A postcolonial study of land conflict in 1 kings 21:1-16: towards a theological response to land clashes in Kenya

Abstract

This study uses postcolonial biblical criticism to read 1 Kings 21:1-16 as a theological response to land clashes. Land clashes are part of post-colonial injustices that need to be addressed using the postcolonial perspective. The guiding objectives are to provide a background of 1 Kings 21:1-16 as a basis to expose land conflicts and social injustices, to show how land clashes has affected the citizens, and how postcolonial reading of 1 Kings 21:1-16 can be used to respond to land clashes. The aim of this study is to produce a useful tool for responding to land clashes and intellectual reference for other scholars. The key question addressed in this study is how 1 Kings 21:1-16 can be read to deal with land clashes. It is a qualitative study that analyzes data from the library, books, journals, theses, online sources, and other relevant publications. The study is informed by the observation that there are few biblical scholars who previously dealt with theological responses on land clashes. It was hypothetical that land clashes can be addressed theologically. The researcher found out that perpetrators of land clashes should be prosecuted and justice delivered to the victims, capital punishment should be imposed on the perpetrators of land clashes, land laws should be revised to ensure that leaders do not misuse power to illegally relocate citizen in order to take their land. There is need for laws prohibiting leaders‟ spouses from accessing power functions for wrong use as did Jezebel. Finally, there should be laws ensuring that all foreigners get well rooted and grounded in the new religious and cultural heritage.