One thing that often shows up within biblical criticism is the concept that the Bible contains different Jewish sects and their scriptures. When these two different versions of the story is found side by side in a way that seems contentious it’s called a biblical seam. Just a few questions to help reign in the discussion.
1. How did David and Saul meet in 1 Samuel 16?
2. In 1 Samuel 16 did Saul get to know David very closely?
3. In 1 Samuel 16 did Saul get to know David’s family?
4. In 1 Samuel 17 how did Saul and David meet?
5. Before Saul and David seemingly meet in 1 Samuel 17 did Saul seem to know David?
This is my belief. I think that David and Saul are both being used in two separate traditions. One sect of Jews had one story and another sect of Jews had another story. The redactor honored both of these traditions by setting them up side by side.
That’s why we read in 2 Samuel 21:19 that a different person met and killed Goliath. There is no reason to attribute it to an error. It seems in one story Saul first met David when David was brought in to use a musical instrument to calm a spirit inside of David and David was greatly loved by Saul. Saul met his family and so on. In this story David never fought Goliath. In this story another man battles Goliath and kills him and his brothers.
In chapter 17 David and Saul meet after David challenges Goliath ( a hyperlink back to chaos monsters ) and kills Goliath.
1. How did David and Saul meet in 1 Samuel 16?
2. In 1 Samuel 16 did Saul get to know David very closely?
3. In 1 Samuel 16 did Saul get to know David’s family?
4. In 1 Samuel 17 how did Saul and David meet?
5. Before Saul and David seemingly meet in 1 Samuel 17 did Saul seem to know David?
This is my belief. I think that David and Saul are both being used in two separate traditions. One sect of Jews had one story and another sect of Jews had another story. The redactor honored both of these traditions by setting them up side by side.
That’s why we read in 2 Samuel 21:19 that a different person met and killed Goliath. There is no reason to attribute it to an error. It seems in one story Saul first met David when David was brought in to use a musical instrument to calm a spirit inside of David and David was greatly loved by Saul. Saul met his family and so on. In this story David never fought Goliath. In this story another man battles Goliath and kills him and his brothers.
In chapter 17 David and Saul meet after David challenges Goliath ( a hyperlink back to chaos monsters ) and kills Goliath.
