Legitimacy, Illegitimacy, and the Right to Rule

Windows on Abimelech's Rise and Demise in Judges 9

Gordon K. Oeste

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9780567110626
• eBook ISBN:
  9780567557186
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

This book explores the portrayal of the rise, reign, and demise of Abimelech in Judges 9 and asks about whose interests this portrayal may have served. The negative depiction of Abimelech's kingship in this chapter, coupled with Gideon's rejection of kingship in Judges 8:22-23, has led interpreters to view the passage as anti-monarchic. This perspective clashes with the pro-monarchic stance of Judges 17-21. However, while the portrayal of Abimelech's kingship is negative, it may yet have served as a legitimation strategy for the monarchy. In support, this study examines Judges 9 through three methodological lenses: a narrative analysis, a rhetorical analysis and a social scientific analysis.

In addition, anthropological data on early and developing states shows that such states attempt to prevent fissioning (the tendency inherent within political systems to break up and form other similar units) by subverting local leaders, groups, and institutions, and so legitimate the centralization of power. When read in this light, Judges 9 supports monarchic interests by seeking to subvert localized rule and alliances in favor of a centralized polity.

Table of contents

• CONTENTS
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Chapter 1. LOOKING AT JUDGES 9 THROUGH MULTIPLE SIGHT LINES
• 1. The Value of Multiple Sight Lines
• 2. Reading the Narrative Interests of Judges 9
• 3. Reading the Rhetoric of Judges 9
• 4. Monarchic Context
• 5. The Social Context of Judges 9
• 6. Combining the Sight Lines
• Chapter 2. APPROACHES TO ABIMELECH AND JUDGES 9
• 1. Redactional Studies
• 2. Social-Scientific Studies
• 3. Ideological Studies
• 4. Literary-Holistic Studies
• 5. Summary
• Chapter 3. NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF JUDGES 9
• 1. Judges 9 and the Gideon Narrative (Judges 6–8)
• 2. The Narrative Structure of Judges 9
• 3. Narrative Analysis of Judges 9
• Excursus: Safety Inside the City—Danger Outside the City
• 4. Conclusions
• Chapter 4. READING THE RHETORIC OF JUDGES 9
• 1. The Rhetoric of the Exposition in Judges 9:1–6
• 2. The Rhetoric of the Complication in Judges 9:7–22
• 3. The Rhetoric of the Change in Judges 9:23–24
• 4. The Rhetoric of the Unravellng in Judges 9:25–55
• 5. The Rhetoric of the Conclusion of Judges 9:56–57
• 6. Summary of the Rhetorical Strategy of Judges 9
• 7. The Rhetorical Situation Implied by Judges 9
• Chapter 5. THE SOCIAL WORLD(S) OF JUDGES 9
• 1. A Social-Scientific Analysis of the Story World of Judges 9
• 2. Social-Scientific Analysis of the World of the Implied Author
• 3. Implications for the Role of Judges 9 in the Book of Judges
• 4. Summary
• Chapter 6. CONCLUSION
• 1. The Contribution of Each Method
• 2. Combining the Sight Lines
• Bibliography
• Index of References
• Index of Authors