandish Jacket, scarf, fashion accessories
Raddai- Bowl, spoon, apron, chef hat
Ozem- Sports equipment, football, tennis racket, basketball etc... (can play catch with audience)
SPECIAL NOTE: the * sign is a cue for the Master of Ceremonies to pause for a response and encourage improvisation and spontaneous answers from the characters.
Script
MC: And now.... it's time for...... WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT KING! (encourage the crowd to go wild) To play this game we need a few contestants and of course our loveable, congenial judge! Our Judge heard God's voice in the middle of the night when he was 13 years old. His mentor Eli trained him to listen and obey God and he was chosen to be God's prophet! That's right, I'm talking about the one...the only.... SAMUEL!! Samuel come on up here! Say Hello to the crowd Samuel! *
So Samuel, let's tell the crowd a little bit about yourself. (Samuel tells as much as he can and the MC leads him to tell the important things like he is a Prophet and a Prophet speaks for the Lord)
You're a _______ what's that called? * A person who speaks for the Lord a _________? Prophet right!
Can you tell me a little bit more about your job as a prophet, Samuel? * (let Samuel say as much or as little as he can). So God has chosen you to pick a new King since King Saul kind of blew it as a King, right? I understand you and Saul were very close. How did you feel about Saul being rejected by God as King? *
(again, allow Samuel to answer...and if it's wrong...lead him in the right direction with statements like.... What you really mean is.........) What did King Saul do exactly? * He disobeyed God? Became rebellious? Right.
So now what happens? * God wants you to choose a new King. Well, let's get this game show started! I'm about to introduce to you the father of our contestants today... He's a member of the tribe of Judah, he is a farmer, breeder and owner of sheep. His name means “God's Gift” in Aramaic and he has 7 sons! Whom we will be meeting today....Let's all give a warm welcome to JESSE!!!
Samuel, would you like to say a few words to Jesse? * (allow Jesse and Samuel to interact)
Jesse what can you tell us about your sons? *(allow Jesse to answer)
What do you think Samuel? *Shall we meet them? Our first contestant and coincidently Jesse's firstborn son is a big strong muscle bound man. He's taken 1st place 3 years in a row at Israel's Bantam weight bodybuilding championship let's hear it for Eliab! Eliab, tell us a little bit about yourself?*
Why do you think God should choose you as King?* Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Eliab?* What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? God must be real impressed with him? Strong....muscles..who wouldn't want that in a King? *
(Samuel says no to each of the 7 sons... If Samuel does not know he is suppose to say no... lead him in that direction with something like “Shouldn't you consult with God before you make that quick a decision?”He should have a cue card with “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. “ written on it. He needs to use that card when David finally appears.)
NO?
Okay, moving on... our next contestant is very easy on the eyes. He's handsome, has beautiful chiseled features and can be seen on the front of any “beautiful People” magazine. He's dashing, good-looking and fair.... let's give a warm welcome to our handsome Abinidab!
Abinidab, tell us a little bit about yourself?* Why do you think God should choose you as a King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Abinidab? *
What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? God must be real impressed with him? Beautiful face, gorgeous blue eyes, very handsome....very handsome indeed who wouldn't want that in a King? *
NO? Okay...well... surely our next contestant would make a fine specimen for a king. He's a bookworm, articulate, loquacious and talkative! He is Contestant number 3 - give it up for Shammah! Shammah, tell us a little bit about yourself? * Why do you think God should choose you as a King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Shammah? * What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? This has got to be your King for sure! Talkative, garrulous, communicative these are all very good traits for a King right?? *
NO? Are you sure about that Samuel? You have time to reconsider you know? *
Okay then.... Our next contestant prides himself on health. He's a health nut, a fitness buff, Sworn off red meat and eats only tofu. He is a Yoga, Pilates, and tai chi Guru and plans to out- live Methuselah! Introducing contestant number 4, Shimea! Shimea, tell us a little bit about yourself? * Why do you think God should choose you to be the King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Shimea? * What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? God loves a long-lasting King....Shimea is in excellent health... he could out live Methuselah. God must want a health nut? *
NO?
