Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1–7

Bin Kang

Description

For many cultures throughout history, honor and shame have been foundational concepts for understanding and evaluating reality. In this study of the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel, Dr. Bin Kang establishes that ancient Israel was such a culture. Utilizing social-scientific criticism and careful linguistic analysis, Kang explores the honor/shame framework as an interpretive lens for reading the Old Testament, specifically the Eli/Samuel and Saul/David episodes, and the rich thematic threads that such a reading brings to light. He demonstrates the narrator’s intentional juxtaposition of honor and shame at the beginning of Samuel’s narrative, and its role in establishing a system of judgement for evaluating Israel’s leaders throughout the rest of 1 and 2 Samuel. Ultimately, it is the choice to render right honor to God – or to claim it for oneself – that determines the rise and fall, election or rejection, of both priests and kings.
While making an important contribution to Old Testament scholarship, Kang also includes practical implications for the church in contemporary honor/shame cultures, especially in Asia.

Sujets

• Biblical Studies
• Philosophie et théologie
• Old Testament
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 16 décembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839737770
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The volume offers a fresh approach to 1 Samuel that is methodologically sound and nuanced in order to gain a deeper understanding of the text in its own cultural context. The author’s voice is an important one for scholars and pastors wishing to apply a social-scientific lens to the biblical text in order to hear its message afresh for today.
Bill T. Arnold, PhD
Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation,
Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky, USA
Using the ideological perspective of honor and shame, this is a fresh understanding of the book of First Samuel, with a special treatment on the first seven chapters. Compulsively readable, the author interacts with a stunning amount of research and cautiously interprets the texts. His analyses of the neglected biblical concept of honor and shame, reflecting the social-cultural values of the Global South, will surely steer more scholarly debate and understanding. We are proud of his significant contribution to OT studies.
Joseph Shao, PhD
President Emeritus, Biblical Seminary of the Philippines
Former General Secretary, Asia Theological Association
In this close analysis of 1 Samuel 1–7, Kang Bin employs “socio-literary criticism” in demonstrating both the validity and the value of reading these chapters through an ideological “lens” of honor and shame, as developed by the narrator throughout 1 Samuel. He convincingly draws attention to the thematic centrality of these polar concepts in Hannah’s journey from shame to honor, in the contrasting characters and outcomes of the Elides and Samuel, and in YHWH’s defense of his own glory in the ark narrative. The author concludes by suggesting some implications of his study for the “honor and shame culture” in Asia, including the Chinese concept of “face” ( mianzi ).
Richard Schultz, PhD
Blanchard Professor of Old Testament,
Wheaton College, Illinois, USA
This volume is a unique contribution to biblical studies. Crafted, researched and written by a scholar well cognizant of and sensitive to the honor-shame culture common to much of Asia, Kang Bin argues that the first of the books of Samuel is couched in a narrative ideology, which requires more than mere expertise in historical and literary-critical methodology to apprehend its ultimate message. The interpreter ideally also should be conscious of the presence and workings of social-cultural dynamics in society to penetrate properly those that were arguably resident in the ancient Palestinian world out of which the Old Testament arose, and which plausibly formed a foundation for the narrative therein. His confining his study primarily to the first seven chapters of 1 Samuel has not only allowed for in-depth analysis but prompts further research into this stimulating topic within the whole of the Samuelic corpus. I recommend this volume to anyone interested in the study of ancient Israel.
Tim Undheim, PhD
Asia Graduate School of Theology, Manila, Philippines

Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1–7
Bin Kang

© 2022 Bin Kang
Published 2022 by Langham Monographs
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ISBNs:
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Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture translations in this work are the author’s own.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture marked (NCV) taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com . Scripture quoted by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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ISBN: 978-1-83973-603-2
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Contents

