The story of David is the greatest single narrative representation in antiquity of a human life evolving by slow stages through time. In its main character it provides the first full-length portrait of a Machiavellian prince in Western literature. The beautiful, musical David, the resourceful slayer of Goliath, loved by all, reveals himself as a calculating political animal. To advance his own cause, he becomes a collaborator with the archenemies of Israel, the Philistines. Later he commits adultory with Bathsheba and compounds the betrayal with murder. He exposes himself repeatedly to humiliation, oscillates between noble sentiment and harsh vindictiveness, and with his dying breath charges his son Solomon to wreak bloody vengeance on his enemies. This translation and commentary enables a great literary work to emerge from the Bible and stand on its own.
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There are countless good reasons to read The David Story, Robert Alter's new translation of the story of King David (beginning in I Samuel and ending in I Kings 2). In the book's introduction, Alter contends that the story of David is "probably the greatest single narrative representation in antiquity of a human life evolving by slow stages through time, shaped and altered by the pressures of political life, public institutions, family, the impulses of body and spirit, the eventual sad decay of the flesh. It also provides the most unflinching insight into the cruel processes of history and into human behavior warped by the pursuit of power." Alter's translation is more literal than the King James version, which makes his rendering of Scripture newly immediate and jarring. (When Samuel anoints David in I Samuel 16, for instance, "the spirit of the LORD gripped David from that day onward.") This David Story is worth reading for the footnotes alone, which describe in vivid detail the mechanics of sheep-shearing festivals, sacrificial feasts, and other cultural phenomena that add depth and life to this familiar story. --Michael Joseph Gross
From Library Journal
In his latest effort, Alter (Hebrew and comparative literature, Univ. of California, Berkeley) has produced a compelling literary translation of the story of the beginnings of the ancient Israelite monarchy and of one of the Bible's most colorful characters. He argues hereAas he did previously, in his translation of Genesis (LJ 8/96)Athat this story is a literary whole rather than merely a stitched-together collection of independent bits. Alter's translation bears a resemblance to the King James Version (sans "thee" and "thou"), which he considers a true literary translation. But in many instances, his version surpasses King James's by more accurately reproducing the rhythm, syntactical arrangement, and word plays of the Hebrew text. His faithful representation of the Hebrew wawAtranslated as "and"Agives a sense of the story's forward movement and leaves some current translations, in which subordinate clauses often obscure the waw, seeming flat. This is a translation for readers; recommended for all collections.ACraig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
And there was a man from Ramathaim-zophim, from the high country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
And there was a man from Ramathaim-zophim, from the high country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
By Rodge
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Alter provides a fine rendering of the text of I and II Samuel, giving us a modern translation that does its level best to bring Hebrew texture to modern English. That being said, there is the story of the text and then there is the story of the commentary. Alter takes a decidedly cynical view of David - David is declared "Machiavellian" in the introduction and all his words and actions are interpreted politically throughout, unless there is no political motivation. There are interesting insights to be sure - noticing the subtle changes between orders given and orders carried out in the Bathsheba episode, for instance.
Alter gets the political and kingly side of David right, but gives the human short shrift, other than portraying David's decline in the latter part of II Samuel. I would advise to enjoy the text and use the commentary judiciously.
Alter gets the political and kingly side of David right, but gives the human short shrift, other than portraying David's decline in the latter part of II Samuel. I would advise to enjoy the text and use the commentary judiciously.
By DAVID MCKEE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a thoughtful and insightful translation. In fact, this is Robert Alter at his best, insisting that we see the scriptures as a literary text with literary ambitions and techniques. The translation is free of the desire to create purple prose passages, and is based on deeply considered textual analysis. It was both very enjoyable to read, and a revelation as to the meaning of the text. Definitely a book for anyone interested in the Books of Samuel.
By Pedro Sostre
Format:Paperback
I picked this up while doing study of David and I and II Samuel and it proved to be a interesting reference point, with all the commentary, as well as providing a great alternative text. The attempt to closely preserve the nuances of the original language made the reading more interesting, but also a bit daunting.
Overall, I highly recommend it for anyone interested in getting deeper into the David story.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for those interested in the Bible
Most versions of the biblical text succeed either because of a superb translation or because of thought provoking commentary. Read more
Published on July 23 2001 by J. A Magill
5.0 out of 5 stars
nicely compiled textual guide
_The_David_Story_ by Professor Alter provides a nicely balanced translation and commentary for the books of Samuel. Read more
Published on Jan 24 2001 by G W Thielman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Understanding the Story
This is the second book by Robert Alter that I have read--the other being his commentary on Genesis--and what I enjoy most is the way that he gets to the meaning of the STORY. Read more
Published on Dec 8 2000 by Bobby Winters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feast for the Mind
The stories of Samuel, Saul, and David are high points of Biblical narrative, and Robert Alter's superb new translation with commentary is geared to make the slightest nuances of... Read more
Published on Dec 6 2000 by David Richter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reading David ...
Okay, so I get hung up on odd things when I approach such a book. How shall I read it? being the major thing. Read more
Published on July 10 2000 by "copperphyle"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fire in the text
Having enjoyed Robert Alter's translation of Genesis I approached 'The David Story' with keen anticipation. Read more
Published on Jun 27 2000 by Michael JR Jose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scholarly translation and fascinating commentary
I found this book to be a fascinating read. The author makes use of multiple texts, including the Qumran scrolls, to search for the most accurate translation. Read more
Published on April 1 2000
3.0 out of 5 stars
Take what You Like and Leave the Rest
The best way to approach this book, in my opinion, is to take what you like and leave the rest. The author is a fine Biblical scholar and it's no surprise that there's much here... Read more
Published on Mar 22 2000 by Michael Ryle
4.0 out of 5 stars
provocative, fascinating
Contemporary English used, with a fine sense of nuance. The woman to whom Saul goes in his final days, hoping for some assurance from the shade of Samuel, is here terms the... Read more
Published on Feb 28 2000
1.0 out of 5 stars
Fair But Not The Best Commentary
I carefully read this commentary, while comparing it verse by verse to others in my library. I was disappointed with the scholarship and translation work. Read more
Published on Feb 23 2000 by Leon Mazza
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