Three Oppressors and Four Saviors - The Three-Four Pattern and the List of Saviors in i Sam 12,9-11

This paper deals with the theory of the existence of a Book of Saviors, a composition of savior tales pertaining to the pre-Monarchy era. Noth and others have suggested that this composition was used by the deuteronomistic redactor of the canonical book of Judges. Supporting evidence will be brought forth through a detailed new examination of I Sam 12,9-11 and its presentation of the period of the Savior-Judges. These verses, attributed to Samuel, the last Judge, contain a structure of two lists, of oppressors and of saviors, along with the wellknown literary patterns of three-four, to present a roster of the pre-monarchic period of saviors.