Coherence And Contradictions

Chapter Summary

The historical accuracy of the historiography in Samuel is one of the great concerns of modern scholarship. In modern historiography, accuracy requires strict adherence to the facts, and coherence and non-contradiction in the presentation. This chapter examines whether the conventions for an accurate presentation also apply to the book of Samuel. It gives an indication of which aspects of the historiography share a modern point of view for the need for accuracy, regardless of whether this accuracy was obtained. The chapter focuses on the Septuagint group of manuscripts. It examines the contradictions of the MT version and draws conclusions about the type of coherency or incoherency that can be found in its history. Finally the chapter ascertains how the concepts of accuracy and coherence in the historiography of Samuel are similar or different from the ideals of modern historiography.

Keywords: coherency; modern historiography; MT version; Samuel; Septuagint group of manuscripts