Honor and Shame in 1 Samuel 1-7

by Bin Kang

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839737770
Publisher:	Langham Creative Projects
Publication date:	12/16/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	284
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

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. 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

From the Publisher