Page 72 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

disregard for divine presence- ark. Foolish regard for personal vengeance and makes a vow.) YHWH
commands Saul to defeat and destroy Amalek for atrocity against Israel, but Saul rebels, sparing the king
and animals. Samuel rebukes Saul, stressing God’s rejection and priority of obedience. Saul blames the
people, and shows the fear of man (15).

David: Rise (16-20). David’s rise from shepherd to king-elect is recounted in four steps:
(1) Loved by God: assigned by God to go to Bethlehem, Samuel learns about vanity of appearance,
anoints David as king- divinely elected, empowered (16)
(2) Loved by Saul: God’s Spirit leaves Saul, harmful spirit troubles; David plays, spirit leaves Saul loves
David! (16)
(3) Loved by Nation: Philistines threaten Israel-center, Goliath challenges, Israel cowers but are
confident in YHWH, David conquers! (17-18)
(4) Loved by Saul’s Kids David wins the love of Saul’s kids, Jonathan covenant, and Michal marriage so
that when Saul plots to kill David, his own family protects and prefers David (18-20).

Saul: Demise (21-31) Out of fear, Saul begins to recklessly pursue David, accusing his servants of
conspiracy, assassinating family of Ahimelech, God’s anointed priests (21-22). Tracking David in the
wilderness, Saul enters cave unknowingly facilities, his men urge him to kill but David spares Saul (23-
24). Saul repents but soon returns. Later, David sneaks in Saul’s camp, refusing to kill him, but rebukes
Saul as a fool (26). A seeming interruption, David’s meeting with Nabal the fool who reflects behavior
and judgment of Saul (25). Due to silence Saul consults a medium conjures Samuel’s spirit. Samuel
rebukes Saul, foretells sure death. In battle, Saul is wounded, then commits suicide (28-31).

59
Figure 1.1.6
NARRATIVE OF THE EMPHASIS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED MONARCHY (1-2 Samuel)

SAUL DAVID SOLOMON
APPOINTMENT 1. By Samuel 1. Samuel 1. David
2. Public process 2. Long process 2. By Zadok and Nathan
3. Activated by the 3. By people
Spirited
SUCCESSES AND Victory over Ammonites 1. Taking of 1. Dream and request
POTENTIAL Jerusalem for wisdom
2. Defeat of 2. Wisdom and
Philistines administration of
3. Bringing ark back empire
4. Covenant 3. Building of temple
5. Expansion of
empire
FAILURES 1. Impatient offering 1. Adultery with 1. Foreign wives’
2. Pressing people Bathsheba and religious practices
under improper oath murder of Uriah accommodated
3. Disobeying 2. Wrongfully taking 2. Labor and tax on
instructions in of census people
Amalekites war

59 Figure 1.1.6 is a Narrative emphasis in the History of the United Monarchy. Andrew E. Hill and John H. Walton
“A Survey of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009), p. 27-28.

71