VOLUME 8 OLD TESTAMENT NEW COLLEGEVILLE THE BIBLE COMMENTARY FIRST AND SECOND SAMUEL Feidhlimidh T. Magennis SERIES EDITOR Daniel Durken, O.S.B. LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert C. Harren, J.C.L., Censor deputatus. Imprimatur: W Most Reverend John F. Kinney, J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of St. Cloud, Minnesota, October 14, 2011. Design by Ann Blattner. Cover illustration: David Anthology by Donald Jackson. Copyright 2010 The Saint John’s Bible, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permis- sion. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All right reserved. Photos: pages 10, 121, 142, Thinkstock.com; pages 53, 72, 103, 111, Wikimedia Commons. Maps created by Robert Cronan of Lucidity Information Design, LLC. Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edi- tion © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. © 2012 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, micro fiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, P.O. Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 123456789 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Magennis, Feidhlimidh. First and Second Samuel / Feidhlimidh Magennis. p. cm. — (The new Collegeville Bible commentary. Old Testament ; v. 8) Includes index. ISBN 978-0-8146-2842-3 1. Bible. O.T. Samuel—Commentaries. I. Title. BS1325.53.M34 2011 222'.4077—dc23 2011037878 CONTENTS Abbreviations 4 THE BOOKS OF FIRST AND SECOND SAMUEL Introduction 5 Text and Commentary 9 Hannah’s Gift (1 Samuel 1–3) 9 The Ark Narratives (1 Samuel 4:1–7:1) 20 The Transition to Monarchy (1 Samuel 7–15) 25 The Rise of David (1 Samuel 16:1–2 Samuel 5:12) 51 The Reign of David (2 Samuel 5:13–8:18) 104 The Family of David (2 Samuel 9–20) 113 Appendices (2 Samuel 21–24) 149 Review Aids and Discussion Topics 161 Index of Citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 165 Maps 166 ABBREVIATIONS Books of the Bible Acts—Acts of the Apostles 2 Kgs—2 Kings Amos—Amos Lam—Lamentations Bar—Baruch Lev—Leviticus 1 Chr—1 Chronicles Luke—Luke 2 Chr—2 Chronicles 1 Macc—1 Maccabees Col—Colossians 2 Macc—2 Maccabees 1 Cor—1 Corinthians Mal—Malachi 2 Cor—2 Corinthians Mark—Mark Dan—Daniel Matt—Matthew Deut—Deuteronomy Mic—Micah Eccl (or Qoh)—Ecclesiastes Nah—Nahum Eph—Ephesians Neh—Nehemiah Esth—Esther Num—Numbers Exod—Exodus Obad—Obadiah Ezek—Ezekiel 1 Pet—1 Peter Ezra—Ezra 2 Pet—2 Peter Gal—Galatians Phil—Philippians Gen—Genesis Phlm—Philemon Hab—Habakkuk Prov—Proverbs Hag—Haggai Ps(s)—Psalms Heb—Hebrews Rev—Revelation Hos—Hosea Rom—Romans Isa—Isaiah Ruth—Ruth Jas—James 1 Sam—1 Samuel Jdt—Judith 2 Sam—2 Samuel Jer—Jeremiah Sir—Sirach Job—Job Song—Song of Songs Joel—Joel 1 Thess—1 Thessalonians John—John 2 Thess—2 Thessalonians 1 John—1 John 1 Tim—1 Timothy 2 John—2 John 2 Tim—2 Timothy 3 John—3 John Titus—Titus Jonah—Jonah Tob—Tobit Josh—Joshua Wis—Wisdom Jude—Jude Zech—Zechariah Judg—Judges Zeph—Zephaniah 1 Kgs—1 Kings 4 INTRODUCTION The Books of First and Second Samuel Composition The books of Samuel are part of a larger continuous history of the Isra- elites, from their entrance to Canaan under Joshua to the deportation to Babylon in 587 b.c. This extensive narrative is called the Deuteronomistic History because its editors based their theology on the teachings of the book of Deuteronomy. The Deuteronomists were a reformist movement in seventh century Judah who promoted fidelity to the Mosaic covenant: God had chosen and liberated Israel from slavery and granted them the land where they would live out their relationship with God. Through Moses, God offers the people a choice: if they are faithful to the covenant laws, they will prosper; if they are disobedient, they can expect punishment through disaster, invasion, or exile. The Deuteronomistic History is the story of the people’s response. The history was first composed in the time of King Josiah (640–609 b.c.) and underwent expansion and revisions dur- ing the Babylonian exile. The History was divided into “books” for ease of handling. In the later Greek translation, known as the Septuagint, such divi- sion created 1 and 2 Samuel as we know them. Sources The composers of 1–2 Samuel made use of older materials, both oral and written. Two sources probably date back to the time of David and Solomon. Scholars call one