REL 113: Old Testament, Week 7. The United Monarchy: Israel’s
“Golden Age.” RJDKnauth
Readings: Ruth, 1-2Samuel, 1Kings
1-11. Hill ch. 10-11, OTP
pp. 145-146 (Gezer Almanac).
Topics: The beginnings of monarchy
and the Philistines. Samuel, Saul,
David and Solomon.
Ruth: “Wisdom
Tale” or “Novella;” David’s
ancestry; the foreigner who
exemplifies Israelite ideals.
The Kinship basis of Israelite society. Apologetic
for David? vs. anti-Moabite propaganda (Numbers).
1-2 Samuel:
Samuel as Priest/Prophet/Judge – leader in Israel.
Shiloh as cult center (connection w/ Deuteronomist).
“Ark narrative” (1Sam 4-7): re
transcendence of God vs. fetishism. Victory
tour of Philistia.
The problem of orderly succession (Eli’s sons, Samuel’s sons) and the
institution of Monarchy:
Honoring the sons above God; Children not following in the father’s footsteps;
Need for continuity.
Samuel’s anti-monarchic speeches (1Sam 8, 12. Cf Gideon/Abimelech story
and parable in Judges).
Monarchy = Oppression, taxation, slavery. Anti-kingship-like-the-nations
>> anti-Solomon (?).
Saul – Israel’s last Judge, first King.
Fighting the Philistines – need for continuity, standing army.
Charismatic reluctance; Continues to farm; Calling out the troops (cutting a
covenant); Confirmation.
Rejection of Saul: “Obedience, not sacrifice.” Tragic Hero.
The Rise of King David. “God
looks at the heart.”
David vs. Saul. Friendship of David
and Jonathan. Jonathan as Charismatic Son. Death of Saul.
The Israelite Charismatic Leadership Ideal (again).
The problem of dynasty.
David’s adoption of Jerusalem as new capitol, bringing in the Ark.
Regal-Ritual City.
1Sam 7: The Davidic Covenant.
Conditional or unconditional? A dwelling place for God?
The role of Nathan the court prophet: confronting
the king (more on this later).
David’s “succession narrative”: sin and chaos among children.
Who will inherit the kingship?
Failure to punish >> Absalom’s Rebellion.
Unconditional love; Miniature Exile (Chiastic structure).
>>“If God is pleased…”: David as the “man after God’s own heart.”
David’s wives; foreign marriages/alliances; the office of “queen mother;”
wife as key to legitimacy.
1Kings 1-11:
Deathbed charge to Solomon – get rid of all the enemies?
Solomon and the beginning of Dynastic Rule, Kingship “like the nations.”
Compare Deut 17.
Solomon’s Phoenician Temple – a new tabernacle?
Legends of Solomon’s wisdom and riches, foreign wives/alliances >>
idolatry.
Standing army, conscripted labor and taxation, foreign influence –>
downfall of union.
***Short assignment and discussion topic (due Friday)***
David seems to make just as many mistakes as Saul, if not
more.
Why did God reject Saul whereas David is seen to exemplify the “man
after God’s own heart”?
Small Group Questions: