Full Description
A thorough re-examination of the First Book of Samuel and its treatment of Saul, showing that Saul's central role in the development of the kingdom of Israel has been misunderstood by generations of scholars. Spurred on by a childhood fascination with the Tanakh, which brought to his attention the discrepancy between the English rendering of Samuel 21:19 and the original Hebrew, Green builds upon recent research to show that later authors revised 1 Samuel with the specific intention of defaming Saul. In the process, these revisionist authors glorified the character of David, and have significantly distorted the true nature of events.
Green systematically works through the Biblical text, highlighting its illogical chronology, and drawing attention to apocryphal incidents, before reconstructing a more plausible sequence for the story. Both a fresh analysis of a maligned figure and a comprehensive guide to the First Book of Samuel, Green's interpretation returns Saul to his rightful place as the first "Lord's Anointed", true King and one genuine messiah of all Israel.
Contents
Illustrations and Maps
Preface
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Key to Abbreviations
Dramatis Personae
Introduction
1. Samuel: The Final Days of the Israelite Theocracy
2. Saul: The Prince of Israel
3. Saul: 'The Hand of the Lord'
4. King Saul: A Nation is Born
5. King Saul the Saviour: The United Monarchy
6. David: The Terrible Price of Unity
7. David: 'Enemy of the State'
8. David: The 'Servant' of the Philistines
9. 'How' the Mighty Fell: The Death of Saul
10. 'To the Victor . . .': King David
List of Conclusions
Timelines: Comparative Orthodox and Revised Chronology
The Hypothetical Book of Saul
Afterword
Appendices:
A. Who Wrote Samuel?
B. Psalms of David?
C. Heterodoxy v. Orthodoxy
D. Methodology
Notes
Bibliography
Index
