"Love" between David and Jonathan
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| Jonathan and David in an act of embrace ( from a manuscript illustration, circa 1300. La Somme le roy Wikipedia |
In our discussion (Google Meet) on the Deuteronomic History, I mentioned in passing to my students (seminarians studying at the Recoletos School of Theology), the meaning of "love" [Hebrew 'AHEB] between David and Jonathan.
Jonathan, Saul's son, is said to love David "as his very self" (Heb. KENAPSHO, cf. 1 Sam 18:3; 20:17). In David's dirge at the death of Jonathan, the king lamented:
Oh, how much I loved you!
And your love for me was deep,
deeper than the love of women!"
(2Sa 1:26 NLT)
With due respect to Queer Biblical Hermenuetics, the text does not necessarily point to a same-sex relationship.
More than conjugal intimacy, the Hebrew 'AHEB connotes political loyalty, solidarity, or commitment to a particular cause as the word is commonly used in treaties or covenants in the ancient world (cf. Anchor Bible Dictionary vol. 4).
In fact, David and Jonathan made such a covenant (Hebrew BERIT, see 1 Sam 18:3).
When the Scribe/Sage in the Book of Sirach wrote his teachings on friendship, he used the word 'AHEB/Love for "friend" (example: Sirach 6:5-17).
We can say that this is the first time in the Old Testament that we have clear teachings on friendship. The Book of Sirach was written around 180 B.C.
Just like the "friendship" between David and Jonathan, Sirach understands friendship as one that is founded on a social and covenantal commitment more than the satisfaction of emotional needs. Not "kaibigan kita dahil kailangan kita," as we sometimes hear.
Thus Sirach taught: "Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright" (Sir 6:17 NRS).
During the lockdown, I preached a homily on friendship. Let share that with you below.
Love and friendship in the Bible were created by God, the closeness of these people, like David and Jonathan was about their connection with God, David being the anointed one needed to be protected from Saul by Jonathan the son of Saul. The words of Jonathan about David as if himself showed that he'd protect David like protecting himself. God has his ways to protected those peoples he has chosen with love and friendship which now have a different connotation.
ReplyDeleteIt is a love, e.i., the total giving of oneself to another like Christ did. Christ deeply love us so much. We must love Jesus the way he loves us. We must deeply love Jesus because love must be balance and reciprocal.
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