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

Description

The study discusses the Old Testament's parable of Nathan and the subsequent condemnation of King David. The intriguing episode of the Prophet Nathan pronouncing judgment on the erring King David has always attracted the interest of the exegete and various researchers have used different methods to separate the condemnation of King David from the ancient author. This study presents a synchronic reading of the canonical text that reveals the episode as the mirror image of the oracle of eternal dynasty pronounced to David by the same prophet in the Second Book of Samuel 7. It is indeed the work of the deuteronomistic writer who has adapted an oracle against the dynasty of David and trimmed it to the advantage of his hero in the unfolding of history. Cover Acknowledgement Table of Contents Abbreviations Text and Translation of 2 Samuel 12:1-15a Introduction Chapter 1. Panoramic view of 2 Sam 12:1-15a 1.1 The mediate context 1.2 The immediate context Chapter 2. Status Questionis 2.1 The Literal Critical Approach (diachronic) to 2 Sam 12:1-15a 2.2 The Succession Narrative; an anti-monarchical document? 2.3 The parable of Nathan as part of the DtrH Chapter 3. The Deuteronomistic History (DtrH) 3.1 The Succession Narrative and the Deuteronomist (Dtr) 3.2 2 Sam 12:1-15a and the dtr 3.2.1 Samuel and Saul 3.2.2 Ahijah and Jeroboam 3.2.3 The unnamed prophet and Ahab 3.2.4 Nathan and David Chapter 4. The text of the narrative 4.1 Structure; 2 Sam 12:1-15a 4.1.1 The story: vv. 1-4 4.1.2 Analysis 4.1.3 Interpretation 4.2 The judgment: vv. 5-6 4.2.1 Analysis 4.2.2 Interpretation 4.3 The prophetic word: vv. 7-12 4.3.1 The Prologue: vv. 7-9 4.3.2 Analysis 4.3.3 Interpretation 4.3.4 The oracle of doom: v. 10-12 4.3.5 Analysis 4.3.6 Interpretation 4.4 The concluding words: vv. 13-14 4.4.1 Analysis 4.4.2 Interpretation 4.5 Summary Chapter 5. The David of the Dtr and the parable of Nathan 5.1 The Kingship of David in the OT Tradition 5.2 The kingship of David in the light of Nathan’s oracle 5.2.1 The rise of David; 1 Sam 16-2 Sam 8 5.2.2 The anointing of David and entry into the court of Saul 5.2.3 Divine protection of David against Saul 5.2.4 The elimination of Rivals to the Throne 5.2.5 The Promise of an Everlasting Kingdom: 2 Sam 7 5.2.6 David at the height of his reign – 2 Sam 8-20 5.2.7 The last days of David: 1 Kings 1-2 5.3 The image of David that emerges from the narrative Chapter 6. The prophet Nathan in the dtr corpus 6.1 2 Sam 7; an overview 6.1.1 2 Sam 7; description and interpretation 6.2 2 Sam 12 6.2.1 2 Sam 12; description and interpretation 6.3 1 Kings 1 6.3.1 1 Kings 1: an overview 6.3.2 1 Kings 1; description and interpretation 6.3.3 The Exposition: v. 1-4 6.3.4 Adonijah’s presumption: v. 5-10 6.3.5 The counter plot: v. 11-14 6.3.6 The successor is named: v. 15-37 6.3.7 Solomon is King: v. 38-40 6.3.8 Report by Jonathan Ben Abiathar: v. 41-49 6.3.9 Adonijah’s capitulation: v. 50-53 6.4 Synthesis 6.5 The Nathan narratives seen together Chapter 7. Conclusion: The parable of Nathan; a slap in the face of the dtr image of David? Bibliography