Interpreting the Historical Books

This valuable reference tool for students and pastors explores the components of the narrative genre-setting, characterization, and plot-and then develops the major theological themes in each of the Old Testament historical books.

Series Preface

17

(4)

Preface

21

(2)

Abbreviations

23

(2)

1. What Is Narrative Literature?

25

(64)

The Literary Dimension in Narrative

26

(61)

Basic Elements of a Story

26

(10)

Setting

26

(2)

Characterization

28

(4)

Plot

32

(4)

Structural Features

36

(21)

Discourse Structure

36

(10)

Dramatic Structure

46

(4)

Paneled Sequences

50

(2)

Chiasmus

52

(2)

Overlapping Accounts and Flashbacks

54

(3)

Quotation and Dialogue

57

(11)

Discourse Types

58

(2)

Speech Function

60

(8)

Gaps and Ambiguity

68

(4)

The Narrator's Authority and Perspective

72

(5)

Macroplot

77

(2)

Intertextuality

79

(10)

Foreshadowing

79

(1)

Parallelism and Narrative Typology

79

(2)

Allusion

81

(2)

Echoing

83

(2)

Repetition of Keywords

85

(2)

Conclusion: Interpretive Principles

87

(2)

2. Primary Themes of the Historical Books

89

(43)

Joshua

89

(4)

Primary Themes

89

(3)

Overall Purpose

92

(1)

Judges

93

(6)

Primary Themes

93

(3)

Overall Purpose

96

(3)

Ruth

99

(2)

1-2 Samuel

101

(11)

Primary Theme

101

(1)

A Prophet Arrives (1 Sam. 1-7)

101

(3)

Choosing a King (1 Sam. 8-12)

104

(2)

Kingship Makes a False Start (1 Sam. 13-15)

106

(2)

The Story of David (1 Sam. 16-2 Sam. 20)

108

(3)

Reflecting on David's Career (2 Sam. 21-24)

111

(1)

1-2 Kings

112

(6)

Primary Themes

112

(1)

Seeds of Destruction: Solomon's Reign (1 Kings 1-11)

113

(2)

Disintegration and Tragedy: The Divided Kingdom (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 25)

115

(3)

1-2 Chronicles

118

(4)

Primary Theme

118

(1)

National Unity and a Royal Ideal: David and Solomon (1 Chron. 1-2 Chron. 9)

118

(2)

A Paradigm for Godly Leadership: Lessons from the Davidic Dynasty (2 Chron. 10-36)

120

(2)

Ezra—Nehemiah

122

(4)

Ezra

122

(2)

Nehemiah

124

(2)

Primary Themes

126

(1)

Esther

126

(2)

Thematic Summaries

128

(4)

The Deuteronomistic History: Joshua-2 Kings

128

(1)

The Postexilic Literature: 1-2 Chronicles, Ezra—Nehemiah, Esther

129

(1)

Overall Thematic Synthesis of the Historical Books

130

(2)

3. Preparing for Interpretation

132

(35)

Setting the Stage for the Historical Books

132

(13)

Biblical Chronology

133

(1)

The Conquest, Judges, and United Monarchy (1400-931 B.C.)

134

(3)

1400-1200 B.C.

134

(2)

1200-931 B.C.

136

(1)

The Divided Monarchy (931-722 B.C.)

137

(4)

931-841 B.C.

137

(2)

841-745 B.C.

139

(1)

745-722 B.C.

140

(1)

The Kingdom ofJudah (722-586 B.C.)

141

(3)

722-681 B.C.

141

(2)

681-626 B.C.

143

(1)

626-586 B.C.

143

(1)

The Exile and Return (586-433 B.C.)

144

(1)

Determining What the Text Is: Textual Criticism

145

(5)

Introduction

145

(1)

Two Basic Principles

146

(4)

One Should Not Automatically Assume That the Traditional Hebrew (Masoretic) Text Preserves the Original Text

146

(2)

One Should Base Text Critical Decisions Primarily on Internal Considerations

148

(2)

Deciding What the Text Says: Translation

150

(8)

Semantics

150

(7)

Tools

150

(3)

Method and Principles

153

(4)

Syntax

157

(1)

Intermediate Grammars

158

(1)

Advanced Grammars

158

(1)

Reading What Others Have to Say: Some Bibliographical Aids

158

(9)

Introductions

158

(1)

Works on Narratival Art

159

(1)

Individual Books

160

(7)

Joshua

161

(1)

Judges

162

(1)

Ruth

162

(1)

1-2 Samuel

163

(1)

1-2 Kings

164

(1)

1-2 Chronicles

164

(1)

Ezra—Nehemiah

165

(1)

Esther

166

(1)

4. Interpreting Narrative Texts

167

(20)

Diachronic Methods

167

(11)

Evidence for Sources

168

(1)

Critical Challenges to Textual Unity

169

(9)

A Case Study: David and Goliath

169

(4)

The Need for Literary and Theological Sensitivity

173

(2)

Harmonizations: The Need for Caution

175

(3)

Synchronic Methods

178

(6)

Focus on Unity

178

(2)

Respecting the Author's Authority

180

(1)

Identifying the Implied Reader(s)

181

(3)

A Proposed Exegetical-Literary Method

184

(3)

5. Proclaiming Narrative Texts

187

(12)

A Proposed Homiletical Strategy

187

(2)

Finding the Principle(s)

189

(5)

Applying the Principle(s)

194

(5)

6. From Text to Application: Two Samples

199

(28)

Bloodbath at Bethel: Some Bad Boys, a Bald Prophet, and Two Savage She-Bears (2 Kings 2:23-25)

199

(12)

What Is the Text? What Does the Text Say?

199

(2)

What Did the Text Mean?

201

(8)

Place the Text in Its Context

201

(1)

Evaluate the Text from a Literary Point of View

202

(6)

Summarize the Theme(s) of the Story and How They Contribute to the Theme(s) of the Book as a Whole

208

(1)

Consider How the Story Should Have Impacted the Implied Reader(s), Given Their Time, Place, and Circumstances

208

(1)

What Does the Text Mean to Contemporary Readers in the Community of Faith?

209

(2)

A Light in the Darkness: Sacrificial Love on Display (Ruth 1)

211

(16)

What Is the Text? What Does the Text Say?

211

(1)

What Did the Text Mean?

212

(10)

Place the Text in Its Context

212

(1)

Evaluate the Text from a Literary Point of View

212

(9)

Summarize the Theme(s) of the Story and How They Contribute to the Theme(s) of the Book as a Whole

221

(1)

Consider How the Story Should Have Impacted the Implied Reader(s), Given Their Time, Place, and Circumstances

222

(1)

What Does the Text Mean to Contemporary Readers in the Community of Faith?

222

(5)

Glossary

227

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Interpreting the Historical Books

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials