Israel Becomes Like the Nations “A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24: 17.

Israel Becomes Like the Nations

““A star shall come forth out of Jacob, A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”

Numbers 24: 17Numbers 24: 17

Saul, David and Solomon

Under the leadership of Saul, David and Under the leadership of Saul, David and Solomon, Israel establishes an empire.Solomon, Israel establishes an empire.

Period of economic and political fortunes.Period of economic and political fortunes.

The Iron Age is a Golden Age for Israel.The Iron Age is a Golden Age for Israel.

I-II Samuel & I Kings

The books of Samuel and Kings belong to The books of Samuel and Kings belong to the Deuteronomic Historian.the Deuteronomic Historian.

Two types of narratives:Two types of narratives: Pro-monarchic (Saul Source)Pro-monarchic (Saul Source) Theocratic (Samuel Source) rejection of Theocratic (Samuel Source) rejection of

the monarchy.the monarchy.

Sitz en Leben

The Iron Age (12The Iron Age (12thth Century) Century) Shift from Bronze to IronShift from Bronze to Iron Economic and Political ImplicationsEconomic and Political Implications Power of the PhilistinesPower of the Philistines

Monopoly on the new mode of smelting.Monopoly on the new mode of smelting. The destruction of Shiloh and capture of The destruction of Shiloh and capture of

the Ark indicate the power of the the Ark indicate the power of the Philistines.Philistines.

Period of International Favor

Political situation in the Fertile Crescent in Political situation in the Fertile Crescent in the 12the 12thth – 11 – 11thth Century. Century. BabyloniansBabylonians EgyptiansEgyptians AssyriansAssyrians

Egyptians Egypt’s control Egypt’s control

vanished during the vanished during the Twentieth Dynasty, Twentieth Dynasty, especially after especially after 1150 1150 BCEBCE..

Egypt remain impotentEgypt remain impotent for more than three ce for more than three centuries.nturies.

Babylon

The Babylonians had The Babylonians had fallen into political fallen into political weakness after the weakness after the demise of demise of Hammurabi.Hammurabi.

Did not interfere for Did not interfere for over 1000 years.over 1000 years.

Assyrian Empire After the reign of After the reign of

Tiglath-pileser I Tiglath-pileser I (1116-1078 ) it sank (1116-1078 ) it sank into obscurity until the into obscurity until the ninth century.ninth century.

Depression

Saul waged an intense psychic conflict that Saul waged an intense psychic conflict that would eventually destroy him (suicide on would eventually destroy him (suicide on Mt. Gilboa).Mt. Gilboa).

Pro-David, Anti-Saul

The narratives of the monarchy were The narratives of the monarchy were preserved in and edited by Jerusalem preserved in and edited by Jerusalem circles, sympathetic towards David.circles, sympathetic towards David.

Saul’s military successes must have had Saul’s military successes must have had considerable effects that paved the way for considerable effects that paved the way for David.David. Iron smelting from the Philistines.Iron smelting from the Philistines. Economic development.Economic development.

Divine Charisma

Saul’s contact between he and the old tribal Saul’s contact between he and the old tribal confederacy was his possession of the confederacy was his possession of the divine charisma.divine charisma.

The Spirit of Yahweh (I Sam 11: 6-7).The Spirit of Yahweh (I Sam 11: 6-7). The people made him King after the The people made him King after the

Ammonites crisis in hopes he would deliver Ammonites crisis in hopes he would deliver them from the Philistines.them from the Philistines.

Saul’s Sin and Loss of the Spirit

Saul’s Sin (Taking the spoils)Saul’s Sin (Taking the spoils) Agag was spared.Agag was spared. Best of the livestock was taken.Best of the livestock was taken. Samuel condemned Saul’s actions (I Sam Samuel condemned Saul’s actions (I Sam

15: 22).15: 22). Samuel hewed Agag into pieces.Samuel hewed Agag into pieces. Rejection brought Saul to the edge of Rejection brought Saul to the edge of

insanity.insanity.

Saul’s Estrangement from Yahweh

Break with SamuelBreak with Samuel Saul did not consider religious Saul did not consider religious

implications of his actions.implications of his actions. Samuel was convinced Saul was out to Samuel was convinced Saul was out to

defy the Israelite theocracy.defy the Israelite theocracy.

Break with David

The rise of the star of David:The rise of the star of David: David must have appeared as a threat to David must have appeared as a threat to

Saul’s existence, even greater than the Saul’s existence, even greater than the Philistines (I Sam 18: 6) to hunt David Philistines (I Sam 18: 6) to hunt David down and kill him, his best friend (I Sam down and kill him, his best friend (I Sam 22: 6-8).22: 6-8).

Loss of Divine Charisma

The divine charisma (authority and The divine charisma (authority and strength) had departed from Saul.strength) had departed from Saul.

Saul’s plot to humiliate David were all Saul’s plot to humiliate David were all turned to David’s advantage (I Sam 18: 7).turned to David’s advantage (I Sam 18: 7).

Frustrated in his efforts to track down the Frustrated in his efforts to track down the fugitive David, Saul at last found himself fugitive David, Saul at last found himself confronted with a Philistine drive into the confronted with a Philistine drive into the Plains of Jezereel. (I Sam 28: 8-25).Plains of Jezereel. (I Sam 28: 8-25).

Mount Gilboa and the Death of Saul

I Samuel 31 talks about the death of Saul I Samuel 31 talks about the death of Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa.and his sons on Mt. Gilboa.

At the time of Saul’s death, David was in At the time of Saul’s death, David was in exile in Philistia.exile in Philistia.

David’s fortunes rise as Saul goes into David’s fortunes rise as Saul goes into decline, both as king and human being.decline, both as king and human being.

David’s Star Rises

David’s rise is marked by:David’s rise is marked by: His call from the obscurity of shepherd’s life His call from the obscurity of shepherd’s life

(anointed by Samuel).(anointed by Samuel). His appearance as a harp player in the king’s His appearance as a harp player in the king’s

court.court. His victory over Goliath.His victory over Goliath. His gallant exploits among the Philistines and His gallant exploits among the Philistines and

adventures as the “Robin Hood” leader of a band adventures as the “Robin Hood” leader of a band of outlaws.of outlaws.

His elevation to the rank of the King of Israel.His elevation to the rank of the King of Israel.

David the “Robin Hood” of Judah

David ingratiated himself with the Judeans David ingratiated himself with the Judeans by protecting landholders from robbers and by protecting landholders from robbers and by dividing with the elders of Judah the by dividing with the elders of Judah the spoils taken from raids on their enemies. (I spoils taken from raids on their enemies. (I Samuel 23: 1-5, 27: 8-12, 30: 26-31).Samuel 23: 1-5, 27: 8-12, 30: 26-31).

It is not surprising then that shortly after It is not surprising then that shortly after Saul’s death David was anointed king at Saul’s death David was anointed king at Hebron, where he reigned for seven years.Hebron, where he reigned for seven years.

Ishbaal the Stooge of Abner

David had his eye on the whole territory of David had his eye on the whole territory of Israel.Israel.

The Northern tribes (Kingdom of Israel) The Northern tribes (Kingdom of Israel) still owed allegiance to Saul’s weak son, still owed allegiance to Saul’s weak son, Ishbaal, who was a stooge of his army Ishbaal, who was a stooge of his army general Abner.general Abner.

Pool of Gibeon

David’s Judean forces were under the David’s Judean forces were under the command of his able general Joab.command of his able general Joab.

Civil war was touched off by an incident Civil war was touched off by an incident that occurred by the pool of Gibeon (II that occurred by the pool of Gibeon (II Samuel 2: 12-16) Samuel 2: 12-16)

The gladiator contest settled nothing The gladiator contest settled nothing because the champions only kill each other because the champions only kill each other off.off.

The Pool of Gibeon

Rizpah, the Concubine

The conflict ended when Abner, stinging The conflict ended when Abner, stinging under a deserved rebuke from Ishbaal, under a deserved rebuke from Ishbaal, offered to deliver the remnant of Saul’s offered to deliver the remnant of Saul’s kingdom to David (II Samuel 3: 7-11).kingdom to David (II Samuel 3: 7-11).

Abner and David make a covenant (II Abner and David make a covenant (II Samuel 3: 12-21).Samuel 3: 12-21).

The murder of Ishbaal (II Samuel 4: 5-12).The murder of Ishbaal (II Samuel 4: 5-12).

Michal is Taken in Marriage

In return David’s marriage to Michal seals In return David’s marriage to Michal seals the agreement, without compassion for the agreement, without compassion for Paltiel (Michal’s husband) or Michal.Paltiel (Michal’s husband) or Michal.

David sought to establish a claim upon David sought to establish a claim upon Saul’s kingdom by taking Michal into his Saul’s kingdom by taking Michal into his herem.herem.

