Dr. Esa Autero. 1.1 Introduction 1-2 Samuel Who are the main characters/stories in 1-2 Samuel? What...

Dr. Esa Autero

OTS 501 OLD TESTAMENT INTROC AND LITEARTURE

1.1 Introduction 1-2 SamuelWho are the main characters/stories in 1-2

Samuel?

What is the basic storyline of 1-2 Sam

What struck you when you read through 1-2 Sam?Any surprises or confusions?

1-2 Samuel – 1-2 Kings

Narrative connectionsTo Ruth?

Lineage of David (cf. Ruth 4:18-22)

Judges?Anticipation of a king (Judg 21:25)

“In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judg 21:25)

Transition to monarchy

Deuteronomium “set a king over you whom the LORD…chooses”

(Deut 17:14-15)


1-2 Samuel & 1-2 Kings in Engl., Hebrew Bible & LXX

Summary of 1-2 SamuelTransition from Judges (Samuel) to monarchyBeginnings of the unified monarchy

Saul – the first kingDavid’s ascension to the throne & his reignTime period portrayed c. 1100-970BC


English Bible (Protestants)

Hebrew Bible (Jews & MT)

LXX (Greek Orthodox)

1-2 Samuel Samuel 1-2 Kingdoms

1-2 Kings Kings 3-4 Kingdoms

1.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, date, and composition

Anonymous – no references to an authorJewish tradition: Samuel (except 1 Sam 25ff.; +

Nathan and Gad; cf. 1 Chr 29:29-30)

Critical theories of compositionSource critical approaches – doublets, repetitions,

tensionsE.g. who killed Goliath? David or Elhanan (17:50/2Sam

21:19)Attitudes toward monarchy – positive (9:15-16; 10:23-

25) or negative (8:4-22; 12:16-19)Wellhausen: two sources based on attitudes toward

monarchy Pro-monarchy source = pre-exilic; anti-monarchy = post-exilic


Problem w/ Wellhausen’s hypothesisTension w/ pro- and anti-monarchy reflect the

social situation of the Judges

Tradition-historical approachIsolation of stories & sources connected with

specific theme Stories of Samuel’s boyhood (1 Sam 1-3)The ark narrative (4:1-7:2)Samuel & Saul in Mizpah & Ramah (7:3-12; 8:1-22; 10:17-

27; 12:1-25; 15:1-35)Court history or succession narrative (2 Sam 9-20; 1

Kings 1-2)An appendixes (2 Sam 21-24)Other smaller sections of early narratives, poems,

oracles etc.


Redaction critical approach – Dtr. History (DH)Focus on the final editing of the document

The purpose: to resolve theological or sociological tensions in the narrative by assigning them to various editorial layers

Problem of the approach: were original sources consistent whereas the final edition is not?

How was 1-2 Sam put together?Tells of events that happened b/w c. 1100-970BCDate of writing difficult to establish w/ any certainty

Samuel could have written partsContemporary court records (cf. 2 Sam 20:24-25)Unknown amount of other sources that were brought

togetherFinal editing – either late monarchy or exile (DH)


Note on the text of 1-2 SamuelMT of Samuel the least well-transmitted in the

HB.Differences b/w MT and LXXQuotes of Chronicles from 1-2 Samuel does not

follow MTWas Chronicler using different textual tradition, taking

theological liberties or being approximate?

Qumran scrolls – three manuscripts on SamuelTwo agree w/ MTOne agrees w/ LXX & Chronicles


1-2 Samuel – 1-2 KingsThen Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O Lord God of Israel, give Urim, but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim (Hb. tmyt).” (1 Sam 14:41 LXX)*

Then Saul said, “O Lord God of Israel.

Give me the right answer… (Hb. tmyt) (1 Sam 14:41 MT)”

1.3 Purpose and StructurePurpose of 1-2 Sam

Establishment of monarchy in IsraelHistory of establishment of covenant w/ David (2 Sam 7)

God placing David on the throneDavid did not usurp the throne

Structure of 1-2 SamThe Shiloh traditions (1 Sam 1:1-4:1a)

Birth and establishment of SamuelEli, his wicked sons, and their demise

The ark narrative (1 Sam 4:1b-7:1)War against Philistines & capture of the ark (Dagon vs.

YHWH)Mockery of Dagon, tumors & return of the ark – who won?


