DAVID ON THE RUN

Sociologists sometimes talk about those middle age couples who are caught in the “in-between generation” where they are financially and emotionally supporting both their children and their aging parents at the same time. But even less enviably a position was that of David who had to first flee for his life from his father-in-law Saul only later in life to have to do the same thing to avoid being killed by his own son. Despite these chaotic times, the author of I-II Samuel manages to tell both stories in a very ordered manner in which strict symmetry rules supremely, perhaps as an indications that both events were firmly under God's control.

The first of these to trying times in David's life is diagrammed below:

Figure 1: David Hides from Saul (I Sam. 21:10-II Sam. 1)

1. Saul under the tamarisk tree (I Sam. 21:10-22:23)

a. Achish distrusts David

b. song of the women

c. Saul under the tamarisk tree; he kills priests

d. one escapes and tells David

2. David’s successes in battle (I Sam. 23)

a. David inquires of the Lord twice

b. escapes when Saul is distracted by Philistines

                                                        3. David shames Saul; Saul calls David “my son” (I Sam. 24)

4. David and Abigail (I Sam. 25)

                                                        3'. David shames Saul; Saul calls David “my son” (I Sam. 26)

2'. David’s successes in battle (I Sam. 27-28)

b. Saul is afraid of the Philistines

a. Saul inquires of a witch

1'. Saul under a tamarisk tree (I Sam. 29:1-II Sam. 1)

a. Philistines distrust David

b. song of the women

c. Philistines kill Saul and bury him under a tamarisk tree

d. one man escapes and tells David

Dorsey proposes an almost identical structure to the above except that he begins his section at I Sam. 21:1 and ends it at I Sam. 31. This exclusion of II Sam. 1 weakens considerably the strict parallel between units 1 and 1'.

Chapter 25 would seem to be an inappropriate passage to stress in this overall section. However, McCarter, Jr. notes that Abigail’s speech in 25:28-31 “transforms David’s future wife into a kind of prophetess, who foresees the dynastic promise to the house of David in phrases that explicitly anticipate the Josianic rhetoric of the oracle of Nathan...” In addition, the importance of this chapter is highlighted by the use of the words “good” and “evil” exactly seven times each. It has also been noted that there are several analogies between the character and fate of Nabal in ch. 25 and that of Saul as seen in the bracketing sections 3 and 3'. (Leithart) In all three chapters David refrains from killing an enemy.

Fokkelman proposes a different structure for I Sam. 29-II Sam.1 in which David’s time with the Philistines (I Sam. 27 and 29) brackets Saul’s last night (ch. 28) just as David’s time with the Amelekites (I Sam. 30 and II Sam. 1) brackets Saul’s last day (I Sam. 31).

The above literary arrangement offers one explanation for the fact that the events of ch. 28 probably followed those of ch. 30 chronologically. (Tsumura)

The phrase “the LORD's anointed” appears six times in 3 and 3', and only once elsewhere in Sam-Kings.

In both Ic and I'c, Saul commands men to kill by the sword, but they refuse out of moral grounds.

While we may never know exactly why God put David through all the above trials, it is a different story with the next problem he had with his son Absalom. After David's great sin in taking Bathsheba and having her husband Uriah killed, Nathan confronted him with these prophetic words from God: “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house...Thus says the LORD: I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun. For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.”

Figure 2: David Hides from Absalom (II Sam. 13-20)

1. Disorder in David’s family (13:1-33)

2. Absalom's rebellion (13:34-15:16)

a. Absalom flees

            b. David's heart goes out to Absalom

        c. wise woman and Joab reunite them

b'. Absalom steals the hearts of men of Israel

                        a'. David flees

3. The people follow David out of the city (15:17-37)

4. Mephibosheth and his servant (16:1-4)

5. Shimei spared (16:5-14)

6. Absalom given counsel (16:15-17:14)

7. Messenger to David (17:15-22)

8. Ahithopel hangs himself (17:23)

9. Judah and Israel prepare

                                                                                                                for battle (17:24-18:4)

10. David’s orders to spare Absalom (18:5)

9'. Judah and Israel battle (18:6-8)

8'. Absalom killed while hanging (18:9-18)

7'. Messenger to David (18:19-33)

6'. David given counsel (19:1-15)

