The Faces of David

by Noll, K. L.

• ISBN13: 9781850756590
• ISBN10: 1850756597
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Pr

Summary

This synchronic study of the books of Samuel examines the multifaceted character of David. His is a complex tale, seemingly designed to explore the human dimension of a traditional motif: divine election and rejection. Through speeches and actions, David is revealed as a man who never quite understands his fate. Why has Saul been rejected and why is David not rejected? If Saul sinned, David sinned boldly. The man, David, through poetic soliloquies (2 Sam. 1.19-27; 22.2-51; 23.1b-7), explores this question.

Table of Contents

Preface	7	(2)
Abbreviations	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(29)
The Nature of this Study	11	(3)
Literary Approaches to Biblical Narrative	14	(2)
The Nature of the Story-World in the Former Prophets	16	(24)
The Characterization of David in the Prose Story	40	(36)
The Themes of the Book of Samuel: Knowledge and Understanding	40	(10)
The Characterization of David	50	(14)
Excursus: The Illegitimacy of Solomon	64	(12)
David's Lament, 2 Samuel 1.19-27	76	(42)
The Literary Context of David's Lament	76	(22)
David's Rhetorical Strategy in the Lament	98	(20)
David's Song, 2 Samuel 22	118	(34)
The Literary Context of David's Song	118	(16)
David's Rhetorical Strategy in the Song	134	(18)
David's Oracle, 2 Samuel 23.1-7	152	(31)
The Literary Context of David's Oracle	152	(13)
David's Rhetorical Strategy in the Oracle	165	(18)
Postscript: Ancient Readers and Authors	183	(3)
Bibliography	186	(8)
Index of References	194	(9)
Index of Authors	203