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Hebrew Studies 43 (2002) 261 Reviews reading implications as to the literature's setting in life and intention. Perhaps the author might address such questions in some future publication. If not, he has provided a stimulating book from which other scholars may mine riches and probe such further questions. Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. North Park Theological Seminary Chicago, IL 60625 rhubbard@northpark.edu 2 KINGS. By Robert L. Cohn. Berit Olam. Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry. Pp. xvi + 186. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2000. Cloth, $34.95. The Berit Olam series offers biblical commentaries that approach books of the canonical Hebrew Bible as literary works. Despite variety in religious and professional backgrounds as well as differences in theoretical approach, contributing authors to the twelve volumes published since 1996 have focused on the final form of the Hebrew text. In the main, they have sought to convey a sense of unity in the biblical materials and emphasized linguistic features that suggest craft, ifnot artistry, in biblical poetry and narrative. In 2 Kings, Robert Cohn, the Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Studies at Lafayette College, offers an admirably clear, jargon-free commentary on what he calls "the literary dimension of history writing." He refers repeatedly to literary features such as surface structure, author, verbal techniques, plot, point of view, and characterization-all elements that generate a pattern of meaning and effect, sometimes including intertextual allusions far beyond the limits of 1-2 Kings. His theoretical perspective might be called an updated "new criticism," and in this respect is comparable to the approaches of, among others, Robert Alter and Meir Sternberg. Cohn does not overdetermine his insights into literary craft, as though reading closely were simply a matter of gathering objective data. He is particularly shy of claiming neutral status for formal structure, which he understands modestly as "a matter of interpretation" likely to be parsed dif­ ferently by others. He divides 2 Kings into four large content based sections primarily linked by prophetic announcements and a thematic thread of divine judgement. Part one, chapters 1:1-8:6, focuses on the miracles of Elisha. Part two, chapters 8:7-13:25, develops the political coups in Aram and Israel (earlier announced in 1 Kings 19) and the coup in Judah, which restores a legitimate Davidide to the throne. Part three, chapters 14-17, chromcles the northern kingdom's demise. Part four, chapters 18-25, explains Judah's Hebrew Studies 43 (2002) 262 Reviews eventual destruction as catastrophe grounded in covenant ideas still in force for the ancient people ofGod. From this sample, it is clear that to specify order, balance, symmetry and repetition (often in the form of chiasmus) is to work toward conveying a sense of effective, presumably intentional theological meaning expressed through unified historical narrative. That, primarily, is what Cohn wants his own readers to take from his efforts. Granting these premises, he succeeds admirably. While graciously acknowledging his indebtedness to other writers on narrative poetics, Cohn effortlessly weaves their observations into his own distinctive reading of 2 Kings. He dissects and reassembles elements of literary craft, and highlights theological perspectives built into the resulting narrative. Cohn models the non-sectarian character of the series Berit Olam. He well serves general readers and professionals engaged with the Bible whO will be able to make their own contemporary applications. Burke O. Long Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME 04011 blong@bowdoin.edu KING JOSIAH OF JUDAH: THE LOST MESSIAH OF ISRAEL. By Marvin A. Sweeney. Pp. xvi + 350. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Cloth, $60.00. King Josiah has always played an important role in the critical studies of the Old Testament. Sweeney's book is one important contribution in this chain of the studies. The author deals with texts in the Deuteronomistic His­ tory and the prophetic literature and attempts to clarify (1) how they are re­ lated to Josiah's religious and political program and (2) how they reflect disappointment of that program. The author begins his textual analyses by presenting how the texts should be interpreted in their present forms. Never­ theless, he also deals with the redactional questions, that is, how the present form of the...

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