Interpreting the Historical Books

by Chisholm, Robert B., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780825427640
• ISBN10: 0825427649
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-30
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

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