Soldiery and masculinity in John Chrysostom’s homilies On David and Saul

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the role and place of soldiery and physical violence in Chrysostom’s understanding of the formation of Christian masculinity. The study specifically relies on the image of David as constructed in Chrysostom’s homilies On David and Saul (CPG 4412). These homilies were possibly preached at the beginning of AD 387, during Lent, following the riots in Antioch and the destruction of the images and statues of the emperor after he imposed a heavy tax on the city. The more famous homilies On the Statues were also preached during this time. On David and Saul have their own unique agenda in portraying Christian masculinity in terms different from conventional Roman masculinity. Soldiery and warfare are no longer the main markers of masculinity, but rather the control of one’s anger, the health of the soul, and displaying mercy and clemency where necessary. The narrative of the cave at En Gedi (1 Sam 24 / 1 Reigns 24 LXX), where David spares Saul’s life, receives most attention in the homilies. Each homily in the homiletic series is examined, after which some main conclusions are drawn regarding the role of soldiery in Chrysostom’s conceptualisation of masculinity.