Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 65:2 (Jun 2022)
Article: The Function Of The Women’s Victory Song In 1 Samuel
Author: Timothy Yap

JETS 65:2 (June 2022) p. 277

The Function Of The Women’s Victory Song In 1 Samuel

Timothy Yap*

^* Timothy Yap is an independent scholar residing at 11 Regan Place, Rooty Hill, NSW 2766, Australia. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: Containing only six Hebrew words, the victory song of the women (“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands”) punctuates David’s wilderness narrative at three critical junctures (1 Sam 18:7, 21:12 [11], and 29:5). Why is this song heard three times? What functions does the song serve? This article examines the victory song of the women within the narrative of David’s fugitive years, arguing that the women’s song functions both negatively and positively in the narratives of Samuel. Negatively, the song is responsible for inciting jealousy within Saul, thereby commencing Saul’s persecution of David. The song is also what causes David to feign madness before Achish. Due to the song’s emphasis, Philistines fail to stop in their attack on Saul and the Israelites. Positively, the song reminds David of his calling in a time when his faith wavers, rescues David from finding refuge with the Philistines, and prevents him from joining them in fighting against Saul and his fellow Israelites.

Key words: David, Saul, Goliath, Victory Song of the Women, Holy War, Miriam’s Song, 1 Samuel 16, I Samuel 21, 1 Samuel 29, Deborah’s Song

The singing of hymns, according to David Barshinger, played a vital role in the revivals of Northampton, Massachusetts, starting in 1736.1 Puritan preacher and pastor Jonathan Edwards testifies, “There was scarce any part of divine worship wherein God’s saints among us had grace so drawn forth and their hearts lifted up, as in singing the praises of God.”2 Edwards even notes that during the time of the revival, his congregation adopted a new style of singing that involved “three parts of music, and the women a part by themselves.”3 Edwards’s belief in the power of singing, including the singing of women, finds affinity with the writer of the book of Samuel, who begins with the song of Hannah (2:1–10), a song that contains ten verses, making it the longest song in the Hebrew Bible sung by a w...