Baruch Halpern is Covenant Foundation Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Georgia and former codirector of the Megiddo Expedition. His other books include The Constitution of the Monarchy in Israel, The Emergence of Israel in Canaan, The First Historians: The Hebrew Bible and History, and Law and Ideology in Monarchic Israel.
Publishers Weekly -- Starred Review
"In a dazzling display of erudition, Halpern dissects the story of
David with sparkling, witty prose, using historical, textual,
psychological, and archaeological analysis. Conventional
perceptions of David fault him for his affair with Bathsheba and
for arranging the death of her husband, but generally portray him
as a handsome, brave shepherd who became king and established
Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Halpern elaborates and exploits the
story of Bathsheba to paint David as a villain. He methodically
demolishes any positive image of David, calling him a serial
killer, thug, mercenary, adulterer, assassin, bandit, brigand, and
predator. . . An outstanding study. " Jonathan Kirsch in The Los
Angeles Times
"For any reader who is troubled by the notion that the Bible might
not be historically accurate or complete, there is both good news
and bad news in David's Secret Demons. . . Its author, co-director
of the archeological excavations at Megiddo, where the Bible says
the battle of Armageddon will occur, is among the most accomplished
and distinguished scholars of his generation, or any generation. As
both a biblical historian and a working archeologist, he brings an
unrivaled depth of scholarship to his work. . . David's Secret
Demons is an intellectual tour de force that gathers all the
strands of technical Bible scholarship and ties them to the figure
of David as he has been recalled and celebrated in the whole sweep
of Western civilization. Along the way, Halpern displays an
inventiveness and even a playfulness that is rare in Bible
scholarship. " Bible Review
"The book is exhaustively researched, covers enormous ground and is
brilliantly original, offering great reward to the brave reader."
Theological Studies
"This study shows not only that skeptical minimalism and credulous
biblicism are not only options in the current debate about ancient
Israel, but also that there is a future for biblical texts in the
reconstruction of history, when they are read in the light of other
ancient historical documents. . . Halpern has set a standard in the
critical use of both biblical and nonbiblical sources that his own
critics will find hard to match. This is the most promising
exercise in biblical historiography to appear in many years."
Journal of Biblical Literature
"Halpern has given us a new standard for the twenty-first century,
and this book will become the starting point for continuing
scholarly discussion on the life of David. It is a new benchmark,
and even those who are skeptical about the historicity of David and
about the value of the biblical account of David must engage and
refute Halpern's arguments in detail if they wish to be taken
seriously in the discussion. The book is erudite, thorough,
well-written, and a must-read for anyone interested in David's life
and the Bible's account of it." Old Testament Essays
"This eminently readable book arrives at the conclusion that 'you
certainly would not be happy to discover [David] was marrying your
daughter.' For all its humorous touches and analogies with
contemporary events, this is, however, a very erudite and
thought-provoking text, which proves beyond any doubt that
scholarship does not have to be boring. . . Halpern's book is
accessible, intellectually satisfying and beautifully written. . .
The text is both informative and wit-sharpening. This book will
edify both the interested layperson and the Biblical scholar."
Library Journal
"A scholarly, fascinating, and controversial study of the figure of
David in the Hebrew Scriptures. . . Sure to receive much scholarly
attention. Halpern's work can be profitably read by lay persons and
scholars alike. Recommended for both public and academic
libraries." Richard Ostling in the The Associated Press
"Halpern seeks to rescue the David of history by belittling him.
