Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Saul’s army is routed by the Philistines. His sons are killed and he commits suicide. The Philistines desecrate Saul’s body, but the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead eventually bury his remains.

II. Photo
Saul’s remains are interred: “Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.” (v. 13)

III. Important Verses
3-6: The battle raged around Saul, and some of the archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers. Saul said to his arms-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, so that the uncircumcised may not run me through and make sport of me.” But his arms-bearer, in his great awe, refused; whereupon Saul grasped the sword and fell upon it.  When his arms-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. Thus Saul and his three sons and his arms-bearer, as well as all his men, died together on that day.
8-10: The next day the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his three sons lying on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped him of his armor, and they sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to spread the news in the temples of their idols and among the people. They placed his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they impaled his body on the wall of Beth-shan.
11-13. When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard about it — what the Philistines had done to Saul — all their stalwart men set out and marched all night; they removed the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan and came to Jabesh and burned them there. Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

IV. Outline
1. The Israelites flee
2. Saul’s sons are killed
3-6. Saul commits suicide
7. The Philistines occupy the Israelite towns
8-10. The Philistines desecrate Saul’s body; They offer his armor to Ashtaroth
11-13. The men of Jabesh-gilead burn Sauls body and bury his bones

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://uaadoption.com/images/gift-card_tree-field.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
David and his men return to Ziklag to find their homes burned, their possessions stolen, and their families kidnapped. The men pursue the guilty Amalekites and exact their revenge.

II. Photo
David returns to Ziklag: “When David and his men came to the town and found it burned down, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive, David and the troops with him broke into tears, until they had no strength left for weeping.” (vv. 3-4)

III. Important Verses
1-4: By the time David and his men arrived in Ziklag, on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negeb and against Ziklag; they had stormed Ziklag and burned it down. They had taken the women in it captive, low-born and high-born alike; they did not kill any, but carried them off and went their way. When David and his men came to the town and found it burned down, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive, David and the troops with him broke into tears, until they had no strength left for weeping.
6a: David was in great danger, for the troops threatened to stone him; for all the troops were embittered on account of their sons and daughters.
6b-8: But David sought strength in the LORD his God. David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, “Bring the ephod up to me.” When Abiathar brought up the ephod to David, David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue those raiders? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall overtake and you shall rescue.”
17: David attacked them from before dawn until the evening of the next day; none of them escaped, except four hundred young men who mounted camels and got away.
21-25: When David reached the two hundred men who were too faint to follow David and who had been left at the Wadi Besor, they came out to welcome David and the troops with him; David came forward with the troops and greeted them.  But all the mean and churlish fellows among the men who had accompanied David spoke up, “Since they did not accompany us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we seized — except that each may take his wife and children and go.” David, however, spoke up, “You must not do that, my brothers, in view of what the LORD has granted us, guarding us and delivering into our hands the band that attacked us. How could anyone agree with you in this matter? The share of those who remain with the baggage shall be the same as the share of those who go down to battle; they shall share alike.” So from that day on it was made a fixed rule for Israel, continuing to the present day.

IV. Outline
1-2. The Amalekites raid Ziklag
3. David returns to a burnt city
4. The men lament
5. The status of David’s wives
6. David fears an insurrection
7-8. God tells David to attack
9-10. Only 400 of the 600 men advance
11-16. An Egyptian slave leads David to the marauders
17. David slaughters the Amalekites
18-20. All the people and possessions are recaptured
21-24. The men who stayed behind share in the booty
25. An Israelite practice
26-31. David sends booty to the elders of Judah

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://www.stolaf.edu/people/ceumb/research/Mongolia/Field3.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The Philistines, with David in their ranks, prepare to attack the Israelites. David’s loyalty is questioned and he is sent home.

