Textual Analogies and Their Ramifications for a Diachronic Analysis of 1 Samuel 13:1–14:46 and Judges 6:1–8:35

Abstract

Compelling topical, conceptual, and linguistic analogies between Saul's first military campaign against the Philistines at Michmash (1 Sam 13:1–14:46) and Gideon's war against the Midianites (Judg 6–8) indicate direct dependence by the Michmash narrative on the Gideon story. These building blocks from the Gideon narrative serve as a foil for the actors in the Michmash narrative. These findings illuminate the early stages in the formation of the Gideon cycle as well as the growth of the Michmash narrative.