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

Abstract

This mini-dissertation gives an analysis of the role of time in the very ambiguous narrative of 2 Samuel 11:2-27a - the narrative of David, Uriah and Bathsheba. In order to do such an analysis, the necessary narrative theory of time is first explicated. The analysis of time is based on the distinction between story and discourse. After ascertaining the legitimacy of this distinction, a new model of story and discourse is developed which forms the basis of the analysis of time in this mini-dissertation. This is followed by a discussion of the basic theory of narrative time. This discussion is done under the three categories generally acknowledged to pertain to narrative time: order, frequency and duration. 2 Samuel 11:2-27a is then shown to be a narrative unit. The pericope is demarcated and the narrative is divided into four episodes: David (and Bathsheba’s) adultery, attempts to hide David’s guilt, Uriah’s murder and David and Bathsheba’s marriage. This division of episodes is then used in a narratological analysis of time in this narrative. Each episode is analysed in turn by listing the elements of story and discourse in a table. It is interesting to note that the emphasis of the narrative is shown to be rather on Uriah’s murder than David’s adultery with Bathsheba.