II. Photo
David is sent home: “Achish summoned David and said to him, ‘As the Lord lives, you are an honest man, and I would like to have you serve in my forces; for I have found no fault with you from the day you joined me until now. But you are not acceptable to the other lords. So go back in peace, and do nothing to displease the Philistine lords.’” (vv. 6-7)

III. Important Verses
3-5: The Philistine officers asked, “Who are those Hebrews?” “Why, that’s David, the servant of King Saul of Israel,” Achish answered the Philistine officers. “He has been with me for a year or more, and I have found no fault in him from the day he defected until now.” But the Philistine officers were angry with him; and the Philistine officers said to him, “Send the man back; let him go back to the place you assigned him. He shall not march down with us to the battle, or else he may become our adversary in battle. For with what could that fellow appease his master if not with the heads of these men? Remember, he is the David of whom they sang as they danced: Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands.”
8-9: David, however, said to Achish, “But what have I done, what fault have you found in your servant from the day I appeared before you to this day, that I should not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” Achish replied to David, “I know; you are as acceptable to me as an angel of God. But the Philistine officers have decided that you must not march out with us to the battle.

IV. Outline
1-2. The Philistines advance
3-5. The Philistine lords try to exclude David from the battle
6-10. Achish speaks with David
11. David returns home

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://trevinwax.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/getty_finger_pointing.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The Philistines prepare to attack the Israelite army. Saul travels to En-dor, conjures up Samuel’s ghost, and is told that he is doomed to fail. Although Saul is distraught, he and his men manage to travel back to the camp.

II. Photo
Saul visits a diviner: “At that, the woman asked, ‘Whom shall I bring up for you?’ He answered, ‘Bring up Samuel for me.’” (v. 11)

III. Important Verses
1-2: At that time the Philistines mustered their forces for war, to take the field against Israel. Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out with my forces.” David answered Achish, “You surely know what your servant will do.” “In that case,” Achish replied to David, “I will appoint you my bodyguard for life.”
5-7: When Saul saw the Philistine force, his heart trembled with fear. And Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. Then Saul said to his courtiers, “Find me a woman who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and inquire through her.” And his courtiers told him that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts.
13-14: The king answered her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”  “What does he look like?” he asked her. “It is an old man coming up,” she said, “and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel; and he bowed low in homage with his face to the ground.
16-19: Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, seeing that the LORD has turned away from you and has become your adversary? The LORD has done for Himself as He foretold through me: The LORD has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David, because you did not obey the LORD and did not execute His wrath upon the Amalekites. That is why the LORD has done this to you today. Further, the LORD will deliver the Israelites who are with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow your sons and you will be with me; and the LORD will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.”
20: At once Saul flung himself prone on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. Besides, there was no strength in him, for he had not eaten anything all day and all night.

IV. Outline
1-2. David and the Philistines prepare to march against Israel
3a. Retelling of Samuel’s death
3b. Saul’s ban on ghosts and spirits
4-5. Saul fears the Philistines
6. God does not answer him
7-14. Saul employs a diviner from En-dor to bring back Samuel
15-19. Samuel warns of defeat for Saul and kingship for David
20. Saul is overwrought
21-25a. Saul agrees to eat
25b. Saul and his men leave

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://z.about.com/d/healing/1/0/B/9/1/gi_wwcandles.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
David flees to Philistia. He plunders the neighboring cities but manages to trick the Philistines, telling them that he has raided Judah itself.

II. Photo
David settles in Ziklag: “David said to Achish, ‘If you please, let a place be granted me in one of the country towns where I can live; why should your servant remain with you in the royal city?’ At that time Achish granted him Ziklag; that is how Ziklag came to belong to the kings of Judah, as is still the case.” (vv. 5-6)

III. Important Verses
1: David said to himself, “Some day I shall certainly perish at the hands of Saul. The best thing for me is to flee to the land of the Philistines; Saul will then give up hunting me throughout the territory of Israel, and I will escape him.”
4: And when Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he did not pursue him any more.
8-11: David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Gizrites, and the Amalekites — who were the inhabitants of the region of Olam, all the way to Shur and to the land of Egypt. — When David attacked a region, he would leave no man or woman alive; he would take flocks, herds, asses, camels, and clothing. When he returned and came to Achish, Achish would ask, “Where did you raid today?” and David would reply, “The Negeb of Judah,” or “the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or “the Negeb of the Kenites.” David would leave no man or woman alive to be brought to Gath; for he thought, “They might tell about us: David did this.” Such was his practice as long as he stayed in the territory of the Philistines.

