Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative A Rereading of 1 Kings 1-11

by Seibert, Eric A.

• ISBN13: 9780567027719
• ISBN10: 0567027716
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-06-15
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark

Summary

Subversive Scribes and the Solomonic Narrative seeks, in part, to contribute to the ongoing discussion by investigating the Solomonic narrative through the optics of propaganda and, specifically, subversion. Since previous studies have already given cons

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Abbreviations	xiii
Part I A THEORY OF SCRIBAL SUBVERSION
Propaganda, Subversion, and Scripture	3	(39)
Propaganda Defined	6	(8)
Subversion Defined	14	(5)
Concealed Subversion	16	(1)
Conspicuous Subversion	17	(2)
Previous Studies Exploring Subversion in the Hebrew Bible	19	(21)
Conclusion	40	(2)
Scribes and Scribal Subversion	42	(69)
Scribal Self-Perceptions	45	(1)
Literacy	46	(4)
Scribal Schools	50	(1)
Tethered and Untethered Scribes	51	(3)
Royal Scribes and Temple Scribes	54	(7)
Royal Scribes	55	(4)
Temple Scribes	59	(2)
Submissive and Subversive Scribes	61	(4)
Submissive Scribes	62	(1)
Subversive Scribes	63	(2)
The Aims and Possibilities of Literary Subversion	65	(1)
Subversive Scribal Techniques	66	(11)
Camouflaged Character Critiques	67	(3)
Redactional Recasting	70	(1)
Prophetic Fronts	71	(1)
Self-Incriminatory Statements	72	(1)
Strategic Omissions	73	(1)
Irony	74	(2)
Ambiguity	76	(1)
Textual Indeterminacy, Ambiguity, and Intentionality	77	(9)
Finding Intentional Subversion	86	(6)
Rhetorical Excess	86	(2)
The Presence of Multiple Instances of Evaluative Ambiguity	88	(1)
The Unchallenged Inclusion of Corrosive Elements	89	(1)
The Presentation of Potentially Problematic Conduct Criticized Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible	90	(1)
The Lack of More Compelling Explanations for Mutually Contradictory Readings	90	(1)
Scholarly Suspicion that Intentional Subversion is Present	91	(1)
Conclusion	92	(5)
Part II AN INVESTIGATION OF SCRIBAL SUBVERSION IN 1 KINGS 1--11
Prolegomena to Reading 1 Kings 1--11
Textual Criticism	97	(3)
The Deuteronomist and the Deuteronomistic History	100	(1)
Pro- or Anti-Solomonic: A False Dichotomy?	101	(2)
The Succession Narrative	103	(6)
The Deuteronomist in 1 Kings 1--2	109	(2)
Propaganda and Subversion in Solomon's Rise to Power: 1 Kings 1--2	111	(47)
An Outline of What is Reported in 1 Kings 1--2	114	(1)
Propaganda and Subversion in 1 Kings 1	114	(18)
Adonijah's Ambitions and Solomon's Passivity	115	(7)
David's Selection	122	(6)
Divine Election	128	(1)
Solomon's Initial Restraint	129	(3)
Propaganda and Subversion in 1 Kings 2:1--12	132	(6)
David's Final Instructions (1 Kings 2:1--9)	132	(3)
Subversion in the Sons of Barzillai (1 Kings 2:7)	135	(3)
Episode 1: Adonijah's Deadly Desire (1 Kings 2:13--25)	138	(4)
Episode 2: Abiathar's Exile to Anathoth (1 Kings 2:26--27)	142	(3)
Episode 3: Joab's Altar-Side Execution (1 Kings 2:28--35)	145	(5)
Episode 4: Shimei's Forbidden Journey (1 Kings 2:36--46)	150	(4)
Conclusion	154	(4)
Selected Examples of Subversion in 1 Kings 3--11	158	(23)
Political Partnership (1 Kings 3:1--3)	158	(6)
Propaganda in 1 Kings 3:2--3	160	(1)
Subversion in 1 Kings 3:2--3	161	(3)
Sacred Sleep (1 Kings 3:4--15)	164	(2)
Wood for Wheat (1 Kings 5:15--26 [Eng. 5:1--12])	166	(3)
Levying Laborers for Lebanon (5:27--32 [Eng. 5:13--18])	169	(2)
Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer (1 Kings 8:46--53)	171	(1)
Subversion Circumscribing Royal Power and Prerogatives (1 Kings 9:1--9)	172	(1)
Hiram's Dissatisfying Cities (1 Kings 9:10--14)	173	(4)
The Queen of Sheba's Words of Praise (1 Kings 10:6--9)	177	(2)
Solomon and the Law of the King (1 Kings 10:26--11:8)	179	(2)
Conclusions	181	(7)
Bibliography	188	(13)
Index of References	201	(5)
Index of Authors	206