Rejection Realized: Saul, the Evil Spirit and the Loss of Kingship

Balfour, R.J.

Abstract

In conversation with tragic readings of Saul’s career, the present article attempts to outline a parallel between the presentation and role of the spirit of YHWH and the evil spirit which afflicts Saul in 1 Samuel. By highlighting the parallel between the two spirits, the following argument suggests that they fulfil similar roles in confirming election and rejection respectively and either empowering or debilitating their recipients. The suggestion is that this analogy offers an appropriate way to understand the wider presentation of the evil spirit which afflicts Saul and has important implications for how we think about Saul’s rejection and his presentation more broadly.

Citation

Balfour, R. (2022). Rejection Realized: Saul, the Evil Spirit and the Loss of Kingship. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 47(2), 206 - 222. https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892221116918

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Nov 28, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Deposit Date: Mar 30, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 30, 2023
• Journal: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
• Print ISSN: 0309-0892
• Electronic ISSN: 1476-6728
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 206 - 222
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892221116918
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1176819