Killing the Messenger: David’s Policy or Politics?
Twice David orders death for the bearers of news that, though seemingly advantageous to his rise, he laments to hear. Subsequently, his servants twice fear to relay grave news lest it is David’s policy to kill the messenger. A close literary reading shows that executing the messenger is not David’s...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
2006
|
| In: |
Journal for the study of the Old Testament
Year: 2006, Volume: 31, Issue: 2, Pages: 167-191 |
| Further subjects: | B
Ishbosheth
B Rechab B Amalekite B Joab B Baanah B Ahimaaz B David B Absalom B Cushite |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | Twice David orders death for the bearers of news that, though seemingly advantageous to his rise, he laments to hear. Subsequently, his servants twice fear to relay grave news lest it is David’s policy to kill the messenger. A close literary reading shows that executing the messenger is not David’s policy—it is his politics. Where David finds no political advantage, he kills no messenger, however bad the news. This study also clarifies the meaning of a disputed Hebrew word and demonstrates that, though deceived about Saul’s end by the lying Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1, David learns the truth by ch. 4. Further, and contrary to readers’ general assessment of David’s reaction to Absalom’s death, it reveals that David’s loud wailing, deliberately broadcast from a high and public place, is an exaggerated charade of grief calculated to move and win over Absalom’s followers. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1476-6728 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the Old Testament
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0309089206073102 |