Abstract

Even though there are many different aspects in the scholarly view of the beginning of the monarchy in ancient Israel, there is a common emphasis on the basic situation of war with the Philistines. This paper takes up recent archeological and sociological insights about the demographic and economic factors in the development of the Israelite monarchy and opens them up to include the relations to the Philistines. It is argued that besides the times of military clashes (I Sam 4; 13f.; 31; II Sam 5) there were long phases of exchange and cooperation, e.g. exchange of cultural products and services of craftsmen (I Sam 13,20f.), and that the very position of Saul's residence in the southwestern corner of his kingdom and in close neighbourship to the Philistine garrisons in best explained by a relation that was basically peaceful, although dominated by the Philistines. In all probability, Saul resp. the Israelites took over not only the idea of a mercenary force (cf. A. Alt), but also cultural and economic ideas and techniques. Politically Saul in these years was probably in a similar situation in the north as later on David was in the south, affiliated with the Philistines but also developing his area of influence and dominion (cf. I Sam 27; 20,26–31).

During the reign of Saul Israel grew stronger; the old dependency seemed no longer justified. The changes repeatedly led to conflicts. Even though Saul lost his life in the battle at mount Gilboa, the development was going on and David as his successor was able to complete the change to Israelite independence and even dominance.