The Brotherhood of David and Jonathan. The Picture of Male Friendship in 1 Sam 18 – 2 Sam 1 Cover Image

Braterstwo Dawida i Jonatana. Obraz męskiej przyjaźni w 1 Sm 18 – 2 Sm 1
The Brotherhood of David and Jonathan. The Picture of Male Friendship in 1 Sam 18 – 2 Sam 1

Author(s): Dariusz Dziadosz
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Philosophy of Religion, Biblical studies, Hermeneutics
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Wydział Teologii
Keywords: David and Jonathan relationship; brotherhood; homosexual (homoerotic) overtones in 1 Sam 18.1–21.1;

Summary/Abstract: Over the last decades many scientific and popularizing biblical publications have debated 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 an interpretation does not correspond to the text of 1 Sam 18 – 2 Sam 1. The narrative of David’s ascent to the throne (1 Sam 16, 1 – 2 Sam 5, 5) does not provide direct indications of a sexual background to 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 do not allow one to ascribe sexual (homoerotic) connotations in the stories of 1 Samuel. The Deuteronomist emphasizes a primarily theological and socio-political level of the brotherhood between David and Jonathan, but his idea of the male friendship in 1 Sam 16, 1 – 2 Sam 5, 5 also has a strong emotional aspect.

  • Issue Year: 39/2021
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 163-198
  • Page Count: 36
  • Language: Polish