Victory as Defeat: Narrative Subversion of Omride Strength in 1 Kings 20

Quine, Cat

Abstract

This paper argues that 1 Kings 20 is a literary composition that creates an idealized picture of kingship and military victory wherein the king combines with the elders, prophets, and deity to reject the impositions of vassalage and defeat their enemy. Yet, the story subverts the image, and the king is raised up only to be brought down. The result is a didactic reflection on the futility of strong kingship and military victory without appropriate Yahwistic acknowledgement. As such, 1 Kgs 20 appropriately heralds the beginning of the end of the Omride dynasty and undermines any positive associations of military strength they may have had.

Citation

Quine, C. (2021). Victory as Defeat: Narrative Subversion of Omride Strength in 1 Kings 20. Journal of Theological Studies, 72(2), 620-633. https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flab061

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 9, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 25, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 26, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Theological Studies
• Print ISSN: 0022-5185
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-4607
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 72
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 620-633
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flab061
• Keywords: Religious studies
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3729954
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jts/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jts/flab061/6409908
• Additional Information: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Theological Studies following peer review. The version of record Cat Quine, Victory as Defeat: Narrative Subversion of Omride Strength in 1 Kings 20, The Journal of Theological Studies, Volume 72, Issue 2, October 2021, Pages 620–633, is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/jts/article/72/2/620/6409908 and https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flab061.