Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 22:3 (NA 2012)
Article: The First Glimpse Of Saul And His Subsequent Transformation
Author: Ralph K. Hawkins

BBR 22:3 (2012) p. 353

The First Glimpse Of Saul And His Subsequent Transformation

Ralph K. Hawkins

Averett University

Many recent studies of Saul have understood him as a tragic figure whose story was shaped by Dtr in a way that emphasizes his failures in order to provide a backdrop for David’s rise. This paper examines select elements related to Saul’s character and transformation within 1 Samuel 9:1–10:16. It seeks to make the case that, even after having reshaped his sources, Dtr did not eliminate the affirmative dimensions of Saul’s character, but retained them in 1 Samuel in its current form.

Key Words: David, Deuteronomistic History, Israelite Monarchy, Samuel, Saul

Scholarly studies of Saul, the first king of Israel, have depicted him as (among other things) villain, tragic figure, flawed ruler, naïve farm-boy, degenerate madman, fate-driven pawn, reluctant king—the list goes on and on. Such characterizations are at least partially true; Saul was surely one of the most complex persons described in Scripture.1

Recent studies of Saul have interpreted his story as that of a tragic figure,2 one who was either rejected by God because of his actions3 or who was a victim of Yahweh’s capriciousness.4 In many of these scenarios, Saul was doomed from the start; he never had a chance. It is widely acknowledged that some of the stories about King Saul in 1 Samuel, which

BBR 22:3 (2012) p. 354

may have originally circulated as independent units, 5may have originally been either partially or entirely positive.6 The history of David’s rise to power7 may also have circulated independently as a document designed to legitimate David’s right to the throne.8 1 Samuel as we now have it is probably Deuteronomistic, and its author, the Deuteronomistic Historian (Dtr), incorporated these stories into the larger Deuteronomistic History (DtrH) in order to tell the story of Israel through the lens of the deuteronomic covenant.9 While many scholars might acknowledge that the portrayal of Saul in the original sources may have been positive, many contemporary scholars believe that the portrayal of Saul by Dtr is wholly negative. The predominant view toda...