The institution of the Monarchy (1 Sam 7:2-12:25)Samuel as priest, prophet, and judge (but not king)

People rejected Samuel as king & YHWH as king (8:4-7) Socio-political consequences predicted (8:10-20; cf. Deut 17:14-20)

Saul installed as king by people, LORD & Samuel Did Saul function more like a judge than a king? (9:16-17; cf. 11) God used Saul to bring temporary deliverance

The reign [and failures] of Saul (1 Sam 13-15)Saul disqualified himself – not David’s fault

Offering of sacrifice – followed Canaanite kingship pattern (13)

Consistently poor decisions by Saul – and lack of wisdom Gave in to people’s demands (14:45; 15:15, 24) “I feared people” Not destroying Amalekites (15)


David’s rise to power (1 Sam 16:1-2Sam 5:10)Animosity of Saul toward DavidAnointing of David & defeat of GoliathSaul’s jealousy – David sent against Philistines (18:17-25)David’s reluctance to kill Saul (24, 26)

David innocent of Saul’s death (28-29)Succession of Saul – Ish-Bosheth

Falling out b/w Ish-Bosheth and Abner – Joab kills AbnerDavid executes the Amalekite who killed Saul; condemned

Joab David’s successes (2 Sam 5:11-9:13)

David’s conquest of Jerusalem & establishment of capitalArk to Jerusalem – throne of YHWH established (2Sam 6)Throne of David established (7) Covenant as the high point on the narrativeDavid’s kindness to Mephiboseth (9)


David’s failures (2 Sam 10-24)Men acting against David (10-20)

David’s adultery w/ Bathsheba & murder of UriahDavid’s sin follows him (violence & sexual misconduct)

God acting for and against David (21-24)Amnon’s rape avenged by AbsalomAbsalom’s rebellion – Absalom killedDavid’s victories and confirmation of covenant (22-

23:1-7)Famine and plagues (21, 24)

Sin destabilized the kingdom and jeopardized the covenant


1.4 Themes in 1-2 Samuel The ark of the covenant

YHWH’s presence among the IsraelitesIdols prohibited b/c used to manipulate God/godsArk taken to battle – to manipulate victory (1 Sam

4)God cannot be manipulated

Ark captured but YHWH not defeatedDefeat of Dagon & plagues on Philistines YHWH ‘drove’ himself back (1 Sam 6:10-16)Ark brought to Jerusalem & punishment of Uzzah (2

Sam 6)


Kingship in IsraelWas it wrong to ask & install a king?

YHWH – the king of Israel (Judg 8:23; 1 Sam 8:7; 12:12)Kingship – no need to wait for YHWH to raise deliverer

But - “you may set over you a king” (Deut 17:15; cf. Gen 17:6)Expectation that human king would solve problems

was wrong“[king who will] go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Sam 8:20)

David realized that YHWH fought the battles (1Sam 17:34, 46)

Proper monarchy still functions as theocracy


Theology of retribution & fulfillment Blessings and curses (Deut 27-28) in action

Israel had choices that influenced their lifeEli & Eli’s sons (1 Sam 2:22-36; 4:10-18)Misconduct of the future king (1 Sam 1 Sam 8:10-22; 1

Kings 5:13; 12:3-4)Nathan’s oracle and its outworking in David’s

family (2 Sam 7-24)

Tension b/w grace, judgment, human choice & God’s sovereignty


Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:4-29)Similarities w/ Abrahamic promises (Gen 12:2-

3)Great name (2Sam 7:9/Gen 12:2)Place (Temple) for Israelites (2Sam 7:10/Gen 12:2

[land])Progression & additions

Establishment of descendants - throne & kingdom (7:12-13)

Parental relationship (Father-son) 7:14Discipline rather than rejection

Construction of the Temple by David’s descendant


Unconditional/eternal or conditional/temporal covenant?Unconditionally promised to David David’s descendant (Solomon) would not be cut off

(cf. Saul)What about David’s prayer in 2 Sam 7:29?

Potential to extend it further after Solomon“Forever” (Hb. olam) – not philosophical - also used in

1 Sam 2:30 – promise w/ Eli was cut off by YHWH Covenant was subject to renewal based on covenant

faithfulness (1 Kgs 2:4; 6:12; 8:25; 9:4-5)

By the end of 2 Kings both kingship and land are lost! on-going dispute over the nature of the Davidic covenant in theology


2.1 Introduction to 1-2 KingsObservations on 1-2 Kings

Interesting or strange stories?Lessons or insights from reading 1-2 Kings

Connection to 1-2 Samuel and overview of 1-2KingsTransition of kingship to Solomon (1Kgs 1:1-2:12,

c. 931BC)End of 2 Kgs – release of Jehoiachin from prison

during Babylonian exile (25:27-30 562-561BC)Survey of ‘golden age’ of the united monarchy

under Solomon; the split of the kingdom under Rehoboam; the ebb and flow of the two kingdoms until their collapse.


