Thought for the Day - Rooting for the Underdog

David and Goliath by Marc Chagall, 1955-56

A “Thought for the Day” given at Mattins at St Giles-in-the-Fields at 1pm on Wednesday 17th January 2024 based on the text of Mark 3.1-6 and 1 Sam 17.32–33, 37, 40–51

BOOK REVIEW : Jonathan’s Loves, David’s Laments : Gay Theology, Musical Desires, and Historical Difference

The story of the relationship between David and Jonathan has been seen by some as an “obvious” point for gay men in particular and non heterosexual people more broadly, to relate to scripture. Jonathan's declaration of his love for David, their covenant together, the account of their kiss (which takes place after what some have interpreted as an erotic farewell scene with phallic symbolism, including the "shooting of arrows") followed by David's lament after Jonathan's death (in which he declares that Jonathan’s love for him surpassed that of a woman) perhaps just some of the more “obvious” inferences of a homoerotic relationship between the two. Many strongly disagree with any such suggestion - and some bible commentaries ignore the issue entirely.