At 37, David is the unchallenged ruler of At 37, David is the unchallenged ruler of allall Israel.Israel.

United Israel and the Philistines During David’s reign at Hebron, the During David’s reign at Hebron, the

Philistines did not interfere because they Philistines did not interfere because they thought of him as their vassal.thought of him as their vassal.

The Philistines were content for Israel to be The Philistines were content for Israel to be divided by civil war between the House of divided by civil war between the House of Saul and David.Saul and David.

Once David united all of Israel the Once David united all of Israel the Philistines felt it was time to act (II Samuel Philistines felt it was time to act (II Samuel 5: 17).5: 17).

Defeat of Israel’s Enemies

David defeated the Philistines as well as the David defeated the Philistines as well as the Moabites, Ammonites, Ebonites, Moabites, Ammonites, Ebonites, Amalakites and Aramites.Amalakites and Aramites.

David became ruler of an empire that David became ruler of an empire that stretched from Lebanon to Egypt, from stretched from Lebanon to Egypt, from Mediterranean Sea to the desert of Arabia.Mediterranean Sea to the desert of Arabia.

David Centralizes His Power

David was more than a brilliant military David was more than a brilliant military commander, he worked to centralize the commander, he worked to centralize the power of his throne.power of his throne.

David defeated the Jebusites at Jerusalem David defeated the Jebusites at Jerusalem (the stronghold was left alone after Joshua).(the stronghold was left alone after Joshua).

He chose Jerusalem because it could not be He chose Jerusalem because it could not be considered Southern (Judah) or Northern considered Southern (Judah) or Northern (Israel-House of Saul). Washington, D.C.(Israel-House of Saul). Washington, D.C.

Jerusalem, the City of David!

David establishes his courtiers who gained David establishes his courtiers who gained their authority through David.their authority through David.

If David was to capture the allegiance of all If David was to capture the allegiance of all Israel, he needed to establish his throne on Israel, he needed to establish his throne on the religious sanctions and Mosaic the religious sanctions and Mosaic traditions of the Tribal Confederacy (time traditions of the Tribal Confederacy (time of Joshua).of Joshua).

Jerusalem, “The City of David”

Zion, the City of God

David rescued the Ark of the Covenant David rescued the Ark of the Covenant from the place of oblivion in which it had from the place of oblivion in which it had rested since the fall of the confederate rested since the fall of the confederate sanctuary of Shiloh. sanctuary of Shiloh.

He brought it to Jerusalem with great pomp He brought it to Jerusalem with great pomp and ceremony (II Samuel 6).and ceremony (II Samuel 6).

With the Ark in the “Tent” in Jerusalem, the With the Ark in the “Tent” in Jerusalem, the city became, “Zion, the city of GOD!”city became, “Zion, the city of GOD!”

Candid Snapshot

II Samuel 9 – 20 and I Kings 1-2 present a II Samuel 9 – 20 and I Kings 1-2 present a number of candid snapshots of the real number of candid snapshots of the real David.David.

It is not surprising that David’s initial It is not surprising that David’s initial popularity began to wane.popularity began to wane.

The Court History found in II Samuel 9-20 The Court History found in II Samuel 9-20 and I Kings 1-2 show David’s domestic and I Kings 1-2 show David’s domestic troubles.troubles.

Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite

The key to the story is the encounter between The key to the story is the encounter between David and the prophet Nathan (II Samuel 12.David and the prophet Nathan (II Samuel 12.

The background of the incident is the Bathsheba The background of the incident is the Bathsheba affair. David desired Bathsheba. He was the most affair. David desired Bathsheba. He was the most powerful man in the land.powerful man in the land.

Uriah the Hittite would not break the rules of Uriah the Hittite would not break the rules of purity that applied to a sanctified soldier during purity that applied to a sanctified soldier during holy war (II Samuel 11: 11).holy war (II Samuel 11: 11).

Nathan’s Parable (II Samuel 12)

David entertained Uriah until he was drunk, David entertained Uriah until he was drunk, hoping to weaken his will. hoping to weaken his will.

When his attempt failed, he contrived When his attempt failed, he contrived Uriah’s murder in a manner that would put Uriah’s murder in a manner that would put himself beyond suspicion.himself beyond suspicion.

Nathan’s ParableNathan’s Parable Set off a chain reaction of troubles as Set off a chain reaction of troubles as

David’s lust and murder corrupt his sons.David’s lust and murder corrupt his sons.