5'. Shimei spared (19:16-23)

4'. Mephibosheth and his servant (19:24-30)

3'. The people greet David on his return (19:31-43)

              2'. Sheba's rebellion (20:1-22)

                        a. trumpet is blown and people return to their tents

b. people of Judah follow king to Jerusalem

            c. Joab kills Amasa

            c'. Joab and wise woman kill Sheba

                        a'. people return to their tents and trumpet is blown

                                    b'. Joab returns to king in Jerusalem

1'. Order in David’s kingdom (20:23-26)

Davis alternatively arranges sections 7 through 8' as two parallel cycles, which misses the strong similarity in the hangings of sections 9 and 9', and contradicts his own structure for Section 7.

The chiastic structure of section 8 has been demonstrated by Davis.

Traitorous kisses are evident at key spots in the text: the end of Section 2 (15:5) and the center of 2' (20:9). A kiss of the faithful, by contrast, is shown at the end of the chiasm 3 through 3' (19:39).

The probable non-chronological order in sections 7 through 7' (Schniedewind) is explained in part by the literary arrangement shown above.

Finally, take another look at the center sections in Figures 1 and 2, Now we can see another reason why I Samuel 25 was chosen at the place of honor in the first case – to be an exact parallel to the center passage of Figure 2. In both cases, we see David exhibiting mercy to someone who is his enemy. Both are prime examples of David being a man of God's own heart.

 

JUDE 10-12a

 Jude 10

The language used by Jude in this verse is unfortunately a little less than crystal clear. The context is probably a further comment on the example of Michael and Satan presented in vv. 8-9 since the key word “slander” appears in both places.

Thus, E. Penetcost says, “This abusive speech may refer to their slandering of angels (v. 8)...Rather than comprehending what was above them (the angels), they really understood only what was below them (the animals). Jude thus demolished their Gnostic claim to superior knowledge.”

Wheaton sees a slightly broader application of this verse in stating that “it could more widely just mean 'spiritual things'...Having no time for spiritual things, they limit their knowledge to the physical world, and in this they find their downfall as they allow the physical side of their being to dominate, just like animals.”

In this regard, it is interesting to see F.F. Bruce cite this verse in the light of some early heresies in church history:

“Whereas Tertullian could say, 'we have all things in common, except our wives..., Epiphanes and the Carpocratians appear to have gone farther and said, 'we have all things in common, including our wives.' Epiphanes justified this policy by an appeal to the principles of divine righteousness or equity as embodied not in the law of Moses but in the law of nature. He pointed to the example of the animal creation, and thus incurred the rebuke of Jude: 'by those things that they know by instinct, as irrational animals do, they are destroyed' (Jude 10).”

Jude 11

Just as verses 5-7 presented three examples from the Old Testament of those who were punished by God for their disobedience, Jude presents another triad of OT personages from the Pentateuch to characterize the behavior and fate of those who oppose God and His people. They are compared, in turn to Cain, Balaam, and Korah. The first two of these need little explanation. Korah is not quite as well known to many.

There are several people of that name in the OT, but the Korah being referred to here is not the temple official mentioned in the titles of eleven psalms or one of the descendants of Esau found in Genesis 36. Instead it is the levitical leader mentioned first in Exodus 6, leader with Dathan and Abiram of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16) only to be destroyed by God for going against the duly constituted leadership.

Carson describes the probable reason for Korah's actions: “His attack on Moses and Aaron is motivated by lust for their authority and is defended by the argument that since all the people of Israel are holy, therefore Moses and Aaron have no right to take on special authority that other Israelites cannot enjoy.” Interestingly, modern populist politicians often utilize the same argument with the more successful demagogues among them generally becoming dictators instead.

Jude 12a

There are a number of textual and translation issues in this passage, giving rise to a variety of renderings in English:

    “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear.” (KJV)

    “These are blemishes* on your love feasts, as they boldly carouse together, looking after themselves.” (RSV) *or reefs

    “These men are a menace to the good fellowship of your feasts, for they eat in your company without a qualm yet they care for no one but themselves.” (Phillips)

    “These men are a blot on your love-feasts, where they eat and drink without reverence. They are shepherds who take care only for themselves.” (NEB)

    “They are a dangerous obstacle* to your community meals, coming for the food and quite shamelessly only looking after themselves.” (JB) * or reefs

    “These are the hidden reefs at your love meals,* where they brazenly feast with you while looking out for themselves.” (AB) *or “in their deceptions”

    “These are blemishes* on your love-feasts, while they feast with you without fear, feeding themselves.**” (NRSV) *or reefs **or “without fear. They are shepherds who care only for themselves.”

