The transcript of Joel Baden’s Lesson 5, titled “The Historical David,” from his series “The Rise and Fall of Biblical Israel” at BSA, was summarized by ChatGPT, which also prepared a timeline based on the same lesson. Both are below. The transcript is in his DropBox directory, and the audio file is in his LgFile directory on the 128GB USB drive.
The document is a transcription of Lecture 5 from Dr. Joel Baden’s series “The Rise and Fall of Biblical Israel,” focusing on the biblical figure David. Below is a concise summary of its key points.
For a similar presentation/position, see the post titled 1 and 2 Samuel with Christine Hayes’ views.
Main Thesis
Dr. Baden argues that while David was a real historical figure, the biblical narrative about him is heavily spun propaganda, aimed at legitimizing his rise to power and portraying him as an ideal king.
Evidence for Historicity
- Tel Dan Stele (ca. 9th–8th century BCE) mentions the “house of David,” providing the only extra-biblical support for David’s existence.
- Literary features of the biblical text suggest it preserves a distorted account of real historical events.
David as a Historical Figure
- David likely led a band of mercenaries or raiders, operated protection rackets, and eventually allied with the Philistines.
- He rose to power by:
- Possibly killing Saul or arranging for his death.
- Eliminating all of Saul’s heirs (Jonathan, Ishboshet, etc.).
- Making political alliances and performing strategic acts of generosity in Judah.
- Baden suggests this resembles the rise of a mafia don more than a divinely anointed king.
Biblical Spin and Literary Devices
- The biblical text (especially 1–2 Samuel) works hard to exonerate David, showing:
- His repeated refusals to kill Saul.
- His supposed mourning for Saul and Jonathan.
- His punishment of anyone claiming to have killed Saul or Saul’s heirs.
- These details, Baden argues, are “spin” to cover up his violent political rise.
- Chronicles, written centuries later, perfects David’s image even further by omitting all morally questionable episodes (like Bathsheba, conflicts with Saul, etc.).
Bathsheba Narrative and Solomon’s Legitimacy
- The Bathsheba story is not original to the David narrative.
- Its purpose is to legitimize Solomon as David’s heir, possibly because Solomon was not actually David’s son.
- Three episodes in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings serve this propaganda function.
Deuteronomistic Historian’s Role
- Later biblical redactors (esp. the Deuteronomistic Historian) used David as the gold standard for kingship, judging all later kings by his example.
- They inserted Deuteronomic theology into David’s final speech, linking obedience to Torah with dynastic stability.
Comparative Example: Hittite Apology
- The “Apology of Hattusili” (Hittite text) parallels the David narrative, showing how ancient rulers spun narratives to justify their rule and portray divine favor.
Conclusion
- David did exist and accomplished significant political acts, including:
- Making Jerusalem the capital.
- Unifying Judah and Israel into one kingdom.
- Establishing the ideological foundation for the biblical picture of Israel.
- The biblical account is not neutral history, but a political and theological narrative.
- We can still retrieve historical truths by reading critically and asking:
“What is this text trying to convince me of, and why?”
Timeline by ChatGPT
Here is a timeline summarizing David’s rise and fall as presented in Dr. Joel Baden’s lecture, including both biblical narrative events and the historical-critical perspective:
Timeline of David: Rise and Fall
(Dates are approximate and based on historical-critical scholarship)
ca. 1040–1020 BCE – David’s Early Life
- Biblical Account: David is born in Bethlehem; anointed by Samuel as future king.
- Historical View: Likely born in Judah; possibly a leader of a small band of raiders.
ca. 1020–1010 BCE – Military Leadership and Saul’s Court
- Biblical Account: David plays harp for Saul, fights Goliath, becomes a war hero.
- Historical View:
- Goliath was likely killed by Elhanan (2 Sam 21:19), not David.
- David gains a military following, possibly beginning protection rackets.
ca. 1010–1005 BCE – Fugitive from Saul
- Biblical Account: David flees Saul, refuses to kill him twice, lives in wilderness.
- Historical View:
- Possibly operated a protection racket (e.g., story of Nabal).
- Hides in Judahite territories, likely engaging in paramilitary activity.
ca. 1005–1003 BCE – David Serves the Philistines
- Biblical Account: David lives in Ziklag, claims to raid Judah’s enemies.
- Historical View:
- Actually raids Judah to show power, then offers gifts to gain favor.
- Effectively a warlord gaining a political foothold in southern Judah.
ca. 1003 BCE – Saul’s Death
- Biblical Account: Saul dies in battle; David laments.
- Historical View:
- David may have been involved in or indirectly caused Saul’s death.
- Likely orchestrated or benefited from the coup-like transition.
ca. 1003–1000 BCE – King over Judah (Hebron)
- Biblical Account: David crowned king in Hebron by the tribe of Judah.
- Historical View:
- Builds power base through prior alliances, gifts, and fear.
- Uses violence and diplomacy to consolidate rule.
ca. 1000–998 BCE – Civil War and Elimination of Saul’s Heirs
- Biblical Account:
- Conflict with Saul’s son Ishbosheth (supported by Abner).
- David disavows killings of Abner and Ishbosheth.
- Historical View:
- David likely orchestrates murders of Saul’s sons and rivals.
- Gains full control of united monarchy (Israel and Judah).
ca. 998 BCE – Jerusalem Captured
- Biblical Account: David captures Jerusalem and brings the Ark of the Covenant.
- Historical View:
- Strategic political and religious move.
- Establishes Jerusalem as capital and religious center.
ca. 990 BCE – Bathsheba Incident
- Biblical Account: David sleeps with Bathsheba, has Uriah killed.
- Historical View:
- Story is possibly a later insertion to legitimize Solomon.
- Suggests Solomon may not have been David’s actual son.
ca. 970 BCE – David’s Decline and Death
- Biblical Account: David grows old, names Solomon king.
- Historical View:
- David portrayed as senile and manipulated.
- Bathsheba and Nathan stage Solomon’s succession.
- David’s legacy mythologized in Deuteronomistic history and Chronicles.
Later Retellings
- Book of Samuel: Pro-David political spin, includes defenses and denials.
- Book of Chronicles (5th–4th c. BCE):
- Idealized portrait of David.
- Omits all negative stories.
- Deuteronomistic Historian (6th c. BCE):
- Uses David as the moral standard for all later kings.
- Introduces the divine promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7).
