The juridical controversy (rîb) in 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15a

Abstract

The study of 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15a, as conducted in the present article (paper), provides an eloquent example of the rîb, i.e. a controversy between two parties, which is made up of three stages (or elements): accusation, the reply of the accused, and reconciliation (cf. Table I). In the initial stage of the dispute, i.e. the accusation, a threefold indictment is to be found, according to the following gradation: God, Nathan, David. The indictment part in verses 11:27b-12:12 is extremely rich and interesting when seen from the perspective of the rîb and the judgment (cf. Table II). The threefold indictment process in 2 Samuel (A=11:27b; B=12:1b-4; C=12:5b) with its gradation (God, prophet, king) and its repetition (A¹=12:7b-12; B¹=12:7a; C¹=12:6a) leads directly to David’s confession (12:13a), namely to the reply of the accused, which is the second stage of the legal dispute. Verses 13b-14 are the third and final stage of the rîb in 2 Samuel 12, and they express the reconciliation between God and David. God (accuser) through Nathan (accuser) grants his pardon to David (accused and self-accuser).

The analysis of 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:15a shows that in the rîb God does not manifest himself as a severe judge between two litigants, but rather as an accuser who does not want to win humiliating the accused. In fact, He wants to convince and correct the accused. God behaves as the party to an alliance, who wishes to save rather than condemn his guilty ally. Before the merciful accuser, the party at fault opens up and declares himself guilty, admits his guilt and, in the end, is granted forgiveness. The rîb process ends with the reconciliation between the two parties.