Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 71:1 (NA 2020)
Article: On Some Alleged Anachronisms In The Books Of Samuel
Author: Alan R. Millard

TynBull 71:1 (2020) p. 65

On Some Alleged Anachronisms
In The Books Of Samuel

Alan Millard

([email protected])

Summary

In considering the age and historical reliability of the Books of Samuel, the detection of anachronisms can play a major part. A number that have been alleged are examined in this essay, and no good grounds are found for accepting them.

1. Introduction

To assert the presence of an anachronism in a text claiming to describe a particular moment in the past is to create an aura of doubt which is hard to disperse. So many commentators have identified anachronisms in biblical texts that biblical narratives are frequently believed to be unhistorical, following the adage ‘Give a dog a bad name …’ This is easy to do, but to disprove an anachronism is often more difficult. Yet every ancient text deserves to be treated with respect, its witness only doubted when evidence is unexceptionable – anachronisms should be proved.

In a book published in 1992 the eminent Egyptologist Donald Redford argued that the books of Samuel cannot be treated as trustworthy historical sources. He asserted:

Blatant anachronisms are more numerous than a record with reliable sources should contain: coined money (1 Sam. 13:21), late armor (1 Sam. 17:4–7, 38–39; 25:13), the use of camels (1 Sam. 30:17) and cavalry (distinct from chariotry: 1 Sam. 13:5; 2 Sam. 1:6), iron picks and axes (as though they were common: 2 Sam. 12:31), and sophisticated siege techniques (2 Sam. 20:15).

TynBull 71:1 (2020) p. 66

He also mentions this in the so-called ‘Succession Document’ ‘The author has his characters wear archaic clothing (2 Sam. 13:18), talk of coined money (2 Sam. 18:11–12) …’1 Students have accepted these statements without examination, but some are misleading and some are wrong.

I have contested Redford’s assertions about coined money, late armour and ‘sophisticated siege techniques’ in previous studies.2 This essay offers responses to the remaining topics.

2. The Use Of Camels