In the last post, the prophecies of Jesus being the "Son of David" and the new "branch" from the "stump of Jesse" were compared to Aragorn being "Isildur's Heir", as well as the Return of the King being associated with the White Tree of Gondor blooming again. Clearly, Tolkien was connecting the Return of the King(s): Jesus and Aragorn.
However, there are still more connections between Isildur and King David -- perhaps even more obvious connections. So obvious, that you might even wonder why you never saw them until now! The two are very much alike, both in their epic successes and their epic failures.
At this supreme moment, Isildur took up his father’s broken sword and cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.
Call me crazy, but … Doesn’t the slaying of the giant Sauron mirror David’s slaying of the giant Goliath?
Moreover, both Isildur and David were tempted and both committed massive, seemingly irredeemable, sins. Isildur turned back from casting the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. David turned back to Bathsheba bathing nude on the rooftop. Both of these sins crippled their effectiveness as rulers and rippled through their dynasties, as well.
King David, too, was the successor to the first High King. King David succeeded King Saul, the first king of a unified Israel. Later and in part due to David’s sin, Israel would split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.
For more good Sci-Fi and Fantasy nerdiness, you can check out my articles at Nerdatron.com.
However, there are still more connections between Isildur and King David -- perhaps even more obvious connections. So obvious, that you might even wonder why you never saw them until now! The two are very much alike, both in their epic successes and their epic failures.
Read more on The Lord of the Rings and the Eucharist! These articles form part of a larger work I have written entitled Lord of the Rings and the Eucharist, available in paperback and ebook versions:
The Hidden Goliath
Sauron was decimating the armies of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Sauron towered above even Elendil the Tall, the first High King of Gondor and the greatest warrior of all the Dúnedain. Sauron had just killed not only the High King Elendil but the Elven-King Gil-galad, and he had shattered Elendil’s sword.At this supreme moment, Isildur took up his father’s broken sword and cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.
Call me crazy, but … Doesn’t the slaying of the giant Sauron mirror David’s slaying of the giant Goliath?
Isildur vs. David Infographic
The Hidden Israel of Lord of the Rings
There is one last connection to mention, especially since it will introduce the next section. Again, we turn to the genealogies, but ascendants this time instead of descendants. Isildur’s father, Elendil, was the first High King of Gondor. He ruled over both the northern kingdom of Arnor and the southern kingdom of Gondor, as well as all the remaining Númenoreans, the Dúnedain.King David, too, was the successor to the first High King. King David succeeded King Saul, the first king of a unified Israel. Later and in part due to David’s sin, Israel would split into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.
For more good Sci-Fi and Fantasy nerdiness, you can check out my articles at Nerdatron.com.
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