Wise King, Royal Fool Semiotics, Satire and Proverbs 1-9

by Miles, Johnny

• ISBN13: 9780567080936
• ISBN10: 0567080935
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-06-01
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark

Summary

This study focuses on a reading of Proverbs 1-9 as satire and argues that it alludes to two points of critique against Solomon: his political policy of socio-economic injustice and his numerous sexual (in)discretions. That Solomon abandoned his divinely proscribed duty only evinces his lack of "fear of Yahweh." First, Solomon demonstrates his lack of discernment by an inability to rule with righteousness, justice and equity because of administrative policies that bled the innocent dry of their resources for his own self-aggrandizement. Second, Solomon's sexual behavior reflects his need of Wisdom as the personification of eroticism. The absence of the "fear of Yahweh" in Solomon prompts the poet's reproof in Proverbs 1-9 that he should resume his proper role of Torah meditation. The signs of this satiric poetry intimate the wise king as a royal fool.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Abbreviations	viii
Introduction	1	(2)
Prolegomenon	3	(12)
A Survey of Modern Scholarship of Proverbs 1--9	3	(11)
Summary	14	(1)
A Theoretical Framework for a `Postmodern' Semiotic Reading of Proverbs 1--9	15	(13)
Poetics	15	(4)
Semiotics as a Theory of Reading	19	(7)
Summary	26	(2)
Prologue: A C(L)ue to (Read) Proverbs 1--9 as Satire	28	(13)
Reading Satire	29	(2)
Reading the Prologue	31	(8)
Summary	39	(2)
The `Wisdom' of Solomon	41	(23)
An Inferential Walk in the Woods of 1 Kings 1--11	41	(5)
Murder and Metaphor: Social Injustice in Proverbs 1.8-19	46	(8)
Divine Censure and Monarchical Duty: Torah Reorientation in Proverbs 3.1-12	54	(8)
Summary	62	(2)
The (In)discretions of Solomon	64	(23)
Eroticism and Proverbs 5: Fatal Attraction for Bitter Honey	64	(10)
Eroticism and Proverbs 7: A Twilight Tryst at the House of Sheol	74	(11)
Summary	85	(2)
Banquets, Wine and Women: An Eroticism of Life or Death	87	(15)
Introduction	87	(1)
Prelude	87	(1)
The Banquet of Woman Wisdom	88	(4)
Interlude	92	(4)
The Banquet of Woman Folly	96	(4)
Summary	100	(2)
Epilogue: Beginning the Ending, Ending the Beginning	102	(6)
Bibliography	108	(8)
Index of References	116	(5)
Index of Authors	121