which seem to be of Jerusalemite and probably Josianic origin (20:11–17, 23, 40–42; 23:14–18, 19–24a; 24:2–23; 25:28–31; see pp. 16–17 in the Introduction). In its present form, moreover, it has a highly symbolic form. Here is David, the type of the Israelite king, doing battle with an enemy who is the very embodiment of threatening, destructive power. Some scholars even assume a cultic background for the account: here, they say, is the ritual battle of the king and the chaos monster, the forces