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A Narrative Critical Reading of 1 Samuel 24-26

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DISCOVERING DAVID IN LIGHT OF 1 SAMUEL 25: A NARRATNE CRITICAL READING OF 1 SAMUEL 24-26 by Adam Stewart Brown, B.Soc.Sci., M.T.S. A thesis submitted to The Faculty of McMaster Divinity College In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Arts in Christian Studies McMaster Divinity College Hamilton, Ontario 2009 Master of Arts in Christian Studies McMASTER DIVIN1TY COLLEGE Hamilton, Ontario TITLE: Discovering David in Light of 1 Samuel 25: A Narrative Critical Reading of 1 Samuel 24-26 AUTHOR: Adam Stewart Brown SUPERVISOR: MarkJ. Boda NUMBER OF PAGES: ix + 168 ii McMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE Upon the recommendation of an oral examination comprlttee, this thesis by Adam Brown is hereby accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Christian Studies Primary Supervisor ~z{t'..l"'fL(secoJl(l;ry Supervis ~iCDean Date: March 23, 2009 iii ABSTRACT Discovering David in Light of 1 Samuel 25: A Narrative Critical Reading of 1 Samuel 24-26 Adam Stewart Brown McMaster Divinity College Hamilton, Ontario Master of Arts in Christian Studies, 2009 Although David seems to be characterized differently in 1 Samuel 25 than in 1 Samuel 24 and 26, the literary cohesion ofthese three chapters suggests otherwise. By exploring the parallels in setting, plot, characterization, and style between each chapter this study uncovers a multidimensional characterization of David. Nabal is established as Saul's surrogate and David's men (in 1 Sam 24), Abishai (in 1 Sam 26), and Abigail (in 1 Sam 25) are demonstrated to be David's alter-egos. These paralleled characterizations suggest that as David is with Nabal so he is with Saul and that the interchange between David and his men and David and Abigail externalize polarized qualities within David's character. By exploring the interweaving of narration, setting, plot, characterization, and style in 1 Samuel 24-26 this thesis seeks to demonstrate that both David's restraint and his unrestraint are rooted in his political brilliance and moral deficiency. iv Acknowledgements and Dedication I have been blessed by the incredible support of many: To my wife, Ange: Thank-you for your wonderful love, constant prayers, and active support. To my parents: Thank-you for your unconditional love and for always being supportive. To Dr. Boda: Thank-you for your dedication and mentorship in my life. To Dr. Bodner: Thank-you for introducing me to David and for inspiring me. To Philpott Memorial Church: Thank-you for prayingfor me andfor supporting me while lfinished this thesis. To my Thursday Bible-Study Group: Thank-you for your passionate love ofScripture and for your eagerness to learn more about David's story. _ _ To my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ: Thank-you for blessing me with the capacity, opportunity, and calling to study and grow in Your Word. I pray I might glorify You by it. v Table of Contents Chapter One: Establishing a Methodological Foundation 1 1.1 Forward 1 1.2 Introduction of Thesis Topic 1 1.3 Brief History of Old Testament Narrative Criticism 4 1.4 Communicating Through Biblical Narrative 8 1.4.1 Diachronic Study: Becoming a Text 9 1.4.2 Synchronic Study: Being a Narrative 12 1.5 Detailed Narrative Critical Methodology 18 1.5.1 Narration 18 1.5.2 Setting 22 1.5.3 Plot 26 1.5.4 Characterization 30 1.5.5 Style 35 1.5.6 Methodological Summary 40 1.6 Thesis Statement 40 Chapter Two: A Comprehensive Narrative Look at 1 Samuel 25 42 2.1 Chapter Introduction 42 2.2 Narration 43 2.2.1 Spatial Point of View ofthe Narrator 43 2.2.2 Temporal Point of View ofthe Narrator 44 2.2.3 Psychological Point of View ofthe Narrator 45 2.2.4 Narration Summary 46 2.3 Setting 46 2.3.1 Setting Structure 46 2.3.2 Time 48 2.3.3 Space 54 2.3.4 Setting Summary 57 2.4 Plot 58 2.4.1 Plot Structure 58 2.4.2 Plot Type 61 2.4.3 Plot Summary 64 vi 2.5 Characterization 65 2.5.1 Samuel 65 2.5.2 All Israel 66 2.5.3 David 67 2.5.4 Nabal 77 2.5.5 Abigail 85 2.5.6 David's Ten Young Men 94 2.5.7 David's Men 95 2.5.8 Nabal's Young Man 96 2.5.9 Abigail's Men 97 2.5.10 YHWH 97 2.5.11 Ahinoam 102 2.5.12 Saul 103 2.5.13 Michal andPalti 104 2.5.14 Characterization Summary 104 2.6 Chapter Summary 105 Chapter Three: Discovering David in Light of 1 Samuel 25 108 3.1 Chapter Introduction 108 3.2 First Samuel 25 in 1 Samuel 24-26 108 3.2.1 The Similarities of 1 Samuel 24 and 26 109 3.2.2 The Apparent but Erroneous Dissimilarity of 1 Samuel 25 120 3.2.3 Contextual Summary 123 3.3 The Nabal-Saul Connection 123 3.3.1 Linked