A few comments are in order regarding this sentence. In the first place, you may be curious where the alternative Anchor Bible translation of “in their deceptions” comes from. Bruce Metzger explains that although the overwhelming number of ancient manuscripts read agapais (“love feasts”) at this point in the text, a few others read apatais (“deceits”) instead, probably influenced by the parallel passage in II Peter 2:13 where the latter word appears.

Also, you should note that there is a parallel of sorts to the behavior of these false teachers found in Paul's writings as well. “When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this manner I do not commend you!” (I Corinthians 11:20-22, NRSV)

Some similar behavior was even noted in OT times among the false leaders of the people. Thus, in Ezekiel 34 the prophet denounces the shepherds (i.e. rulers) of Israel who take good care of themselves while totally ignoring the needs of the sheep. 

                                                 Jude 10-12 (1984)

 

 

 

ORGANIZATION OF SAMUEL-KINGS: EVIDENCE

In my post titled “Samuel-Kings: Introduction to the Literary Structure” I proposed the unified organization for these combined books shown in Figure 1 and provided evidence of the common themes shared by sections labeled with the same Roman numerals.

Figure 1: The Structure of Samuel-Kings

IA. Samuel (I Sam. 1-7)

IIA. Saul's Reign (I Sam. 8:1-21:9)

IIIA. David Hides from Saul (I Sam. 21:10-II Sam. 1:27)

IVA. David the King (II Sam. 2-12)

IIIB. David Hides from Absalom (II Sam. 13-20)

IIB. Echoes of Saul's Reign (II Sam. 21-24)

IB. Solomon (I Kings 1-11)

IIC. Minor Kings (I Kings 12:1-16:28)

IIIC. Elijah and Ahab (I Kings 16:29-22:53)

IVB. Elisha Inherits the Mantle (II Kings 1-2)

IIID. Elisha and Ahab's Family (II Kings 3-10)

            IID. Minor Kings (II Kings 11-17)

IC. Last Kings (II Kings 18-25)

But mere general thematic similarities between two or more passages in a book of the Bible is never enough by itself to establish parallel arrangements such as pictured above. One must also demonstrate that there are specific words, phrases, events or themes present between such passages as well. Thus, the more detailed evidence below is provided for your information. A number of these examples include rare Hebrew words:

IA, B and C: It is only in these three sections that someone is said to return to God with all their heart (I Sam. 7:3; I Kings 8:47-48; II Kings 23:25). Yahweh is recognized as the God of Israel by non-Israelites at I Sam. 5-6; I Kings 10:9; and II Kings 19:10-13.

IA and IB: The promise in I Sam. 2 to cut off Eli's house from temple service is fulfilled in I Kings 2:26-27. References to the Tent of Meeting cease after I Samuel 2:22 only to appear again at I Kings 8:3-4. Abiathar's expulsion in I Kings 2:27 harks back to the prophecies of I Sam. 2:27-36. Additional verbal parallels are given below, most appearing only in IA and IB within Sam-Kings:

Similarity                                                  IA (I Sam.)            IB (I Kings)

sacrifice of well-being                              ch. 1                      8:62-66

“river” (referring to the Euphrates)          1:1                         11:26

prayers of petition from “your servant”   1:10                        8:28-54

“I do not know how to go and come”      1:22                        3:7

people “stand” to pray                             1:26                         8:22

