Covenant Monarchy

1. Covenant Monarchy 1 & 2 Samuel

2. Introductory Notes (1) • 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings form a single literary work in their original Hebrew form • Scroll size necessitated the current subdivisions • While the Tabernacle does not play prominently in these writings, the Covenant does • There are two pairs of contrasted characters: • Eli (“My God”) Samuel (God hears”) • Saul David • The narrator’s perspective is from the time of the later kings looking backward: • “Interpreted History” • “How are the people living out their mission/purpose/identity?” • One major new development: the Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7)

3. Introductory Notes (2) • As with many of the earlier Old Testament stories, those of 1 & 2 Samuel are significantly disputed by both biblical theologians and ancient near eastern historians: • Some say David never existed; he was only a heroic creation of later generations to provide political validation to a particular group in Israelite society • A stone tablet (dated to about 835 B.C.) in Aramaic found at Tel Dan (1993), however, appears to be an authentic historical conquest record of Hazel, king of Syria, who identifies the kings of Judah as “The House of David” • Others see in the David stories hints of the Hapiru/Apiru identified by Egyptian sources as rebellious former slave gangs terrorizing the ancient near east • Still others think David was a non-Israelite (son of a Moabite mother and Jebusite father) who created a strong clan in Judah (over against Saul’s Benjamite clan) and then consolidated political influence over the whole of Israel in the chaotic vacuum after Saul was defeated by the Philistines • But most agree today that David actually existed. The question is whether the biblical record provides valid testimony and how the religious character of Israel actually developed.

4. Literary Development • Historical Setting (1 Samuel 1-7): • Unique & miraculous birth of Samuel (note Hannah’s song) • Demise of Eli and of Israel: • Note – Sons of Eli attempt to use Ark of Yahweh as power tool • “Ichabod” (“Glory Departed”) symbolizes loss of Ark & Covenant faithfulness • Yahweh wins battles over Philistines & their god, & returns home • New Voice of Yahweh through Samuel (note chapters 3, 7) • Transition from Samuel (Judges) to Saul (Kings) (1 Samuel 8-15): • Consolidating the Kingdom under Samuel • Note the Covenant renewal ceremony in 11:14-12:25 • Acquiescing to the Israelite request for a king • Saul starts like a prophet, ends like a demon; Samuel remains in charge • Establishing the rise and fall of Saul • Early victories (Ammonites, Philistines, Amalakites) • Rash decisions (officiating as priest, stupid battleground rules, sparing Agag)

5. Literary Development • Transition from Saul to David (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 5:5) • David enters: • Identified, anointed, early exploits (Goliath) • Moves into Saul’s house (Michal, Jonathan) • David the fugitive: • Wilderness gang • Time with Philistines • Note: David never fights either with Saul nor against Saul! • Saul the declining king: • Seeking Samuel through the witch of En Dor • Death (suicide) in battle

8. Literary Development • The Successes of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9:13) • Over Israel & Saul’s house • Over enemies • The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7): • David wishes to build a house for Yahweh • Yahweh instead pledges to build a house for David • This plays a critical role in both the rest of the Old Testament and in all of the New Testament • The Decline & Troubles of David (2 Samuel 10-20) • David’s sin with Bathsheba • David’s troubles with Amnon and Absalom (and all of Israel) • Appendix: Reflections on David (2 Samuel 21-24) • His song • His Mighty Men and their exploits • His sin and punishment (and reprieve) in counting Israel’s military strength

9. 2000 Abraham 1445 or 1290 The Exodus 1400-1350 or 1250-1200 Conquest of Canaan 1300-1100 Time of the Judges 1105 Birth of Samuel 1080 Birth of Saul 1050 Saul Anointed King 1040 Birth of David 1025 David anointed to become King 1010 Death of Saul, beginning of David’s reign in Judah 1003 Beginning of David’s reign over all Israel, capture of Jerusalem 991 Birth of Solomon 980 David’s infamous census 970 Death of David, Solomon’s reign begins Dating It All

10. Key Issues in 1 & 2 Samuel • The Covenant “Theocracy” (Yahweh as King) seems inadequate to the people because Yahweh’s voice is hard to hear, threats require more visible and immediate leadership • Samuel is the transition figure between the Judges and the Monarchy • Saul is a transition figure showing what the Monarchy can be and what it should not be • David becomes the paradigmatic king, against whom all other rulers will be assessed • The Philistines are the dominant enemy during this period. They are a farming colony of the growing Greek migration & expansion (hence their god is “Dagon,” a fish) • The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7) becomes critical for understanding the rest of biblical theology • David’s descendent on the throne is supposed to be a man of peace: • “Absalom” (“Father of Peace”) tries to rip the kingdom away from David • “Solomon” (“Peace”) is a child-king guided by the advisors of David

11. Many Psalms are attributed to David Most of these that have titles identify the Psalms as created by David during the wilderness outlaw era of David’s life (1 Samuel 19-27) Among the most poignant is Psalm 51, written after the sin with Bathsheba 59 (1 Samuel 19) 52 (1 Samuel 21:1-9; 22:6-23) 34 (1 Samuel 21:10-14) 63 (1 Samuel 22-26) 54 (1 Samuel 23:14-29) 57 (1 Samuel 24) 60 (2 Samuel 8) 51 (2 Samuel 11-12) 3 (2 Samuel 15) 18 (2 Samuel 22) David’s Psalms

12. Psalm 139“To the Leader”David O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

13. Psalm 139“To the Leader”David If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

14. Psalm 139“To the Leader”David My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.