The Bible In Paintings, #104: SAUL ATTACKS DAVID

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

. .

. .

DAVID OR SAUL

. .

. .

1^st. . S A M U E L . . 1 8 – 1 9
New International Version, emphases added
Abrdgd – the complete text is in your Bible
OR
TO READ 1^ST SAMUEL 18-19 IN FULL, Click Here
TO HEAR MAX McLEAN READING IT, Click Here
TO HEAR A DRAMATIZATION OF IT, Click Here
TO WATCH AN OVERVIEW OF 1^ST SAMUEL, Click Here

. .

1 0 2 4 . . B. C.

. .

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

. .

1
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“David and Jonathan”

. .

2

. .

3

. .

4

. .

5

. .

6
by JAMES TISSOT
“Friendship of Jonathan and David”

. .

5 Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well.

6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing. 7 As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands.”

. .

7
by JAMES TISSOT
“The Songs of Joy”

. .

8

. .

9

. .

8 Saul was very angry. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” 9 And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

10 The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand 11 and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

. .

10
by JULIUS SCHNORR VON KAROLSFELD
“Saul Tries to Kill David”

. .

11

. .

12

. .

13

. .

14

. .

15

. .

16
by GUERCINO

. .

17
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“Saul Attempts the Life of David”

. .

18
by JAN ADRIAENSZ VAN STAVEREN
“Saul's Anger at David”

. .

19

. .

12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul. 13 David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him.

20 Now Saul’s daughter Michal was in love with David. 21 “I will give her to him,” he thought, “so that she may be a snare to him and so that the hand of the Philistines may be against him.”

22 Then Saul ordered his attendants: “Speak to David privately and say, ‘Look, the king likes you, and his attendants all love you; now become his son-in-law.’”

25 Saul said, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

26 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, 27 David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

. .

[[Top 10 Awkward Bible Stories]]

. .

20

. .

21

. .

28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.

CHAPTER 19

9 But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.

. .

22
by JOSÉ LEONARDO
“Saul Threatening David”

. .

23
by GIUSEPPINA BRIGNOLI
“Saul and David”

. .

24
by ANTONI BRODOWSKI
“Saul's Anger at David”

. .

11 Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped.

. .

25

. .

26
by JAMES TISSOT
“David Makes His Escape”

. .

27

28
by GUSTAVE DORÉ
“The Escape of David Through the Window”

. .

18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. 19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. 21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. 22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah.

23 But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

. .

29

. .

30
by JAMES TISSOT
“Saul Prophesies before Samuel”

. .

---

. .

SNEAK PEEK: Next time,

DAVID RUNS
FOR HIS LIFE

If you're sensing the Holy Spirit is suggesting
that you read ahead, we'll be in 1^ST SAMUEL 20-22

. .

---

. .

R E S O U R C E S

. .

If you'd like to see for yourself the Bing page
which yielded most of the works above, here is the link:

David and Saul

Where no attribution appears below a work,
the artist's name is unknown
Works are numbered to facilitate your commenting

. .

Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:

REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN

GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours

JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes

. .

This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE

. .

Finally, here are links to the
PREVIOUS 103 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
with descriptive titles to assist you in finding those which interest you

. .

---

. .

SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!

. .

---

. .

NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA

Q u a l i t y The Bible and its Author are my focus, not the art:
this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material, licentious or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.

P a c i n gThe pace may seem glacial to those eager to see their favorite events. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence; if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic. But where there is no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!

Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.

. .

. .

---

. .

. .

YES, WE DO HAVE A

P I N G… .L I S T

for "The Bible In Paintings" series

… .

To be alerted to each new posting,
either reply here or FRmail me.

No contracts, startup charges or monthly fees;
no hazing or initiation rituals; cancel anytime.

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is coming soon. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 43 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

……... .

F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

……... .

[stormhill]

What is it about David that makes artists depict him as effeminate? Biblical text makes it clear he was a thoroughly masculine young man. Qadeshim ("perverted persons" in the NKJV or sodomites in KJV) were banned in the early kingdom and would have been wiped out by a pious man like David in accordance to the Torah.