“there is no one like God”                       2:2                           8:23

            reason for the Zadokite priesthood          2:27-36                   2:26-27

isseh (“offering”)                                     2:28                         9:25

dreams/visions from God                        3:1-3                        3:4-5

passive meaning of “to bless”                 3:14                         2:26

“from Dan to Beersheba”                        3:20                         1:45

“be strong and be a man”                        4:9                           1:45

bsr referring to significant news             4:17                         1:42

“there was peace between”                     7:14                         5:12

IA and IC: God is only called “holy” three times in Sam-Kings: twice in IA (I Sam. 2:2 and 6:20) and once in IC (II Kings 19:22). A catastrophe is announced with the words “Behold, the days are coming.” A sign confirms the word of God or his prophet in I Sam. 2:34 and II Kings 19:29; 20:9. The phrase “that will make the ears of anyone who hears it tingle” occurs in I Sam. 3:11 and II Kings 21:12. God is said to be “enthroned upon the cherubim” in I Sam. 4:4 and II Kings 19:15. “Remember a covenant” appears in I Sam. 11:1-2 and I Kings 15:12,19.

IB and IC: One of the most prominent similarities between these two sections is the renewal of God's covenant with the people under Kings Solomon (I Kings 8) and Josiah (II Kings 23). Also, the construction of the temple is described in IB and its destruction in IC. Similarly, Solomon's erection of “high places” of pagan worship is described in I Kings 11:7-8, but these are later destroyed by Josiah (II Kings 23:13).

McConville notes an “openness of Kings about the future” in Solomon's prayer and in the ending of the book. Six of the eight occurrences of “for the sake of David” in Sam-Kings appear in these two sections. Similar phrases describing kings who are unlike those that preceded or followed them are only given in sections IB and IC (at I Kings 3:12; II Kings 18:5; 23:25). The phrase “the place where Yahweh as chosen” appears seven times in these two sections, and “the importance of 'name-theology'...for the significance of Jerusalem” appears three times in these units. (Kaiser) Other parallels are summarized below:

Similarity                                                                         Section IB                  Section IC

Serpent worship                                                               I Kings 1:9                 II Kings 18:4

Siyyah, in the sense of “to give parting charges”             I Kings 2:1                II Kings 20:1

“The book of the law,” etc.                                              I Kings 2:3                 II Kings 21:8; 22:8;23:25

“Walk in faithfulness with whole heart”                          I Kings 2:4                 II Kings 20:3

“To die in peace”                                                              I Kings 2:6                 II Kings 22:20

Eating at a king's table                                                     I Kings 2:7                  II Kings 25:29-30

Adonay used non-vocatively                                            I Kings 2:26; 22:6      II Kings 19:23

Kings that are “faithful before God”                                I Kings 3:6                 II Kings 20:3

Dispute involving two woman and their children            I Kings 3:16-28          II Kings 18:26-27

Deaths are discovered in the morning                              I Kings 3:21               II Kings 19:35

Scribes hold high political office                                     I Kings 4:3                 II Kings 18:18; 25:19

“own vines and fig trees                                                  I Kings 4:25, 5:5         II Kings 18:31

Cedars of Lebanon                                                           I Kings 5:6                  II Kings 19:23

Delet (“door”)                                                                  I Kings 6:31                II Kings 18:16

“measuring line”                                                              I Kings 7:23                 II Kings 21:13

Temple utensils                                                                I Kings 7:40,45,50       II Kings 25:14

Similar ceremonies                                                          I Kings 8                      II Kings 23:1-3

Three-fourths of Zion appearances in book                    I Kings 8:1                    II Kings 19:21,31

All references to walking before God                              I Kings 8:25; 9:4          II Kings 20:3

“Since the day (the Israelites came) out of Egypt”         I Kings 8:16                  II Kings 21:15

“that my name might be there”                                       I Kings 16,29                II Kings 23:27

God as creator and Lord of heaven and earth                 I Kings 8:23                  II Kings 19-15

“people of inheritance”                                                   I Kings 8:51,53             II Kings 21:14

“as each day requires”                                                    I Kings 8:59                   II Kings 25:30

“to put his name there”                                                    I Kings 9:3; 11:36         II Kings 21:4,7

Nations are amazed at Judah's destruction                      I Kings 9:8-9                 II Kings 21:12

treaties between peaceful nations                                    I Kings 9:13                  II Kings 20:32-33

the burning of cities                                                         I Kings 9:16                  II Kings 25:9

examples of state hospitality                                           I Kings 10:1-13             II Kings 20:12-13

King with/without a whole heart for Yahweh                 I Kings 11:4                   II Kings 20:3

Identical three pagan gods                                               I Kings 11:5-7               II Kings 23:13

