1 Samuel 17:48-58, Timing of Events

In 1 Sam. 17:55-58 how did King Saul not know David after he had spent time in the king’s court, playing his harp, and so forth?  Everytime I come to this passage I take time to consider this issue.  Here is a listing of the difficulties in this question:

“Some of the problems in the Masoretic Text are: 16:14-23 shows David installed at Saul’s court, while chapter 17 has him back in Bethlehem; chapter 17 (v12-15) reintroduces Jesse and David when we’ve already met them in chapter 16; if Saul had enjoyed David’s musical therapy in 16:23, why does he not seem to know David in 17:55-58?” (Davis, Ralph Dale. 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart, Christian Focus Publications, Geanies House, Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain. 2000.)

I’ll give you a few thoughts from different sources.  As far as commentaries go, I always appreciate the depth of Barnes Notes.  In 1 Samuel I like Ralph Davis’ commentary.  Having said that, after reading the following, I am still working on this issue.

Ø The LXX (Septuagint, Greek Translation of OT) does not have vs.55-58 (or 12-31,41,50).  Some believe the translators omitted these to make it a “cleaner” story.

Ø Jameson/Faucette/Browne: “The growth of the beard, and other changes on a now full-grown youth, prevented the king from recognizing his former favorite minstrel (1 Sam. 16:23).”

Ø Davis: “Of course, 17:15 indicates David’s appearances at court were intermittent and thus explains his absence at Goliath's time. … It is only natural for David to be reintroduced in 17:12-15. … And the Masoretic Text specifies Jesse as “this/that Ephrathite” (v12), that is, the one who had already been mentioned (16:1,18-19).  As for verses 55-58, note that Saul’s question is about whose son David is (three times).  It is not that Saul doesn’t know David’s name but he wants certitude about his roots, since his father’s house was to be made free (from taxation?) in Israel (v25).  But don’t 16:19,22 show that Saul knew who David’s father was? Not necessarily; such communication even at Saul’s rustic court would be drafted by a bureaucrat, not directly by Saul.”

Ø Barnes: “The words here (16:21) are the ultimate sequence of David’s first visit to Saul, and of his skill in music, and are therefore placed here; but they did not really come to pass till after David’s victory over Goliath (see 18:2).  It is quite conceivable that if David has only played once or twice to Saul, and then returned to his father’s house for some months, Saul might not recognize him.”

It might seem a bit strange to be here in this great story and spending time on a technical issue.  The true need is to see David’s faith, as well as his love for the LORD.  I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (17:45).

Valley of Elah

Valley of Elah on a wet day. David's 5 stones might have been wet. :)