Cover


Acknowledgements


Abbreviations


Chapter 1 Introduction


1.1 Background to and Reason for This Research


1.2 Honor and Shame Defined


1.3 A Review of the Research on Honor and Shame


1.4 The Justification for This Study


1.5 Research Methodology


1.6 Scope and Delimitation


1.7 The Structure of Our Study


Chapter 2 The Language of Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel


2.1 Introduction


2.2 Honor and Shame Terms in the Song of Hannah (2:1–10)


2.3 The Use of כבד


2.4 Shame/Shaming Terms in 1 Samuel


2.5 A “Seat” (כסא) of Honor (1 Sam 1:9; 2:8; 4:13, 18)


2.6 The Honor of a “Chief Position” in a Meal (1 Sam 9:22)


2.7 A Monument (יד), the Proclamation of Honor (1 Sam 15:12)


2.8 David’s Esteemed Name (1 Sam 18:30)


2.9 The Disgrace of Nakedness (1 Sam 19:24; 20:30)


2.10 The Face of Abigail (1 Sam 25:35)


2.11 Uncircumcision as a Sign of Disgrace (1 Sam 14:6; 17:26, 36; 31:4)


2.12 The Stigmatized Metaphors: A Dog, a Flea (1 Sam 17:43; 24:14; 26:20)


2.13 A Disfigured Body as a Sign of Shame (1 Sam 31:8–13)


2.14 Conclusion


Chapter 3 Hannah – Competing for Honor, from the Ashamed to the Honored (1 Samuel 1:1–2:11, 18–21)


3.1 Hannah Ashamed of Her Barrenness (1 Sam 1:1–8)


3.2 God Clears Hannah’s Shame by Giving Her a Child (1 Sam 1:9–20)


3.3 Hannah Honors God by Offering Samuel to the Lord (1 Sam 1:21–28)


3.4 Hannah’s Thanksgiving Song: The Lord Who Oversees Men’s Honor and Shame (1 Sam 2:1–10)


3.5 The Lord Honors Hannah by Giving Her Many Other Children (1 Sam 2:18–21)


3.6 Conclusion


Chapter 4 The Elides and Samuel – Honoring Selves versus Honoring God (1 Samuel 2:12–17; 2:22–4:18; 7:2–17)


4.1 Eli Honors His Sons More than the Lord (1 Sam 2:12–17, 22–25, 27–36)


4.2 Samuel Honors the Lord by His Faithful Service (1 Sam 3:1–10)


4.3 Eli’s Family Judged with Shame (1 Sam 3:11–18; 4:12–18)


4.4 Samuel Honors the Lord by Establishing a Stone Monument (1 Sam 7:2–12)


4.5 God Honors Samuel by Establishing Him as a Prophet (1 Sam 3:19–21)


4.6 Conclusion


Chapter 5 The Ark Narrative – YHWH Defends His Own Glory (1 Samuel 4:1–7:1)


5.1 The Glory of the God of Israel Is Not Present at the Capture of the Ark of the Lord (1 Sam 4:1–22)


5.2 The God of the Philistines Shamed Before the God of Israel (1 Sam 5:1–5)


5.3 The Hand of the Lord Is “Heavy” upon the Cities of the Philistines (1 Sam 5:6–12)


5.4 The Unusual Return of the Ark of the Lord (1 Sam 6:1–18)


5.5 God’s Glory Is Not to Be Offended (1 Sam 6:19–7:1)


5.6 Conclusion


Chapter 6 Conclusion and Implications


6.1 Conclusion


6.2 Implications of This Study


Appendix 1 Notes on אפים in 1 Samuel 1:5


Appendix 2 Notes on תַּכְעִסֶנָּה in 1 Samuel 1:7


Appendix 3 Notes on אַחֲרֵי אָכְלָה בְשִׁלֹה וְאַחֲרֵי שָׁתֹה in 1 Samuel 1:9


Appendix 4 Notes on מָעוֹן in 1 Samuel 2:29


Bibliography


About Langham Partnership

Endnotes
Acknowledgements
I am deeply grateful to my supervisor Dr. Tim Undheim who offered me his wisdom, criticism and support. This dissertation would not have been possible without his meticulous guidance, his speedy attention to every detail and his remarkable patience. I have benefited greatly from his wide know