The Significance of the Ark Narrative: Literary Formation and Artistry in the Book of Chronicles

186 Pages·2009·3.04 MB·English

by  James M. Street

The Significance of
the Ark Narrative
Studies in Biblical Literature

Hemchand Gossai
General Editor

Vol. 129

PETER LANG
New York (cid:121) Washington, D.C./Baltimore (cid:121) Bern
Frankfurt am Main (cid:121) Berlin (cid:121) Brussels (cid:121) Vienna (cid:121) Oxford
James M. Street

The Significance of
the Ark Narrative

Literary Formation and Artistry
in the Book of Chronicles

PETER LANG
New York (cid:121) Washington, D.C./Baltimore (cid:121) Bern
Frankfurt am Main (cid:121) Berlin (cid:121) Brussels (cid:121) Vienna (cid:121) Oxford
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Street, James M.
The significance of the ark narrative: literary formation and
artistry in the book of Chronicles / James M. Street.
p. cm. — (Studies in biblical literature; v. 129)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Bible. O.T. Chronicles, 1st, XV–XVI—Criticism, Narrative.
2. Ark of the Covenant—Biblical teaching. I. Title.
BS1345.52.S77 222’.63066—dc22 2009013785
ISBN 978-1-4331-0663-7
ISSN 1089-0645

Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Bibliothek.
Die Deutsche Bibliothek lists this publication in the “Deutsche
Nationalbibliografie”; detailed bibliographic data is available
on the Internet at http://dnb.ddb.de/.

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of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity
of the Council of Library Resources.

© 2009 Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., New York
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Reprint or reproduction, even partially, in all forms such as microfilm,
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Printed in Germany
Table of Contents
Editor’s Preface ............................................................................................................. vii
Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................... ix
Abbreviations.................................................................................................................. xi

Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................... 1
Need for the Study .................................................................................................. 1
Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................... 4
Organization of the Study ...................................................................................... 5

Chapter Two: Literary-Critical Issues ....................................................... 11
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 11
Preface: 1 Chronicles 15:1–24 ............................................................................. 12
The Movement of the Ark: 1 Chronicles 15:25–16:3 ...................................... 18
The Cultic Appointments in Jerusalem: 1 Chronicles 16:4–6 ........................ 20
The Psalm of Praise: 1 Chronicles 16:7–36 ....................................................... 22
David’s Final Ordering of the Levites: 1 Chronicles 16:37–42 ...................... 27
Conclusion: 1 Chronicles 16:43 ........................................................................... 29
Features and Functions as a Whole .................................................................... 30
Summary ................................................................................................................. 31

Chapter Three: The Place of 1 Chronicles 15–16 within the Book ........... 45
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 45
Literary Hypotheses Reconsidered ..................................................................... 45
Arguments for the Importance of the Ark Narrative ...................................... 53
The Ark Narrative in Theme Building ............................................................... 63
Summary ................................................................................................................. 73

Chapter Four: Exegetical Analysis ........................................................... 85
Analysis of Material ............................................................................................... 85
Summary ............................................................................................................... 102

Chapter Five: Theology of the Ark Narrative ......................................... 113
The Function of the Narrative within
the Davidic Narrative as a Whole ................................................................ 113
Function of the Narrative within the Book .................................................... 117
Major Themes within the Ark Narrative ......................................................... 119
Synthetic Analysis ................................................................................................ 127
Summary ............................................................................................................... 129
vi Table of Contents

Chapter Six: Conclusion .......................................................................... 137
Summary of Findings .......................................................................................... 137
Implications for Reading Chronicles ................................................................ 139
Implications for Further Study .......................................................................... 140

Select Bibliography ................................................................................. 141

Subject Index........................................................................................... 163
Editor’s Preface
More than ever the horizons in biblical literature are being expanded beyond
that which is immediately imagined; important new methodological, theological,
and hermeneutical directions are being explored, often resulting in significant
contributions to the world of biblical scholarship. It is an exciting time for the
academy as engagement in biblical studies continues to be heightened.
This series seeks to make available to scholars and institutions, scholarship
of a high order, and which will make a significant contribution to the ongoing
biblical discourse. This series includes established and innovative directions,
covering general and particular areas in biblical study. For every volume
considered for this series, we explore the question as to whether the study will
push the horizons of biblical scholarship. The answer must be yes for inclusion.
In this volume, Jim Street examines the centrality of the ark narrative in
Chronicles, arguing that it is the theological hub for the Davidic narrative.
Discussing the works of Japhet and Williamson, the author notes that while
these scholars have broached thematic issues in their respective studies, and
have forged new directions, much has been left undone. This study adds
significantly to the new theological direction that is being shaped by attention to
various themes in Chronicles. Noting that the Chronicler has material that is
unique to him, Street argues that it is incumbent upon scholars to discern the
theological trajectory that is developed by the Chronicler. Scholars who are
engaged in this area of scholarship will find much here to examine, reflect on,
challenge and I believe above all allow for a serious expansion of the discourse
beyond historical matters.

The horizon has been expanded.

Hemchand Gossai
Series Editor

Acknowledgments
This book is the climax of a long process. The study began as my Dissertation
during my time at Dallas Theological Seminary, entitled: The Significance of the
Ark Narrative in 1 Chronicles to the History of Israel’s Religion. I wish to thank
Eugene H. Merrill, Richard A. Taylor, and Gary N. Knoppers for their
comments and insights which made the dissertation better than it would
otherwise have been. I also wish to thank my wife, Kim. Her constant
encouragement to finish and granting me freedom to study allowed the project
to move forward more quickly than planned.