The David Story - 1 & 2 Samuel; 1 Kings

The next book in Hillsdale's "Great Books 101" course was The David Story, with commentary by Robert Alter. Because I had read 1 & 2 Samuel as well as 1 & 2 Kings recently, I decided not to read the whole thing this time. I even considered not reading the excerpt provided by Hillsdale. But I am so glad I did. Robert Alter's commentary is brilliant and he gave incredible insight into David that I had never considered before.

He provides a stunning contrast between David and Uriah the Hittite. Starting with "the Hittite" designation. Uriah is an Israeli name, so he was probably not a foreigner, but for some reason, he is referred to in those terms. Meanwhile, David IS a quintessential Israeli. Yet it is Uriah who goes out to war, it is Uriah who fights, it is Uriah who eschews the temporal pleasures of home and wife. David does none of those, even enjoying Uriah's wife for himself. In addition, Alter states that there are hints that Uriah knew David had slept with his wife by their second conversation. When David asks why Uriah had stayed the night in the palace gate rather than go home as he hoped, Uriah throw back, "The Ark and Israel and Judah are sitting in huts, and my master Joab and my master's servants are encamped in the open field, and shall I then come to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life, by your very life,  I will not do this thing." (p. 252-253) The comparison of himself to David is pretty obvious when seen in this light.

By the time he has Uriah killed, everyone knows what David is doing. Although Uriah gave the messenger an extra piece of information, Uriah the Hittite is dead, to deliver should David express anger at the battlefield reversal, the messenger leads with that tidbit. Everyone knew that was the point.

The story continues with the battle against Absalom. David, the father, counteracts what David the King should be doing. He orders his army to treat his rebellious son kindly. Of course his army commander Joab knows this is not how one deals with an insurrectionist. He has the trapped Absalom killed and berates David for his mourning the news.

The last vignette we are given of David is when he is old and feeble. What a contrast to the warrior and vital man of before. It contrasts with the David that called Uriah's wife to his bed. Now a beautiful young woman sleeps with him and all she is good for is warmth.


Discussion questions from the course:

1. Why is it important to understand the David story as not only a spiritual narrative, but also a literary masterpiece?
   When we analyze the piece as literature, we can see how word choices provide even greater insight into the story. We see how Bathsheba is contrasted with Abishag, the young girl brought into David's bed to warm him. We see how Nathan's story of the a lamb that ate with, drank with, and "laid in the lap of" a poor man contrasts with those very actions taken by David towards Bathsheba.
   
2. What is the significance of the image of David as a shepherd?
   David as a shepherd shows that he is a man with a destiny to care for and look after a people, much like he cared for and defended his sheep. He has clearly been taught how to provide leadership and these skills are required of him as he leads Israel. So when he fails, he cannot claim ignorance. The shepherd in his knows it is his duty to protect his people, but he falters when gives into his emotions.
   
   
3. Are the lessons of the David story still relevant today? Why or why not? Of course they are still relevant today. That's why the story is lasting. We too face our greatest temptations to avoid our duty when our emotions work counter to the call.