Marti J. Steussy

How ancient Israel's leader stood at the problematic intersection of earthly and divine power

6 x 9, 224 pages
cloth, ISBN 1-57003-250-5, $34.95s
Studies on Personalities of the Old Testament
James L. Crenshaw, series editor

ABOUT THE BOOK

Marti J. Steussy provides a critical examination of the man who receives more attention from the Old Testament's writers than any other human character. This volume, written for the nonspecialist, 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 the reader 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 of the Bible 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.

The book's final character analysis begins with psalms speaking 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 and spokesperson 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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marti J. Steussy is an associate professor of biblical interpretation at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.

REVIEWS

"Employing an essential literary-critical approach, Steussy offers an insightful and intriguing exploration of one of the Hebrew Bible's central human characters. Highly recommended for all academic levels and for practitioners."—Choice

" . . . useful resource for general readers and scholars alike."—Journal of Religion

"Steussy provides new approaches to familiar Psalms."—Homiletic

"In the present, Steussy's David is a very valuable contribution to the sholarship on David . . .Steussy provides a significant contribution to scholarship on this neglected character, David. But this book is more than a scholarly contribution. It is also an important resource for the pastor."—Encounter

"Her portraits emphasize David's various roles and his strengths and weaknesses. She concludes with a summary of the cumulative effect of the David portraits."—Theology Digest

AWARDS

Exceptional Books of 1999, The A List