The Ziklag Inquiry: An investigation into David’s Military Career with the Philistines Cover Image

Ciklág rejtélye: Dávid filiszteus katonai előmenetelének kérdései (1Sám 27,1–28,2; 29,1–11)
The Ziklag Inquiry: An investigation into David’s Military Career with the Philistines

Author(s): Paul Jeffrey
Contributor(s): Réka Szaló (Translator)
Subject(s): Military history, Ancient World, Theology and Religion
Published by: Erdélyi Unitárius Egyház
Keywords: King David; defection; Philistines; King Achish; the first book of Samuel;

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines a highly problematic event recorded in 1 Samuel; that is, the defection of David to the Philistines. That such a pro-Davidic text would include such an embarrassing account would suggest that this period in David’s life was too well known to be ignored, and required an explanation. The author of 1 Samuel attempts to address David’s motivation for defecting to the Philistines, as well as defending David’s conduct while serving the Philistine king, Achish of Gath. The paper provides an analysis of the period in David’s life as recorded in 1 Samuel based on the biblical text (primarily 1 Sam 27,1–28,2; 29) and proposes a motivation for David’s defection to the Philistines, assessing the credibility of the claim that David did not kill any Israelites while he was serving under King Achish.

  • Issue Year: 124/2018
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 289-296
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Hungarian