David glorified                                                                I Kings 11:6,12-13         II Kings 18:3; 22:3

Kings are spared “for the sake of David”                       I Kings 11:12-13             II Kings 19:34

God puts his name in Jerusalem                                      I Kings 11:36                 II Kings 21:4

IA, IVA and IB: These beginning, middle and concluding sections of the first half of Fig. 1 are united by the following: (a) episodes centering around the ark of the covenant in I Sam. 4-6 and II Sam. 6, (b) instances where a king sacrifices oxen and fatlings (II Sam. 6:13; I Kings 1:9-25), (c) repetition of material from II Sam. 4:4-5 in I Kings 2:11, and (d) the only appearances in Sam-Kings of the phrase “she conceived and gave birth” (I Sam. 1:19-20; II Sam. 11:4-5, 27).

IIA and IIB:

Similarity                                                                      Section IIA                     Section IIB

Massab (“garrison”)                                                      6x                                  II Sam. 23:14

God pictured as having ears                                          I Sam. 8:21                    II Sam. 22:7

“Honored” men                                                             I Sam. 9:6                      II Sam. 23:19,23

Only appearances of “seers”                                         I Sam. 9:19                    II Sam. 24:11

God associated with thunder                                         I Sam. 12:18                  II Sam. 22:14

Kings make burnt offerings                                          I Sam. 13:9                     II Sam. 24:25

A king spares someone or something after war            I Sam. 15:3,9,15            II Sam. 21:7

God “repents”                                                               I Sam. 15:11                   II Sam. 24:16

Negative use of “make an end to”                                I Sam. 15:18                   II Sam. 21:5; 22:39

David as a musician                                                      I Sam. 16:16-23             II Sam. 23:1

Enemies “deride” God and His people                        I Sam. 17                         II Sam. 21:21

Saul attempts to kill David, who doesn't retaliate       I Sam. 17-19                    II Sam. 24:26

Only combination of “muster” and “battle”                I Sam. 17:1-2                   II Sam. 23:9

Battles take place in valleys                                        I Sam. 17:2-3,19              II Sam. 23:13

“bronze”                                                                      I Sam. 17:5-6                   II Sam. 22:35

Spears “like a weaver’s beam”                                    I Sam. 17:7                      II Sam. 21:19

“Took his stand”                                                          I Sam. 17:16                    II Sam. 23:12

Lion killed single-handedly                                         I Sam. 17:34-37               II Sam. 23:20

Battles with giants; being girded with a new sword    I Sam. 17:39                    II Sam. 21:16

Without cause/charge (same Hebrew word)                I Sam. 19:5                      II Sam. 24:24

Possession by the spirit of prophecy                           I Sam. 19:20-23                II Sam. 23:2

IIA, B and D: Anger is kindled against someone in I Sam. 17:28; 20:30; II Sam. 24:1; and II Kings 13:3.

IIA and IIC:

Similarity                                                     Section IIA                         Section IIC

Payment to a prophet                                  I Sam. 9:7                            I Kings 14:3

“honey”                                                       I Sam. 14:25-43                  I Kings 14:3

Prophecy of oppressive kings                     I Sam. 8:10-18                     I Kings 12:1-5

Prophecies confirmed                                  I Sam. 9-10                         I Kings 14:18; 16:12

Worship on high places approved               I Sam. 9:12ff;10:5,13          I Kings 15:11-14.

Same interrogative phrase                           I Sam. 9:18                         I Kings 13:12, 22:24

Kings seek support of elders                       I Sam. 15:30                        I Kings 12:6-8

“How long?”                                               I Sam. 16:1                          I Kings 18:21

Similar threats                                             I Sam. 17:44                        I Kings 14:11; 16:4

Suicides                                                       I Sam. 17:23                        I Kings 16:18-19

Temptations to idolatry                                I Sam. 19:11-17                  I Kings 11:1-8

IIA and IID:

Similarity                                                                             Section IIA                 Section IID

Same Hebrew words for one who is very wealthy      I Sam. 9:1                II Kings 15:20

Calls to fear Yahweh                                                    I Sam. 12                 II Kings 17

Israel's failures blamed on the monarchy                    I Sam. 12:12-15       II Kings 17:8

