Saturday, July 12, 1997

The kings live! Biblical David meets Elvis Presley

By A. JAMES RUDIN

c.1997 Religion News Service

(Rabbi Rudin is the National Interreligious Affairs Director of the American Jewish Committee.)

UNDATED - Question: What do the biblical David and Elvis Presley have in common? Answer: the title "King" and a great deal more.

Both men infuriated many with their music, dancing, and lavish costumes. Critics charged the pair debased culture, propriety, and the ethical standards of their times. And both David and Elvis were well-known womanizers (Was this repugnant characteristic a result of their musical fame or the other way around?)

But David and Elvis eventually triumphed over their critics.

Wherever in the world Jews live, they ecstatically sing about "David, King of Israel, who lives forever." His glorious Psalms are chanted in synagogues and churches, and David's choice of Jerusalem 3,000 years ago as Israel's capital remains a potent political fact of life today.

And Elvis? Although it has been 20 years since he died, his influence continues to grow. His music and movies remain highly popular. Presley look-alikes and wannabes - sporting Elvis' signature white spangled costume and flowing cape - are everywhere. And there are still reports of genuine "Elvis sightings."

He has become a global icon. The King lives!

Like millions, my wife Marcia warmly remembers Presley's music and the impact he had upon her as she emerged from her teens to adulthood. Indeed, every morning Marcia drinks her morning coffee from a large mug colorfully decorated with Elvis' picture.

But in the 1950s, when "Elvis the Pelvis" first swiveled his way into public libidos, he was verbally attacked for indecency and worse. His sexual gyrations, sleepy bedroom eyes, and dark oily hair was a potent combination that stirred passionate desire.

Because the lyrics of his songs left little to the imagination, many clergy and parents of that era were quick to warn youngsters of the dangers of Elvis. Today, 40 years later, we recognize that Presley was the human bridge that linked black rhythm and blues with white country music.

Love him or hate him, it doesn't matter anymore because we clearly see that Elvis was one of the first artists to break out of the repressed, button-down '50s. His music and motions liberated many.

And the similarities to King David?

The Biblical Book of Samuel describes the Israelite monarch dancing before God "with all his might" as he entered Jerusalem with the Holy Ark. What did he do? According to Jewish tradition, he was dressed in glistening garments embroidered with fringes shining like fine gold. As David wildly clapped his hands the gold fringes made a tinkling sound.

And there was more. David pulled up his skirts, bared his legs (and perhaps his hips?) and cavorted as the people cheered loudly, sounding horns and trumpets and all kinds of musical instruments. When he reached his capital city, all the women looked at David from roofs and windows.

But the wild singing and dancing attracted one powerful critic, Michal, the daughter of King Saul, David's dour predecessor. She publicly chastised David's leaping gyrations with bitter sarcasm: "What a fine reputation the king of Israel has won for himself today displaying himself under the eyes of the servant girls, as any buffoon might do."

David's immediate response jumps off the pages of the Bible: "I was dancing for the glory of God, and not for the women. ... I shall dance before God and demean myself even more. I feel no shame in abasing myself for the sake of God's glory. In your eyes I may be base, but by the maids you speak of, I shall be held in honor."

And the Jewish tradition rubs even more salt into Michal by having David say: "Those women you call servant girls are not that at all. They will grow up to be matriarchs. Would that I share the world-to-come with them." And in a final caustic riposte, the Bible reminds us that "to the day of her death, Michal ... had no children."

So who knows? Perhaps David and Elvis are even now singing and dancing in the world-to-come. I hope so.