David And Zion Analysis

Describe the relationship between David and the Zion traditions. How does the relationship between David and Zion differ from the relationship between Moses and Sinai? See Levenson, 97-101. The relationship between Zion and David is one of “a religious institution so closely linked with monarchy” that Zion serves the purpose of a “royal sanctuary,” as well as both having “shared a destiny” between the Temple and the dynasty of David. In the text, Zion represents a new relationship of both David and God having “houses.” Zion represents a house for God that David’s line creates, while reciprocally God gives a “house” or kingdom to David. The relationship is one of reciprocity so that God gives David’s house an endless reign and dynasty over the people, while David’s own heirs give God a temple to act …show more content…
This “act of treachery against god” is breaking the covenant relationship with God since “any king other than YHWH is an intruder into the pristine covenant relationship” with his people. Levenson makes the point that, “Israel as a nation and the Israelites as an individual stand in the position of royal vassals of the divine suzerain.” This is interpreted to mean that by creating a relationship with the human king, the people of Jerusalem break the contract previously made with God by creating a new one with a mortal king. The form of the contract takes one of suzerainty, with the Israelites being vassals to only one divine king. The very notion of wanting a king other than God results in God’s disappointment and grieving in the face of rejection. In the view of God, he literally created the people and redeemed them with the Sinai covenant and as such has valid claim to be their only king, yet the people treat him with disrespect by searching for someone who could do