King David is a musical, sometimes described as a modern oratorio, with a book and lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Alan Menken. The musical is based on Biblical tales from the Books of Samuel and 1 Chronicles, as well as text from David's Psalms. Description and history King David is mostly sung-through with little dialogue, and the music swings from pop to jazz to grand choral arrangements. It uses a large orchestra and a large choir. The work was conceived as an outdoor piece to commemorate the 3,000th anniversary of the city of Jerusalem. However, according to Rice, "When it proved logistically and financially impossible to do it and Disney took an interest, we changed gears.... We felt we'd been commissioned to write it as an oratorio, and still hoped it would be performed as such in Israel. ... we should have emphasized that more to avoid being judged primarily as a Broadway show." Musical numbers Act I Prologue – David, Bathsheba, Young Solomon, Joab and Chorus Samuel Israel and Saul – Joab, Samuel, Saul and Chorus Samuel Confronts Saul – Saul, Samuel, Agag and Chorus Samuel Anoints David – Joab, Samuel, Jesse, David and Chorus Saul The Enemy Within – Saul and Chorus There is a View... – Joab, Abner, Saul and Chorus Psalm 8 – David Genius from Bethlehem – Saul, David, Abner, Joab, Jonathan and Michal Goliath The Valley of Elah – Goliath, Abner, Joab, David, Saul and Soldiers Goliath of Gath – Goliath, David, Joab, Soldiers and Chorus Sheer Perfection – Joab, Saul, David and Michal Jonathan Saul Has Slain His Thousands – Joab and Chorus You Have It All – Saul, Jonathan and David Psalm 23 – Saul and David You Have It All/Sheer Perfection (Reprises) – Jonathan, Joab, Michal and David Exile Hunted Partridge on the Hill – Joab, Saul, Michal, David and Men The Death of Saul – Saul, Jonathan, Ghost of Samuel and Chorus How Are The Mighty Fallen Act II David the King This New Jerusalem – David, Absalom, Voice of Jonathan, Joab and Chorus David and Michal – David, Joab and Michal The Ark Brought to Jerusalem – David and Chorus Never Again – Michal and David Bathsheba How Wonderful the Peace – Absalom, Joab, David and Chorus Off Limits – Bathsheba, David and Joab Warm Spring Night – David When in Love – Bathsheba Uriah's Fate Sealed