IV. Outline
1-4. David flees to Philistine Gath
5-6. David inhabits Ziklag
7. Chronology
8-11. David plunders his enemies; Achish is mislead
12. Achish trusts David

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://ferrelljenkins.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/ziklag_fjenkins_120809_152t.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Saul chases after David. David sneaks into the Saul’s chambers, steals his personal items, and secretly returns to his own camp. Saul is contrite when he learns that David had the opportunity to kill him but chose not to.

II. Photo
David pleads with Saul: “Oh, let my blood not fall to the ground, away from the presence of the Lord! For the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea — as if he were hunting a partridge in the hills.” (v. 20)

III. Important Verses
1; The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah facing Jeshimon.”
6-12: David spoke up and asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” And Abishai answered, “I will go down with you.” So David and Abishai approached the troops by night, and found Saul fast asleep inside the barricade, his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Abner and the troops sleeping around him. And Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hands today. Let me pin him to the ground with a single thrust of the spear. I will not have to strike him twice.” But David said to Abishai, “Don’t do him violence! No one can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed with impunity.” And David went on, “As the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go down to battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed! Just take the spear and the water jar at his head and let’s be off.” So David took away the spear and the water jar at Saul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew or woke up; all remained asleep; a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.
19-21: [David said:] “Now let my lord the king hear his servant out. If the LORD has incited you against me, let Him be appeased by an offering; but if it is men, may they be accursed of the LORD! For they have driven me out today, so that I cannot have a share in the LORD’s possession, but am told, ‘Go and worship other gods.’ Oh, let my blood not fall to the ground, away from the presence of the LORD! For the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea — as if he were hunting a partridge in the hills.”  And Saul answered, “I am in the wrong. Come back, my son David, for I will never harm you again, seeing how you have held my life precious this day. Yes, I have been a fool, and I have erred so very much.”
25: Saul answered David, “May you be blessed, my son David. You shall achieve, and you shall prevail.” David then went his way, and Saul returned home.

IV. Outline
1. The Ziphites inform Saul of David’s location
2-3a. Saul pursues David
3b-5. David sees Saul
6-12. David enter’s Saul’s chambers, takes his personal items, but does not kill him
13-16. David ridicules Saul’s troops
17-24. David convinces Saul of his innocence
25a. Saul blesses David
25b. David and Saul part ways

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://www.sfu.ca/biology/faculty/williams/ebird/img/rl_partridge.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
David asks Nabal for provisions. Nabal spurns the request and is almost killed by David. Nabal’s wife Abigail appeases David by secretly giving him food and drink. Nabal dies and David takes Abigail as his wife.

II. Photo
Abigail prepares food for David: “Abigail quickly got together two hundred loaves of bread, two jars of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of parched corn, one hundred cakes of raisin, and two hundred cakes of pressed figs.” (v. 18a)

III. Important Verses
1a: Samuel died, and all Israel gathered and made lament for him; and they buried him in Ramah, his home.
10-11: Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many slaves nowadays who run away from their masters. Should I then take my bread and my water, and the meat that I slaughtered for my own shearers, and give them to men who come from I don’t know where?”
23-26: hen Abigail saw David, she quickly dismounted from the ass and threw herself face down before David, bowing to the ground. Prostrate at his feet, she pleaded, “Let the blame be mine, my lord, but let your handmaid speak to you; hear your maid’s plea. Please, my lord, pay no attention to that wretched fellow Nabal. For he is just what his name says: His name means ‘boor’ and he is a boor. “Your handmaid did not see the young men whom my lord sent. I swear, my lord, as the LORD lives and as you live — the LORD who has kept you from seeking redress by blood with your own hands — let your enemies and all who would harm my lord fare like Nabal!
38: About ten days later the LORD struck Nabal and he died.
39-42: When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praised be the LORD who championed my cause against the insults of Nabal and held back His servant from wrongdoing; the LORD has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” David sent messengers to propose marriage to Abigail, to take her as his wife. When David’s servants came to Abigail at Carmel and told her that David had sent them to her to make her his wife, she immediately bowed low with her face to the ground and said, “Your handmaid is ready to be your maidservant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” Then Abigail rose quickly and mounted an ass, and with five of her maids in attendance she followed David’s messengers; and she became his wife.

