Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 71:1 (NA 2020)
Article: Potiphar’s Wife In David’s Looking Glass Reading 2 Samuel 11–12 As A Reflection Story Of Genesis 39
Author: Seth D. Postell

TynBull 71:1 (2020) p. 95

Potiphar’s Wife In David’s Looking Glass
Reading 2 Samuel 11–12 As A Reflection Story Of Genesis 39

Seth D. Postell

([email protected])

Summary

Though the parallels between Joseph and David have been well noted, the numerous literary links between Joseph’s exemplary behaviour with Potiphar’s wife on the one hand and David’s disgraceful behaviour with Bathsheba on the other has gone by largely unnoticed. In this article, we analyse 2 Samuel 11–12 as a reflection story of Genesis 39, noting the numerous parallels and striking contrasts. Given the many allusions to Joseph in 1 Samuel, the reader expects to see only Joseph’s reflection in David’s mirror in 2 Samuel 11–12, but finds Potiphar’s wife looking back at David as well.

1. Introduction

The Joseph Narrative occupies a disproportionately large portion of the Patriarchal Narratives. Not only is Joseph’s literary presence felt within the Pentateuchal Narrative,1 but other OT books also contain allusions to the story of Jacob’s beloved younger son. Notable examples include the books of Esther and Daniel, with allusions also noted in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.2

TynBull 71:1 (2020) p. 96

A wide-ranging body of biblical scholars has also noted a literary relationship between the Joseph story and the David Narrative.3 Both narratives share some words and phrases found nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible.4 Though much has been written about the strong literary parallels between David and Joseph, it appears that the literary connections between 2 Samuel 11–12 with Genesis 39 have gone largely unnoticed.5

In this article, I argue that the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba is a reflection story of Joseph’s refusal to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife.6 The numerous similarities between David and Joseph in 1 Samuel set the literary stage for interpreting his fall in 2 Samuel. The parallels are drawn deliberately to emphasise key differences between these two biblical figures.

TynBull 71:1 (2020) p. 97

I want to begin this paper by defining a ...