David, Solomon, and the End of Unity

Corresponds to Chapters 10 and 11 of textbook

United Monarchy

• This is the beginning of the period called the United Monarchy where all of the tribes of Israel were united under one king.

• This period lasted from Saul’s anointing in c. 1020s BC and ended after Solomon’s death c. 920s BC.

Saul and David

• After the “Spirit of the Lord” rushed upon David it departed from Saul.

• Saul was then tormented by an evil spirit– His servants suggested that music may make him

feel better– They heard about David’s skills playing the harp

(lyre)

Saul and David

• David was brought to Saul’s court and made armor-bearer

• His music made Saul feel better and caused the evil spirit to leave him

David and Goliath

• 1 Samuel 17:1 – 18:5– This battle takes place in the form of “single

combat”• This was a common form of determining the winner of

a battle up until the 14th century AD. • It consisted of each side choosing one “champion” to

fight the other in order to decide the outcome of the battle.

David and Goliath

• This story is interpreted in many ways:– As a type of Christ’s victory over sin– As a symbol of God’s victory over Satan– In modern times it is given the moral “you can

face overwhelming challenges and win”

• BUT, the story in its Biblical context probably is solidifying David’s status as the true king of Israel.

David and Goliath

• Why is this the most likely meaning?– For one, we know that the people sought a king to restore

theological and political unity. This story seems to show who is most fit for the task.

– 1 Sam 9: 14-16 and 1 Sam 16:11– 1 Sam 9:2 and 1 Sam 16

• There is an obvious contrast between David and Saul

– 1 Sam 8• David rises up to the occasion, whereas Saul should have. That is what

the people wanted the king for, to be their “champion” in battle.

– 1 Sam • David learned to use the sling to protect his actual father’s sheep, now

he is using it to protect his father’s (God’s) people

David and Saul

• As a result of this batt le, Saul put David in charge of his army– However, Saul soon became jea lous of

David because of 1 Sam 18:7• Saul then tr ied to ki l l David with a

spear (twice!) , but fai led.• Saul tr ied everything he could to ki l l

David, but nothing worked.– For example, 1 Sam 18: 25-27

Saul and David

• David did have a chance to kill Saul, but spared his life(1 Sam 24)

• Saul eventually died– He got hit with an arrow in battle and then fell on

his sword to end his life. His armor-bearer and three of his four sons followed suit.

King David

• Now that Saul was dead, David was in a good position to become king– The first tribe to accept him as king was his

own tribe, Judah. • His capital was the city of Hebron

– One of Saul’s sons (Ishbaal) became king over the other tribes

– It was not until Ishbaal died that David became the king over all of Israel (2 Sam 5)