1660_Saul_and_David_Rembrandt.txt

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Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669
Saul and David

oil on canvas (130 × 164 cm) — 1655 - 1660
Mauritshuis, The Hague

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to 1 Samuel 18:10

David has just beaten the Philistines and has returned to the court of King Saul. The superstitious king considers David as a threat to his already weak position, and tries to think of a way to get rid of the young heri. At the same time he is clearly moved by David's play: Saul dries his eyes with his cloak.

The people would probably rise against him if he were to kill David. The javelin in his hand therefore is of no use. He then decides to promote David to "captain over a thousand", hoping he would be killed in battle.

In Rembrandt's painting the old king is clearly touched by David's play.