A Reading of the David and Goliath Narrative in Greek and Hebrew

Abstract

The story of David and Goliath existed in antiquity in two distinct literary versions, a short version found in LXXB and a longer version reflected in the MT. This thesis proposes that each version is worthy of study in its own right and offers a close literary reading of the narrative of David and Goliath in the Greek text of 1 Reigns 16-18. In this study we explore a method of reading the Septuagint that recognizes it is both a document in its own right and a translation of a Hebrew original. In offering this reading of the septuagintal version of the David and Goliath narrative we will highlight the literary difference between the two final versions of the story that exist in LXXB and MT.