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The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The David Story

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In both Mesopotamia circa 2100 BCE and Israel circa 367 CE, two very different forms of religion were being practiced. However, key concepts in both religions remain strikingly similar, and in some cases, nearly identical. The relationship between people and their deities is a strong one based entirely on literature, whether that be oral or written. And while this relationship is characterized mainly by love and admiration, fear of and punishment by deities was not an uncommon practice in any religion. The Epic Of Gilgamesh and The David Story both work to prove that the relationship between a people and the divine is characterized by both love for and fear of deities. This relationship based on love and fear directly impacts both the decisions made with the guidance of deities and the punishments inflicted for decisions made without approval of these deities. The relationship between David and God is one of both fear and love. David, who is chosen by God to rule the people of Israel, is loved by God. However, it is clear in points of the Bible that the wrath of God overcomes his love for David. To begin with the love that God has for David, it is easy to see when David places the Ark of God in Jerusalem, officially giving it a place to rest after several years of wandering. We see this in the dialogue when it is said “And David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obededom to the City of David with rejoicing” (2 Sam. 6:12). With the Ark itself

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