Biblical Hebrew Forum

["George Athas" <gathas AT mail.usyd.edu.au>]

> 3. Could someone provide a possible way in which David would cut the
> section off, and why he would do it?

With a knife. It is also a symbolic action in that the King's mantle is a 
symbol of his
power (cf Elijah's mantle). It also represents his own property and security. 
If a
worker's mantle was not returned to him at the end of a working day, the boss 
was
condemned for practically stealing what the worker owned and for taking away 
his security.
In this respect, David's action is more than just a neat stunt -- it implies 
that Saul has
lost his power and what was his has been transferred to David -- namely this 
Kingship and
the royal line and property.

>
> 4. Is En Gedi the same place that we see today when in the Dead Sea region

Yes, and it is a beautiful oasis well worth visiting. One of my favourite 
places in the
Levant. It does smell like "goats" (En Gedi = "Goat Spring") though at the 
bottom.

> and is the "stronghold" in 1 Sam 24:22 = to Masada?

No.


Best regards,
GEORGE ATHAS
- University of Sydney
- Southern Cross College
- Anglican Chaplaincy, UNSW
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