Why Does Saul Ask About David’s Father’s Identity After David Killed Goliath?

Why does Saul ask about David’s origins after the battle with Goliath? It seems from the previous account of David as Saul’s musician he should have known this. I find the common conservative suggestion (that Saul knew David but couldn’t remember his father’s name) and the common liberal suggestion (that two accounts were clumsily interwoven) both dissatisfying.

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Why Does Revelation Use So Much Symbolism?

Why does the Book of Revelation use so much symbolism? Some reasons might perhaps include: to hide its meaning from outsiders, to describe the ineffable, to point out the inner reality of what’s being described, and so on. Are these correct? What other purposes might there be for the symbolism in Revelation? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

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