The Kings of Israel - Saul, David, Solomon: A Comparative Essay
The Beautiful Letters / Realia| N° d'inventaire | 32627 |
| Format | 14 x 22 |
| Détails | 312 p., paperback |
| Publication | Paris, 2025 |
| Etat | Nine |
| ISBN | 9782251457079 |
The Indo-European world and ancient Israel have always appeared as two separate universes, having nothing in common. The work of the great comparatist Georges Dumézil in the 20th century made it possible to attribute to the different peoples speaking Indo-European languages a framework of thought that classified all beings and things into a ternary system, that of three functions – the first concerning religion and authority, the second defense against aggression, the third wealth and well-being.
Indo-European-speaking peoples often posited three kings at the beginning of their history. The first, barely emerging from primitive savagery, corresponded to the model of the initial god, then the two following ones reflected the two distinct aspects of sovereignty, one based on force and the other on religion. If we consider what is recounted about the first three kings of Israel, Saul, David, Solomon, we find completely similar ternary patterns and the reigns of these sovereigns present an overall articulation which corresponds to what we find in the Indo-European world. The succession of Saul, David, Solomon can be read according to this model. Let us evoke, for example, for David, the tragic deaths of three of his sons and what is said of the only three of his wives who are highlighted in the story.
Obviously, the religion of the Indo-Europeans had nothing to do with that of ancient Israel, and they never conceived of their history as commanded by a single, all-powerful God such as Yahweh. But it is not impossible that, in order to relate their past, the people of Israel resorted to the convenient expository schemes they could find among those with whom they were in contact.
The Indo-European world and ancient Israel have always appeared as two separate universes, having nothing in common. The work of the great comparatist Georges Dumézil in the 20th century made it possible to attribute to the different peoples speaking Indo-European languages a framework of thought that classified all beings and things into a ternary system, that of three functions – the first concerning religion and authority, the second defense against aggression, the third wealth and well-being.
Indo-European-speaking peoples often posited three kings at the beginning of their history. The first, barely emerging from primitive savagery, corresponded to the model of the initial god, then the two following ones reflected the two distinct aspects of sovereignty, one based on force and the other on religion. If we consider what is recounted about the first three kings of Israel, Saul, David, Solomon, we find completely similar ternary patterns and the reigns of these sovereigns present an overall articulation which corresponds to what we find in the Indo-European world. The succession of Saul, David, Solomon can be read according to this model. Let us evoke, for example, for David, the tragic deaths of three of his sons and what is said of the only three of his wives who are highlighted in the story.
Obviously, the religion of the Indo-Europeans had nothing to do with that of ancient Israel, and they never conceived of their history as commanded by a single, all-powerful God such as Yahweh. But it is not impossible that, in order to relate their past, the people of Israel resorted to the convenient expository schemes they could find among those with whom they were in contact.