Reigns of kings cut short by God                                I Sam. 13:11-14       II Kings 14:1-20

Prophecy occurring on the battlefield                         I Sam. 15:2-3            II Kings 13:14-19

Illegitimate sacrifices to God are made                      I Sam. 15:15-22        II Kings 16:15

Sin of divination                                                          I Sam. 15:23             II Kings 17:17

They reject God's word and He rejects them              I Sam. 15:23, 26       II Kings 17:16, 20

Hebrew word translated “craftsmen”                          I Sam. 13:19             II Kings 12:12

Covenants between human beings                              I Sam. 18:3                II Kings 11:17

Fleeing to avoid being killed                                      I Sam. 19:12              II Kings 11:40

Interpretation of arrows                                              I Sam. 20:21              II Kings 13:18

Kings are said to sit on thrones                                   I Sam. 20:25             II Kings 11:19

IIB and IIC: These two sections close with descriptions of key properties being acquired by silver (for Solomon's temple and for the city of Samaria, respectively). Kings of Israel are called “lamps” in II Sam. 21:17 and I Kings 15:4. Lion attacks are mentioned in II Samuel 23:20 and I Kings 13:24-28. Two of the occasions when God incited kings to act sinfully are found in II Sam. 24:1 and I Kings 12:15. “Seer” (hozeh) is the title for a prophet in II Samuel 24:11 and II Kings 17:13.

IIB and IID: The names Jacob and Israel are used in parallel in Sam-Kings only at II Sam. 23:1 and II Kings 17:34. Purchases of land are featured in II Sam. 24:24 and I Kings 16:24. God allows rulers to chose their own punishments in II Samuel 24:10-17 and II Kings 13:14-19.

IIC and IID: Almost all of the examples of people becoming kings through violent coups in Kings are found in these two sections. See I Kings 15:32-34; 16:15-16; II Kings 15:10-13,14-16, 25-26, and 30-31.

Similarity                                                                 Section IIC                   Section IID

All references to Jereboam's sin after his death      7x                                 II Kings 17:15-16

Rare public acclaim on the transfer of power         I Kings 12:1-19            II Kings 11

Killing by lions as judgment from God                  I Kings13:24                II Kings 17:25

Power of prophet's bones                                        I Kings 13:31               II Kings 13:21

Judgment on all, whether “bond or free”                I Kings 14:10                II Kings 14:26

A prophecy is fulfilled in stages                             I Kings 14:10-18; 15:25ff

                                                                                                                       II Kings 17:7-23

Idolatrous worship involving pillars, sacred poles I Kings 14:23                 II Kings 16:4; 17:10f

Idolatrous worship on hilltops                               I Kings 14:24                   II Kings 12:3; 16:4

X “did what was right in the sight of the LORD” I Kings 15:5,11                II Kings 14:3

The important role of queen mothers                     I Kings 15:11-13             II Kings 11

Only appearances of Ben-Hadad                            I Kings 15:18                  II Kings 13:3

A king entices another king to attack an enemy    I Kings 15:18                   II Kings 16:7-9

Abel Beth Maacah                                                 I Kings 15:20                   II Kings 15:29

Naphthali as first in path of enemy troops             I Kings 15:20                  II Kings 15:29

Royal ailments described                                      I Kings 15:23                    II Kings 15:5

Only application of the word hebel to idols          I Kings 16:13,26               II Kings 17:15

Failure to remove golden calves is criticized        I Kings 16:19                   II Kings 15:18

IIIA, B and D: The three occurrences of the phrase “the days that you remained there” in Sam-Kings appear in these sections (I Sam. 23:13; II Sam. 15:20; II Kings 8:1). The blessing “go in peace” occurs at I Sam. 29:7; II Sam. 15:9; II Kings 5:19 and only one other time in Sam-Kings. The figurative use of “heart” appears only at I Samuel 25:37; II Samuel 18:14; and II Kings 9:24.

IIIA, B, C and D: The Hebrew word rakab for mounting an animal appears once each in these four sections and only in one other location in Sam-Kings.

