D Biblical Portraits of Power aviD

advertisement

New in paper

D aviD

Biblical Portraits of Power

Marti J. Steussy

Marti J. Steussy provides a critical approach to the man who receives more attention from the Old Testament’s writers than any other human character. This volume explores the Hebrew Bible’s three major portraits of David—found in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1

Chronicles, and Psalms—and what each implies about the relation between divine and worldly power.

Steussy’s examination of David in 1 and 2 Samuel opens with the traditional impression of David as a virtuous hero “after God’s own heart,” then invites readers to consider details of plot and phrasing that make problematic—without erasing—the impression of innocence. She proposes that questions surrounding David ultimately probe God’s role in Israel’s history. The scrutiny of David in 1 Chronicles shows how this book calls attention to his role as the head of a people rather than to his individual strengths and weaknesses. However, tension still lurks; David plays a key role in Chronicles’ argument against Ezra and Nehemiah for an inclusive Israel.

Steussy’s final character analysis begins with psalms about David, then discusses the ruler as the commonly accepted speaker of the David psalms. Steussy suggests that in the Psalter as a whole, David serves both as a model for individual spiritual development and as a symbol for Israel throughout its history. The complexity of David’s role in

Psalms, Steussy contends, models the complexity of his characterization in the Hebrew

Bible as a whole. A concluding chapter calls attention to David’s scattered appearances in other parts of the Hebrew canon and discusses the cumulative effect of his various portraits.

Marti J. Steussy, MacAllister-Petticrew

Professor of Biblical Interpretation at the Christian Theological Seminary in

Indianapolis, is an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ). Her books include Psalms and

Gardens in Babylon: Narrative and Faith in the Greek Legends of Daniel.

Studies on Personalities of the Old Testament • James L. Crenshaw, series editor

April 2009, 264 pages

Method of payment:

_____ Check or money order: (payable to USC Press in United States dollars)

Credit Card: _____ Discover _____ Mastercard _____ Visa

Account number: _____________________________________ Exp. Date ________

Signature: ____________________________________________________________

Name (please print): ________________________________ Phone: ____________

Shipping Address: ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Send me ______ copy/copies

(pb, 978-1-57003-845-7, $29.95 each) ______

SC residents add 7% sales tax ______

Shipping and Handling* ______

CODE AUFR

TOTAL ______

*add $6.00 for first book,

$2.00 for each additional book

718 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208

800-768-2500 • Fax 800-868-0740 • www.sc.edu/uscpress

Download