3

The following verses about David and Jonathan's relationship have lead some to say their relationship was more than platonic. Is there any reason to think that was the case?

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:1, NASB)

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:3, ESV)

I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. (2 Samuel 1:26, NIV)

Improve this question
4
  • 4
    There's no reason to think so. The fact that so many people think Frodo and Sam or Sherlock and John are gay just shows how few solid examples of friendship our society has.
    – curiousdannii ♦
    Jan 8, 2014 at 11:39
  • 1
    I think I missed the third verse because it's not bold - it's the only one that really suggests anything more than friendship. A question about 2 Samuel 1:26 might be appropriate for the Hermeneutics site.
    – curiousdannii ♦
    Jan 8, 2014 at 14:14
  • 1
    check out the four loves by c.s. lewis. I don't remember if this is addressed directly (might check tonight if I can find the book) But Jonathan and David shared what Lewis considered to be a love stronger than eroticism
    – Peter Turner ♦
    Jan 8, 2014 at 18:45
  • 1
    Unless you change the wording of this to ask for biblical basis, it is off topic, since it is opinion based or a truth question. The title, "Is David's love for Johnathan erotic" is a truth question, and the question in the body "is there any reason to think that was the case?" solicits an opinion.
    – Andrew
    Mar 4, 2017 at 0:50

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

In your question you seem to have overlooked two very important points

1st Samuel 18:1 KJV

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. *

In the "soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David" the important point here is the word knit That word in the original was:

קָשַׁר

qashar (kaw-shar') v. 1. bind (up), (make a) conspire(-acy, -ator), join together, knit, stronger, work (treason)

In today's vernacular that would be said " that they had become Soul mates".

There are no connotations of any physical relationship the word used for such a union is:

שָׁכַב

shakab (shaw-kab') v. 1. to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) [a primitive root] KJV: X at all, cast down, ((lover-))lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay.

So in answer to your question is no it was not erotic.

For the record how can a person have an erotic encounter with his soul?

Improve this answer
0

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .