Israelite Sheepshearing and David’s Rise to Power 63 SUMMARY An analysis of the relevant texts (Genesis 31; 38; 1 Samuel 25; 2 Samuel 13) re- veals that sheepshearing in ancient Israel was a significant celebration character- ized by feasting, heavy dirinking, and the settling of old scores. As a result of these associations, sheepshearing became an ideal backdrop for events in Israel’s past involving the repayment of debts or the righting of wrongs. Because both David and Absalom took advantage of sheepshearing for this purpose — and in the process aided their own ascents to the throne — sheepshearing became inti- mately associated with the emergence of the royal clan (Genesis 38) and the es- tablishment of the Davidic dynasty.