In episode 3, Saul, in a disturbed state influenced by nightmares, accidentally impales his young servant Yoshia with a spear. This incident occurs after Saul dreams of Samuel and the fate of Jonathan, leading to a moment of violent confusion where Saul mistakes Yoshia for an assassin. Ahinoam then covers up Saul's involvement by telling Yoshia's mother that her son died protecting Saul from an assassin.

Saul's nightmares in episode 3 depict a candle dripping blood and the voice of Samuel calling him to let go. He sees a vision of his wife Ahinoam with baby Jonathan, who declares Jonathan will never be king. The dream shifts to a battlefield where Jonathan is fatally wounded. These nightmares foreshadow the tragic events to come, including Jonathan's death and Saul's loss of kingship, and they deeply unsettle Saul, influencing his actions in the episode.

Queen Ahinoam meets with Yoshia's mother and, to protect Saul's reputation, fabricates a story that Yoshia died heroically by diving in front of Saul to save him from an assassin. She also offers the grieving mother her personal bedside Scriptures to comfort her, showing Ahinoam's role in managing the fallout from the incident.

Samuel appears both in Saul's nightmares and in reality as he travels with his assistant Silas, uncertain about who to anoint next. In Saul's dream, Samuel takes the crown from Saul, symbolizing the loss of his kingship, and calls him to let go. Samuel's presence underscores the divine judgment on Saul and the impending rise of David.

While episode 3 focuses more on Saul's turmoil, the broader season context shows David being secretly anointed by Samuel and receiving the Holy Spirit. David is brought to the palace by Joab's order, plays the lyre to comfort Saul, and builds relationships with characters like Princess Michal, who teaches him to read and write. These developments set the stage for David's rise amid the political and spiritual struggles depicted in the series.