by Setting 124 3.3.2 Linked in Life 125 3.3.3 Linked in Death 130 - - - 3.3.4 Nabal-Saul Summary 132 3.4 David's Alter-Egos 133 3.4.1 David and His Men 135 3.4.2 David and Abigail 137 3.4.3 David's Alter-Egos in Conversation 139 3.4.4 David's Alter-Egos Summary 141 3.5 Discovering David: The Narrator's Ideological Point of View 142 3.5.1 The Unrestrained David 144 3.5.2 The Restrained David 148 3.5.3 The Unrestrained and Restrained David 154 3.6 Chapter Summary 155 vii Chapter Four: Thesis Summary and Conclusion 157 4.1 Thesis Summary 157 4.2 Thesis Conclusion 160 Appendix A: Parenthetical Statements in 1 Samuel 25 162 Bibliography 164 viii Abbreviations AB Anchor Bible BHS Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia BI Biblical Interpretation BO Berit Olam BS Bibliotheca Sacra CBQ Catholic Biblical Quarterly ch. chapter DBI Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation ECB Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible Ev. Event FCI Foundations of Contemporary Interpretation HlL Hasifrut/Literature IESS International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JSOT Journal for the Study of the Old Testament JSOTSup Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement LXX Septuagint MT Masoretic Text NASB '95 New American Standard Bible, 1995 edition NIBC New International Biblical Commentary NIDB The New Interpreter's Dictionary ofthe Bible Pres Presbyterion RQ Restoration Quarterly SBL Society of Biblical Literature Sc. Scene TynBul Tyndale Bulletin v. verse VT Vetus Testamentum WBC Word Biblical Commentary ix 1 Chapter One: Establishing a Methodological Foundation 1.1 Foreword Within the preserved canon of the Hebrew Bible exists a rich narrative heritage that rivals, and even triumphs over, the most renowned narrative anthologies of all human history. The stories ofthe Hebrew Bible are intricate, layered, and offer a timeless appeal because they capture the human condition with haunting candidness. In addition to these aesthetic and humanistic qualities must be added their ancient and enduring function within the life and ethics of faith communities that have spanned geography, time, language, culture, and political landscape. Through its stories, the Bible has impacted the world in ways that shrink: even the greatness of such literary giants as Homer, Shakespeare, or Tolstoy. Therefore, since the Bible contains narrative literature, and narrative literature ofthe highest pedigree, it is only reasonable that it be appreciated, investigated, and examined accordingly.l This thesis will take seriously the narrative genius of 1 Samuel by conducting a close reading of 1 Sam 24-26. 1.2 Introduction ofTh(Jsis Topic In addition to being the main character in 1 & 2 Samuel, David is central to Israel's self-understanding in the Hebrew Bible. At the same time, David is presented in 1 Samuel as a man who guards his inner-thoughts and emotions closely, thus making a careful study of David's character a complicated and exhausting adventure. Although traditional interpreters recognize David's later kingly and familial failures (especially by 2 Sam 11), they still largely tout the David of 1 Samuel as a man who is authentically concerned with innocence, righteousness, obedience, and i Alter, David StOlY, xxii. 2 faithfulness. 2 This is especially true of his rise to power, as many conventionally swallow with enthusiasm that David - as he is portrayed in 1 Samuel- is a man obliged to accept the reins of power almost in spite of himself? Scholars of influence that have subscribed to this traditional perspective of David include Mark Boda, Walter Brueggemann, Mary J. Evans, Hans Wilhelm Hertzberg, Ralph Klein, P. Kyle McCarter, William McKane, Gnana Robinson, and David Toshio Tsumura.4 Clearly this is a reputable group of men and women who contribute considerable influence within the guild of biblical studies. A second group of scholars, however, have emerged from the shadows of traditional study to challenge the pristine reputation of David during his rise to power in 1 Samuel. Among these are Robert Alter, Keith Bodner, Joyce G. Baldwin, Mark Biddle, Cheryl J. Exum, Robert P. Gordon, Barbara Green, Peter Miscall, Robert Polzin, and Joel Rosenberg.s These academics tend to acknowledge David's careful loyalty to the king in 1 Samuel while also recognizing David's consummate political aspiration and astuteness. They tend to conclude that David's loyalty may be extended more to his future office than to Saul or YHWH. Finall)', a third group of commentators risk suggesting a much more radical understanding of David in 1 Samuel.
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