Friday, December 05, 2008

It hath been already of old time, which was before us. (1Sam 19)

There's not much new in chapter 19. We're really seeing the SAB pick up on issues that we've seen before in this book.

Was Jonathan "totally gay" for David? Lacking better evidence for the claim, I say no.

Is David violent and intolerant for killing the Philistines? Well, they were an invading army; what was he supposed to do?

What's the deal with Saul and his "evil spirit"? I don't know, but I've given some thoughts.

Why do people say "Is Saul also among the prophets?" Perhaps various reasons.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.

8 comments:

Steve Wells said...

There's not much new in chapter 19. We're really seeing the SAB pick up on issues that we've seen before in this book.

Having Saul strip down butt naked in front of God, Samuel, and everybody and prophesying all day and night anything isn't new, Brucker?

Surely God is trying to tell us something important here.

Brucker said...

I just think it's all stuff that's been addressed previously in one way or another. Sure, it's an interesting event, but we've seen various events similar to it.

Steve Wells said...

Yeah, "interesting events" are usually ignored by believers.

But since the Bible is mostly just a series of interesting events, most believers end up ignoring most of the Bible (which, of course, is the only way they can continue to believe in it).

Brucker said...

I don't know what point you're trying to make.

Saul was on his way to kill David, and God wanted to both stop him and disrepute him. I think it worked.

Steve Wells said...

Oh I think you know what point I'm trying to make, Brucker. You are trying ignore or cover up all of the "interesting events" in the Bible that show that the Bible could not have been inspired by a decent, kind, intelligent, or loving God.

Saul sends messengers three times and each time they all fall into a prophetic frenzy. Then Saul goes himself and he goes into an all day and all night naked prophetic frenzy. But you have no comment.

Is Saul among the prophets?

Brucker said...

He is when he's prophesying.

Steve Wells said...

Was he a prophet then?

(Don't you ever get tired of trying to hide, Brucker? Are you ashamed of what you believe or do you just not know what you believe?)

Brucker said...

I'm really not sure what answer you're looking for. Why couldn't he be a part-time prophet?

Look, as far as I can gather, the saying is meant to be ironic. He's definitely not the prophet "type". Whether or not there is a specific answer one way or the other, I don't know, nor do I think it presents a theologically significant issue. Whatever it was that Saul "prophesied" was not recorded, so why should I care?