Propetic utterances in narrative texts, with reference to 1 Samuel 2:27-36

Abstract

Some insights of narrative theory are utilised in a study of the prophetic utterance of the unknown man of God in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 in an attempt to explore the function of prophetic utterances in narrative texts. A short review of the appearance of prophets in the Deuteronomistic history is given. In studying this utterance many uncertainties appear, also regarding references to the fulfilment of the prophecy. The point of view of the reader has a profound influence on the interpretation of the text, as demonstrated by divergent readings of the text. This passage can be viewed as an example of external focalisation in the Deuteronomistic history and also as an example of a narrative with blanks.