Did David have Red Hair?
Samuel I 16:12
It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. We like our leaders looking good.
But that’s just one part of the story.
The dramatic shift in plot happens in the exact center of the first book of Samuel - middle of the chapter which is the middle of the book.
The old prophet, his coat torn in two, disillusioned by the king he anointed, travels to Bethlehem, ‘The Home of Bread’ known for its lush wheat fields, in the territory of Judah. He’s on a secret mission - ordered by YHWH to get over plan A and secretly identify and anoint Saul’s replacement.
To avoid the king’s suspicion the official reason for the prophet’s visit is a public feast. A certain Jesse, born of a prominent Judean family, with Moabite roots that we’ll explore later, presents seven of sons, and one by one, they are rejected by Samuel, although he almost falls for the eldest one, Eliav - as tall as Saul. YHWH admonishes the choice based on height and good looks - been there, done that - suggesting that what matters most is character, not a pretty face.
But looks will matter after all, as well as talent. The verb ‘to see’ shows up seven times in this chapter, perhaps ironically. Despite the divine focus on talent -- ultimately the new king’s face, together with his unique musical and military skills - will matter much, becoming a favorite topic of artists for generations to come. David is among only 11 people in the Bible of whom it’s said that they are good looking. Some, like Rebecca, are from Abraham’s family. The rest, starting with David, will be from his world - where beauty, so it seems, really does matter.
Cinderella style, the chosen one awaits in the wings, and will rise from the lowest unexpected position. The youngest of the eight boys, David, is out tending the sheep when he is summoned by Samuel.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ וְה֣וּא אַדְמוֹנִ֔י עִם־יְפֵ֥ה עֵינַ֖יִם וְט֣וֹב רֹ֑אִי
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה ק֥וּם מְשָׁחֵ֖הוּ כִּי־זֶ֥ה הֽוּא׃
So they sent and brought him. He was ruddy, bright-eyed, and handsome.
And YHWH said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.”
Was he Ginger? The debate continues on, among translators, scholars and artists, to this day.
The Hebrew word ‘Admoni’ translated here as ‘ruddy’ either refers to his robust and healthy complexion, sun-kissed and tanned, or his red hair. The word is used once before -- to describe Esau, the hunter.
The link between the two men is interesting, complicated, and merits its own exploration.
Meanwhile - Samuel anoints David, with precious oil poured from a horn. He does so in secret - just as he had done to Saul - but there is no emotion or kiss this time.
Samuel does his deed and goes back home. He’ll only meet David one more time during his life.
Young David continues his business as usual, although a ‘new spirit is upon him’ - the inspired spirit descends upon him just as Saul’s spirits sink into depression and melancholy.
From here on there are several accounts of how David gets to court and starts playing, climbing - and sleeping - his way to the top.
Halbertal and Holme explore David’s multiple paths to power in The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel:
“The Book of Samuel offers us two distinct accounts of how David, the shepherd from Bethlehem who has been secretly anointed, joined Saul’s inner court. According to the first version, Saul, a doomed king holding desperately onto power, sank into a dizzying depression. He had been rejected by the prophet who anointed him and informed that a more talented and lovable rival had been picked to replace him. To relieve the king’s chronic melancholy, David was brought to Saul by his servants because of his reputation as a skilled lyre player. David’s music had a comforting effect on Saul, exorcizing his evil demons, and we are told that “Saul loved him greatly” (1 Sam 16:21). This particular way of introducing David to the court emphasizes Saul’s emotional dependency on David.
That Saul’s mood swings were controlled by David’s music foreshadows the way that Saul’s emotional life will be defined by his struggle with David. Saul will vacillate uncontrollably between a bitter hatred toward his rival and a loving recognition of him as almost an adopted son.
In the second account of how David joined Saul’s court, David was brought into Saul’s inner court not through David’s soothing musical gifts but due to his heroic and ambitious qualities.”
Coming tomorrow -- David’s emergence on the scene, take two, this one on the battlefield, with nothing but five rocks, a big mouth, and the powerful weapons of rage and ambition.
Below the Bible Belt: 929 chapters, 42 months, daily reflections: Join Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible, with daily reflections, weekly videos and monthly learning sessions. January 2022-July 2025
#SamuelI #SamuelI16 #Shmuel #BookofSamuel #Hebrewbible #bibleinterrupted #whowrotethebible? #Tanach #hebrewmyth #929 #hiddenbible #sefaria #labshul #belowthebiblebelt #postpatriarchy #prophecy #kingdavid #youngdavid #Saul #kingsaul #redhair #ginger #firstkingofIsrael #anointingtheking #Bethlehem #davidtheshepard #sexydavid #musichealing #lyre #david’sharp #melancholy