David

“Ben Johnson is fully abreast of scholarship on David, yet wears his learning lightly. In this sophisticated, nuanced, and probing study, he lucidly and accessibly engages both general readers and students. We are given a deeper and richer understanding of David than we had previously.”


—Walter Moberly, Durham University





“For the past decade, Dr. Johnson has been on the frontlines of research into the endlessly fascinating character of King David and his remarkable supporting cast, and this new book promises to be a most helpful and up-to-date guide for students and scholars alike with its engaging reading of this incomparable story containing a wealth of insights—and even some surprising pop culture references!”


—Keith Bodner, Crandall University





“‘Who is David?’ It is a question posed by both the biblical text and modern readers. With insight and wit, Benjamin Johnson helps us to see how David is presented in the books of Samuel. The David who emerges is neither saint nor villain, but rather a complex figure of potential strength and weakness. Johnson’s careful reading helps us understand both who David is and why he remains a crucial figure for readers today.”


—David G. Firth, Trinity College Bristol





“The best concise introduction to the biblical figure of David now available. Johnson is a judicious, wise, literarily sensitive interpreter. He situates his treatment expertly within contemporary scholarship and provides insightful questions for further reflection at the end of each chapter, perfect for teaching. Johnson maintains that David is hardly a saint in the Bible’s depiction and nonetheless God’s chosen—helpfully troubling the moralism of our cultural moment.”


—Stephen B. Chapman, Duke University