The Historical David: The Real Life of an Invented Hero

DavidisoneofthemostcelebratedcharactersintheBible.WeknowhimasthebraveyoungmanwhodefeatedGoliath,thefirstkingofaunitedIsrael,thecomposerofthebelovedPsalms,and,forChristians,themessianicforerunnertoJesus.AndyetforallthegloryweattributetoDavid'slegend,thehistoricalrealityisbothfascinatinganddisturbing.InTheHistoricalDavid,JoelBadenrevealsthat,inDavid'scase,theBibleispoliticalspin,"thegoalofwhichistoabsolveDavidofanypotentialguiltandtoshowhiminapositivelight."Throughdeeptextualanalysis,BadenrevealshowthehistoricalDavidhasbeenpainstakinglyandsuccessfullydiminished,replacedbytheportraitofagloriouskingwearenowfamiliarwith.ToquestionDavid'slegendopensupadebateaboutwhatitmeanstobeadescendantofDavid—beitnationally,ethnically,orreligiously.InTheHistoricalDavid,Badenconfrontsthischallenge,bringingthehistoricalDavidvibrantlytolife,andultimatelyrevealingthattheflesh-and-bloodmanwasfarmorecomplexandinterestingthanthemythicalking.