Oh my.... I'm beginning to think we will never find our King... But we still have 3 more contestants. This next contestant is sure to be a crowd pleaser... Raised on Crackers and couture! You'll find him decked out in the finest Arabani clothing. He designed the headdresses for the sheik's before they were sheik! The one and the only Nethaniel!! Nethaniel, tell us a little bit about yourself? * Why do you think God should choose you to be the King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Nethanal? * What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? The people love fashion! God must be giving these people what they want? The Fashionista King..... I love it! *
NO?
Don't despair... we still have 2 excellent contestants to choose from... And without any further delay I would like to introduce a master chef in the making. He put the MAN in the MANNA..... and the RADDAI in the Radicchio....Master Chef Raddai. Raddai, tell us a little bit about yourself? * Why do you think God should choose you to be the King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Raddai? * What do you think audience? *
Samuel, what do you think? Comfort food? Soul food? Fresh food? Master Chef Raddai is perfect for the people. Not only will they eat well and stay healthy, they can learn Culinary creations that will put other nations to shame! Master Chef Raddai! *
NO? Okay...well... I guess that brings us to our final contestant..... he can out score, out point, out love, out goal, out run, out throw and out cast any person in Israel. He's top in every athletic sport you can think of. Basketball, tennis, soccer, skateboarding, water polo, racquetball, football, rugby, wrestling, sky diving, synchronized swimming, bobsledding, and figure skating, you name it our next contestant is the defending champion for it. Ladies and Gentlemen of Israel I give you Ozem! Ozem, tell us a little bit about yourself? * Why do you think God should choose you to be King? *
Jesse, what would you like to tell us about your son Ozem? * What do you think audience? * Samuel? Come on.... athletics, superior skill, ultra competitive, diverse.... this is your man right? *
NO?? What?? Samuel seriously...I'm starting to lose faith in you, man. We've just seen 7 of Jesse's sons and you (or God) haven't chosen a single one!
Jesse? Do you have something to tell Samuel? Do you have another son somewhere?? * Come here.... (pretend to be discussing this with Jesse and Samuel)
Okay okay okay...... Well ladies and gentlemen I was just informed that, in fact Jesse does not have 7 sons...he has 8!!! So we'd like to bring the 8th one out now... David come on out here. (no pomp and circumstance....just bring him on stage) (quite bored and unimpressed with the whole thing) So David.... tell me a little bit about yourself? *
Jesse? Anything to say about David here?? * Samuel? *
Samuel:
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7
Wow.... just wow... I have nothing to say to that. And so.... Samuel, God's prophet has chosen the new King...David. Who...is small...herds sheep and uh.... likes to sing. How about that.
Well... Ladies and Gentlemen that concludes “WHO WILL BE OUR NEXT KING” tune in again when one of Jesse's sons will “SLAY THE GIANT GOLIATH” who will it be?
(bringing Jesse's sons out again)
ELIAB? The big strong bodybuilding champion?
ABINIDAB: The fine looking, always handsome man with his winning smile?
SHAMMAH: The very wise and loquacious bookworm?
SHIMEA: The physically fit health nut who swears by his no fat, no carb, no calorie diet!
NETHANAL: The fashion forward fashionista who can make an entire wardrobe from your favorite tent.
RADDAI: The master chef who can slice dice chop and grill and win top prize at the camel steak challenge.
Or OZEM: Competitive, persistent and excelling in athleticism winner of the Stanley Cup, the Wimbledon cup, the World cup and the super bowl!
Which one of these fine young men will SLAY THE GIANT GOLIATH! Stay tuned!
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This script can be used for free. However a small donation (suggested $1.00 - $5.00) would be appreciated and would go to Pipi Camp. A small christian church camp located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California that serves a rural poverty stricken community. Janelle S. Ponte©