King Saul: Persecutor or Persecuted?

Abstract

It is argued that Saul was the victim of Samuel's (and God's) revenge and that his persecution of David had understandable survival value, for David, by having been chosen to replace Saul, was indeed an enemy, though one much invested with love. The tragedy lies in the divine intent of allowing Saul to first become a victorious King, to form very close bonds with both Samuel and David and then to deprive him of all these supports in rapid succession. Despair, paranoia and suicide appear understandable, although perhaps not acceptable.

Reflections on the Life and Career of Émigré German-Canadian Psychiatrist Sebastian Klaus Littmann (1931-1986)

“…15 The indigenous community of Sioux Lookout were psychiatrically neglected, and Littman, with his proclivity for community and humanitarianism, provided the residents with typical psychiatric care but also something out of the ordinary: Littmann facilitated the building of a hockey rink in Sioux Lookout with the intention of providing the community with a positive outlet-a gesture not typically performed by the average clinician. 16 Littmann's outlook on psychiatric practices, namely, emphasizing the role of the community in matters of mental health, was clearly shaped by his time at Queen Street and was demonstrated by his outreach work with the different ethnic groups within Toronto. In that regard, Littmann was concerned less with the labels and categories offered by the "Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM) and more with the wider context-the community, family, and life experiences-of the patient.…”

The Bible suicides

“…The exception is Saul, whose melancholy and jealousy have been considered morbid (13). Two, Razis and the 7th Brother, may be in states of religious excitement but only after the process of dying is underway and not as a predisposing state of mind.…”