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    • 11.1 Overview

      • The books of Samuel: Literary, historical and theological introduction

    • 11.2 Comment

      The books of Samuel tell the story of the beginnings of the monarchy in Israel. The main characters are the prophet Samuel, who anoints the kings of Israel, the first king Saul, who displays mostly negative aspects of monarchy, and king David, who sets the positive example for the kings of Israel and Judah. Nonetheless, the narrative also shows some positive aspects of Saul, as well as it includes negative evaluation of some of David’s acts.

      The two books of Samuel were originally one composition, the division between the books is later and artificial: The story of David begins in 1 Sam 16 and runs through the whole 2 Samuel. The books are also closely connected to the following books of Kings, as the last days of David are recounted in 1 Kings.

      The outline of the books of Samuel:

      1. The Story of Samuel (1 Sam 1–7)
      2. The Beginning of the Monarchy: The Story of Saul (1 Sam 8–15)
      3.  The Story of David, the Model King for Israel (1 Sam 16–2 Sam 24):

      a)     The Story of David’s Rise (1 Sam 16–2 Sam 8)

      b) The Succession Narrative (2 Sam 9–2 Sam 24)

    • 11.3 Literature for individual study

      Rendtorff, The Old Testament, 29–37, 105–112, 170–174.

      Kaminsky and Lohr, The Hebrew Bible for Beginners, 123–134.

    • 11.4 Biblical texts for the final exam

      Students are expected to have read the whole of 1–2 Samuel. However, emphasis during the exam will be on the following sections:

      1 Sam 3:1–21 (Samuel’s Vocation)

      1 Sam 12:1–25 (Samuel’s Farewell Speech and the Transition to the Monarchy)

      1 Sam 16:1–13 (David’s Anointing)

      1 Sam 17:1–54 (David a Goliath)

      2 Sam 7:1–29 (Nathan’s Dynastic Oracle)

      2 Sam 11 (David and Bathsheba)

      2 Sam 12:1–15 (Nathan’s Parable)

      11.5 Verifying comprehension

      1. What are main parts of the narrative in 1–2 Samuel?
      2. What is so called “Succession Narrative”? What are its prominent literary characteristics?
      3. What is the message received by Samuel from God during Samuel’s first prophetic experience?
      4. After Saul becomes the king, Samuel speaks to Israel. What is his evaluation of monarchy on that occasion?
      5. Why and under what circumstances (characters, place…) David’s anointing takes place?
      6. What was David’s equipment for the combat with Goliath? Why is David confident he would beat Goliath (compare David’s explanation for Saul and David’s speech to Goliath before the combat)?
      7. What is God’s reaction in Nathan’s oracle towards David’s plan to build a house for God?
      8. How David solved his involvement with Bathsheba?
      9. How Nathan convicted David of his sin? What punishments were announced to David?

    • 11.6 Enjoying biblical interpretation

      The final chapters of the Books of Samuel have been recognized as important reflections on David’s life and his royal career, as well as on the monarchy in Israel as such. Walter Brueggemann, a well-known Old Testament scholar from the United States, interprets 2 Samuel 21-24 as a theological-political reflection on David, his rule, and his mediating role as king.

      Brueggemann, Walter. “2 Samuel 21–24: An Appendix of Deconstruction?” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 50, no. 3 (1988): 383–97.

    • Brueggemann, “2 Samuel 21–24: An Appendix of Deconstruction?” Archivo
    • The Books of Samuel - outline Archivo