This disturbing depiction of David shows very poor scholarship.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Many artists repeatedly have displayed their ignorance of and carelessness with Scripture. Additionally, during my search for art portraying the friendship between Jonathan and David, I encountered several artists who were eager to present their relationship as being homoerotic; I deliberately omitted those as being egregious examples of (heretical) misrepresentation, and to avoid overemphasizing that aspect of the tale.

But I suspect that some of what we're seeing is merely an effort to contrast the developed masculinity of the full-grown and irrationally angry Saul against the innocence of the youthful and nonthreatening David.

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much - an outstanding array as always. I have used the Dore and Tissot offerings myself.

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

[Hebrews 11:6]

When I began this series I was completely ignorant of both Doré and Tissot. I have since learned what giants they truly were, obviously raised up by God to their sacred mission of illustrating the whole of Scripture not only prolifically but also faithfully, intelligently and skillfully. They alone would make this series worth doing.

[etabeta]

You are right, in my opinion. It is a long tradition in art of depicting young males as sweet, pretty, rather effeminate persons.

[Hebrews 11:6]

But, ultimately, vive la difference!

[Left2Right]

Fantastic post!

[Hebrews 11:6]

So glad you liked it. We do this pretty much daily. Echoing your screen-name, as I note at the bottom of each post:

"My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to-right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills."

[Maudeen]

“Listened and looked” to two days this afternoon (Goliath and the Saul attack). The pictures with Goliath’s head were stupendous. I truly believe that if some of those pictures were made available in Sunday School literature, the kids would probably read the Bible more.

[Ezekiel]

I don't see a particular one that jumps out at me in this selection, but as for the close connection to David and Jonathan, there is a numeric play afoot.

The phrase "Jonathan and David" [יהונתן ודוד] = 541, Israel.

Their bond reminds me of Jesus and "the disciple whom Jesus loved", who was named John; but also by extention, that one who leans on him, like the song by Herman's Hermits:

Can't you hear my heart beat

Sweet song and concept. Nothing perverse about the close bond between the two men. So close to be as one soul: "Israel".

David was a man in great part because he was a man full of love.

Like father, like son. God sure knew what he was doing (of course) in the design of the extra special Son of David. Talk about attention to detail!

[Ezekiel]

I meant to add that here is a case where the “asked for” king (which is the meaning of Saul’s name) persecutes the rightful, beloved king (David: “beloved”).

And so it goes. Nothing new under the sun.

We see it today, where the establishment entitlement king persecutes the one who’s right it is to rule, because he’s the real deal, and doesn’t even need the job. And he could care not one bit about the “perks”. He had to bring the palace up to *his* standards!

[Hebrews 11:6]

I absolutely agree. Relatedly: Did you ever see the great Cumberbatch/Freeman “SHERLOCK” series and, in particular, the pinnacle episode where Sherlock is Watson’s best man?

[Hebrews 11:6]

It is lovely, the language Jesus uses about our new relationship with Him: friend, brother—it would be fun to comb through the whole Bible to find them all, even though it’s been done by others. But forever WE shall be leaning upon Him, without concern for appearances or past sins.

[Maudeen]

No, I’ll have to look into it.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Fabulous, great, stupendous series. Anyway, to your point, there was a kid whom Sherlock motivated by granting his request to see gruesome crime scenes.

[Hebrews 11:6]

As to your tagline, I first saw that attributed, a couple of decades ago, to Ralph Winter of the US Center for World Missions.

[Maudeen]

I found a 5 year old document in my computer that I forgot about. It had a list of quotes that I like to put in church bulletins. Anyway I decided to check out the author of the list of quotes on my document and found his website. I’m glad I did. His testimony is wonderful. https://jesusalive.cc/ So I used a quote from it for my tagline. I also looked up the given author of the quote before I used it. You never know. Here’s what I found and there are more quotes at the bottom of the link I’m going to use. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Ravenhill

[Hebrews 11:6]

You’ve introduced me to an interesting brother.