The Brotherhood of David and Jonathan. The Picture of Male Friendship in 1 Sam 18 ˗ 2 Sam 1

Dariusz Dziadosz

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5191-0560


Abstract

Over the last decades many scientific and popularizing biblical publications have debated on the nature of David and Jonathan’s relationship described in 1 and 2 Samuel. Several exegetes have interpreted this relationship as homosexual or at least homoerotic, but such understanding does not corre­spond to the text of 1 Sam 18 – 2 Sam 1. The narrative of David’s ascent to throne (1 Sam 16,1 – 2 Sam 5,5) does not provide direct indications of a sexual background in the interpersonal relationship between the two claimants to the throne. The connections between 1 Sam 18 – 2 Sam 1 and Song of Songs concern only the terminology and don’t allow to ascribe sexual (homoerotic) connotations in the stories of 1Samuel. The Deuteronomist emphasizes primarily theological and socio-political level of the broth­erhood of David and Jonathan, but his idea of the male friendship in 1 Sam 16,1 – 2 Sam 5,5 has also a strong emotional aspect.

 

Keywords:

David and Jonathan relationship, brotherhood, homosexual (homoerotic) overtones in 1 Sam 18,1–21,1

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Published
2021-06-15


Dziadosz, D. (2021). Braterstwo Dawida i Jonatana. Obraz męskiej przyjaźni w 1 Sm 18 ˗ 2 Sm 1. Verbum Vitae, 39(1), 163–198. https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.9752

Dariusz Dziadosz  dariuszdzi@op.pl
The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin

Ks. Dariusz Dziadosz, prezbiter archidiecezji przemyskiej, doktor habilitowany teologii, profesor KUL. Studia z nauk biblijnych odbył w Papieskim Instytucie Biblijnym w Rzymie, gdzie uzyskał licencjat (1999) i doktorat (2002) z nauk biblijnych. Jest kierownikiem Katedry Egzegezy Ksiąg Historycznych, Prorockich i Sapiencjalnych INB KUL, wykładowcą Ksiąg Historycznych Starego Testamentu. Jego preferencje naukowe obejmują tradycje Pięcioksięgu i Ksiąg Historycznych Biblii Hebrajskiej. Do jego najnowszych publikacji należy: Księga Sędziów. I. Rozdziały 1˗5. II. Rozdziały 6˗12. Wstęp – Przekład z oryginału – Komentarz (Nowy Komentarz Biblijny. Stary Testament 7/1-2; Częstochowa: Edycja Świętego Pawła 2019).

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5191-0560



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