David and His Theologian: Literary Social and Theological Investigations of the Early Monarchy

Throughout Walter Brueggemanns career he has repeatedly found his way back to the David and royal traditions. From some of his earliest articles and essays to monographs commentaries and sermons he has explored this rich field in literary social and theological depth. As he has said My preoccupation with David rests on the awareness that David occupies a central position in the imagination of ancient Israel and in the rendering of faith and history by that community. As the genealogies locate David he stands mid-point between the rigors of Mosaic faith and the destruction of Jerusalem; as a consequence he becomes in the artistry of Israel the carrier of all the ambivalence Israel knew about guarantees and risks in the world YHWH governs. This volume brings together some of Brueggemanns key essays on the David traditions as well as their interrelationships with traditions in the book of Genesis. --from the Foreword This volume usefully brings together a powerfully argued body of material from Walter Brueggemann relating to David and the development of Israelite theology. Its chapters feature the typical hallmarks of Brueggemanns scholarship: strong arguments on important themes a very sharp eye for exegetical detail a profound sensitivity to the theology of the narratives and a remarkable freshness of style. Students of the Bible encountering these contributions for the first time or established scholars revisiting them will find this book deeply enriching. -Philip F. Esler DD (Oxon) FRSE St Marys University College Twickenham Various critical studies of the imposing figure and theological importance of David written throughout the remarkable career of Walter Brueggemann are brought together in this volume. Attentive to literary and historical matters Brueggemann is always concerned about the impact the theological message can have on the church today. Grounded in the scholarship we have come to expect from this prolific author this very readable book will appeal to a broad audience. -Dianne Bergant CSA Catholic Theological Union Walter Brueggemann is unexcelled in his ability to discern historical literary and theological connections between the Bible and our common work. This is amply demonstrated in this welcome collection of his essays on David the carrier of all the ambivalence Israel knew about guarantees and risks in the world YHWH governs. For a focused probe on the royal establishment and on the man who most enigmatically embodied it there is no better place to begin than by reading David and His Theologian. -Samuel E. Balentine Union Presbyterian Seminary Walter Brueggemann is William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary Decatur Georgia. He is past President of the Society of Biblical Literature and the author of numerous books including Truth-Telling as Subversive Obedience Praying the Psalms A Pathway of Interpretation and Ichabod toward Home.