Chronology of Shemuel I 16 – 17/2
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Chronology of Shemuel I 16 – 17
Exegetical Approaches
Chronological Order
The chapters are written in their proper chronological order.
Why didn't Shaul recognize David? These commentators offer several possibilities:
- Shaul was asking a different question – Bavli Yevamot, and others in its wake,1 explain that Shaul was not asking for David's name but rather his lineage, to ascertain his worthiness to rule. This, however, is somewhat difficult as Shaul already knew who David's father was (see 16:22) and David does not offer any further identification.
- Evil Spirit – Rabbi Shemuel b. Chofni Gaon2 suggests that when the "evil spirit" (רוּחַ הָרָעָה) came upon Shaul, he became confused and no longer remembered who David was.3
- Too busy – Ralbag and Ibn Kaspi assert that since Shaul had so many different tasks and concerns in the kingdom, he did not remember the names and details of all of his servants.4
- Unaware that fought – The commentary attributed to R"Y Kara uniquely suggests that after David found Shaul's armor unwieldy and removed it, Shaul assumed that David was no longer going to fight Golyat. As such, when he saw someone head to the battlefield he asked Avner who it was.5
Why was David in Beit Lechem? Rashi and Radak explain that the phrase "וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וָשָׁב מֵעַל שָׁאוּל" comes to teach that David only worked part time in the palace, and shepherded at home in between his royal visits. However, if David had already been appointed the king's arms-bearer, it is strange that he would have been sent home specifically when a war was going on.
"כִּי נַעַר אַתָּה" versus "וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה" – This position might explain that when the servants recommend David to Shaul in Chapter 16, they refer to him as a valiant warrior despite his lack of true experience because they want to present him in the best possible light. When Shaul evaluates his chances at winning Golyat, in contrast, he belittles whatever might and courage David might have, because he deems them insignificant when compared with Golyat's vast military knowledge and capabilities.
Doubling of David's family details – It is not clear why the verses need to introduce David's family a second time in Chapter 17 if the reader already knows this information from the previous chapter.6 Abarbanel posits that Chapter 17 marks the beginning of the David narratives and as such David's lineage is elaborated upon again.7
Eliav's attitude to David – Eliav might speak scornfully to David, not despite his brother's appointment as arms-bearer, but because of it. It is possible that Eliav's attitude stems from jealousy over David's promotion. Nonetheless, it is strange that Eliav should speak with David as if he had no business coming to the battlefield, if David was part of Shaul's armed forces.
"וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא" – when? According to the commentary attributed to R"Y Kara, this verse is chronological and refers to Shaul's appointing David to be a permanent, rather than temporary, member of the royal household after his victory over Golyat.
David's rise to power
Achronological Order
The events of Shemeuel I 17 are written out of order and really took place before David's appointment as court musician in Shemuel I 16:14.
Why are the chapters not written in order? Following Bava Batra, R"M Leibtag claims that Sefer Shemuel was written by the prophets Shemuel, Gad and Natan. Since Shemuel was Shaul's prophet he wrote Chapters 1-16, which concern the two of them, whereas Gad, David's prophet, wrote the units relating to David, beginning with his rise to power in Chapter 17. This dual authorship allows for some achronology and overlap between the two chapters.
Why not mention the appointment as musician later? R. Leibtag suggests that Shemuel ends his narrative with his last act as prophet, the anointment of David. This marked the tearing away of Shaul's kingship, as the spirit of Hashem came to David and left Shaul, who from then on is plagued by an evil spirit. To highlight this, Shemuel relates a story, which might have happened years only later, Shaul's search for a musician to alleviate the effects of the evil spirit. Gad's narrative, thus, goes back in time to David's first heroic act, his defeat of Golyat.
How did Shaul not recognize David? Shaul had not yet met David, so it is not surprising that he should ask for his name/
"כִּי נַעַר אַתָּה" versus "וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה" – David really is a youngster when he approaches Golyat and as such, is referred to as a "נַעַר". When Shaul's men search for a musician, David has already proven himself a valiant warrior through his defeat of Golyat and be spoken of as a "וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה".
How was David in Beit Lechem? David's appointment as musician and arms-bearer happened only after the defeat of Golyat so he had no reason to be in the palace. Being too young to fight as a soldier, he was naturally at home.
Doubling of list of Yishai's sons – This overlap can be explained by the fact that the two chapters are written by different authors.
Eliav's attitude to David
אין מוקדם ומאוחר
"וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא" – when?
Overlapping stories
How did Shaul not recognize David?
How was David in Beit Lechem?
17:33 – "כִּי נַעַר אַתָּה וְהוּא אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה מִנְּעֻרָיו"
Doubling of list of Yishai's sons
Eliav's attitude to David
אין מוקדם ומאוחר
