DESCRIPTION: The primary goal of this course is to develop exegetical skills through the study of portions of the Hebrew text of 1 and 2 Samuel. The Hebrew text will be examined closely in its literary, historical, cultural, and theological contexts. Toward this goal, a variety of methodologies will be considered in relation to the text of Samuel (e.g., form-, historical-, and text-critical). Attention will be given to the development of exegetical skills. Class sessions will consist of lecture on the context of Samuel and exegetical methodology, discussion of selected passages, and practice with various exegetical methods. Students will translate approximately 10 verses of Hebrew text per class period.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Interpreting the Bible in a critically responsible and faithful way is vitally important in guiding our lives together as Christians, and in whatever ministry God calls us to. The ability to exegete the text of the Bible in its original languages greatly enhances our search to discern God's message to us. The book(s) of Samuel, in particular, offer rich material addressing such topics as the nature of godly leadership and prophetic history.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing this course, the student will have demonstrated (1) a fundamental knowledge of the literary forms and thematic content of the book(s) of Samuel; (2) competence in working with the Hebrew text, including the requisite tools; (3) skill in using exegetical and hermeneutical principles; (4) an ability to reflect upon and evaluate theological issues raised in the book(s) of Samuel and their significance for Christian faith and practice, and (5) an awareness of how we may learn from culturally diverse vantage points in order to more faithfully interpret and live out this portion of Scripture.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets weekly in three-hour sessions, for ten weeks. In addition, students are required to participate in one hour per week of monitored online interaction.

REQUIRED READING:

Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, with an appendix, containing the Biblical Aramaic. Hendrickson, 1996 [1906]. ISBN-13: 978-1565632066 ($34.95).

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN-13: 978-3438052223 ($39.99).

Brueggemann, W. First and Second Samuel. Interpretation. Westminster John Knox, 1990. ISBN-13: 978-0804231084 ($30.00).

Tsumura, David T. The First Book of Samuel. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0802823595 ($50.00).

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

Brueggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0800632878 ($19.00).

Chisholm, R. B., Jr. From Exegesis to Exposition: A Practical Guide to Using Biblical Hebrew. Baker, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0801021718 ($28.00).

McCarter, P. Kyle, Jr. I Samuel and II Samuel. AB. Doubleday, 1980, 1984. ISBN-13: 978-0300139501 ($45.00) and ISBN-13: 978-0300139518 ($50.00).

Sternberg, Meir. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative: Ideological Literature and the Drama of Reading. Indiana Studies in Biblical Literature. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987. ISBN-13: 978-0253204530 ($34.95).

1. Attendance and weekly preparation for translation and exegetical discussion and participation in follow-up threaded discussions (20%).

2. Exegetical Analysis notes (30%): Students will translate approximately 10 verses of Hebrew text per class session, identifying exegetical issues. Notes will include their translation and exegetical analysis according to guidelines in the syllabus.

3. Hebrew Text Presentation (20%): Students will work in small groups to prepare and present a Hebrew passage to the class. Each student will be responsible to present approximately 3 verses of text. The presentation will include reading the passage aloud, noting significant grammatical forms and textual issues, and translating the passage.

4. Exegetical Paper (30%): 3000-3750 words (approximately 12-15 pages).