David in Israelite Social Memory

Abstract

David serves as a complex figure in biblical social memory, evoking a range of symbolic associations. While remembered as the founder of a royal dynasty of indefinite length, the end of the monarchy in Judah led to the use of David to explore possible political futures for the religious community of Israel. Some books envision the return of the dynasty; others allow for the establishment of another native dynasty. Still others accept the termination of the Davidic covenant due to the transgressions of the people and their leaders and postulate either the divine endorsement of Empire rulers or advocate theocracy, with YHWH assuming leadership of his people directly, via the implementation of Torah. In the psalms David is remembered as a paragon of piety whose life becomes paradigmatic and inspirational for how one should relate to YHWH, individually or collectively. His portrayal as an , a ‘man of God’ or ‘a godly man’ and as a prophet are related to the emergence of the latter memory stream.