Difference between revisions of "Abuse of Monarchical Power: David and Achav/0"
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<h2>Introduction</h2> | <h2>Introduction</h2> | ||
| − | People in position of power often tend to abuse that power.  Biblical characters are no exception, and the stories of David's sin with Batsheva (<a href="ShemuelII11" data-aht="source">Shemuel II 11</a> and <a href="ShemuelII12-1-14" data-aht="source">12</a>) and Achav's acquisition of Navot's vineyard (<a href="MelakhimI21" data-aht="source">Melakhim I 21</a>) are two cases in point.  Despite the vastly contrasting reputations of the two kings, the two stories follow surprisingly similar plot lines. In each, a king, who lacks nothing, nonetheless desires a layperson's beloved property. With the aid of others, he orchestrates the owner's death | + | People in position of power often tend to abuse that power.  Biblical characters are no exception, and the stories of David's sin with Batsheva (<a href="ShemuelII11" data-aht="source">Shemuel II 11</a> and <a href="ShemuelII12-1-14" data-aht="source">12</a>) and Achav's acquisition of Navot's vineyard (<a href="MelakhimI21" data-aht="source">Melakhim I 21</a>) are two cases in point.  Despite the vastly contrasting reputations of the two kings, the two stories follow surprisingly similar plot lines. In each, a king, who lacks nothing, nonetheless desires a layperson's beloved property. With the aid of others, he orchestrates a plot to bring about the owner's death, and takes the item for himself. In the end, he is rebuked by the prophet, but repentance serves to mitigate the punishment. Though the stories contain no significant linguistic parallels, a comparison of the two allows for a deeper understanding of both. |
<h2>Content Parallels</h2> | <h2>Content Parallels</h2> | ||
<ul> | <ul> | ||
| − | <li><b>The kings</b> – Both David and Achav were powerful kings who had more than their share of wealth and property, but nonetheless wanted more.  Hashem tells David, "וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית אֲדֹנֶיךָ וְאֶת נְשֵׁי אֲדֹנֶיךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה" (Shemuel II 12:8), clearly emphasizing how since David had been given so much, it was absurd that he should look to take the wife of another. Achav apparently had a palace not only in Shomeron, but also in Yizrael, and owned vineyards that were more valuable than Navot's,<fn>See Melakhim I 21:3 where he offers Navot a better vineyard than his.</fn> but nonetheless was not satisfied.  </li> | + | <li><b>The kings</b> – Both David and Achav were powerful kings who had more than their share of wealth and property, but nonetheless wanted more.  Hashem tells David, "וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית אֲדֹנֶיךָ וְאֶת נְשֵׁי אֲדֹנֶיךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה" (Shemuel II 12:8), clearly emphasizing how since David had been given so much, it was absurd that he should look to take the wife of another.  Likewise, Achav apparently had a palace not only in Shomeron, but also in Yizrael, and owned vineyards that were more valuable than Navot's,<fn>See Melakhim I 21:3 where he offers Navot a better vineyard than his.</fn> but nonetheless was not satisfied.  </li> |
| − | <li><b>The desired property</b> –  Natan's parable emphasizes that Batsheva was beloved by Uriah, who, in contrast to David, had but one wife.  Similarly, the vineyard of Navot is of special significance to him, being a "נחלת אבות."</li> | + | <li><b>The desired property</b> –  Natan's parable emphasizes that Batsheva was beloved by Uriah, who, in contrast to David, had but one wife.  Similarly, the vineyard of Navot is of special significance to him, being a "נחלת אבות." ‎<fn>He is not willing to part with it, even in exchange for promises of money or alternative fields.</fn></li> |
| + | <li>Plot to kill</li> | ||
| + | <li>Partners in crime</li> | ||
<li></li> | <li></li> | ||
</ul> | </ul> | ||
Version as of 03:42, 2 May 2018
Abuse of Monarchical Power: David and Achav
Introduction
People in position of power often tend to abuse that power. Biblical characters are no exception, and the stories of David's sin with Batsheva (Shemuel II 11 and 12) and Achav's acquisition of Navot's vineyard (Melakhim I 21) are two cases in point. Despite the vastly contrasting reputations of the two kings, the two stories follow surprisingly similar plot lines. In each, a king, who lacks nothing, nonetheless desires a layperson's beloved property. With the aid of others, he orchestrates a plot to bring about the owner's death, and takes the item for himself. In the end, he is rebuked by the prophet, but repentance serves to mitigate the punishment. Though the stories contain no significant linguistic parallels, a comparison of the two allows for a deeper understanding of both.
Content Parallels
- The kings – Both David and Achav were powerful kings who had more than their share of wealth and property, but nonetheless wanted more. Hashem tells David, "וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית אֲדֹנֶיךָ וְאֶת נְשֵׁי אֲדֹנֶיךָ בְּחֵיקֶךָ וָאֶתְּנָה לְךָ אֶת בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה" (Shemuel II 12:8), clearly emphasizing how since David had been given so much, it was absurd that he should look to take the wife of another. Likewise, Achav apparently had a palace not only in Shomeron, but also in Yizrael, and owned vineyards that were more valuable than Navot's,1 but nonetheless was not satisfied.
- The desired property – Natan's parable emphasizes that Batsheva was beloved by Uriah, who, in contrast to David, had but one wife. Similarly, the vineyard of Navot is of special significance to him, being a "נחלת אבות." 2
- Plot to kill
- Partners in crime
Literary Allusions
Analysis
- Degree of similarity –
- Distinctive phrases –
