261 SELF-ABASEMENT EXPRESSION THANKS AS AN OF points out he is not a threat to Saul, proved by not taking the op- portunity to kill him. However, David’s use of tm blk suggests he constructs an identity of inconsequence, helped by the parallel phrase, “a single flea”. It is as though David constructs two identi- ties in his conversation with Saul in the cave: an identity of no threat to Saul, proved by his actions; and a second identity of inconsequence to Saul, because he is not a threat to Saul. This is also the case in Abishai’s use of tm blk in 2 Sam 16,9 to refer to Shimei. Here, Abishai engages in invective to indicate contempt for Shimei. But his contempt works because Shimei is an insignificant person, since Abishai can simply “cut off his head”. Therefore, Shimei is no threat to David which is recognized by David in his response to Abishai to “let him alone” (v. 11). There is a difference, however, between 1 Sam 24,15[14] and 2 Sam 16,9. In the former, David’s proof that he is no threat to Saul makes him inconsequential to Saul; but in the latter, Shimei’s inconsequence (he is a lone protester) makes him no threat to David. In relation to 1 Sam 24,15[14] and 2 Sam 16,9, Mephibosheth’s intent at face value for using tm blk matches Abishai’s use of the phrase in 2 Sam 16,9: tm blk is an expression of inconsequence. However, if David intends to keep an eye on Mephibosheth to pre- vent him spearheading pro-Saulide support or being used as a fig- urehead for pro-Saulide support, then tm blk matches David’s use of the phrase in 1 Sam 24,15[14]: tm blk is an expression of down- playing one’s threat to the hearer. However, later in the narrative, in 2 Sam 19,24-30, Mephibosheth focuses on being given a royal pension (v. 28) rather than responding to Shimei’s accusation of treason. Therefore, it is more likely that Mephibosheth intends an identity of inconsequence and so uses tm blk to express thanks. Any idea of “no threat” is secondary. But since he avoids expressing obligation inherent in receiving a gift, his use of tm blk has an effect similar to David’s use of the phrase in speaking to Saul in 1 Sam 24,15[14]: he seeks to maintain his independence 17. For a different opinion on this topic, see A. GIANTO, “Variations in Bib- 17 lical Hebrew”, Bib 77 (1996) 493-508, here 501, who understands tm blk to be a political metaphor of submission. This is certainly the case in the Amarna letters (e.g. EA 201, 202, 247, 314-316, EA 319, 320, 322-325, EA 378) and in Egyptian metaphoric use of “dog” — J.M. GALAN, “What is He, the Dog”, UF 25 (1993) 173-180, (which Gianto cites). However, I have already cited Biblical