Thus, McKenzie's version of the David story "reads like a modern soap opera, with plenty of sex, violence, and struggles for power." McKenzie's arguments are based on ancient inscriptions and archaeological artifacts that shed light on the biblical stories of David's reign-and on the Bible stories themselves. McKenzie maintains that David was in fact tyrannical to the bone. Taking a stance against this traditional view, Hebrew scholar Steven L. King David: A Biography is a revisionist account of a life that has been viewed as heroic throughout history. "synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title. David's story, writes McKenzie, "reads like a modern soap opera, with plenty of sex, violence, and struggles for power." Throughout his scandalous reign, important figures who stood in his way died at convenient times, under questionable circumstances. While instituting a full-blown Middle Eastern monarchy, David was an aggressive leader, a devious politician, and a ruthless war chief. Similarly, McKenzie reveals how David's ascent to power, traditionally attributed to popularity and divine blessing, in fact resulted from a campaign of terror and assassination.
McKenzie shows that the story of humble beginnings is utterly misleading: "shepherd" is a metaphor for "king," and David came from a wealthy, upper-class background. This David was not the humble shepherd who slew Goliath and became king, however, but was a usurper, adulterer, and murderer-a Middle Eastern despot of a familiar type.
McKenzie concludes that David was indeed a real person. Even his own sons were not spared.ĭavid's story, writes McKenzie, "reads like a modern soap opera, with plenty of sex, violence, and struggles for power.Through a close and critical reading of biblical texts, ancient history, and recent archeological discoveries, Steven L.
Through a close and critical reading of biblical texts, ancient history, and recent archeological discoveries, Steven L.
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