This is part three of my series, which would have appeared in the Western Tribune, but...
You can read part two (Romans) here and part one (Leviticus) here.
*****
In both the Old Testament and the New Testament there are passages where same sex relationships are affirmed. In the Old Testament, the story of Jonathan and David is such an example.
"When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul... Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt." 1Samuel 18:1-4.
Jonathan's father, King Saul, was not happy about the relationship. In 1Samuel 20:30 we read that Saul was furious that his son had chosen David as his lover. Saul told Jonathan that he could not produce an heir to the throne and could not claim the kingship.
"I am distressed for you my brother Jonathan;Greatly beloved were you to me;your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." 2 Samuel: 1: 26
I have not known a heterosexual man to proclaim that his love for another man was greater than his love for a woman.
Next: Jesus and the centurion
Most of this information, in a little greater detail comes from my previous post, which includes an explanation of the phrase "until David exceeded." It doesn't hurt for people to read it again.
*****
This is part three in my series on homosexuality and the Bible. I was also asked to show where homosexual relationships are mentioned in an affirming way.
In both the Old Testament and the New Testament there are passages where same sex relationships are affirmed. In the Old Testament, the story of Jonathan and David is such an example.
"When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul... Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt." 1Samuel 18:1-4.
This was pretty much love at first sight. Brotherly love does not lead a man to get naked and offer his most personal possessions, the symbols of his manhood, to another man, but that is what Jonathan did here.
Jonathan's father, King Saul, was not happy about the relationship. In 1Samuel 20:30 we read that Saul was furious that his son had chosen David as his lover. Saul told Jonathan that he could not produce an heir to the throne and could not claim the kingship.
"...they kissed each other and wept with one another; until David exceeded. Then Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, since both of us have sworn in the name of the Lord, saying "The Lord shall be between me and you, and my descendants and your descendants, forever."' He got up and left; and Jonathan went into the city." 1 Samuel 20: 41-42.
Again, clearly the association between Jonathan and David goes beyond what is expected from heterosexual males. They knew they would not see one another again, and this is the parting of doomed lovers, so to speak. Yet they made a bond that would last through all generations.
After Jonathan's death, David wrote a song while mourning, in which he says:
"I am distressed for you my brother Jonathan;Greatly beloved were you to me;your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." 2 Samuel: 1: 26
I have not known a heterosexual man to proclaim that his love for another man was greater than his love for a woman.
This is an example, in the Bible, of two men in a loving, sexual relationship, and the Bible celebrates that love in David’s song.
Next: Jesus and the centurion
1 comment:
I read the bible ,and that story is familiar to me. Althought I can't remember all that I read, I can remember things when they come into light. I'm glad that your shedding light on it.
Post a Comment