Motivations and Context in the Story of David and Saul

Purpose of rhetoric analysis

To teach, delight, and emotionally engage the audience.

David's cloak cutting

Symbolizes the removal of Saul's kingship.

Direct motivation

Narrator's explicit description of character's motives.

Indirect motivation

Character discusses another character's motivations.

Deduced motivation

Conclusions drawn from textual evidence.

David's deduced motivations

Jonathan's bond and women's celebration highlight David's appeal.

Saul's discomfort

Saul feels threatened by David's rising popularity.

Saul's violent actions

Saul throws a spear at David twice.

Saul's marriage offer

Saul offers Merab to David as a political move.

Context without text

Phrase: 'text without context is pretext'.

Literary Context

Immediate context and major divisions in biblical text.

Rhetorical Context

Lessons and rhetoric that compel action in biblical stories.

Topography of En-Gedi

Geographical advantage for David's concealment.

Saul's cave entry

Saul enters to relieve himself, unaware of David.

David's choice

David spares Saul, proving his mercy.

David's compelling speech

Addresses both Saul and his men, seeking understanding.

Saul's emotional reaction

Saul weeps and seeks mercy from David.

David's wilderness refuge

After En-Gedi, David lives in the wilderness of Paran.

David's job for Achish

David takes lands from Geshurites, Girzites, Amalekites.

David's loyalty dilemma

Questions David's allegiance while serving Philistines.

David's optics problem

David's service to Philistines conflicts with his kingship.

David's motive for Philistine refuge

Fears for his life from Saul, seeks safety.

Verse 28:4

Saul learns David fled to Gath.

David's Request

Seeks distance from King Achish.

Strategic Request

Gives David freedom and flexibility.

David's Loyalty

Convinces Achish by attacking Judah's enemies.

Narrator's Silence

Indicates ambivalence towards David's actions.

Absurdity

Characterization that defies logical expectations.

Archetype

Social roles and character patterns.

Subvert Archetype

Challenge audience's character expectations.

King's Expectations

Kings should uphold God's law.

Saul's Actions

Seeks necromancer, violating his own laws.

Necromancer's Expectations

Typically forbidden, yet Saul consults one.

Ghost of Samuel

Delivers a dramatic message to Saul.

Clothes in 1 Sam 28

Symbolize identity and status in narratives.

David's Response

Two theories: disparate sources or Amalekite lies.

Inconsistency in Saul's Death

Different accounts of Saul's demise exist.

David's Song

Mourns fallen warriors, especially Jonathan.

Hannah's Song

Celebrates God's power and intervention.

Comparison of Songs

David mourns; Hannah praises God's justice.

David's Allies

Explores fates of those who aided him.

Amalekite's Claim

Claims to have killed Saul, contradicts scripture.

Philistine Relations

David's complex interactions with Philistines.

Medium's Role

Necromancer's unexpected influence in Saul's story.

Jonathan

David's friend who aided his escape from Saul.

Michal

David's wife who helped him evade Saul.

Priests of Nob

Provided David sustenance and Goliath's sword.

Moabites

Gave refuge to David's parents from Saul.

Philistines

Employed David as a warrior.

Davidic Covenant

God's promise to David regarding his lineage.

2 Sam 7

A pivotal chapter reflecting on Israel's future.

Covenant Rejection

Michal's lack of children symbolizes God's judgment.

David's Temple Proposal

David wished to build a temple for God.

God's Sardonic Response

God questions David's ability to build Him a house.

Humble Reminder

God emphasizes David's humble beginnings and dependence.

Conditional vs Unconditional

David's covenant is unconditional with specific promises.

Charter Covenant

A foundational agreement establishing David's dynasty.

David's Promises

Includes a great name, land, and peace.

Punishment of Offspring

David's descendants punished but not rejected by God.

2 Sam 11 Focus

Often emphasizes David's sin and Bathsheba's role.

Bathsheba's Humanity

Narrative often overlooks Bathsheba's perspective and agency.

Narrative Judgment

David's passivity contrasts with his soldiers' actions.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Repeated verb indicates David's shift to inaction.

Jerusalem's Layout

High towers symbolize David's power over citizens.

Power Dynamics

David's authority complicates his relationship with Bathsheba.

Uriah and Eliam

Both represent loyalty, heightening David's betrayal.

David

King of Israel, expected to uphold God's law.

Bathsheba

Wife of Uriah, vulnerable due to absence of men.

Uriah

Husband of Bathsheba, characterized by loyalty and honor.

Nathan

Prophet who confronts David with a parable.

Deuteronomic Law

Biblical law governing Israelite behavior and worship.

Covenant

God's promise to David, affected by his sin.

Ripple Effect

David's sin influences his sons' actions and morality.

Amnon

David's son, exhibits sexual immorality like his father.

Absalom

David's son, seeks revenge for Tamar's rape.

Tamar

Victim of Amnon's assault, represents familial betrayal.

Irony

Contradiction between David's anger and his own actions.

Plans to Cover Tracks

1. Kill Uriah, 2. Eliminate witnesses, 3. Marry Bathsheba.

Child's Death

David's child with Bathsheba dies despite his prayers.

Psalm 51

David's prayer of repentance after his sin.

Sword in the House

Symbol of ongoing strife in David's dynasty.

Legal Parable

Nathan's story illustrating David's wrongdoing.

Family Dynamics

Complex relationships leading to betrayal and revenge.

Verbal Ironies

Words like 'send', 'take', and 'sword' carry deeper meanings.

Consequences of Sin

David's actions lead to turmoil within his family.

Divine Judgment

God's punishment for David's sin includes family strife.

Cunning vs. Wise Advice

Two contrasting voices offering different guidance in the narrative.

Voice of Wisdom

Tamar advises her brother against wickedness.

Wild Man/Wicked Man

Amnon defies expectations of a Godly king.

Nebala

A term in Tamar's speech indicating disgrace.

Amnon's Desire

Amnon's feelings evolve into lust and hatred.

David's Inaction

David ignores Tamar's rape, focusing on Amnon.

Absalom's Response

Absalom seeks justice for Tamar's abuse.

Absalom's Problematic Actions

Absalom controls Tamar's situation, seeking revenge.

Amnon's Death

Killed by Absalom's men while intoxicated.

David's Exile

David leaves concubines behind during Absalom's revolt.

Concubines' Fate

Absalom rapes David's concubines, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy.

David's Penitence

David shows humility and resignation to Yhwh.

Absalom's Death

Caught in an oak tree, killed by Joab's men.

David's Grief

David weeps for Absalom, feeling paternal guilt.