A narratological analysis of time in 2 Samuel 11:2-27a

Abstract

This article enquires into the role of time in 2 Samuel 11 – the story of David, Bathsheba and Uriah. This is done by first demarcating 2 Samuel 11:2-27a as a narrative unit and determining the scenes of the narrative. An analysis of time, on the basis of the narrative theory of Gérard Genette, then follows. It can be clearly seen in this analysis, amongst other things, that the main theme of this narrative is rather the murder of Uriah than the adultery of David and Bathsheba.