Davids Truth

by Walter Brueggemann

Book Overview

In this completely revised edition of a true classic, Walter Brueggemann thoughtfully examines four different sets of David narratives. Each narrative reflects a particular social context, a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800618653
• ISBN13: 9780800618650
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishing
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Sociological and Literary analysis of David.

Ben Kickert. Review of Walter Brueggemann, David's Truth in Israel's Imagination and Memory, 2nd Edition (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002). Walter Brueggemann has revisited his original 1985 book David's Truth in Israel's Imagination and Memory with a second edition. This book, like the original edition, seeks to outline the polyvalent truth of King David through four different approaches and goals the people of Israel employed in describing and remembering their ultimate leader. Brueggemann uses a survey of various texts to outline four distinct portraits and corresponding "truths" of David; using these insights he then sketches how various groups use each in projecting a story that is most compatible and helpful for their needs. Readers should not assume that Bruggemann's use of the term "truth" has anything to do with historical facts or actual events. In fact, by his own admission, the author is uninterested in the historical David and believes such pursuits are fatally flawed and fruitless (1-3). Rather than conduct a historical quest for the person of David, Brueggemann has chosen to approach the project through a sociological and literary lens. This in effect focuses the study on the story of David, the underlying motives and purposes of those who constructed the story, and how people have related to and understood these stories. This book is laid out in four sections to correspond with the four approaches people, especially the people of Israel, have taken to David. The first section entitled "The Trustful Truth of the Tribe" looks at the rise of David as seen in 1 Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel 5:5. The second section is entitled "The Painful Truth of the Man" and outlines the struggles of the Davidic monarchy by tracing 2 Samuel 8-20 and 1 Kings 1-2. The author uses the third chapter, "The Sure Truth of the State" to describe how the story of David was used by the monarchy, especially in 2 Samuel 5:6-8:18. Finally, "The Hopeful Truth of the Assembly" looks at post-exilic texts like Psalms 89 and 132, Lamentations 3:21-27, Isaiah 55:3 and 1 Chronicles 10-29 to describe how the people of God recast the story of David after the fall of the monarchy. For Brueggemann, the opening scenes of the David narrative serve to reinforce the perpetual hope for the underdog. He uses his first chapter to show how the people of Israel set forth this encouraging story of a nobody rising to the highest level in order to reinforce tribal hope and give confidence to the causes of the everyday people. While the author does not explicitly say it, it is obvious he views the early story of David's rise in much the same way modern readers might view a fairy tale or fable: it is an entertaining story that leaves a positive vision of the way things can or should be. Brueggemann uses this concept of tribe and tribal roots in much the same way we might understand a hometown hero; by living vicariously through a person like us, we can realize an "alternative s

An informative examination of four different David texts

Now in an new and updated second edition, David's Truth: In Israel's Imagination And Memory by Walter Brueggemann (William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia) is a scholarly and informative examination of four different David texts. Professor Brueggemann accessibly offers a summary, interpretation, and blunt, unedited raw truths about the man and his era. A recommended addition to Old Testament studies shelves for scholarly studies, David's Truth is also highly recommended reading for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in Old Testament Studies in general, and biblical character and history of King David in particular.

David's Truth--Many Parts Make a Whole

Serious students of the Old Testament will enjoy searching out the 'truth' along with Walter Brueggemann, Bible scholar. I read this book as background for teaching a series on David for children and adults at my church. There were four sections, with references to the Bible verses they covered.First, was the 'trustful truth of the tribe'--namely David's was the ultimate story of an outsider making it to the top: from obscure shepard to king of a united Israel. Those who feel themselves on the margins of society can take heart from David's ascent.Next there is the 'painful truth of the man' as David sins and repents. David is a very human example of what God is looking for in us, which is different from what we are looking for in Him.The third truth is the 'sure truth of the state' which includes the principles David upheld both as ruler and in our memory, shaping our heritage, and our opinions of rulers since. Lastly there is the 'hopeful truth of the assembly' with emphasis on how David valued worship and relationship with God, making them the core of his life and being.I took a slow, 2-week tour through this book; it is not an easy read, but well worth the effort.