| David & Jonathan - gay love in the bible |
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| In the book of Samuel, in the old testament, the story of the friendship between David, future king of Israel, and Jonathan, the heir to the current king Saul, has often been interpreted as being more than just a friendship. 1Sam.18 [1] And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. [2] And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. [3] Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. [4] And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. 1Sam.19 [2] But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: 1Sam.20 [17] And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul. [30] Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? 2Sam.1 [26] I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. (King James Bible) This is an interpretation of the relationship between these two men, and really, we can never know for sure what exactly their relationship was, since the biases of all the translators and translations are in the way. But these verses do speak of an amazing love between two men, and great affection and caring - and whether or not they were lovers in the physical sense (of which there is also some suggestion in the original hebrew), they were certainly lovers in an intimate emotional sense. If the suggestion of same-sex love in the bible offends you, then just don't take it personally. Be more openminded. |
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