LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

LITERARY ANALYSIS OF 1 SAMUEL 17

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. DAVID MAAS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OBST 591 OLD TESTAMENT ORIENTATION 1

BY DANIEL K. GANN

CORSICANA, TX MAY 5, 2011

INTRODUCTION Did you go to Sunday school? If so, do you remember any of the stories which may have been read to you? How about the puppet shows which depicted vivid animation of characters like David and Goliath? Millions of people have grown up attending, or at least visited a Sunday school and possibly heard the story of David and Goliath. However, this story is actually a biblical narrative. It is not a fictional story which was made up for the entertainment of children. Within this narrative there is a setting, a plot, and literary devices which help individuals visualize and learn the message that God intended to be understood when He inspired the Holy Scriptures to be written.

LITERARY FEATURES AND TECHNIQUES The narrative of David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17 of the Bible. At this particular point in history, Saul had been anointed as the first King of Israel. He and the men of Israel were in a war with the Philistines. The setting of the narrative took place in the Valley of Elah. Israel and the Philistine forces had taken positions on opposite sides of the valley, each were on a mountain. Goliath was one of the round characters in this narrative. The book of 1 Samuel 17: 4-7 gives a fully developed description of him, his height was six cubits and a span, he wore a helmet of bronze, a coat of mail weighing 5,000 shekels of bronze, bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze. David was the other round character in this narrative. He is described as being young, ruddy, and handsome (1 Samuel 17:42). Within the narrative of David and Goliath, Saul, Jesse, and Eliab are flat characters, only having one basic quality for this narrative. Saul is the King, however, his main role in this narrative was calling for a champion to stand against the Philistines. 1

A noticeable literary device in this narrative is that of Contrast and Comparison. David and Goliath are compared and contrasted on the battlefield. Goliath presents himself with a helmet, chain mail, leg armor, a sword, a spear, a javelin, and with a shield-bearer. David presents himself without a helmet, without chain mail, no armor, no sword, no spear, not even a shield!

INTERPRETIVE ISSUE AND RESOLUTION There seems to be a textual issue between chapter 16, where Saul knows and loves David, and chapter 17, where Saul appears not to know David. There are a couple of potential solutions. There is not a definite timeframe given for the two chapters. Therefore it is possible that David could have gotten older, or grown. Its also possible that Sauls memory could have been poor. It should be noted that Saul does not ask who David is specifically. He asks about his father. TIMELESS THEOLOGICAL AND APPLICATIONAL PRINCIPLES The greatest, timeless, theological principle that can be applied from the narrative of David and Goliath comes from the following verse: You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45). This timeless principle is seen in the New Testament when we read the following: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17). Its in the name of the Lord that the Children of God overcome the adversary. Another principle that can be applied is the fact that God is sovereign over all and can accomplish His will anyway in which He sees fit. There are multiple passages showing that David was just a youth (1 Samuel 17:33). He was also too small to even wear Sauls armor (1 2

Samuel 17:39). However, despite his age and size, God uses him to accomplish his divine will and deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.

CONCLUSION The narrative of David and Goliath could possibly be one of the best known childrens Sunday school stories. However, the lessons from this story are eternal when one realizes that it is a historical, biblical, narrative and applies those principles to life. One can learn a many infallible truths when he takes the time to carefully examine the text. Understanding the plot, the setting, the characters, and the literary devices of the narrative will give the reader a deeper understanding of the message that God intends for them to have.