IV. Outline
1. Samuel Dies
2-3. Nabal and his wife Abigail
4-8. David sends messengers to Nabal requesting provisions
9-11. Nabal spurns David’s request
12-13. David prepares to kill Nabal
14-19. Abigail prepares provisions for David
20-31. Abigail gives David provisions and pleads for mercy
32-35. David blesses Abigail and brings his raid to an end
36-37. Abigail informs Nabal about the incident
38. God kills Nabal
39-42. David marries Abigail
43. David’s second wife: Ahinoam of Jezreel
44. Saul gives Michal to another man

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://www.dallassecretwine.com/images/bread_wine.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Saul inadvertently enters David’s hiding place. Instead of killing him, David cuts off a corner of Saul’s garment. Saul acknowledges David’s innocence and accepts his role as future king.

II. Photo
David proves his innocence: “Please, sir, take a close look at the corner of your cloak in my hand; for when I cut off the corner of your cloak, I did not kill you. You must see plainly that I have done nothing evil or rebellious, and I have never wronged you.” (v. 12a)

III. Important Verses
4b-8: There was a cave there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the back of the cave. David’s men said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into your hands; you can do with him as you please.’” David went and stealthily cut off the corner of Saul’s cloak. But afterward David reproached himself for cutting off the corner of Saul’s cloak. He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my lord — the LORD’s anointed — that I should raise my hand against him; for he is the LORD’s anointed.” David rebuked his men and did not permit them to attack Saul. Saul left the cave and started on his way.
11-13: [David said to Saul:] “You can see for yourself now that the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave today. And though I was urged to kill you, I showed you pity; for I said, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ Please, sir, take a close look at the corner of your cloak in my hand; for when I cut off the corner of your cloak, I did not kill you. You must see plainly that I have done nothing evil or rebellious, and I have never wronged you. Yet you are bent on taking my life.  May the LORD judge between you and me! And may He take vengeance upon you for me, but my hand will never touch you.”
14: As the ancient proverb has it: ‘Wicked deeds come from wicked men!’ My hand will never touch you.
21-22: [Saul said to David:] “I know now that you will become king, and that the kingship over Israel will remain in your hands. So swear to me by the LORD that you will not destroy my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.”

IV. Outline
1-4. Saul unknowingly enters David’s cave
5-8. David spares Saul’s life
9-16. David pleads his case
17-22. Saul accepts David’s plea and acknowledges David’s role as future king
23. Saul and David part ways

V. Comment
Chapter 24 relates how David convinces Saul of his innocence. Saul unknowingly enters David’s cave but David chooses to spare his life. Saul acknowledges David’s innocence and role as future king.

Scholars point out that the events of chapters 24 and 23 strikingly similar: both describe Saul in hot pursuit of David and both describe David’s narrow escape. As with other twice-told stories in the Hebrew Bible, scholars question if we are dealing with  (a) two distinct stories or (b) one story told in two different ways. An example of this can be seen in the works of Campbell. He writes: “An issue that has to come up early in any discussion is whether the mountainside pursuit (23:24b-28) belongs with the cave story (ch. 24) in a single narrative. The answer is remarkably simple; it is both Yes and No. Just as the text in 23:1-13 could be treated as two separate traditions following one another in the narrative or as two traditions presented as a single story, so here the pursuit story and the cave story could be treated as two separate traditions or as parts of a single story.” (250)

What is the purpose of this story? As has been pointed out in previous comments, scholars view 1 Samuel 16:14 – 2 Samuel 5 to be the “History of David’s Rise,” i.e. an apologetical account meant to cover up what was likely a violent coup d’état. David’s piety is stressed throughout the narrative, and Klein highlights it as follows: “The speeches of the two main characters carry the meaning of the story. Did David attempt to wrest the throne from Saul by violence? No, David was innocent of any revolutionary intent. By cutting off only a corner of Saul’s robe David showed his innocence. Saul, on the other hand, appears as the real villain. He pursued David with a five-to-one numerical superiority and hunted down the innocent Bethlehemite with great force even though David was no more significant than the last flea on a dead dog. David repeatedly and confidently called on [God] to decide the case. His loyalty to his predecessor should be unquestioned. In his words, Saul was ‘my lord,’ ‘the king of Israel,’ and, significantly, ‘my father.’” (241-242)

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Photo taken from http://www.peacehealth.org/Oregon/BHS/images/QuiltHand.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The Philistines attack Keilah but are driven away by David. Saul chases David into the mountains but fails to capture him.

