The Persuasive Appeal of the Chronicler: A Rhetorical Analysis of the Books of Chronicles

193 Pages·1990·8.04 MB·English

by  Rodney K. Duke

JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
SUPPLEMENT SERIES
88
Editors
David J.A. Clines
Philip R. Davies
BIBLE AND LITERATURE SERIES
25
General Editor
David M. Gunn
Assistant General Editor
Danna Nolan Fewell
Consultant Editors
Elizabeth Struthers Malbon
James G. Williams
Almond Press
Sheffield
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THE PERSUASIVE
APPEAL OF THE
CHRONICLER
A Rhetorical Analysis
Rodney K. Duke
The Almond Press • 1990
Bible and Literature Series, 25
General Editor: David M. Gunn
(Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia)
Assistant General Editor. Danna Nolan Fewell
(Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas)
Consultant Editors: Elizabeth Struthers Malbon
(Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia)
James G. Williams
(Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York)
Copyright © 1990 Sheffield Academic Press
Published by Almond Press
Editorial direction: David M. Gunn
Columbia Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 520, Decatur
GA 30031, U.S.A.
Almond Press is an imprint of
Sheffield Academic Press Ltd
The University of Sheffield
343 Fulwood Road
Sheffield S10 3BP
England
Typeset by Sheffield Academic Press and
printed on acid-free paper in Great Britain
by Billing & Sons Ltd
Worcester
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Duke, Rodney K.
The persuasive appeal of the chronicler.
1. Bible. O.T. Chronicles—Critical studies
I. Title II. Series
222.606
ISSN 0260-4493
ISSN 0309-0787
ISBN 1-85075-228-1
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments 9
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION 11
A. The Objective of the Study 11
B. The Place of this Study in Chronicles Research 11
1. Major Trends in Chronicles Research 11
a. Prior to the Nineteenth Century 12
b. Nineteenth Century 13
c. Twentieth Century 22
2. Conclusion: The Place of this Book
in Chronicles Research 28
C. Methodological Concerns 29
1. The Meaning of 'Rhetoric' 29
2. The Rhetorical Nature of Historical Narratives 31
3. The Nature and Goal of a Rhetorical Analysis 33
4. The Designation of Chronicles as a
Rhetorical Unit 35
5. Reading Chronicles with Regard to
Samuel-Kings 36
6. The Utilization of Aristotle's Rhetoric 3 7
D. Aristotle's 'Rhetoric' 39
1. Introduction 39
2. The Parts of Rhetoric 40
3. Modes of Persuasion 43
4. Types of Rhetorical Speech 45
Chapter 2
PURPOSE, STRUCTURE, AND TYPE OF RHETORIC 47
A. Introduction 47
B. A Purpose of the Chronicler 47
C. Structure 51
1. Introduction 51
2. Examination of the Structure 54
a. Thesis: David and Solomon as the
Paradigm for Seeking Yahweh 54
b. 1 Chronicles 1—9: The Introduction 54
c. 1 Chronicles 10-2 Chronicles 9:
The Davidic and Solomonic Paradigm 56
d. 2 Chronicles 10-36: The Davidic Kings 66
3. Analysis of the Structure 69
a. Structure and the Laws of Reality 70
b. Character Portrayal and Classification 72
c. Summary 74
D. Type of Rhetoric 74
Chapter 3
LOGOS: THE RATIONAL MODE OF PERSUASION 81
A. Introduction to Aristotle's Concept 81
B. Application to Chronicles 83
1. Demonstration through the Enthymeme
and Example 83
a. The Argument 83
b. Illustration of the Enthymeme 84
c. Illustration of the Example 85
2. The Logical Structure of the Argument 86
a. Introduction to the Topoi 86
b. Commonplaces 87
c. Special Topics 88
d. Conclusion over the Material Topoi:
Commonplaces and Special Topics 92
e. Common Topics 92
3. The Development and Complementary Use
of Enthymemes 95
a. Introduction 95
b. 1 Chronicles 1-9 96
c. 1 Chronicles 10: Saul 96
d. 1 Chronicles 11-2 Chronicles 9:
David and Solomon 98
e. 2 Chronicles 10-36: The Davidic Kings 102
C. Summary and Conclusion 103
Chapter 4
ETHOS: THE ETHICAL MODE OF PERSUASION 105
A. Introduction 105
1. Aristotle's Criteria 105
2. Tentative Conclusions 107
3. Method for Further Analysis 109
B. Analysis 111
1. Material Parallel to Samuel-Kings:
Traditional Material 111
a. Methodological Assumptions 111
b. Evaluation of the Chronicler's Use
of Tradition 112
2. Unique Material I: External Proofs 116
a. Introduction 116
b. Lists and Genealogies 117
c. Citation of Sources 118
d. Direct Speech 119
3. Unique Material II:
Evaluatory Narrative Comments 135
Chapter 5
PATHOS: THE EMOTIONAL MODE OF PERSUASION 139
A. Introduction 139
B. Analysis 141
1. Themes and Motifs 141
2. Character Portrayal and Typology 143
3. Emplotment: The Kind of Story Told 144
4. The Argument: Maxims and
Historical Examples 144
5. Direct Address through Speeches 146
C. Summary 147
Chapter 6
CONCLUSIONS 149
A. Summary 149
B. Direction for Further Reflection 151
Appendix
List 1: Narrative Comments with 'Seeking*
Enthymeme 155
List 2: Speech Material with 'Seeking* Enthymeme 159
List 3: Speech Material without 'Seeking' Enthymeme 163
List 4: Divine Speech Material 167
List 5: Royal Prayers 169
List 6: Royal Speeches 171
List 7: Royal Statements 173
List 8: Prophetic Speech Material 175
Bibliography 177
Index of Biblical References 185
Index of Authors 191
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To both Robert Detweiler and Robert Paul of Emory Univer-
sity, I express my gratitude for expanding my horizons and
introducing me to methods of literary criticism which I have
brought over to my field of biblical studies. To John Hayes of
Emory University and David Gunn of Columbia Theological
Seminary, I am indebted for their advice and encouragement
on this project.
However it is Jane, my wife and best friend, to whom I dedi-
cate this work in acknowledgment of her inestimable support
and of the great sacrifices she has made for me:
Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all (Proverbs 31.29).