Abstract

1 Kgs 2,1-9, «the testament of David», records the king's final instructions to his son Solomon. This article offers a detailed study of Josephus' version ( Ant. 7.383- 388) of the testament in relation to its biblical source. The study focusses particularly on the textual affinities of Josephus' presentation, given the differences among the various ancient versions (MT, LXX, Targum) of the testament. The article likewise examines the range of re-writing techniques utilized by Josephus in Ant. 7.383-388 and their contribution in generating a distinctive rendition of David's testament.

Highlights

  • The Catholic University of America. Just prior to his death, David delivers a series of instructions to his son and successor Solomon (1 Kgs 2,1-9) which, inter alia, evidence a striking shift of tone from the pious opening exhortations about Solomon's keeping the Law of 2,2-4 to the cold-blooded commands regarding the elimination of David's various enemies in 2,5-6(7)8-9 \ In this article I wish to examine the version of David's «testament» found in Josephus' Antiquitates judaicae 7.383-388 ^

  • Sefarad 65 (2005) págs. 271-285 ©CSIC ISSN 037-0894 (c) Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Licencia Creative Commons 3.0 España http://sefarad.revistas.csic.es the Antiochene or Lucianic ^ manuscripts of the LXX, and Targum Jonathan of the Former Prophets ^ evidence many differences among themselves. With which of these witnesses do Josephus' textual affinities -to the extent these can be determined in so short a passage- in 7.383-388 lie? 2) How does Josephus rework the biblical data of 1 Kgs 2,1-9, and what is distinctive about his own version of David's words there?

  • Before presenting his version of the latter segment, Josephus, in 7.384c-385a, has David solemnly warn Solomon about the negative consequences of his failure to heed the admonitions he has just given him: «do not neglect them [i.e. the commandments and laws] by yielding either to favour or flatteiy (GcoTisia) ^^ or lust (é7ii6ü|iía) or any other passion (TidGsi) ^'*, for you will lose the goodwill of the Deity towards you, if you transgress any of His ordinances

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Summary

The Catholic University of America

Just prior to his death, David delivers a series of instructions to his son and successor Solomon (1 Kgs 2,1-9) which, inter alia, evidence a striking shift of tone from the pious opening exhortations about Solomon's keeping the Law of 2,2-4 to the cold-blooded commands regarding the elimination of David's various enemies in 2,5-6(7)8-9 \ In this article I wish to examine the version of David's «testament» found in Josephus' Antiquitates judaicae 7.383-388 ^. My investigation will focus on two wider questions: 1) The major ancient witnesses for the text of 1 Kgs 2,1-9, i.e. MT (BHS) ^ the Codex Vaticanus (hereafter B)^ and. ^ For B's text of 1 Kgs 2,1-9 I use A. THACKERAY, The Old Testament in Greek, ITU- / and II Kings (Cambridge 1930) pp. (c) Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Licencia Creative Commons 3.0 España (by-nc) http://sefarad.revistas.csic.es

CHRISTOPHER BEGG
INTRODUCTION
PUNISHMENT FOR JOAB
CONCLUSIONS
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