The characterisation of David in the Samuel narratives

Abstract

At the beginning of 1 Samuel, Israel is an insecure affiliation of tribes with little unity and loyalty. They are led by ineffective Judges and worship under a corrupt Priesthood. At the mercy of their enemies, Israel struggles economically. This study begins with a look at Israel and the factors that contribute to the establishment of the monarchy. It follows Saul’s tragic reign and David’s rise as God’s chosen king. Our study then follows the life of David who in Biblical depiction is narrated in relation to other characters. Special attention is given to David’s relationship with Saul and Jonathan because they are key relationships and they contribute to the development of David’s character within the Samuel narratives. In 1 Samuel David is portrayed as one who has experienced great trials and sheer torment, yet he maintains an internal compass that always points to God. David finds a place of deeper security, where he develops a trust and hope in God that extends beyond his external realities. In 2 Samuel, David and his family are portrayed as having little or no wisdom, showing themselves to be capable of deception, immorality and barely being able to keep a grasp of the throne or the kingdom. The narratives describing the war against the Ammonites, David and Bathsheba, Amnon and Tamar, Absalom’s revolt and David’s return to the throne all testify to this fact and their interrelatedness contribute to the portrayal of David as king. In the final analysis, it is established that despite his sin and shortcomings, the narrator, by using other characters either in contrast to David, or in line with David, presents David as “a man after God’s own heart” (Ac 13:22).