Halpern provides a vigorous historical case in favor of David's
existence. . . His interpretation of the Scriptures is skeptical,
even cynical. He sees the biblical history as political
'propaganda, ' so we should read between the lines to surmise what
the writers omitted. On that basis, he proposes, we know David
existed because the biblical writers were at such pains to explain
all-too-convenient deaths and dismiss other accusations that must
have been leveled against David. If no King David ever existed
there would never have been any need for such exertions, Halpern
reckons. He sees the David portrayed in the books of Samuel as a
sanitized man who never existed, but thinks a more rapacious and
problematic ruler did." Israel Finkelstein
"A sophisticated, engaging biography of David. The 'messiah/king'
confronted Goliath and stars in the windows of Gothic churches and
in Michelangelo's art. But the 'murderer/traitor'? Brilliantly
navigating between the dynasty's apologetic portrait and the early
defense of David against the accusations of his foes, Baruch
Halpern peels off the story layer by layer. He exploits all the
pertinent materials and disciplines: biblical literature,
extrabiblical Near Eastern sources, and archaeology. Against those
who question David's existence, Halpern brings the founder of the
Jerusalem dynasty back to life -- neither the saintly David nor the
anti-David, but simply the human David." Richard Elliott
Friedman
"Everyone is writing about David. Baruch Halpern here not only
surpasses all other writers but also shows what it is about David's
story that has drawn all those authors to it in the first place. As
a literary reader, Halpern is the first to capture the character of
David. As a historian, he is the first to explain why the biblical
author told David's story the way he did. Why, for example, does
the Bible minimize some of David's offenses but then openly
criticize him for adultery and murder? Halpern offers the first
plausible explanation of this crucial puzzle. This book is
brilliant. It is a century more advanced than any other book about
David. Halpern's grasp of ancient history writing and his own skill
at writing history are extraordinary. He sets a new standard by
which all future writing of biblical history must be carried out. .
. After reading Halpern you will see David's story as you've never
seen it before. " H.G.M. Williamson
"This book will breathe new life into what has become a sterile
debate about the history of King David. Drawing on a much wider
range of sources than previously cited in this connection, and with
a dazzling display of scholarly erudition mingled with the fruits
of his fertile historical imagination, Halpern has produced an
analysis and synthesis sure to provoke lively interest and open up
the subject of David to wider debate. "
In a dazzling display of erudition, Halpern, chairman of Jewish studies at Pennsylvania State University, dissects the story of David with sparkling, witty prose, using historical, textual, psychological and archaeological analysis. Brandishing his broad knowledge, Halpern mentions Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, Gregory Peck, Richard Gere, Bill Cosby, Joseph Heller, Disraeli and Hannibal Lecter, among others. He comments critically on the biblical narrative found in 1 and 2 Samuel and the second chapter of 1 Kings, asserting that it is contradictory, exaggerated and riddled with omissions. Conventional perceptions of David fault him for his affair with Bathsheba and for arranging the death of her husband, but generally portray him as a handsome, brave shepherd who became king and established Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Halpern elaborates and exploits the story of Bathsheba to paint David as a villain. He methodically demolishes any positive image of David, calling him a serial killer, thug, mercenary, adulterer, assassin, bandit, brigand and predator. Many sources are given to support these allegations but, surprisingly, Halpern fails to cite Robert Alter's excellent The David Story, which contains a full-blooded portrait of the Machiavellian king. While Halpern's picture of David is largely negative, he presents him as a complex biblical character who was "the first human being in world literature" but "not someone whom it would be wise to invite to dinner." Although Halpern forfeits accessibility by using such words as topos, paronomastically, circumvallations, therapon, epanalepsis, merismus, adyton and imbrication, this is an outstanding study. (June) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Publishers Weekly -- Starred Review
"In a dazzling display of erudition, Halpern dissects the story of
David with sparkling, witty prose, using historical, textual,
psychological, and archaeological analysis. Conventional
perceptions of David fault him for his affair with Bathsheba and
for arranging the death of her husband, but generally portray him
as a handsome, brave shepherd who became king and established
Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Halpern elaborates and exploits the
story of Bathsheba to paint David as a villain. He methodically
demolishes any positive image of David, calling him a serial
killer, thug, mercenary, adulterer, assassin, bandit, brigand, and
predator. . . An outstanding study. " Jonathan Kirsch in The Los
Angeles Times
"For any reader who is troubled by the notion that the Bible might
not be historically accurate or complete, there is both good news
and bad news in David's Secret Demons. . . Its author,
co-director of the archeological excavations at Megiddo, where the
Bible says the battle of Armageddon will occur, is among the most
accomplished and distinguished scholars of his generation, or any
generation. As both a biblical historian and a working
archeologist, he brings an unrivaled depth of scholarship to his
work. . . David's Secret Demons is an intellectual tour de
force that gathers all the strands of technical Bible scholarship
and ties them to the figure of David as he has been recalled and
celebrated in the whole sweep of Western civilization. Along the
way, Halpern displays an inventiveness and even a playfulness that
is rare in Bible scholarship. " Bible Review
"The book is exhaustively researched, covers enormous ground and is
brilliantly original, offering great reward to the brave reader."
