Bibliography
| Title: Samuel Leader of Israel according to Josephus Secondary Title: Anton. Volume: 72 Pages: 199-216 Type: Journal Article Year: 1997 Abstract: Harrington, Daniel J. in: NTAb 42.1 (1998), 118: "A comparison of 1 Sam 7:2-17 and Josephus' Antiquities 6:19-31 appears under five headings: people's repentance, Mizpah assembly, Philistine approach, Philistines routed, and Samuel's judicial activities. Josephus' retelling of 1Samuel 7 is characterized by additions to/expansions of and modifications/adaptions of the biblical material. Josephus enhanced the stature of Samuel, while remaining sensitive to his Gentile and Jewish readers".
Sievers, Joseph in: JSJ 29.2 (1998), 205: "In Ant 6.19-31 Josephus gives his account of 1 Sam. 7:2-17. A comparison with various text forms (MT, LXX B and L, Vetus Latina, and Tg. Jonathan) does not yield clear-cut results regarding the text-form(s) used by Josephus. On the basis of his very detailed analysis, Begg argues that Josephus expands and modifies the Biblical story for rather specific purposes: the exaltation of Samuel as an extraordinary leader and prophet - to counter anti-Jewish claims that the Jews had failed to produce any "great men". Josephus also makes Samuel the mouth-piece of his own position regarding independence. He has Samuel affirm that God will procure independence for his people apart from any military undertaking of theirs [cf. Josephus' speech to the defenders of Jerusalem in Bellum 5.376ff.] Ant. Thus provides a very careful rewriting of 1 Sam, with both a Jewish and non-Jewish audience in mind".
Begg, Christopher T. in: OTA 20.3 (1997), 511-512: "1 Sam 7:2-17 features Samuel as Israel's all-round leader, who exercises prophetic, priestly, military and judicial roles. B.s essay compares Josephus' version (Ant. 6.19-31) with the biblical chapter as this is attested by the MT, Codex Vaticanus, the Lucianic or Antiochene MSS of the MT, and Targum Jonathan on the Former Prophets. Form this comparison it emerges that Josephus has consistently elaborated on the source's data. His amplifications serve above all to further heighten the stature of Samuel in his prophetic, oratorical and military capacities. As a result of such elaborations, Josephus' Samuel appears as a comprehensive "great man" of the sort which contemporary anti-Semites claimed Judaism had failed to produce. He likewise provides a biblical precedent for the "quietistic" approach to the issue of Jewish independence and dealings with the great power of the time advocated by Josephus himself during the Revolt. In addition, Josephus' expansions of the biblical source accentuate the drama surrounding the central event of 1 Samuel 7, i.e., the Philistine assault and God's repulse of this". Keywords: Antiquities |