Presentation.

Various answers have been offered for the seeming discrepancies.

1) The Passage of time

It assumes that David would have been a very young man when he first came to court in chapter 16, there was most likely some passage of time between the two events. This is suggested by

1 Samuel 17:15 NIV

but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

If David had indeed returned to his Father for a period of time he would have likely grown and changed in his physical appearance during his teenage years. Consequently Saul just did not recognise him.

Saul simply forgot David and was ignorant and failed to recognise him,

David was only a shepherd boy of no significance and was only a young boy when he first came to court, clearly there has been a significant passage of time since those events.

Strength

One could find some support from the biblical data for this assertion, for David had indeed returned to his Father for a period of time and would have likely changed in some physical appearance.

Weakness

Even if David was indeed very young and there was a passage of time, it is unlikely that Saul would not have recognised David because David was already an armour bearer to the king. Kings usually appointed armour bearers for their trustworthiness and loyalty, So Saul would have known David well enough to trust him with his very life and he would have known something of Davids abilities in Combat already, having been previously known as a brave man and a warrior. , furthermore Both Jonathan’s armor-bearer (14:1) and Saul’s (31:4–5) had a close relationship with their masters. We are told Saul “Loved” David greatly . It would be highly unlikely therefore that he could have forgotten David so easily.

1 Samuel 16:18 NIV

One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

known as. Both Jonathan’s armor-bearer (14:1) and Saul’s (31:4–5) had a close relationship with their masters. Furthermore we are told Saul “Loved” David greatly. It would be highly unlikely therefore that he could have forgotten David so easily. David was Described as a brave man and a warrior

2) The Narrative is not primarily concerned with chronology.

It is sometimes argued that Hebrew historical narrative is not restricted to Chronological order, but rather concerns itself with emphasising theological truth through establishing patterns, themes and motifs, particularly through comparison and contrast of characters, places and events .Therefor any perceived contradiction between the two accounts of Davids meeting Saul is inconsequential to biblical inspiration as it was never the intent of the author to give a strictly linear historical record in the first place.

Weakness

we have imposed our modern expectations of historical narrative onto the text.

Weekness

The most natural reading of the text reveals these events are intended to reflect an order and sequence. The patterns and motifs laden throughout only hold up to the extent that they occur sequentially and chronologically, Certain literary patterns rely on a sequential chronology and unfolding of events, For example, Saul was anointed in secret, he was later chosen public-ally by lot, and affirmed by leading Israel into Battle. The same pattern is unfolding with David, David was anointed in secret, chosen to slay Goliath in public and and leads the Israelites in Great military victories. It seems natural that David will be the one to succeed Saul as Gods chosen king.

Answer 3) Saul’s Knows who David is, the question concerns David’s Father.

Firstly for administration purposes. (Tax exemption for his father and Family)

Should David defeat Goliath Saul will request Jesse that david remain permanently.

David will marry into the Royal family if he kills Goliath. Saul wants to know more about the lineage of his new son in law.

Weaknesses.

Assuming 15:55 is a flashback it seems unlikely Saul would be personally concerned with overseeing such arrangements during the heat of an impending battle, furthermore it would might be a bit preemptive as David is yet to actually slay the Giant.

Perhaps more convincingly Saul wants to know who davids father is because he sees David as a potential threat to his throne,

Saul aware that Gods spirit has left him and given to one of his neighbours now sees David as a potential threat to his throne, Sol want to know his pedigree and lineage.

Saul aware that Gods spirit has left him sees David as a potential threat to his throne, If David defeats Goliath, Then surley God’s spirit is with David, David will marry into the Royal Family Gods spirit had already departed,

He wants to know what stock David is from, If he is of Noble descent. From a literary perspective it makes sense that Saul is threatened, The Spirit of the Lord had already left Saul, If anyone should have been able to slay Goliath it should have been Saul who was a head taller than anyone else in Israel, but Gods spirit has left him and is now with a neighbour, David from that day forward will marry into the Royal family and make a convent with the air to the throne. David will become a prominent and well loved military leader. Sauls cold questions about lineage and identity are in sharp contrast to Jonathans warm embrace. If David defeats Goliath, Then surely God’s spirit is with David,

the author seems to be setting things up for David to eventually ascend to the throne. The Spirit of the Lord had already left Saul, If anyone should have been able to slay Goliath it should have been Saul who was a head taller than anyone else in Israel, but Gods spirit has left him, David from that day forward will marry into the Royal family and make a convent with the air to the throne. David will become a prominent and well loved military leader. Also Sauls sold questions about lineage and identity are in sharp contrast to Jonathans warm embrace.If David defeats Goliath, Then surely God’s spirit is with David, David will marry into the Royal Family Gods spirit had already departed,

Answer 3) Threat of coercion.

Answer 4) Saul’s spiritual Deficiency

Chapman and Pezin has argued that Saul indeed fails to recognise David because of his spiritual deficiency, this is symbolised by the return of a bad spirit the next day (1 18:10). Saul is deteriorating, Saul should be able to see Gods hand on David and recognise him, but he is blinded to God’s activity. Pezin who suggests that such discrepancies and inconsistencies may be a deliberate characterisation method to to reflect Sauls unstable and progressively deteriorating state, he is unable to see, David Gods anointed one has been under his nose all this time.

Answer 5 Threat of Coercion

In asking who his Father is Saul is coercing David to see where his true loyalties lie? Note that David is sure to respond that Jesse his father is Saul’s Servent.

Will pass you onto Heidi to say why we think this is a compelling answer.

David relied on God over Sauls Protection.

Will David leave his father and come and permanently serve Saul

Stephen B Chapman:

Saul’s confusion due to spiritual deficiency

- symbolised by return of bad spirit

- victory is God’s

- manner of victory on totally different terms from Saul/Abner

- should not be surprised that Saul and Abner cannot recognise David

“mysteriously deficient, unable for some reason to achieve the spiritual connection to God that David somehow possesses more or less naturally”

“mysteriously deficient, unable for some reason to achieve the spiritual connection to God that David somehow possesses more or less naturally”

Make sure in strengths and weaknesses weather it passes of fails the history test and comment on literary..