One of the most important and complex characters in the Bible, King David has been the subject of innumerable portraits, both artistic and literary. Michelangelo's magnificent sculpture of him is perhaps the single best known work of art in the world, and the story of the humble shepherd who slew Goliath and became king has assumed a powerful mythological status. But was David a real person - and if so what kind of person was he? Through a close and critical reading of biblical texts, ancient history, and recent archeological discoveries, Steven L. McKenzie concludes that David was indeed a real person. This David, however, was no hero but a usurper, adulterer, and murderer - a Middle Eastern despot of a familiar type. McKenzie shows that the story of humble beginnings is utterly misleading: "shepherd" is a metaphor for "king", and David came from a wealthy, upper-class background. Similarly, McKenzie reveals how David's ascent to power, traditionally attributed to popularity and divine blessing, in fact resulted from a campaign of terror and assassination.While instituting a full-blown Middle Eastern monarchy, David was an aggressive leader, a devious politician, and a ruthless war chief. Throughout his scandalous reign, important figures who stood in his way died at convenient times, under questionable circumstances. Even his own sons were not spared. David's story, writes McKenzie, "reads like a modern soap opera, with plenty of sex, violence, and struggles for power." Carefully researched and vividly written, "King David: A Biography" offers a provocative reappraisal of the life of one of the Bible's most compelling figures.

King David and What Are They Saying about the Book of Jonah?

What Are They Saying about the Book of Jonah?

Write a review

Over 14,000 churches and schools have upgraded to an Advance Account and we‘d love to welcome you into this free program. We know that church volunteers and school teachers often use their own money, then have claim it back on on an expense form. We can take all of that hassle away by invoicing your church or school directly and delivering your order straight away.

Opening an account is quick and easy, with most accounts being approved and setup within a few hours of filling in the form below (on weekdays, not weekends). As soon as we‘ve approved the application we‘ll send you an email to let you know that its done.

Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account

Author
Steven L. Mckenzie (associate Professor Of The Hebrew Bible At Rhodes College)
Book Format
Paperback
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Published
March 2002
Edition
New edition
Weight
364g
Page Count
256
Dimensions
15.5 x 23.4 x 1.8 cm
ISBN
9780195147087
ISBN-10
0195147081
Eden Code
1190471