Though the prophet Samuel has placed a curse on the house of Saul, life continues quite normally. So normally that Prince Jonathans waning hope of living a long life with his beloved wife, Sarah, begins to revive. When Sauls Captain, Abner, hires a lad to play his harp, hoping only that the kids music might soothe the kings worsening temperament, hardly anyone pays any attention. The childs face is ruddy from too much sun and wind, his hands smooth. His hair may look like a torch in the sunlight, but he is definitely not a warrior. Only God, the prophet, and the kid himself know the truth until the battle in the valley of Elah.