Belated Wednesday Bible Study: Time is circular

I had a busy day yesterday, made a couple of posts but didn ' t get around to the Bible lesson. 1 Samuel 26 is essentially a different version of the story told in Ch. 24. We have seen multiple versions of the same story more than a few times so far. Presumably this is because the scribes are transcribing oral tradition and it is normal for there to be variations on the stories floating around. Classical Greek and Roman mythology show a similar phenomenon. It ' s a bit jarring in this case, however, because this is presented as a chronological narrative and it doesn ' t make any sense that way.In Ch. 24 David has the opportunity to kill Saul, but he refrains, and just cuts off part of Saul ' s robe. It ends this way:[David] said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’?10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how theLord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is theLord’s anointed.’11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.12 Saul replies:You have just now told me about the good you did to me; theLord delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me.19 When a man finds ...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs