While drawing on the resources of the new biblical "narratology, " this reading of 1 Samuel diverges from the mainstream in fundamental ways. It pretends to no ideological neutrality, but espouses a "critical narratology" informed by such cultural practices as feminism and psychoanalysis. It follows a structuralist tradition which finds meaning more in the text's large-scale mythic patterns than in close reading of particular passages. It seeks methods specific to 1 Samuel rather than ones applicable to biblical narrative in general. Organizing the text through the three interlocking thematic fields of class, race, and gender, the author asks how such a canonical book may function in a modern context where these themes continue to be of crucial importance.
For centuries people have turned to the Hebrew Bible to hear the life-giving words of God's everlasting covenant.
Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry shares the riches of this message with all who seek to hear it. Twenty-four volumes are projected for the series. Anticipate one volume in the series each spring and fall.
-- This series reflects the latest developments in a relatively new method of biblical study: literary criticism.
-- The authors approach the books of the Hebrew Bible as literary works, recognizing that the stories and poetry can be better appreciated if one is acquainted with the techniques whereby the ancient Hebrew authors told stories and wrote poems, as well as the strategies that modern readers use to understand them.
-- The contributors represent a variety of religious traditions, and theoretical approaches.
-- The authors comment on the text of the Hebrew Bible but they refer primarily to the New Revised Standard Version when referring to a modern translation.
-- The volumes in Berit Olam contain commentary only; the complete biblical text is not included.
