"Samuel Anoints David"

The paintings challenged long-held convictions about the Jewish prohibition of figurative art.

The walls of the synagogue are illuminated with a three-tiered pictorial cycle, painted in tempera, showing major moments in salvation history. A picture with the Aramaic inscription ‘Samuel anoints David’ was located immediately next to the Torah shrine. It portrays David standing with his brothers, all dressed in Roman fashion. All have youthful facial features and short hair. On their right is a bearded figure with stripes (clavi) on his tunic,who is likely Jesse, the father. David is dressed in a cloak of imperial purple. Several figures raise their right hands in a gesture of acclamation. A much larger figure of Samuel holds a horn and anoints David on the head. 

The figures are painted in the manner of contemporary Graeco-Roman art. The image anticipates some of the features of Byzantine style, including isocephaly (heads at the same level) and stylized folds in the garments. All the figures are presented frontally, including Samuel, who faces the viewer rather than David. The poses are static and the eyes stare straight ahead. The faces and clothing are all similar. 

These paintings were probably used for instruction and illustrate the actions of God in Israel’s history. God could not be portrayed; but God’s action could. The stress on God’s action for Israel explains why it is Samuel, rather than David, who is given prominence in the anointing image: Samuel acts as God’s agent.