Abstract:
Karin Hügel, "King Davidʼs Exposure while Dancing: A Queer Reading of 2 Samuel 6".
According to the Hebrew version of the transport of the ark to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6, King David is so scantily dressed that he publicly exposes himself while dancing before G*d (Jhwh). Davidʼs wild, gay and possibly sexual conduct can evoke associations with the behavior of gay persons of today. Queer readers may identify with David and like him turn their backs on dominant rulers – like the members of Saulʼs dynasty – if they are not respected because of their queer way of life, but persecuted – as David was persecuted by King Saul. Such an interpretation implies that G*d (Jhwh) is on the side of persons like King David, who – from the point of view of other people as well as of Davidʼs wife Michal – behave in a strange fashion, thus act queerly.
Acquisition of the paperback edition from Routledge via email to subscriptions@tandf.co.uk
I gave a lecture on "King Davidʼs Exposure while Dancing: A Queer Reading of 2 Samuel 6" at the International Meeting of the European Association of Biblical Studies on July 8, 2014 in Vienna.
David while back handspringing, initial in the Winchcombe Double-Psalter, MS 53, fol. 151r, 1st half of the 12th century CE, Trinity College, Dublin.
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