IIIA and IIIB:

Similarities                                                         Section IIIA                  Section IIIB

“Placed...in their hearts”                                     I Sam. 21:12                  II Sam. 13:20

“Commanders of thousands and hundreds”       I Sam. 22:7                     II Sam. 18:1,4

Attacking a city to get one man                         I Sam. 23:7-13                II Sam. 17:13; 20:14-22

Armies that are 600-men strong                         I Sam. 23:13                   II Sam. 15:18

David is called “the LORD's anointed”             I Sam. 24:6; 26:9            II Sam. 19:21

Bowing to a king                                                I Sam. 24:8                     II Sam. 14:4

The root gml (“good deeds” of David)              I Sam. 24:17                    II Sam. 19:36

The importance of one's name living on           I Sam. 24:21-22                II Sam. 14:7; 18:10

Sheep shearing celebrations                              I Sam. 25:1                       II Sam. 13:23-27

Riding on a donkey                                           I Sam. 25:20,42                II Sam. 19:26

Wise women talk to kings                                 I Sam. 25:24-31                II Sam. 14:2-3; 20:16-19

“Disgrace” applied to capital crimes                 I Sam. 25:25                     II Sam. 13:12

God is “blessed”                                                I Sam. 25:32,39                II Sam. 18:28

“Banquet fit for a king”                                     I Sam. 25:36                     II Sam. 13:27

“Heart is /was merry” = drunkenness                I Sam. 25:36                     II Sam. 13:28

Abishai acts impulsively                                   I Sam. 26:8                        II Sam. 16:9

The land as Yahweh’s inheritance                     I Sam. 26:19                      II Sam. 14:16; 20:19

“made yourself odious to”                                I Sam. 27:12                       II Sam. 16:21

Physical decay due to old age                           I Sam. 28:14                       II Sam. 19:31-39

50 & 100 as military units                                 I Sam. 29:2                         II Sam. 15:1

“Satan” applied to human adversaries              I Sam. 29:4                          II Sam. 19:22

“just as the angel of God”                                 I Sam. 29:9                         II Sam. 14:17,20; 19:27

“the matter is narrow for”                                 I Sam. 30:6                         II Sam. 13:2

“Catch up”                                                         I Sam. 30:8                         II Sam. 15:14

Descriptions of suicides                                     I Sam. 31:3-5; II Sam. 1:5-16

                                                                                                                       II Sam. 17:23

A man with torn clothes and dirt on his head   II Sam. 1:2                           II Sam. 15:32

A man from battle with news of a death           II Sam. 1:2                           II Sam. 18:24

Comparison of brave warriors to lions             II Sam. 1:23                         II Sam. 17:10

IIIA, B and C: In these three sections, the main characters flee from their pursuers. Drunken kings are found in I Sam. 25:36; II Sam. 13:28; and I Kings 20:16. The first two are assassinated while inebriated. People are contemptuously called “this fellow” in I Samuel 21:16; II Samuel 13:17; and I Kings 22:27.

IIIA and IIIC:

Similarities                                                         IIIA                             IIIC

Men of God being afraid                                  I Sam. 21:12                 I Kings 19:3

Caves as places of refuge                                 I Sam. 22:1-2; 24:3      I Kings 18:4,13; 19:9

Royal courts in the field                                   I Sam. 25:5                  I Kings 21:8

Being asleep with an object at their head         I Sam. 26:11-12           I Kings 19:6

Non-sacral slaughtering of animals                  I Sam. 28:24                I Kings 19:21

IIIA and IIID: The related words for madness and madman appear in I Sam. 21:15-16 and II Kings 9:11, respectively. The combination “servant” and “king of Israel” only appears at I Sam. 29:3 and II Kings 5:6. Attacks by archers are featured in I Sam. 31:3 and II Kings 9:24, and there are similar scenes of war pictured in I Sam. 31:11-12 and II Kings 6:24-7:20.

IIIB, C and D: The four uses of the phrase usually translated “What have I to do with you?” in Sam-Kings appear here (II Sam. 16:10, 19:22-23; I Kings 17:18; II Kings 3:13). Three of the four uses of the vocative “my lord” in these books are in these sections (II Sam. 14:15; I Kings 18:7; II Kings 8:12). “Father” has the meaning of an important leader in I Samuel 24:11 and II Kings 6:21.

