Characters and Characterization in the Book of Kings
Published on 26. August 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-567-70207-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book is an examination of characters in the books of Kings; showing how understanding and interpretation of key characters affects readings of the story. The volume begins with more general pieces addressing how the study of characters can shed light on the composition history of Kings and on how characters and characterization can be considered with respect to ethics, particularly with respect to the moral complexity of biblical characters.
Contributors then consider key characters within the Kings narrative in depth, such as Nathan, Bathsheba, Solomon and Jezebel. The contributors use their own specific expertise to analyze these characters and more, drawing on insights from literary theory and considering such approaches as questioning our view of a particular character with based on the character within the text with whom we identify. Contributors also assess whether or not characters as portrayed in the biblical text necessarily match up to their possible counterparts in history.
Contributors then consider key characters within the Kings narrative in depth, such as Nathan, Bathsheba, Solomon and Jezebel. The contributors use their own specific expertise to analyze these characters and more, drawing on insights from literary theory and considering such approaches as questioning our view of a particular character with based on the character within the text with whom we identify. Contributors also assess whether or not characters as portrayed in the biblical text necessarily match up to their possible counterparts in history.
Reviews / Votes
These essays highlight the multi-layered feature of the narratives in Kings. This leads to a greater appreciation of the literary skills of the biblical authors in depicting their characters as complex and interesting. * The Bible Today * This volume provides a richly nuanced analysis of characters and characterization in the book of Kings and contains a wealth of illuminating insights into some familiar texts. * Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-70207-4 (9780567702074)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Keith Bodner | Benjamin J.M. Johnson
Characters and Characterization in the Book of Kings
E-Book
12/2019
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€36.49
Available for download
Persons
Keith Bodner is Professor of Religious Studies at Crandall University, USA.
Benjamin J.M. Johnson is Tutor in Religious Interpretation at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, UK.
Benjamin J.M. Johnson is Tutor in Religious Interpretation at Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, UK.
Content
List of Contributors
Preface
List of Abbreviations
1. Characterization and Ethics - John Barton
2. Ahaz and Jeroboam A. - Graeme Auld
3. Bathsheba Between the Lines and Beneath the Surface - Sara Koenig
4. The Portrait of Solomon in the Book of Kings - Amos Frisch
5. Rehabilitating Rehoboam - Rachelle Gilmour
6. Deceiving the Man of God from Judah: A Question of Motive - Paul Hedley Jones
7. Dancing with Death; Dancing with Life: Ahab between Jezebel and Elijah - Lissa M. Wray Beal
8. Jezebel Now: Gazing through Multiple Windows - Athalya Brenner-Idan
9. An Ambivalent Hero: Elijah in Narrative-Critical Perspective - Iain Provan
10. The Character of Elisha and His Bones - Stuart Lasine
11. He's Driving Like Jehu-Like a Madman: Humor and Violence in 2 Kings 9-10 - Mark Roncace
12. Athaliah: the Queen Who was Not - Patricia Dutcher-Walls
13. Artifacts of Scenery or Agents of Change? A Subaltern Character in II Kings 4:1-7 - Gina Hens-Piazza
14. The Trust of Hezekiah: In YHWH...and Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon (2 Kings 18-20) - David T. Lamb
15. Manasseh the Boring: Lack of Character in 2 Kings 21 - Alison L. Joseph
16. To Reform or Not to Reform: Characterization and Ethical Reading of Josiah in Kings - S. Min Chun
Afterword
Bibliography
Index
Preface
List of Abbreviations
1. Characterization and Ethics - John Barton
2. Ahaz and Jeroboam A. - Graeme Auld
3. Bathsheba Between the Lines and Beneath the Surface - Sara Koenig
4. The Portrait of Solomon in the Book of Kings - Amos Frisch
5. Rehabilitating Rehoboam - Rachelle Gilmour
6. Deceiving the Man of God from Judah: A Question of Motive - Paul Hedley Jones
7. Dancing with Death; Dancing with Life: Ahab between Jezebel and Elijah - Lissa M. Wray Beal
8. Jezebel Now: Gazing through Multiple Windows - Athalya Brenner-Idan
9. An Ambivalent Hero: Elijah in Narrative-Critical Perspective - Iain Provan
10. The Character of Elisha and His Bones - Stuart Lasine
11. He's Driving Like Jehu-Like a Madman: Humor and Violence in 2 Kings 9-10 - Mark Roncace
12. Athaliah: the Queen Who was Not - Patricia Dutcher-Walls
13. Artifacts of Scenery or Agents of Change? A Subaltern Character in II Kings 4:1-7 - Gina Hens-Piazza
14. The Trust of Hezekiah: In YHWH...and Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon (2 Kings 18-20) - David T. Lamb
15. Manasseh the Boring: Lack of Character in 2 Kings 21 - Alison L. Joseph
16. To Reform or Not to Reform: Characterization and Ethical Reading of Josiah in Kings - S. Min Chun
Afterword
Bibliography
Index