Literary Analysis 1 Samuel 17:1-28

As we examine the heroes of the faith outlined for us in the Old Testament, we would be hard pressed to find a more faithful man that King David. After the death of King Saul, David became the King of the Hebrew people. David, who was meek and pious, steadfastly believed in the true God and tried to do His will. He had endured much persecution from Saul and other enemies but did not become bitter, did not lift his hand against Saul, as he was the Lord’s anointed, but placed all his hope in God, and the Lord delivered him from all his enemies.

In 2 Samuel the narrative shifts to the reign of David as he rises above Saul’s son Ish-bosheth to become the king, first of Judah and then of all the tribes of Israel (5:1–4). The book records David’s wars of conquest including the capture of Jerusalem and the relocation of the ark of the covenant to the City of David (6:1–19). But the author also records David’s failures: his adultery with Bathsheba (11:1–26), Absalom’s rebellion (15:1–18:30), Sheba’s revolt (20:1–26), and the disastrous census (24:1–25). Like all the prophetic writers, the author presents a portrait of his historical figures from the perspective of their faithfulness to God’s covenant.

In 1 samuel 17, David showed he had faith in God because he wasn’t a trained , but he still fought. David told king saul, “Master,” said David, “don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.” ( 1 Samuel 17:32) This verse is saying he is willing to do anything for god and that he is not afraid to fight for God. This evidence shows that he trustes God and is willing to fight. With help from the Lord , David won even though he was only a shepherd boy.

He shows he is weak and not ready to lead. (1 Samuel 9:21). Saul even hides when he is supposed to show himself to the Israelites as the chosen King (1 Samuel 11: 22). Although Saul knows that he cannot lead, he has no choice, he has to follow the Lord’s order. At last, God realizes that Saul was indeed not a leader-type person and chooses another person. God must have known that people are not forced to be leaders, but they themselves should be aware of the ability to be leaders.

Even as Samuel wrestled with God, God told him & the nation what a king would demand, and take from them. However, they shouted out they still wanted a king and to be like other nations. They didn’t care they would accept and deal with the cost associated with their request. They wanted what they wanted and it didn’t matter. We are the same today we want what we want it and don’t consider the cost, but as is often said, the devil is in the details or the cost as we see here.

Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?" (1 Samuel 20: 30) David was the opposite. He was kind and forgiving and was at peace with the Lord. In 1 Samuel 26, David again spares Saul's life, showing his

Saul was the ideal king the Israelites desired. David was the king Israel needed. David was not tall or handsome but he was a man of God. When David defeated Goliath, not only did he fully trust God, David gave all the glory of his victory to God. David possessed the vital attribute that Saul never had, obedience to God. David trusted in God’s timing and plan. Despite David having the opportunity to kill Saul and reign over Israel , David continued to follow God's commands. In 1 Samuel 24:19-20 Saul said to David after spearing his life, “ When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the Lord reward you well for the way you treated me today. I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands (NIV).” Unlike Saul David was obedient to God. God rewarded David for his obedience by anointing him King and later

According to the New Living Translation (1996) King David lived halfway between the lives of Abraham and Jesus, in addition to becoming one of the most important leaders for Israel and "a man after God's own heart" ( 1 Samuel 13:14). David's place of birth was Bethlehem, City of David Jerusalem where he grew up as a shepherd, but he is better known for his youthful triumph over Goliath, as well as being a poet, musician, soldier, and a king (Holy Bible, NLT, 1996). King David died at the age of seventy after ruling for forty years.

In this section historical information concerning the lives of Saul and Samuel have been discussed. Such information will enlighten ones cultural and contextual study of 1 Samuel 8–15. Moreover, the reader will have more insight into the referential world of the author, thereby allowing one to discern their intended meaning.

Saul and David had a lot in common. Both were kings of Israel while Samuel was its prophet. Both men were considered attractive. 1 Samuel 9:2 describes Saul as “a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome than he among the sons of Israel.” David is described as “he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance” in 1 Samuel 16:12. While Saul was sent to find the lost donkeys, David was a shepherd over flocks of sheep. Both men were handpicked by God. God revealed his choice through the prophet Samuel who also anointed them both.

Saul had previously wiped out all of the mediums and wizards from the land because they were evil in the eyes of Yahweh. Because of his realized hypocrisy, he disguised himself and visited the medium his servants had sought out in Endor. He told the medium to call upon Samuel and so she immediately suspected that he is Saul. She knew that her work was extremely illegal by Saul's court, so she became afraid until he reassured her that he was permitting the act in that occasion. She then called upon Samuel. Samuel apparently took over the medium's body or appears in some other way to Saul. So Saul did what he came there for and asked for advise on his latest predicament. The irritated and disturbed Samuel explained that Yahweh is taking away his kingdom and giving it to David because of his disobedience of not carrying out the Lord's punishment against the Amalekites (according to Mc Carter the dead had some way of knowing God's plans and had access to them). So, Saul fell to the ground in anguish from the news and lack of energy caused by fasting. The medium quickly attended to him and forced him to eat. Saul and his servants then left. And there the chapter ends.

The nation of Israel was set apart as holy to the LORD. But they When the children of Israel demanded a king, they did so to be like the other nations. The first three kings were Saul, (outwardly tall, handsome and strong—a seemingly good choice for a king, but inwardly arrogant, proud and unrepentant—not God’s choice), David (a man after God’s own heart who repented of his sins and as such was God’s choice), and Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived, but because of covenant disobedience became the catalyst for the division and ultimate exile of Israel.

”We first encounter David as a lad in his father’s home at Bethlehem, where Samuel anointed him king over Israel (I Sam. 16 1 -13).2 A little later on he is called in to relieve Saul’s insanity by playing the lyre and is appointed Saul’s armour-bearer (I Sam. 16 14-23).3 His next appearance is in Saul’s camp when Israel is fighting the Philistines.”

David, on the other hand, is depicted as a character that is lacking brute strength and weaponry. We are told through the voice of Goliath that he is “only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance” (1 Samuel 17: 42). It is evident that David is meant to appear as an average kid with no exceedingly superior or spectacular qualities. This simple portrayal of David is significant because it sets in motion the development of realistic empathy from the implied reader towards David. It is important for the implied reader to feel empathetic towards David because even though David kills Goliath in the end, we are meant to view him as a hero, not a murder. Building a connection between the implied reader and David makes this possible.

In The Bible there are multiple ideal societies which are presented, each denoted by the God's approval of that society and its leader. One of these societies is that portrayed in the story of Saul. In this story Samuel, a prophet of God, is given the task of revealing Saul, the ruler who is specified