Observations on the Relationship Between David and Jonathan and the Debate on Homosexuality, Markus Zehnder, Observations on the Relationship between David and Jonathan and the Debate on Homosexuality, Westminster Theological Journal 69.1 [2007]: 127174), Edelman, Diana. This Jonathan was a noble man of true character, faith, and integrity. ." Since Jonathan was already a member of the army when Saul was rejected, he must have been at least 20 at that time (Numbers 1:3). In verse 20, aheb is used to refer to Sauls daughter, Michals, love for David. Did David marry Saul's wives after he died? But the most common expression is have relations, which comes from yada. When Jonathan and David met, they had little in common. The episodes belong to the story of David's ascent to power, which is commonly regarded as one of the sources of the Deuteronomistic history, and to its later additions.[1]. That is why the NASB translates dod as Beloved., Awake, O north wind, In this free Bible lesson, students will learn about Jonathan and Davids friendship. Finally, it may well be that several diverse traditions concerning Saul were in existence, and that the forty year option was the one Paul had been taught. ahab; v. 3) David. ." Christian Focus Publications. In a single day David had acquired the finest sword in the Philistine army as well as one of the finest swords in Israels armory; he had been permitted to wear the kings clothing in the time of conflict and was given princely clothing in times of peace. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 1 Samuel 13:1 literally says: "A son of one year was Saul when he became king, and two years he reigned over Israel." It is clear from the above that a 2-year reign seems unlikely. 1 Samuel 17:33 contrasts David . Since phileo love involves feelings of warmth and affection toward another person, we do not have phileo love toward our enemies. Do this a few times with the children. The following diagrams show how the above pieces of information can be combined. Saul; accession of Saul. Josephus, Antiquities Book 6, Ch. [2] David's victory begins a rout of the Philistines who are driven back to Gath and the gates of Ekron. Ish-bosheth presumed to be the same as Ishvi of 1 Samuel 14:49 was younger than Jonathan. That is, this love is the common Hebrew word for love, with some intensity. There was between them a deep emotional bond that left David grief-stricken when Jonathan died. If Saul had his sons close together then Jonathan may have been forty-two at his death but he may have been older. When Jonathan tried to reason with his father he was so angry with Jonathan for being friends with David that he threw a spear at him. . As Saul continues to pursue David, he and Jonathan renew their covenant, after which they do not meet again. Lets turn in our Bibles to 1 Samuel 18 and discover an example of true friendship. Both are about 18 when Saul becomes king. (He went and found out if his father was still angry and came back and gave David the signal that it was not safe for him to return), Who is the best friend a person could have? Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. In verse 3, the Hebrew word translated as loved in verse 1 is ahaba. They refer to 1 Samuel 18:1-3 which says Many modern translations insert forty for the second figure, following Acts 13:21. And which did not depend on a selfish end? These verses reveal that David was no longer safe as Saul was planning to put him to death. Verse 3 tells us that David and Jonathan made a covenant of mutual support. As I have shown elsewhere, Saul was adopted by Samuel as his son when Samuel anointed him king (1 Samuel 10:9). Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-16, 19:1-10,20 Saul retained David on that day and did not allow him to return to his fathers house. If David was 15 when he slew Goliath, Jonathan would be 45 years old at the time he and David formed their friendship. The NIV footnotes explains that the translators have assumed that Acts 13:21 is giving a round number when it says he only reigned for 40 years. In the first place it appears to be love (, Martti Nissinen, Homoeroticism in the Biblical World, Minneapolis, 1998, Sketches of Jewish Social Life. He would also, of course, be substantially younger than Michal, Sauls younger daughter. Test: Review Questions Site design and hosting by . 2949 Accession of David. Lets read verse 42. Jonathan, like his father Saul (16:21), loved (Hb. The resolution of the problem has bearing on how the book of Judges dovetails with the books of Samuel, as well as links with external matters. "As we have noticed, the attraction of Jonathan to David begins almost immediately as Saul is delighted in his new companion.We are told: "When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David" (1 Sam 18:1). Finally, ahebis never used to express homosexual desire or activity.