IIIB and IIIC: Purposely false counsel from the LORD is found in II Sam. 17:14 and I Kings 22:22-23. The rebuilding of Jericho by Ahab is described in II Sam. 19:5 and I Kings 16:34. Kammeh, meaning “how many?,” appears only at II Sam. 19:35 and I Kings 22:16. Three of the four parables in Samuel-Kings appear in these two sections (II Samuel 14:6; I Kings 20:35; 22:19).

IIIB and IIID:

Similarity                                                         Section IIIB                 Section IIID

Only references to cooking/baking                 II Sam. 13:8                  II Kings 4:38; 6:29

All but one use of the verb “to pour”              II Sam. 13:9; 18:34      II Kings 3:11; 4:40-41

Very similar dialogue                                      II Sam. 14:4-5              II Kings 6:26-28

Incidents at the gates of a city                         II Sam. 15:1-4              II Kings 7:1

Servants switch allegiances                             II Sam. 15:34               II Kings 10:5

Derogatory use of the term “dog”                   II Sam. 16:9                  II Kings 8:13

Guilt in other people's eyes is mentioned       II Sam. 19:19                II Kings 7:9

Servants betray their masters                          II Sam. 18:24-30          II Kings 5:1-27

IIIC and IIID: In addition to the many parallels involving Elijah and Elisha, the following can be cited:

Similarity                                                                 Section IIIC                     Section IIID

God speaks through the prophets                            I Kings 16:34                  II Kings 9:36

Non-Israelites are converted                                   I Kings 17                       II Kings 5

“To stand before” relating to prophets and God     I Kings 17:1; 18:15         II Kings 3:14

Rooftop as a place of relaxing                                I Kings 17:19                  II Kings 4:10

“Now I know that...”                                              I Kings 17:24                   II Kings 5:15

“Mighty warriors”                                                  I Kings 18                        II Kings 5:1

Baal worship at Tyre and Sidon                             I Kings 18                        II Kings 9-10

“Call upon the name of the LORD”                       I Kings 18:24                  II Kings 5:11

Rare word for “bow down”                                   I Kings 18:42                   II Kings 4:34-35

Seven-fold Elijah/Elisha commands                     I Kings 18:43-44              II Kings 5:10,14

“Went to Jezreel”                                                  I Kings 18:45                    II Kings 9:16

Girding of the loins                                              I Kings 18:46                     II Kings 4:29; 9:1

God’s hand comes upon a prophet                        I Kings 18:46                    II Kings 3:15

God works through Syrians                                  I Kings 19:15                     II Kings 5:1

Prophets involved in a change of regime             I Kings 19:15-18                II Kings 8:10-13

Kings consult prophets                                         I Kings 20                          II Kings 3:11-19

“Massa, a word of the LORD”                             I Kings 21:17-19               II Kings 9:25

Covetous murder                                                  I Kings 21:19                     II Kings 9:26

Animals devour dead bodies                                I Kings 21:19,24                II Kings 9:10,36

“I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond

or free, in Israel”                                                  I Kings 21:21                      II Kings 9:8

Combined attacks of Israel and Judah's armies   I Kings 22                           II Kings 3

Method of Jezebel's death                                   I Kings 21:23                       II Kings 9:30

“My forces are as your forces, etc.”                    I Kings 22:4                        II Kings 3:7

An inquiry is made of the LORD                        I Kings 22:7-8                     II Kings 3:11

Threshing floors                                                   I Kings 22:10                       II Kings 6:27

Rare word for “to hide”                                       I Kings 22:25                       II Kings 7:12

Similar assessment of Jehoshaphat's reign          I Kings 22:43-44                  II Kings 3:14

IVA and IVB: Blessings or promises in the name of Yahweh are given in II Sam. 6:18 and II Kings 2:4. Two rare appearances of Jericho in Sam-Kings occur at II Sam. 10:5 and II Kings 2. On the first occasion, David tells his men to remain in Jericho while Elijah, in the second instance, tells Elisha to remain in Bethel while he goes on to Jericho. The practice of a king taking a deposed king's wives or concubines is alluded to in II Sam. 3:7; 12:8; and I Kings 2:17-25. The Cherethites and the Pelethites are mentioned in II Samuel 8:18 and I Kings 1:38,44.

The oath formula “As the LORD lives” appears at II Sam. 4:9 and I Kings 1:29.