Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 127r

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1)David: receiving Absalom -- David, crowned, seated with legs crossed on bench on podium under arch, holds sword in left hand and extends right hand toward group of seven soldiers, including Absalom, in chain mail, two holding reins of two of three horses. Scene in architectural setting.
Illustration of II Samuel 14:33.
2) Absalom: offering Sacrifice -- Lamb on column in three-sided tabernacle with three hanging lamps is flanked by two groups of fourteen soldiers in chain mail, most with hands raised, all within city wall of Hebron with hanging lamps.
Illustration of II Samuel 15:12.
3) David: Flight from Absalom, and David: Passage over Kidron -- David, crowned, with rod in right hand and left hand raised, seven men and two veiled women depart from city gate of Jerusalem, following two Levites bearing on poles Ark of Covenant with hanging reliquary, beside river Kidron (Vulg., Cedron).
Illustration of II Samuel 15:16, and 15:23-24.
4) Absalom: with David's Concubines -- Three horses and six soldiers in chain mail, armed with spears, one armed with sheathed sword, and another with shield (buckler), issue from building; to right, Absalom, in chain mail, embraces one of four concubines, three wearing berbettes, two standing and one with hands raised, seated on ground. Scene in architectural setting.
Illustration of II Samuel 16:22.
Scenes with gold punched backgrounds, within decorated frames.
Subject descriptions for fol. 129r, 2) Adonijah: Jonathan reporting, and Adonijah: in Tabernacle.
[Continues from fol. 126v] // Adonie et tot si frere quant il oirent le noise et isorent ke cestoit se lieuent du mangier et sen uacascuns en se maison. Adonias furt au tabernacle et dist ke de la nese mouera de ca qe Salemun.