[2]. 4. This intimate relationship was sealed before God. Clearly there are variations in the Hebrew manuscripts based on problems with copying the number. (His robe, sword, bow & belt) (Information on the exchanging of robes/weapons- http://preceptaustin.org/covenant_the_exchanging_of_robes.htm The answer is not hard to find. 1, 2 Samuel. The New American Commentary. The word is also used to refer to love for a dish of food (Genesis 27:4) and our love for God (Exodus 20:6). Obviously, aheb has a broad meaning and cannot be arbitrarily limited to sexual love and or a desire for sexual relations. Jonathan is slain on your high places. WebJonathan, in the Old Testament (I and II Samuel), eldest son of King Saul; his intrepidity and fidelity to his friend, the future king David, make him one of the most admired figures in the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1992, 1:118, Genesis 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; Exodus 33:12, 13, 16, 17; 34:9; Numbers 11:11, 15; Judges 6:17; 2 Samuel 15:25; Proverbs 3:4, Genesis 39:4; 39:21; 47:25; 50:4; Numbers 32:5; Ruth 2:2, 10, 13; 1 Samuel 1:18; 16:22; 20:29; 25:8; 27:5; 2 Samuel 14:22; 16:4; 1 Kings 11:29; Esther 5:2, 8; 7:3; 8:5), Genesis 30:27; 32:6; 33:8, 10, 15; 47:29; 1 Samuel 20:29. The damaged text: 1 Samuel 13:1 [19][a] For Theodore Jennings, it is clear that Jonathan's "immediate" attraction to David was caused by his beauty:[21]. In this free Bible lesson, students will learn about Jonathan and Davids friendship. 3) David should've prioritized his marriage more than Jonathan. Every week, thousands of churches use our Bible lessons, craft ideas, printable resources, and coloring pages to teach kids the Christian faith. (Angry, jealous) Learning Context: Sunday School Focus on the Bible. (Robe, sword, bow, belt), How was what Jonathan gave David similar to what Jesus gives to those who believe in Him? In verse 22, ahebrefers to the love of Sauls servants for David. Jonathan stripped off his clothes and dressed David in his own robe and armour. But the word has the same meaning as aheb. David is about 30 years younger than Jonathan. What is the relationship between the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant? Hold up the braided pieces. This is an important fact which reveals that knit is not the best translation. The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David. . Rabbi Shimon ben Tzemach Duran (Spain, North Africa 14th15th century) delineated the significance of this mishnah: Anyone who establishes a friendship for access to power, money, or sexual relations; when these ends are not attainable, the friendship ceaseslove that is not dependent on selfish ends is true love of the other person since there is no intended end. (Magen Avot abridged and adapted translation)[8], In Christian tradition, David and Jonathan's love is understood as the intimate camaraderie between two young soldiers with no sexual involvement. If Saul had his sons close together then Jonathan may have been forty-two at his death but he may have been older. What is the meaning of effeminate and homosexual in 1 Corinthians 6:9? Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt. The events are recounted in 1 Samuel 13-15, which record the three falls of Saul. [46], In platonic respects, such as in sacrificial loyalty and zeal for the kingdom, Jonathan's love is seen as surpassing that of romantic or erotic affection,[47] especially that of the women David had known up until that time. All rights reserved. Thus, in this year, Saul was anointed king by Samuel, led the people in a victory over the Ammonites, and was crowned king of Israel. Why did he tempt Adam? Sometimes the length of a kings reign will be given in terms of something other than his literal rule over the nation. 1 Chronicles 8:33 lists the sons as Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Ish-Baal. Verses 25-27 are the final verses of a lament over Saul and Jonathan (v. 17). 13.1. Jonathan would be about 53 at that time. Emotional and even physical closeness of two males did not seem to concern the editors of the story, nor was such a relationship prohibited by Leviticus." 1996. vol. Samuel was around 73. When Jonathan and David met, they had little in common. Regan, P. C; Jerry, D; Narvaez, M; Johnson, D. "Public displays of affection among Asian and Latino heterosexual couples". Proverbs 17:17 tells us that there are friends whose love is better than that of a brother. If Saul became angry then his life was not safe. Jonathan was loyal to his friend David and warned him about his fathers plan to kill him. (1 Samuel 10:12). Perhaps the age difference is what will make all the difference this time around. This interpretation does full justice to the grammar of 1 Samuel 13:1a as well as to its context. If you have good friends in this life they are gifts from God. Suppose Saul reigned for 32 years. To show his 1 Samuel 9:2 description of Saul Matthew Henry saw this long ago: He had reason to say that Jonathans love to him was wonderful; surely never was the like, for a man to love one who he knew was to take away the crown over his head, and to be so faithful to his rival: this far surpassed the highest degree of conjugal affection and constancy. We are told this happened when David was thirty years old (2 Sam 5:4-5). !{"?bPquES{~q#EoY=ru^$cs[5l\X`]8eVv
