Berit Olam

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.

Thebiblical book of Judges contains culturally familiar stories such asthat of Samson and Delilah and Deborah and Baraq. But despite thepopularity of these stories, other important stories in Judges such asthat of Achsah, the raped pilegesh, and the final civil war arevirtually unknown to the average reader. Approaching Judges as a unified literary document, Tammi Schneidershows that the unity of the narrative reveals that when the Israelitesadhere to the covenant established with their deity they prosper, butwhen they stray from it disaster follows. This is true not only in theDeuteronomistic refrains, as is recognized by many scholars, but in thewhole book, and is reflected in Israel s worsening situation throughoutits narrative time. Schneider also highlights the unifying themes in Judges. Sheemphasizes the role of gender, family relations, and theology expressedin the biblical narrative, and uses intertextuality to betterunderstand the text of Judges and its context in the Deuteronomistichistory and the Hebrew Bible. This book is part of the series Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry, a multi-volumecommentary series that reflects the latest developments in a relativelynew method of biblical study: literary criticism. The authorsapproach the books of the Hebrew Bible as literary works, recognizingthat the stories and poetry can be better appreciated if one isacquainted with the techniques whereby the ancient Hebrew authors toldstories and wrote poems, as well as the strategies that modern readersuse to understand them. Author: Tammi J. Schneider Editor: David W. Cotter, O.S.B Format: 344 pages, hardcover Series: Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry Publisher: Liturgical Press (2000) ISBN: 9780814650509

Among all of the books of the First Testament, the Song of Songs is one of the most intriguing. On the one hand, its unabashed sensuality has captured the imagination and has endeared it to those who appreciate passionate human love. On the other hand, more demure readers have frequently been chagrined by their own fascination with its erotic character and have cloaked their interest under the guise of metaphorical reading. Both interpretations of the Song of Songs have been endorsed. Down through the ages, both Jewish and Christian interpreters have delighted in the exquisite imagery of the book's songs, but they have also frequently reverted to allegory in their interpretations.

This commentary views the Song as a collection of love poems and carefully examines features of Hebrew poetry in order to uncover the delicacy of their expression. It is unique not only in the attention that it gives to the obvious feminine perspective of the poems but in their ecosensitive character. Although it is a tribute to mutual love, the principal frame of reference is the amorous disposition of the woman. Her words open and close the Song and her voice is dominant throughout.

The imagery that the lovers use is drawn from nature. Whether it is the woman in awe of the strength and splendor of her lover or the man glorifying her physical charms, the descriptions all call on elements from the natural world to characterize the feature being described. Whatever they experience or know or even desire is somehow rooted in the natural world.

Chapters are "Superscription," "Mutual Yearning (1:2-2:7)," "An Opportunity Lost, Then Found (2:8-3:5)," "Ravished By Beauty (3:6-5:1)," "One of a Kind (5:2-6:3)," "The Admiration of a Lover (6:4-8:4)," and "Love Affirmed (8:5-8:14)."