Bread, water, raisins

When David returns to his Philistine outpost in Ziklag, he finds it demolished and empty (1 Samuel 30). Amalekites have attacked and taken all the women and children captive. While in pursuit, David’s men come across an Egyptian in the field. Like the hosts in the Odyssey , David feeds first . . . . Continue Reading »

God the Neighbor

Jonathan loved David as himself (1 Samuel 18). Despite the risk to his own status and his future kingship, Jonathan was a good neighbor to David. Because of that love, Jonathan made a covenant with David. First love, then covenant to give form to that love. First one is a good neighbor, and then . . . . Continue Reading »

Burning eyes

When Jonathan eats honey during the battle, his eyes are “brightened” (1 Samuel 14:27, 29; Heb. for “brightened” is ‘or ). By eating honey, his eyes burn like lamps. By eating honey, his eyes burn like the flames of Jesus’ eyes (Revelation 1:14), eyes that . . . . Continue Reading »

First the Bride

ANE kings were, often literally, believed to be sons of the gods. We find something like the same notion in the Davidic covenant: “I will be a Father to him, and he will be a son to Me,” Yahweh tells David, apropos specifically of Solomon. In the Bible, though, Yahweh already has a son . . . . Continue Reading »

Kingship and God

According to Henri Frankfort’s summary, “The Mesopotamian myth of beginnings knew neither single origin nor single authority. The primeval chaos contained two elements, sweet water and salt water - the male Apsu and the female Tiamat. This couple brought forth a multitude of gods whose . . . . Continue Reading »

David’s wives

My oldest son Woelke pointed out to me that 1-2 Samuel refer several times to David’s two wives - Ahinoam and Abigail (cf. 1 Sam 25:43). They are named - complete with their places of origin - when David goes to live with Achish (1 Sam 27:3), when the Amalekites attack Ziklag (1 Sam 30:5), . . . . Continue Reading »

Spirit and fire

Saul sends three sets of men to capture David. As they approach, the Spirit falls on them and they prophesy. Mission unaccomplished. Ahaziah sends three sets of men to capture Elijah. As they approach, fire falls on them and they burn up - until the captain of the last group gets the hint and shows . . . . Continue Reading »