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Essay: Psychological manipulation in the Bible (view source)
Revision as of 16:12, October 27, 2012
, 16:12, October 27, 2012case-study: saving interim status
When we meet a person that is a disguised manipulator for first time, it might be easy to get impressed by his/her charity and seeming friendship, which would however last only until the first moment when we express our independent opinion different of his/her own or when we do something what is not up to his/her expectations.
When we meet a person that is a disguised manipulator for first time, it might be easy to get impressed by his/her charity and seeming friendship, which would however last only until the first moment when we express our independent opinion different of his/her own or when we do something what is not up to his/her expectations.
==Case study: Naboth’s Vineyard==
{{spoiler}}
[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.”
''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.
''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.''
It is very awkward for power-hungry man to be reminded that things might not be his way and that it is legal and legitimate to disagree with him. Such a matter can cause even the loss of appetite.
''5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, “Why are you so sullen? Why won’t you eat?” 6 He answered her, “Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, ‘Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.’ But he said, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’”''
7 Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote:
“Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.”
11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.” 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard.
{{endspoiler}}
==Conclusions==
==Conclusions==