“But He Could Not Warm Himself”: Sexual Innuendo and the Place of 1 Kgs 1,1-4

Springing off recent articles by Richard Hess and Russell Meek, this essay argues for the collaboration of vv. 1b and 4 to suggest that 1 Kgs 1,1-4 is concerned with discussing David’s impotency. In light of this physiological development, David’s attendants embarked on a search for a virgin. The Sumerian folktale “The Old Man and the Young Girl” may provide illumination for such an endeavor as it testifies to a perception that young women could rejuvenate impotent men. As for Adonijah’s pursuit of the throne, one can interpret a causative, albeit it implicit, relationship between 1,1-4 and vv. 5ff. David’s impotence rendered him unable to fulfill certain diplomatic duties, which had been a hallmark of his reign and rise to power. Such a development cast a shadow over the future of the administration, and ultimately, these four verses establish a sense of irony that will be revisited periodically throughout the history.     

Old Testament Figures as Possible Current “Mentors”: Exploratory Pastoral-Theological Reflections

This article explored the possible role of a “mentor” and is based on theoretical pointers from the Old Testament figures. Throughout the article mentoring was explored according to the approach of (T. Van der Walt:2007, 309). The background and narratives of Old Testament figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, David and Solomon were investigated. They were chosen for their leadership and guidance. Abraham and Jacob were the patriarchs of the Bible. Moses was and is still recognized as the greatest leader in history. Elijah and David were great and mighty prophets and kings. These narratives linked with the theory about mentoring and the significance thereof in today’s society of a father as mentor in a home.     

The Herme-Neutics of Χοιροκομεῖον in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata

The following paper discusses the meaning of the word χοιροκομε?ον and its function in a passage in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata 1073. Although its semantics became obscure as early as the time of Pollux, it almost certainly originally referred to a wicker-work pigpen. The fact that in the Aristophanic passage under discussion the Spartan delegates are said to be wearing it around their thighs suggests that the author meant it to be an obscene joke based on a stereotype according to which, unlike the Athenians, the Spartans were very likely to become sexual objects for other males. Within the reconstruction proposed below they wore χοιροκομε?α in order to protect themselves from penetration. This element, combined with the other aspects of the visual characteristics of the Spartan delegates, namely erect phalli and long beards, made them similar to the herms of Hermes.     

Medieval Harbours in Norway: on a newly discovered jetty and possible ship‐blockage on Veøy in Romsdal

In the Middle Ages walls and ditches were used for defensive purposes on land; city walls and moats surrounding castles are part and parcel of the public image of the Middle Ages. Less well known are the defence systems constructed under the sea to protect harbours and waterways. In Scandinavia such systems, ship‐blockages, are especially well investigated in Denmark. In Norway medieval harbour‐defence systems and ship‐blockages are less known. This paper presents and discusses medieval harbours and defence systems in Norway, in particular the newly discovered jetty and possible ship‐blockage on Veøy in Romsdal, western Norway.     

丽江古城空心化现象治理研究

纳西居民是丽江古城的魂。随着丽江旅游的发展,近年来纳西居民纷纷外迁新城．古城空心化现象严重地危及了古城的可持续发展。纳西居民选择留下来的机会成本远高于现实收益．这是居民外迁的原因。政府应当根据古城空心化现象的成因来构建相应对策。     

古巴比伦婚姻习俗若干问题的再考察

长期以来,法制史家和亚述学家分别依据《汉穆拉比法典》有关婚姻的条款和古巴比伦时期有关婚姻的文献来研究古巴比伦时期的婚姻习俗,然而,他们的研究方法以及某些结论值得商榷。童养媳、婚约、聘金以及离婚权等问题的研究表明,只有将《汉穆拉比法典》有关婚姻的条款与古巴比伦时期的婚姻文献相结合,才能研究古巴比伦时期的婚姻习俗问题。上述问题的研究还表明,古巴比伦妇女在婚姻中处于被动地位,商品经济对婚姻影响很大。     

明代羁縻卫所制述论

羁縻卫所制是明朝政府为了实现对西北和东北边疆地区及民族的有效统治 ,而创设的一种地方管理模式 ,与同一时期推行于西南地区的土司制有所不同。文章从羁縻卫所的设立、明朝政府的管理措施、羁縻卫所的特点及其历史作用等四个方面 ,对这一问题进行了分析和探讨。强调指出该项制度的推行和实施 ,对维持明朝北部边疆的相对稳定 ,促进边疆民族的交流与融合 ,起了积极作用。     

《古本竹书纪年》西周年代的五个时段及年数推求

本文根据《古本竹书纪年》佚文并参考其他可靠资料,推求《古本》所记西周年代的５个时段的年限,即：１．文王受命一武王伐商１８或２０年,２．武王克商一昭王８０或８２年,３．穆王恭王６６或６４年,４．■王一厉王５８年,５．共和以后７１年,以及未知王年诸王的大概年限,为进一步研究确定西周诸王王年提供了一个参考系。同时据鲁公年数加以参证,并对《史记·周本纪》所记厉王王年提出质疑,将《古本竹书纪年》与《今本竹书纪年》所记的西周王年加以比较。