Theological Studies
"This study shows not only that skeptical minimalism and credulous
biblicism are not only options in the current debate about ancient
Israel, but also that there is a future for biblical texts in the
reconstruction of history, when they are read in the light of other
ancient historical documents. . . Halpern has set a standard in the
critical use of both biblical and nonbiblical sources that his own
critics will find hard to match. This is the most promising
exercise in biblical historiography to appear in many years."
Journal of Biblical Literature
"Halpern has given us a new standard for the twenty-first century,
and this book will become the starting point for continuing
scholarly discussion on the life of David. It is a new benchmark,
and even those who are skeptical about the historicity of David and
about the value of the biblical account of David must engage and
refute Halpern's arguments in detail if they wish to be taken
seriously in the discussion. The book is erudite, thorough,
well-written, and a must-read for anyone interested in David's life
and the Bible's account of it." Old Testament Essays
"This eminently readable book arrives at the conclusion that 'you
certainly would not be happy to discover [David] was marrying your
daughter.' For all its humorous touches and analogies with
contemporary events, this is, however, a very erudite and
thought-provoking text, which proves beyond any doubt that
scholarship does not have to be boring. . . Halpern's book is
accessible, intellectually satisfying and beautifully written. . .
The text is both informative and wit-sharpening. This book will
edify both the interested layperson and the Biblical scholar."
Library Journal
"A scholarly, fascinating, and controversial study of the figure of
David in the Hebrew Scriptures. . . Sure to receive much scholarly
attention. Halpern's work can be profitably read by lay persons and
scholars alike. Recommended for both public and academic
libraries." Richard Ostling in the The Associated Press
"Halpern seeks to rescue the David of history by belittling him.
Halpern provides a vigorous historical case in favor of David's
existence. . . His interpretation of the Scriptures is skeptical,
even cynical. He sees the biblical history as political
'propaganda, ' so we should read between the lines to surmise what
the writers omitted. On that basis, he proposes, we know David
existed because the biblical writers were at such pains to explain
all-too-convenient deaths and dismiss other accusations that must
have been leveled against David. If no King David ever existed
there would never have been any need for such exertions, Halpern
reckons. He sees the David portrayed in the books of Samuel as a
sanitized man who never existed, but thinks a more rapacious and
problematic ruler did." Israel Finkelstein
"A sophisticated, engaging biography of David. The 'messiah/king'
confronted Goliath and stars in the windows of Gothic churches and
in Michelangelo's art. But the 'murderer/traitor'? Brilliantly
navigating between the dynasty's apologetic portrait and the early
defense of David against the accusations of his foes, Baruch
Halpern peels off the story layer by layer. He exploits all the
pertinent materials and disciplines: biblical literature,
extrabiblical Near Eastern sources, and archaeology. Against those
who question David's existence, Halpern brings the founder of the
Jerusalem dynasty back to life -- neither the saintly David nor the
anti-David, but simply the human David." Richard Elliott
Friedman
"Everyone is writing about David. Baruch Halpern here not only
surpasses all other writers but also shows what it is about David's
story that has drawn all those authors to it in the first place. As
a literary reader, Halpern is the first to capture the character of
David. As a historian, he is the first to explain why the biblical
author told David's story the way he did. Why, for example, does
the Bible minimize some of David's offenses but then openly
criticize him for adultery and murder? Halpern offers the first
plausible explanation of this crucial puzzle. This book is
brilliant. It is a century more advanced than any other book about
David. Halpern's grasp of ancient history writing and his own skill
at writing history are extraordinary. He sets a new standard by
which all future writing of biblical history must be carried out. .
. After reading Halpern you will see David's story as you've never
seen it before. " H.G.M. Williamson
"This book will breathe new life into what has become a sterile
debate about the history of King David. Drawing on a much wider
range of sources than previously cited in this connection, and with
a dazzling display of scholarly erudition mingled with the fruits
of his fertile historical imagination, Halpern has produced an
analysis and synthesis sure to provoke lively interest and open up
the subject of David to wider debate. "
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