2.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, date, and composition

Author – anonymous in the text (“historian”)Jewish tradition – Jeremiah (see Jer 52/2 Kgs 24-25)Single author/compiler (+ final editor)Deuteronomistic school hypothesis

Single author (+editor)Eye-witness of the fall of JerusalemCompiled various sources to create 1-2 KingsTwo historical appendixes by the editor (2Kgs

25:22-26, 27-30) Final edition around c. 550BC [b/f Cyrus’ edict in 539BC]


Deuternomistic school hypothesisTwo redactions or editorial stages

Pre-exilic – during Joshiah’s reform around 600BCExilic - prompted by the release of Jehoiachin (c.

550BC)

Sources in 1-2 KingsBook of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kgs 11:41)Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel x 17

(e.g. 14:19)Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah x15

(e.g. 15:23) Probably official court histories (cf. 2 Sam 8:16; 20:24-25)Other possible sources (not mentioned within the

text)Succession narrative (2 Sam 9-20; 1 Kgs 1-2)Elijah-Elisha cycle (1 Kgs 17-19, 21; 2 Kgs 1-13)Isaiah source (2 Kgs 18:13-20:19; cf. Isa 36:1-39:8)

etc.


2.3 Purpose and StructurePurpose

To document the covenant history of Israel and JudahFrom united monarchy (970BC) to the exile (586/7

BC)Document the covenant failures of the kingdomsGive theological reasons for the exile


Kings of Israel Kings of Judah

20 kings 19 kings + 1 queen

9 ruling dynasties (families)

2 ruling dynasties (families)

7 assassinations 5 assassinations

1 suicide, 1 “stricken by God”

2 “stricken by God”, 3 exiled

All judged “evil” by historian

8 “good” by historian

Structure and literary characterOrganized chronologically (w/ few exceptions)

From ascension of Solomon to the fall of JerusalemReigns of kings – alternating b/w north and south

Variation e.g. Elijah-Elisha cycle; prophetic speeches; poems etc.

Presentation of kingsIntroductory notices: accession notice; age; length of reign;

ancestry; theological evaluationConcluding notices: source citation; death notice; succession

Similar to other ancient annals – reporting of key political and military events of the king

Purpose was to demonstrate God’s faithfulness to the covenant promises (2 Sam 7) and show Israel’s failure


2.4 Themes of 1-2 KingsExilic concerns – perspective of the audience

Faith of the Israelites b/f exile based onGod’s choice of Jerusalem as His city & dwelling

placePromises to David – enduring dynasty

Davidic dynasty establishedGod protected Jerusalem from Sennacherib (e.g. 2Kgs

18:13-19:37) 1-2 Kgs audience in exile & Jerusalem in ruins; how

possible?Were Babylonian gods more powerful? 1-2 Kings demonstrates YHWH’s power & faithfulnessPeople’s failure & disobedience (2 Kgs 21:15)YHWH not powerless – demonstration of YHWH’s

holiness Based on Deuteronomic retribution & prophetic word


Centralization of worship – linchpin of faithfulness From wilderness tabernacle to central place (Deut 12)

Core of theological evaluation of the kingsJeroboam’s great sin – rival sanctuaries in Dan & Bethel

“Jeroboam’s sin” – evaluation of subsequent kings “the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit” (1Kgs12:25-

30)

“High places” – Canaanite worship sites banned (Deut 12)High places flourished – stole the heart of Solomon (11:7-13)

Yardstick for evaluationIsrael (north) – rival sanctuaries Judah (south) – high places

Eventually God’s punishment struck both


Kingship and monarchyWas monarchy the solution? (Judg 18:1; 19:1; 21:25; 1

Sam 8; 12:13-15)Continuation dependent on faithfulness of kingsDisobedience per high places & rival sanctuariesSolomon’s “wisdom” in light of Deut 17:15-20

Hoarding of horses and chariots (4:26; 9:19)Hoarding of gold and riches (10:14-28)Hoarding of wives (11:3)Forced labor of Israelites (5:27; 9:15; cf. twelve

officials 4:7-19)Rehoboam’s failure to lessen tax burden (12:3-4)

“Your father made our yoke heavy” Adoram – chief of forced labor - stoned to death (12:18)

Ahab, Jezebel & Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kgs 21) Evaluation of kings focus on their faithfulness to YHWH


Prophecy-fulfillment & RetributionProphecy-fulfillment essential for exilic people

YHWH’s word remained powerful & trueForeign armies “to destroy Judah in accordance with

the word of the LORD…” (2 Kgs 24:2; cf. 1:17; 7:1; 9:26, 36; 10:17)

YHWH’s word proved true in good and evil

Covenant blessings and curses in action (cf. Deut 27-28)Disease (2 Sam 24)Drought (1 Kgs 17-18)Cannibalism (2 Kgs 6:24-30)Exile & defeat (2 Kgs 17:24-32; 25:18-24)Joshiah’s reform postponed judgment (2 Kgs 22:11-20)

Final note of hope – Jehoiachin “put aside prison clothes”


.K


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