Abstract:
1 Samuel 11:6–7 report the beginning of Saul’s public life and demonstrate his leadership
over Israel. However, the verses do not clearly indicate his role in the specific events related
in verses 1–11. This article clarifies Saul’s idealised kingly leadership by examining some of
the literary-critical issues of 1 Samuel 11:1–11 in their broader context. Saul’s leadership was
then considered against its larger ancient Near Eastern context. The article aimed to show that
both Saul’s religious authority and also his political ability were welcomed in his emerging
kingship.
Description:
This article is slightly
revised from the Ph.D
thesis completed under
the supervision of Prof.
D.J. Human, submitted to
the Department of Old
Testament Studies in the
Faculty of Theology of the
University of Pretoria in
2008.
