SAUL: Manic Depression? Bi-polar Affective Disorder?

Saul was a king who reigned from c.1029-1005 BCE and was the son of a wealthy and influential Kish from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1). He was chosen to be the first King of Israel in response to the people’s demand for an earthly king (1 Samuel 8:5). According to 1 Samuel 13:1 Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned forty-two years over Israel. He was appointed by the prophet Samuel and was the father of Jonathan.

Throughout the book of 1 Samuel King Saul’s mood appears to fluctuate and his character change. His first episode appears to be found in 1 Samuel 10:10-13

‘When they were going from there to Gibeah a band of prophets met him and the spirit of God possessed him and he fell into a prophetic frenzy along with them. 11 When all who knew him before saw how he prophesied with the prophets the people said to one another “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 A man of the place answered “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb “ Is Saul among the prophets?” 13 When his prophetic frenzy had ended he went home.’

The word for prophecy in this text appears as "Hith-pael" in the original Hebrew.  As the Dean of Canterbury pointed out, the Hebrew word for prophecy “Hith-pael” is never used in the Old Testament for real true prophecy, rather the word “Niphal” is used. Thus usage of the word prophecy (Hith-pael) in this text suggests that Saul was in a state of frenzy, speaking in words that he did not know the meaning and acting like a possessed crazy man.

Like many who struggle with mental health it appears that Saul continued about his duties, as his illness affected him only from time to time (1 Samuel 16:16). However, Saul suffered with fear. He feared the people (1 Samuel 15:24); David (1 Samuel 18:12, 18:15) and the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:11, 28:5). During his ‘attacks’ Saul seems to find relief in some music therapy.  

‘And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it in his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better and the evil spirit would depart from him.’ (1 Samuel 16:23)

However, Saul’s mood seemed to fluctuate and he became unpredictable. During music sessions Saul was known to lash out at David with unexplainable sudden lunges from the spear. (1 Samuel 18:10-11/1 Samuel 19:9-10)

Saul’s affection for David changed. Although David was helpful in slaying Goliath in a battle (1 Samuel 17), and was a faithful warrior, he became a threat. Saul became preoccupied by David’s increasing fame and jealous of his success (1 Samuel 18:9, 28, 29). Saul tried to eliminate David. He sent men to try to kill him and eventually conducted a nationwide manhunt to hunt David down. On a side note, many of the prayers in the book of Psalms are David’s response to being hunted.

Saul’s mental health continued to deteriorate. It was on his search for David, that Saul appeared to have another episode.

‘He went then towards Naioth in Ramah; and the spirit of God came upon him. As he was going he fell into a prophetic frenzy until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 24 He too stripped off his clothes and he too fell into a frenzy before Samuel. He lay naked all that day and all that night. Therefore it is said, is Saul also among the prophets?’  (1 Samuel 19:23)

 

In short, King Saul struggled with mental health issues. He suffered with paranoia, displayed extreme mood swings -euphoria (end of chapter 11) to extreme gloom (1 Samuel 16:15,23), seemed to see things that were not there and had fits of crying (1 Samuel 24:16). His mood affected his decision-making, his behaviour was irrational and he showed poor judgement. In the end Saul took his own life. (1 Samuel 31:4).

King Saul suffered terribly. It would appear that he could have benefited from some therapy and medication. That being said, King Saul is a reminder that mental illness can affect anyone.

King Nebuchadnezzar: Boanthropy?

King Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon (605-562 BC). According to the book of Daniel, he conquered Judah and Jerusalem, sent Jews into exile and built the hanging Gardens of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful King but he had a dream that disturbed him deeply  (2:1-3). Looking for an interpretation he called upon magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners but they could not help. However, the prophet Daniel interpreted the dream and declared that God was telling the king that because of his sins he would be removed from the kingdom for seven years, and he would live amongst the animals as an ox.

Nebuchadnezzar’s mental state became rather graphic. “Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.” (4:33)

The metamorphosis of humans into animals is known as therianthropy. The most known form is lycanthropy, the belief that one is a werewolf. Cynanthropy, another example, dates back to ancient Greece and refers to when someone alternates between human and dog. Regarding Nebuchadnezzar, it is believed that he suffered from boanthropy, a rare delusional disorder. Boanthropy is the belief that the individual is an animal, ox, cow or other animal and they develop anti-social tendencies, preferring the food of animals, like grass and water.

Differential diagnosis, schizophrenia as evidenced in social withdrawal, depersonalization, loss of appetite, loss of hygiene, delusions and hallucinations. Another option is porphyria, a group enzyme disorder that manifests neurological symptoms including hallucinations, depression, anxiety and paranoia. Or paralytic dementia caused by syphilis. However, it is believed that boanthropy is the better diagnosis for Nebuchadnezzar. 

Nebuchadnezzar is apparently the most known example of boanthropy. Interestingly, in 1946 R.K. Harrison (1920-1993), a British scholar, claimed that he observed someone with boanthropy in a mental hospital in the UK.

