Israel Finkelstein

David's Secret Demons

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“A sophisticated, engaging biography of David. The 'messiah/king' confronted Goliath and stars in the windows of Gothic churches and in Michelangelo's art. But the 'murderer/traitor'? Brilliantly navigating between the dynasty's apologetic portrait and the early defense of David against the accusations of his foes, Baruch Halpern peels off the story layer by layer. He exploits all the pertinent materials and disciplines: biblical literature, extrabiblical Near Eastern sources, and archaeology. Against those who question David's existence, Halpern brings the founder of the Jerusalem dynasty back to life — neither the saintly David nor the anti-David, but simply the human David.”