II. Photo
The Philistines attack Keilah: “David was told: ‘The Philistines are raiding Keilah and plundering the threshing floors.’” (v. 1)

III. Important Verses
2: David consulted the LORD, “Shall I go and attack those Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go; attack the Philistines and you will save Keilah.”
6, 9-12: When Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought down an ephod with him… When David learned that Saul was planning to harm him, he told the priest Abiathar to bring the ephod forward. And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me. Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me into his hands? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell Your servant!” And the LORD said, “He will.” David continued, “Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me and my men into Saul’s hands?” And the LORD answered, “They will.”
18: And the two of them entered into a pact before the LORD. David remained in Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
26-28: Saul was making his way along one side of a hill, and David and his men were on the other side of the hill. David was trying hard to elude Saul, and Saul and his men were trying to encircle David and his men and capture them, when a messenger came and told Saul, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have invaded the land.” Saul gave up his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place came to be called the Rock of Separation.

IV. Outline
1-4. God tells David to attack the Philistines
5. David saves the residents of Keilah
6. Abiathar brings an ephod
7-8. Saul prepares to attack
9-12. God tells David about the troubles that lie ahead
13-14. David and his men escape to the hill country
15-18. David and Jonathan make a pact
19-24. Saul’s reconnaissance
25-26. David eludes Saul
27-28a. Saul leaves to fight the Philistines
28b. Etymological note

V. Comment

Chapter 23 tells two stories: (a) David protects the people of Keilah from the Philistines, and (b) Saul fails to capture David. The ephod, which allows David to communicate with God, plays an important role in the narrative. It paints the picture that David is directed by God, not ambition, revenge, or greed. Naphtali H. Tur Sinai equates the ephod with the urim wetumin. He writes (translation my own): “[The urim wetumin] are called the ‘holy lottery’ by which God can express his will to the people. The vessels that were used for a lottery were placed inside the choshen – a pocket or squared sheath – that the High Priest would carry on his ephod on his heart… Yet, because the urim wetumin was placed inside the choshen on top of the ephod it is called by the name ‘ephod’ in scripture.” (Tur Sinai, Naphtali H. “’urim wetumin” in Encyclopedia Mikra’it)

The ephod primarily appears in two sections of the Bible – the book of Exodus (where it is a priestly garment) and the books of Judges and Samuel. Campbell notes that the oracular experiences described in Samuel seem different from those described elsewhere. He writes: “The divine response… ‘and save Keilah’ (v. 2) goes beyond David’s original questions. As we understand texts about the ephod, the procedure with it offers three responses: affirmative (yes), negative (no), and no answer (silence). The ‘and save Keilah’ is, therefore, an interpretation from the narrator – its emphasis is all the more important coming from the storyteller.” (240) Yet, while Campbell’s point is interesting, he does not cite any verses or secondary sources for support. Indeed, like many of the oracles found in the book of Psalms (e.g. Ps. 132:11-12), it is possible that an actual person did the talking. Needless to say, more research is required.

Who wore the ephod? While the ephod was primarily a priestly garment, it was worn by certain non-priests besides David. Meyers writes: “Since the word ephod refers to a sacred vestment, most of the usages are in the priestly passages of the Pentateuch, mainly in the tabernacle texts of Exodus. However, other individuals involved in cultic activity—notably Gideon (Judg 8:27), the priest of Micah (Judg 17:5; 18:14, 17, 18, 20), Eli (1 Sam 14:3), Samuel (1 Sam 2:18, 28), and David or his priests (1 Sam 21:9; 22:18; 23:16; 30:7; 2 Sam 6:14; 1 Chr 15:27)—are associated with the ephod. In Hos 3:4 it is mentioned, along with the teraphim, independently of a priestly figure.” (“Ephod,” in Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. II p. 550)

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Campbell, Antony F. “1 Samuel” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Klein, Ralph W. “1 Samuel” Word Biblical Commentary vol. 10 (Waco, Texas: Word Books, 1983).
Meyers, Carol. “Ephod” in Anchor Bible Dictionary, vol. II p. 550
Tur Sinai, Naphtali H. “’urim wetumin” in Encyclopedia Mikra’it
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