TUF: The In-Between

By Pastor Christian on 12/6/09

This blog is about the third message in the Ultimate Fighter series, “The In-Between.” For more information about The Ultimate Fighter or to listen to messages, watch videos, and read other blogs visit our Ultimate Fighter Page by clicking here.
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This morning Brandon suggested that the story of David and Goliath recorded in Chapter 17, probably actually belongs in chapter 16, in that time implied between verses 13 and 18.

If this is true, then it not only fills in some of David’s journey to manhood, but it also makes David’s later entry in the court as a harpist much more interesting. Could it be that David, the “Giant Slayer,” was willing to begin his rise to rightful kingship as a harpist? It would appear that way.

But don’t just take our word for it, check out the evidence:

When David is introduced for the first time in 16:12, he is described as “a young boy, ruddy and handsome.”

But, when we hear of him again in verse 18, David is described as a “brave man and a warrior.” This Hebrew phrase “gibor hail, ish milhamah” leaves no doubt that David is a grown man experienced with war and proven bravery. It is exactly this difference in description that leads scholars and Brandon to suggest that many years have passed since verse 13 of this same chapter.

Now read chapter 17 verse 33 in the story of Goliath, notice that Saul chides him for being “only a boy – same word as 16:12.” Again, in verse 42, Goliath openly mocks him when he notices that he is “just a boy, ruddy and handsome.” Notice anything familiar about that description? It is exactly the same one used for him in 16:12, when he IS just a boy!

Add to this evidence that Saul clearly does not recognize him throughout the entire scenario and you begin to form a fairly solid case that this story took place after Samuel anointed David, but many years before he entered the court as a harpist.

Some commentators trying to maintain a strict chronology as presented have tried to argue that Saul did not recognize David in Chap. 17 because he was in a hysterical fit and suggest that that David was traveling back and for from his father to Saul’s court as recorded in verse 15. But there is no reason for this kind of twisted explanation. The simple context of verse 15 suggests that David, like many other families, was traveling back and forth from his father’s house to “Saul” at the front supplying food to his family.

Think about it, it makes sense that Saul would not recognize David many years later when he enters the court as a man but makes no sense that he would not know his personal musician and armor bearer of 16:21 in chapter 17.

You may be wondering then how scholars reconcile the story being placed here after chapter 16.

Well first, this was a common practice. No kidding, the writers of this time collected all of the details about their subject, all true, and then assembled them to make a point. David’s progression from shepherd, to harpist, to mighty warrior, to king just makes sense. They are all true details about David and the writer makes no claim to chronology. So it would not be an issue for him or his audience. For another example of this kind of storytelling, check out Judges Chapters 20-21. It is certain that these events did not happen last chronologically speaking, but they DID best portray the complete moral failure of Israel and thus made the perfect capstone to a clear theological history.

Second, it IS possible that the writer did not even compile the work this way. In fact, this story does not appear in this place in some of the best Hebrew manuscripts and it very well could be could be that later compilers simply placed the story where it made sense to them. Notice that the story stands only as a complete unit with its own open and closing. You may have wondered why Jesse and his sons are REINTRODUCED in 17:17. Didn’t we just meet them in the last chapter? Yup, but if this is a complete, well-known, inserted story then it makes perfect sense. Please REMEMBER, it does not violate the facts, nor change the impact of the history. It simply makes sense of the story.

It’s pretty cool really, when we understand that slaying Goliath is part of David’s becoming king, we understand something more about his power, his trust in God and his genuine humility.

This is such a great story. I have another issue related to this story to share. Be looking for the blog, “When Champions Fight.” I am excited about it.

Blessings,

Christian

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