David: The Divided Heart (Jewish Lives)

A reexamination of the biblical David, legendary warrior, poet, and king, by one of America’s most respected rabbis

Of all the figures in the Bible, David arguably stands out as the most perplexing and enigmatic. He was many things: a warrior who subdued Goliath and the Philistines; a king who united a nation; a poet who created beautiful, sensitive verse; a loyal servant of God who proposed the great Temple and founded the Messianic line; a schemer, deceiver, and adulterer who freely indulged his very human appetites.
 
David Wolpe, whom Newsweek called “the most influential rabbi in America,” takes a fresh look at biblical David in an attempt to find coherence in his seemingly contradictory actions and impulses. The author questions why David holds such an exalted place in history and legend, and then proceeds to unravel his complex character based on information found in the book of Samuel and later literature. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of an exceptional human being who, despite his many flaws, was truly beloved by God.

• Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives (Overtures to Biblical Theology)
• The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel
• Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their Stories
• Introduction to the Historical Books: Strategies for Reading
• Ancient Israel: The Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings: A Translation with Commentary
• Why Faith Matters
• Making Loss Matter : Creating Meaning in Difficult Times
• Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Third Edition - The Deuteronomistic History
• King David: The Real Life of the Man Who Ruled Israel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
• The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary (Vol. Three-Volume Set)