Daniel 4:34 records, “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honoured and glorified him who lives forever.”

Nebuchadnezzar suffered greatly. Biblical scholars believe this was a punishment from God for his morally deprived character and arrogance.

What would you do if your client developed symptoms of boanthropy?

David: Depression?

The disorder is so common that it is called “the common cold of mental illness.”

David, who you may recall slayed Goliath as a young boy, was a harp player and considered “a man after God’s own heart.” He eventually became King David and was credited with writing the book of Psalms. He wasn’t perfect and there was some drama in his life.  Before David became King, his popularity made him a target of his jealous predecessor, King Saul.  David was forced into lengthy periods of hiding from Saul who made it his mission to hunt him down. After becoming King, while at war to unite the kingdom, David had an affair with a married women Bathsheba, whom he impregnated. It gets messy - David brings Bathsheba’s husband Uriah home from the battlefield to sleep with Bathsheba in an effort to cover up the indiscretion.  But Uriah refused to sleep with Bathsheba, as he did not think it appropriate while his comrades were at war. David then orders Uriah to the front of the battle lines to be killed and takes Bathsheba to be his wife.

The Book of Psalms contains some of David’s distressing thoughts and personal struggles. Upon reading these words David struggles resemble depression like symptoms.

My heart pounds, my strength fails me; 
even the light has gone from my eyes.

Psalm 38:10

I am worn out from groaning; 
all night long I flood my bed with weeping 
and drench my couch with tears.

Psalm 6:6

My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.

Psalm 55:2

My heart is in anguish within me; 
the terrors of death assail me.

Psalm 55:4

Fear and trembling have beset me:
 horror has overwhelmed me.

Psalm 55:5

My tears have been my food
day and night.

Psalm 42:3

Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

Psalm 42:7

For troubles without number surround me; 
…I cannot see.

Psalm 40:12

My heart is blighted and withered like grass: 
I forget to eat my food. 
Because of my loud groaning
I am reduced to skin and bones.
I am like a desert owl, 
like an owl among the ruins. 
I lie awake; I have become
like a bird alone on a roof.

Psalm 102:4-7

The book of Psalms highlights David’s anguish and suffering, however as you can see in Psalm 23, and many other Psalms, David did find comfort in God.

The Lord is my shepherd, 
I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me besides quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness 
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
 of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

For you are with me;

Your rod and your staff,

They comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me 
in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

All the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

Psalm 23

Check out this inspiring version of Canadian artist Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah which references one of David's struggles. 

Disclaimer

It should be noted there are challenges and limitations faced in the assessment of the mental health of Biblical characters. Our subjects are not sitting in front of us, rather they come to us in the form of two-dimensional texts - sacred texts - but texts nevertheless. While some of these texts have been written in first person, much of it is in third person. Original texts have been translated from Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic and minor details may vary depending on the translation. We do not have the luxury of direct questioning to aid in our diagnosis. Additionally, our subjects are from another period in time; we are separated by thousands of years and our cultures differ dramatically. That being said, the symptoms of our subjects, their words and/or actions, are a valid reference useful in clinical diagnosis for the purpose of this blog. 

Background

Mental illness is not new. Although there may not have always have been DSM categories for mental health issues, mental illness has been around for centuries. In order to explore the issue of mental illness in the Bible it is important to provide a brief overview of this sacred Christian text.

Historically, it has been said that the Bible has been on the bestseller list for years. The Bible is a collection of writings written over a span of 1500 years. Many Christians believe it is the inspired Word of God, that is, directed by God and written by approximately forty contributors. The Bible, unlike other sacred texts, reads as factual news accounts of real events, places, people and dialogue. In spite of the unique personalities, writing styles, language and cultural diversity, there remains a unified message pointing the reader to God Himself, the author.

The Bible consists of 66 books. The Old Testament contains 39 books, which includes texts of poetry, law, prophecy, history and wisdom literature. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew except for the books Ezra and Daniel written in Aramaic. The Old Testament sets the stage and lays the foundation for the foretelling of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The New Testament consists of 27 books and was written in Greek. In the NT the reader is exposed to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God. The Apostle Paul is credited with writing half of the New Testament and there is much to learn about Christian living and the early church from these pages. The Bible ends with dramatic views of the future where the Apostle John describes a new heaven and a new earth.

The Bible is a love story. It is a story about a loving God; a God who created us, knows us, loves us, and wants to be in a relationship with us. It is a story about a rescue mission. It is a story about a great healer, who offers wholeness, purpose and meaning for our lives. While the Bible does not answer every question we may have, it does chronicle God’s presence throughout history. It shows us how to live in harmony with each other, begging us to act justly. Today the Bible is translated into 2300 other languages.

Want to know more? Check out these films or pick up a copy for yourself at a local bookstore. There are many readable translations; the Message can be a refreshing alternative to the more traditional texts.

Trailer for “The Bible” movie as shown on History Channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hThfoBzWxw

Trailer for “Son of Man” now in Hong Kong cinemas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcIXCok9HPg