The Nathan-David Confrontation (2 Sam 12: 1-15a); A slap in the face of the Deuteronomistic hero?

326 Pages·2015·5.357 MB·English

by  James Donkor Afoakwah

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The Nathan-David Confrontation (2 Sam 12:1-15a) Ja The Nathan-David
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pronouncing judgment on the erring King o (2 Sam 12:1-15a)
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condemnation of King David from the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Ghana. He
ancient author. This study presents a syn- studied Philosophy in Accra, Theology in d A slap in the face of
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chronic reading of the canonical text that Cape Coast, holds a Licentiate in Sacred v the Deuteronomistic hero?
reveals the episode as the mirror image of Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical a
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to David by the same prophet in the Eberhard Karl’s University in Tübingen, n
Second Book of Samuel 7. It is indeed the Germany. a
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ISBN 978-3-631-66186-4
266186_Afoakwah_AM_A5HCk PLE edition new.indd 1 08.06.15 KW 24 11:02
h
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w
k
a
o
f
A
r
o
k
n
o
D James Donkor Afoakwah
James Donkor Afoakwah s
e
m
The Nathan-David Confrontation (2 Sam 12:1-15a) Ja The Nathan-David
The study discusses the Old Testament's work of the deuteronomistic writer who n
o
parable of Nathan and the subsequent has adapted an oracle against the dynasty Confrontation
i
condemnation of King David. The in- of David and trimmed it to the advantage at
triguing episode of the Prophet Nathan of his hero in the unfolding of history. t
n
pronouncing judgment on the erring King o (2 Sam 12:1-15a)
David has always attracted the interest of r
f
the exegete and various researchers have The Author n
used different methods to separate the James Donkor Afoakwah is a priest of the o
C
condemnation of King David from the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Ghana. He
ancient author. This study presents a syn- studied Philosophy in Accra, Theology in d A slap in the face of
i
chronic reading of the canonical text that Cape Coast, holds a Licentiate in Sacred v the Deuteronomistic hero?
reveals the episode as the mirror image of Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical a
D
the oracle of eternal dynasty pronounced Institute in Rome and a PhD from the
-
to David by the same prophet in the Eberhard Karl’s University in Tübingen, n
Second Book of Samuel 7. It is indeed the Germany. a
h
t
a
N
e
h
T
266186_Afoakwah_AM_A5HCk PLE edition new.indd 1 08.06.15 KW 24 11:02
The Nathan-David Confrontation (2 Sam 12:1-15a)

James Donkor Afoakwah

The Nathan-David
Confrontation
(2 Sam 12:1-15a)
A slap in the face of
the Deuteronomistic hero?
Bibliographic Information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche
Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available in the internet
at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

Zugl.: Tübingen, Univ., Diss., 2014

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Afoakwah, James Donkor, 1967-
The Nathan-David confrontation (2 Sam 12:1-15a) : a slap in the face of the
Deuteronomistic hero? / James Donkor Afoakwah. – 1 [edition].
pages cm
ISBN 978-3-631-66186-4
1. Bible. Samuel, 2nd, XII, 1-15–Criticism, interpretation, etc.. 2. Nathan
(Biblical prophet). 3. David, King of Israel. I. Title.
BS1325.52.A36 2015
222'.4406–dc23
2015016741

D 21
ISBN 978-3-631-66186-4 (Print)
E-ISBN 978-3-653-05849-9 (E-Book)
DOI 10.3726 978-3-653-05849-9
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Acknowledgement
The journey that has culminated in the publication of this book begun
as a surprise and has progressed with the help and under the guidance of
many loving and well-meaning companions along the way. I would like to
express my sincere gratitude to the numerous personalities who have been
a gift to me at various stages of the journey and the development of this
work. His Eminence Peter Cardinal Turkson initiated the journey with his
acquisition of a Propaganda Fidei scholarship for me to Study in Rome.
At the end of that phase he linked me up with Prof. Dr. Peter Hünermann,
through whose effort the Diocese of Rottenburg/Stuttgart welcomed me
into her pastoral embrace and accorded me every necessary aid to com-
plete my studies. To the Bishop, Dr. Gephardt Fürst and the personnel of
Hauptabteilung IV, I say, thank you for the acceptance and the trust re-
posed in me and Archbishop Mathias Nketsiah of Cape Coast for allowing
me the needed time for my sojourn in Germany.
Prof. Dr. Walter Groß has not just been my moderator but a Doktorvater
in every ramification of the word. Herr Groß began his pension before the
completion of this work but still accompanied me like the son of his old
age, with meetings at short notice, prompt reading of the different parts of
the work and encouraging words at the deepest moments of the journey.
Herr Groß, this book is a personal, pension gift to you.
Prof. Dr. Ruth Scoralick assumed the responsibility of the second mod-
erator and carried out that responsibility in record time. To you I express
my sincere appreciation. As if one Professor Emeritus was not enough for
me, I was blessed with two others; Prof. Dr. Ottmar Fuchs and B. J. Hilber-
ath, under whose paternal but scrutinizing glance I sat for the final Exams –
Rigorosum. Thank you, Herrn Fuchs and Hilberath, for the opportunity to
learn from you at the various seminars and your paternal collegiality at the
rigorosum.
Msgr. James Myers of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast has taken the
time to read through the work, correct the language and offer challenging
comments that helped yield the present result. Monsignor, I am grateful to
you as my English Master in the minor seminary and proof-reader of my
thesis. Whenever I was at my wit’s end with my computer knowledge, Frau
V
Giuseppina Modica came to my rescue with her secretarial services. Giusy,
accept my thanks for your silent, almost invisible aid.
The Italian parishes of Beato Carlo Steeb, in Reutlingen and San Bruno
in Metzingen were a piece of home for me despite being far from home. My
dear Parishioners, I am blessed to have had you in my life during the period
of my studies. Despite the scarcity of time for pastoral work, you accepted
me into your midst and into your families. Thank you for the experience of
real love among you. Frs. Anthony Sackey and Richard Techie-Quansah,
my brother Ghanaian priests who are also studying here in Germany; your
unwavering, fraternal support and sharing with me in good and in bad
times have worked an anchor-effect in my academic, moral and pastoral
life. To you and the many nameless others, I render my heartfelt gratitude.
Finally, my sincere thanks to Jacob James Donkor (who did not live to
see the completion of this work) and Joana Donkor, my parents, my broth-
ers and sisters; James, Mary, Georgina, Isaac, Cecilia, Emmanuel, Gloria,
Michael, Francis, William and Anthoinette. Together with you I have learnt
to live, to love, to offend, to be offended, to forgive, to be forgiven and to
grow. Thank you for your love. To God be the glory.
VI
To
Jacob James Donkor,
Peter Cardinal Turkson, Walter Groß
and all the priests of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast.
VII