Full Description
In A King and a Fool? The Succession Narrative as a Satire Virginia Miller applies a new version of Douglas Muecke's taxonomy of irony to the Succession Narrative. She argues that the narrative in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings has the essential feature of satire, namely, a pervasive sense of pejoratively critical irony. By her account, King David is the object of ironic attack, and therefore, an object of condemnation. Given that the primary purpose of satire is reform, Miller claims that the purpose of the Succession Narrative is a call for reform in the leadership of Israel.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part 1: Historical Context and Methodology
1 The Genre Debate and Satire
1.1 The Genre Debate
1.2 The Succession Narrative as Satire?
2 Methodology and Irony
2.1 Irony
2.2 Methodology
2.3 Verbal Irony and the Succession Narrative
Part 2: Evidence
3 David's Sins and Punishments
3.1 2 Samuel 9:1-13
3.2 2 Samuel 10:1-19
3.3 2 Samuel 11:1-27
3.4 2 Samuel 11:27b-12:31
4 Amnon's Sin and Absalom's Revenge
4.1 2 Samuel 13:1-39
5 The Deception of the Wise Woman of Tekoa
5.1 2 Samuel 14:1-33
6 Absalom's Revolt
6.1 2 Samuel 15-18
6.2 2 Samuel 16:1-23
6.3 2 Samuel 17
6.4 2 Samuel 18:1-19:8a
7 The Kingdom is Restored to David
7.1 2 Samuel 19:1-20:26
7.2 2 Samuel 20:1-26
8 Solomon Rises to the Throne
8.1 I Kings 1:1-53
8.2 I Kings 2:1-46
9 The Non-Essential Elements of Satire
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Conclusion
Part 3: Conclusions
10 The Genre Debate: 100 Years of the Succession Narrative
10.1 Satire
10.2 Conclusion
11 Findings
11.1 Verbal Irony
11.2 Characterisations from a Consideration of the Text in Terms of Verbal Irony
12 Conclusion
12.1 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
