Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1–7

by Bin Kang

Publisher:

Langham

, 2022

Overview

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.

Key Features

• Utilizes social-scientific criticism and careful linguistic analysis
• Explores the honor/shame framework as an interpretive lens for reading the Old Testament
• 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

Contents

• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 The Language of Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel
• Chapter 3 Hannah – Competing for Honor, from the Ashamed to the Honored (1 Samuel 1:1–2:11, 18–21)
• Chapter 4 The Elides and Samuel – Honoring Selves versus Honoring God (1 Samuel 2:12–17; 2:22–4:18; 7:2–17)
• Chapter 5 The Ark Narrative – YHWH Defends His Own Glory (1 Samuel 4:1–7:1)
• Chapter 6 Conclusion and Implications

Praise for Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1–7

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 itsmessage afresh for today.

—Bill T. Arnold, PhD

Product Details

• Title: Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1–7
• Author: Bin Kang
• Publisher: Langham
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Pages: 268
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. 1 Samuel 1-7 › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781839736032, 9781907717770, 9781907717787, 9781783687794, 1839736038, 1783687797
• Resource ID: LLS:HNRSHM1SML17
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-30T17:25:00Z

About Bin Kang

Bin Kang has a PhD in Biblical Studies from Asia Graduate School of Theology, Philippines. He and his wife have been engaged in various mission and teaching ministries in East Asia. He currently serves on the faculty of Biblical Seminary of the Philippines, Valenzuela City.