1 Samuel as Christian Scripture
Subtitle: A Theological Commentary
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: Apr 24, 2016
Place of publication: Grand Rapids, MI
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 360
ISBN-13: 9780802837455; 9781467445160
Copyright date: 2016
Description: In this theological commentary on 1 Samuel, Stephen Chapman probes the tension between religious conviction and political power through the characters of Saul and David. Saul, Chapman argues, embodies civil religion, a form of belief that is ultimately captive to the needs of the state. David, on the other hand, stands for a vital religious faith that can support the state while still maintaining a theocentric freedom. Chapman offers a robustly theological and explicitly Christian reading of 1 Samuel, carefully studying the received Hebrew text to reveal its internal logic. He shows how the book's artful narrative explores the theological challenge presented by the emergence of the monarchy in ancient Israel. Chapman also illuminates the reception of the David tradition, both in the Bible and in later history: even while David as king becomes a potent symbol for state power, his biblical portrait continues to destabilize civil religion.
Notes: 9780802837455 (pbk.)
080283745X (pbk.)
9781467445160 (e-book)
1467445169 (e-book)

The Academy of Parish Clergy 2016 Reference Book of the Year
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Part one : Taking up the task.; title: 1. Reading 1 Samuel as a book; title: Part two : Reading 1 Samuel closely.; title: 2. 1 Samuel 1-12; title: 3. 1 Samuel 13-20; title: 4. 1 Samuel 21-31; title: Part three : Reflecting on history and theology.; title: 5. 1 Samuel and the Christian faith