Samuel 17: 1 49 – David & Goliath

Target year level: Prep

Scripture text

1 Samuel 17:1-49

Ask this is a lengthy passage, please see the text at: The Story of David and Goliath

World behind the text

Authors

There is more than one author and further editing by members of the same School (Deuteronomists)
The authoring happened during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BCE
It is the work of a community and it is not possible to establish authorship as we understand it, because it used ancient court records and hero stories
There is evidence of oral tradition extending back to the time of David

Contexts

The text originated in Judah in the 2nd half of the seventh century BCE
At the time there was tension between the need for a king and the people’s reliance on God
This period of Israelite history is filled with mighty struggles and colourful personalities including a king who gradually loses his sanity and the shining hero who replaces him
There was an ongoing debate: on one side the needed laws to protect workers and poor people; and on the other side, there were those who wanted fewer laws and less government
It portrays the seriousness of Israel’s plight and Saul’s reign is ended.

World of the text

Some key words and phrases:

“Go, and may the LORD be with you!” (v. 37)
“I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” (v. 39)
“Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness?” (v. 28)

Text type:

This is a folklore text (narrative) where we can relate the meaning of the text to our everyday living

World in front of the text

This story of the triumph of the young and innocent David, over the much more powerful Goliath is attractive to children and adults alike. There are many children’s picture books which tell this story.