Say it Again, Sam: A Literary and Filmic Study of Narrative Repetition in 1 Samuel 28

An analysis of 1 Samuel 28:3-25, showing how film theory can bring insight to our understanding of the structure and significance of biblical narrative.

This book offers a synchronic exegesis of Saul's night visit to the witch of En-Dor (1 Sam 28:3-25), focussing on the web of repetitions of visual elements, of symbols, of sounds, of entire scenes, and of keywords.
Kent shows how an artistry of repetition and non-repetition helps to build characterization, plot, and structure, as well as prophetic fulfilments, foreshadowing, and inter-textual warnings. In his argument Kent draws on theory from the study of narrative film and other areas of criticism to devise new tools for the practice of biblical exegesis. With new techniques, new questions arise that promise to keep the Hebrew Bible at the centre of contemporary theological study.

Grenville J. R. Kent is Lecturer in Old Testament and Arts at Wesley Institute in Sydney. He is co-editor of Reclaiming the Old Testament for Christian Preaching (2010).