of the narratives “The History of David’s Rise” (1 Sam 16–2 Sam 5). Although the other has been called “The Succession Narrative” (2 Sam 9–20), the narrative seems to focus more on relations within David’s family than on the actual succession. The composers of 1–2 Samuel also incorporated shorter narrative cycles and other traditions to create a com- plex, yet sustained account of a significant period of Israelite history. These Deuteronomist editors tell a story that illustrates their theological views, but they do not completely suppress the views of older material. Thus a 5 Introduction to the Books of First and Second Samuel multiplicity of “voices” enriches the presentation of the transition taking place. Narrative art The subject matter deals with political, personal, and theological issues. To allow these different aspects to be heard and to interact, the writers make use of artistic storytelling; they create a skillful narrative which presents the events, the personalities, and the issues. A key component of this art is the use of speech. Both in the longer set speeches and in the interplay of dialogue, characters interact to influence and persuade, to express motiva- tion and desire, and to shape the reader’s understanding of issues. The conscientious reader will pay attention to what the narrator shows, while keeping the larger picture in sight. In doing so, some key ideas emerge. A period of transition A transition is occurring in Israelite society, from a scattered, tribal confederacy to a unified, centralized state. The certainties of the old ways have been giving way to an uncertain future. The old ways were not ideal: change is needed to save the people from injustice and oppression. Yet there are aspects of the old ways that must not be left behind: the fundamental nature of the covenant society must be retrieved and represented in the new order. From Hannah’s opening prayer, these agendas of change and conservation compete within the books. Key to the covenant relationship is the question of leadership. Israel has only one true King, the Lord. God’s leadership is manifested through human intermediaries. In the period of the Judges, leaders were chosen individually by God for specific tasks. Under the monarchy, leadership is permanent and dynastic. New circumstances require new leaders, yet God’s freedom to choose and de-select leaders must be protected. The resolution of this tension is a key issue of the books of Samuel. Displacement The long succession of leaders in 1–2 Samuel—Eli, Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, David, Absalom—serves to illustrate the tension between divine choice and human planning. The narrative tells of several attempts to pass power from father to son that are thwarted by the Lord (Eli, Samuel). As a result, accession to power is by displacement. Even when the old guard seeks to exercise paternal control over the new (cf. Samuel over Saul in chaps. 10–15), the Lord guards his prerogative to cast down the old and raise up new leaders (cf. 1 Sam 2:6). The dynastic principle seems to rule out the Lord’s freedom to choose. But displacement creates instability and uncertainty. While various human actors attempt to smooth the dynamics 6 Introduction to the Books of First and Second Samuel of displacement by transfer of allegiance (Jonathan, Michal, Abner), it is the Lord alone who can change the dynamics of displacement to allow for dynastic succession (cf. 2 Sam 7). But even here, the Lord retains the freedom to choose which son will succeed. Power and prophecy The ability to choose a successor is a clear demonstration of power over the future. The books of Samuel are deeply interested in the possession, use, and abuse of power. All power and authority devolves from the Lord, and in a covenant society the use of power must comply with the norms of the covenant. In simple terms, humans must obey the Lord in their deal- ings with one another. Leaders must also be faithful to the Lord’s commands or forfeit their position. A critical issue emerges: how is one to know God’s will on specific occasions? As well as the emergence of monarchy, the nar- rative tells of the development of new forms of divine guidance, whether priestly or prophetic. Kings cannot use power for personal benefit without reference to the divine plan.