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Essay: Psychological manipulation in the Bible (view source)
Revision as of 16:59, October 27, 2012
, 16:59, October 27, 2012→Case study: Naboth’s Vineyard: inserting text
[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%201%20King%2021:1-13&version=NIV 1 Kings 21:1-16], New International Version (NIV) Credit: Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%201%20King%2021:1-13&version=NIV 1 Kings 21:1-16], New International Version (NIV) Credit: Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”
Let's now demonstrate some principles of psychological manipulation by analysing the classic Bible story. We have a righteous Israelite here, who is faithful to the Law and heritage of ancestors, and ambitious king, who is owing to his pride himself prone to get easily manipulated by his wife.
''1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.''
What events are referred to in here? King Ahab recently received a warning from prophetic disciple due to his betrayal of God’s work and for his disobedience to God. Autocratic and authoritarian ruler however hates reproofs. He experiences an immense anguish when anyone would dare to challenge him or even admonish him publicly, even though it would be by authority of the very God’s words. Ahab could not stand a situation when a one would confront him without being afraid of him. Although he already experienced few cases when he had to step back in favor of Elijah, still his irrepressible exalted conceit would not allow him to get completely humbled under the mighty hand of God.
It is significant that even shortly after the event, when he was convicted of sin, his attention was captured by someone's vineyard lying just next to his palace. One who hates reproof is usually eager to expand, keep everything under own control, and rule without any boundaries.
''2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.”
''
''3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”''
''3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”''
Nabot had perhaps no idea that manipulators like Ahab extremely dislike being reminded that their own power has clear boundaries defined by higher authority and that by appealing to this authority it is legitimately possible to disagree with them. As Israel was juristic state in which the King’s power was defined by law which couldn’t be broken even by king himself, Ahab had clear understanding that it is beyond his privileges to confiscate Nabot’s vineyard. Nabot was a genuinely pious man obviously familiar with the word on meaning and importance of inherited parcels.
Nabot had perhaps no idea that manipulators like Ahab extremely dislike being reminded that their own power has clear boundaries defined by higher authority and that by appealing to this authority it is legitimately possible to disagree with them. As Israel was juristic state in which the King’s power was defined by law which couldn’t be broken even by king himself, Ahab had clear understanding that it is beyond his privileges to confiscate Nabot’s vineyard. Nabot was a genuinely pious man obviously familiar with the code on meaning and importance of inherited parcels.
''4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.''
''4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.''