Iron Man: Hey guys, so I was checking out this old book called 1 Samuel. Seems like it’s about a bunch of people who didn’t have cool suits like ours, but still managed to do some pretty heroic stuff.
Captain America: That’s right, Tony. 1 Samuel is about the story of Israel’s first king, Saul. It starts off with this woman named Hannah who was praying for a child. She promised to dedicate her son to God if she could have one.
Black Widow: And then along comes this little guy named Samuel. He’s basically the Harry Potter of his time. His mom gives him over to this priest named Eli, who raises him in the Temple.
Hulk: And then Samuel hears this voice calling out to him, but he thinks it’s Eli. This happens a few times until Eli realizes that it’s actually God calling Samuel.
Thor: Aye, and then God reveals Himself to Samuel and tells him He’s chosen him to be a prophet. Samuel starts traveling the land, delivering messages from God.
Hawkeye: But things start to go wrong when the people of Israel want a king. Samuel warns them that a king will take their sons and daughters and make them serve in his army, but the people insist.
Iron Man: So, Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel. Saul is a decent guy at first, but then he starts to let the power get to his head.
Captain America: Saul disobeys God’s command by not destroying this group of people called the Amalekites. He keeps their king alive and takes their fancy sheep and cattle.
Black Widow: So then Samuel shows up and tells Saul he messed up. Saul tries to make excuses, but Samuel isn’t having it. He tells Saul that God has rejected him as king and chooses someone else.
Hulk: Samuel ends up finding someone named David, who happens to be a shepherd boy. But David’s not just any shepherd boy. He’s got a sling and five stones and he uses them to take down this giant named Goliath.
Thor: Aye, David becomes a hero throughout the land from that day forward. But Saul becomes jealous and tries to kill him.
Hawkeye: Yeah, there’s all sorts of drama between David and Saul. But in the end, Saul ends up dying in battle and David becomes king.
Iron Man: So, what’s the moral of the story, guys?
Black Widow: I think it’s that power can corrupt even the best of us.
Hulk: And that obedience to God is important.
Captain America: And that no matter how small or insignificant you may seem, you can still do great things.
Thor: Aye, even with just a sling and some stones.
Hawkeye: Hey, speaking of slings and stones, remember when I took down that SHIELD Helicarrier with just one arrow?
Iron Man: Oh, here we go again.
And thus ends The Avengers’ retelling of 1 Samuel. As for that quote from them, it would have to be this: “With great power comes great responsibility. And sometimes, a flying metal suit.”
