König Saul. Der missglückte Anfang und Europas religiöses Erbe
Saul is ‘God’s wrong choice’ (Botho Strauß); he embodies the attempt to establish a secular power – and its initial failure. Saul is a major figure of the Old Testament. He is the first king of the people of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. After initial success in battle, he deviates only sl...
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| Format: | Online |
| Langue: | allemand |
| Publié: |
Wallstein Verlag
2026
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| Sujets: | |
| Accès en ligne: | ONIX_20260529T115621_9783835381506_21 |
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| Résumé: | Saul is ‘God’s wrong choice’ (Botho Strauß); he embodies the attempt to establish a secular power – and its initial failure. Saul is a major figure of the Old Testament. He is the first king of the people of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. After initial success in battle, he deviates only slightly from God’s commandments, is punished with madness and the loss of his kingship, and dies in battle alongside his sons. King Saul’s story illustrates the tension between state power and religious authority. Theology sees him as an example of disobedience, whereas literature is fascinated by this tragic figure. This tension dominated the Middle Ages and the early modern period; after the Enlightenment, new, often existential aspects were added. Today, the story of Saul sheds light on Europe’s religious heritage and poses the pressing question: How did state power come into being? Niklas Bender presents the first comprehensive literary study of King Saul, situates the Old Testament narrative within its context and outlines its theological and philosophical reception. Above all, he examines its portrayals from Dante through Voltaire to Goethe. Pictorial representations dating back to medieval manuscripts round off the picture. |
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