The Bible has a reputation as being humourless, but I think there's comedy in the Bible if you know where to look and read it in the right frame of mind. Here's my favourite bit of Biblical comedy, I Samuel 21: 10-14, courtesy of Bible Gateway as usual (emphasis on the funniest part added):
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances:
" 'Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands'?"
David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.
Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"
This passage cracks me up every time I read it. If you can't amuse at least yourself by reading this aloud, then you're not trying very hard.
Enough rambling. Here's a picture of a hand and chip cans.
2 comments:
I love the double-entendres that are in the Bible. Some don't make it through translation well, though. For example: every time you read "evil spirit" in the Old Testament, it can also be read "bad breath," which, when used in some places is obviously meant as a double-entendre, and at others it's obvious that humour wasn't intended. Nonetheless, I smirk every time I read (or hear someone else read) "evil spirit."
Also very amusing is the number of euphemisms that are translated directly, rather than giving the "real" meaning - usually so as not to offend the moral sensibilities of the modern Christian.
The best is the story of Ehud, though. So often overlooked in Sunday school classes! But when I once did a junior high youth group Bible study on it, the boys gave it rave reviews! (One boy told me that if he had known that there were such awesome, gory stories in the Bible, he might have had reason to read it before!)
Nope, nope, nope...homeschooler. I am telling you the story of Dinah beats that one! It is funny AND a tad gruesome. (and telling on the difference between Judaism and Islam, vis a vis rape and who aught to be punished)
Hey, Zirbert...if your computers go with TRIBES, then ignore this, but if you are going with SONS, why not Dinah, as a daughter of Jacob?
RebelAngel
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