Chiasm: 1 Samuel 11-31

-->

Another possible and fairly large chiasm I found in 1 Samuel. The previous possible chiasm in 1 Samuel 22-24 is potentially covered by this chiasm. I get the impression that it would take stroke of genius to craft multiple chiasms overlapping each other as an author were drafting a historical narrative. Overlapping chiasms are not out of the question, but right now I'm not going to consider them without a stronger chiastic structure. I recommend looking at both, choosing one, or none as authentic, intended chiastic structure.

A. Saul saves Jabesh-gilead (11:5-11)

  B. Jonathan cursed to death because of Saul's oath (14:39-4)

    C. Saul defeated Amalek (did not correct the army's sin) (15:7-8)

      D. Judgment for not destroying Amalek (15:17-19)

        E. Saul's kingdom torn & given to David (15:28-16:13)

          F. Saul greatly afraid of Philistines (17:11)

            G. David fights man of Gath (17:48-48)

              H. Saul asks David who he is (17:55-58)

                I. Saul tries to pin David with his spear (18:10-11)

                  J. David marries Michal (18:27)

                    K. Saul convinced not to kill David (19:6)

                      L. Saul tries to kill David (19:8-24)

                        M. Jonathan and David make covenant (20:1-42)

                          N. Ahimelech helps David (21:1-6)

                            O. Doeg at Nob (21:7)

                              P. David goes to king of Gath (21:10-15)

                                Q. David is captain of a band (22:1-2)

                              P'. David goes to king of Moab (22:3-4)

                            O'. Doeg kills all the priests of Nob (22:9-19)

                          N'. son of Ahimelech helps David (23:6-12)

                        M'. Jonathan and David make covenant (23:16-18)

                      L'. Saul hunts for David to kill him (23:19-29)

                    K'. Saul convinced not to kill David (24:1-22)

                  J'. David marries Abigail and Ahinoam (but Michal another) (25:42-44)

                I'. David refuses to use Saul's spear to kill him (26:8-12)

              H'. Saul asks David who he is (26:17)

            G'. David in Gath (27:1-4)

          F'. Saul greatly afraid of the Philistines (28:5)

        E'. Saul's kingdom torn & given to David (28:17)

      D'. Because Saul did not carry out wrath on Amalek (28:18)

    C'. David defeated Amalek (corrected the army's sin) (30:16-17)

  B'. Saul and sons die (31:6)

A'. men of Jabesh-gilead honor Saul (31:11-13)