jSkV=;:c6UQ^Ic xrUrA;vw7%kEEM3,CS7.H/. For the remainder of his reign, he says, "are years of the unrecognized and illegitimate tyranny of Saul, the usurper of Davids throne, and the rejected of the Lord." The major problem with this view is that the Hebrew word that is used for both words translated love in verse 26 is ahaba, which is derived from aheb. In other words they believe the David and Jonathan friendship was homosexual. [28] The six sections she mentions are, Of these six examples, Ackerman identifies the most important example being the last one (the Song of the Bow) due to David's assertion that Jonathan's love to David "was more wonderful than the love of women".[28]. David is married to many women, one of whom is Jonathan's sister Michal, but the Bible does not mention David loving Michal (though it is stated that Michal loves David). That is, Solomons wife is engaged in different activities that is commonly called foreplay today. 1 Samuel 10:1 Saul anointed for rule. 1 Samuel 18: hold up ten fingers and then eight fingers. It occurs in Genesis 19:8. Even if you have good friends Jesus always needs to be your best friend. The Hebrew word dod is the primary word for sexual foreplay and intercourse in Hebrew. Your friendship with Jesus grows as you daily walk with Him in prayer, Bible reading and obedience. Every kids church ministry deserves the very best resources for teaching Gods Word, even when they dont have the financial resources. (Successfully) Who was pleased with David? And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself ( 1 Samuel 18:1-3 ). The lesson was created for older elementary students but can be adapted for your needs. A few late manuscripts of the Septuagint (Greek) translation of the Old Testament read that Saul was 30 years old when he began to reign, so that is how the NIV renders the first half of the verse. The Hebrew word translated as loved in verse 1 is aheb. (He was jealous of David because the Lord was with him), How did Jonathan protect David from being killed by his father? It is a variation on the basic Hebrew word for love, aheb. (2 Sam 1). 2990 Solomon year 1. It means that a year after Sauls adoption by Samuel, or within that year, he became king "when he was one year old." Samuel "Has not Yahweh anointed you leader over his inheritance.. You [David] are not able to go out against [Goliath] and fight him: you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth. Therefore, when David said Jonathans love was more wonderful then David was referring to sexual activity. What is the biblical definition of sodomite? The Expositors Bible Commentary. (When Jonathan gave David his military accoutrements, it symbolized that as his covenant partner, Jonathan was now obligated to protect and defend David no matter the cost. Ronald F. Youngblood. 2 Sam. Protecting The Most Valuable Treasure On Earth. % In fact, the saints in heaven will not engage in sexual activity between one another. However, it is not at all clear that 2 years is sufficient time for all of the events recounted in 1 Samuel 13-27 (Davids rise to fame within Israel, his marriage, and subsequent flight from place to place) to fit within a two year span, given that rather over a year is accounted for purely at Gath. (Use the board or poster paper and write down students responses) Saul had already been rejected for eight years. What this means for us is that we cannot simply run through the text of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles and add up years, assuming in every case that they measure the literal age of a man when he begins his reign and the literal number of years he reigns. We believe that God is the loving Father of all kids. Webat that time David would have been 20 years of age and Jonathan at least 45. 2910 Saul year 1. The first half of the verse, Anstey maintains, should not be translated "A son of one year was Saul when he began reigning," but rather "A son of one year was Saul in his reigning." Sauls sons were Jonathan, Ishvi and Malki-Shua. This attraction is given extravagant expression. History of Christianity and homosexuality, Corbett, John. You have been very pleasant to me. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. 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