God chose King David while he was still a youth. David killed Goliath, not by his own strength but by the power given to him by God after he had called upon God for help in saving his people. King David always called on the Lord for his strength, and gave God the glory. He encouraged the people to worship the Lord. Therefore, the Lord God forgave David his sins and gave him a covenant of kingship. God loved David in spite of his weaknesses.

King Herod was intrigued by John the Baptist, but he put John in prison for criticising him for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife. At Herod's birthday banquet, Herodias' daughter pleased Herod with her dancing, and he promised her whatever she wanted. Herodias told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Although he was afraid of John's power, Herod executed him rather than suffer shame for going back on his word. He did not have the inner strength to do what he knew was right. When Herod heard about the miracles of Jesus, he was convinced that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.