Thus, in an early chapter, Israel discusses the first chapters of the I Kings, in which the main protagonist, King David, is elderly and infirm. Why, Israel quite rightly asks, are these chapters not the concluding sections of the previous book, II Samuel, in which the vast majority of David’s life is detailed? Two approaches are offered to understand the material, one political and the other religious, yet the reader senses that ascribing such a dichotomy to the Biblical text is somewhat forced. Is it not possible that both approaches are correct, and not necessarily mutually exclusive?
In a similar passage, Israel notes the threat posed by Adonijah, David’s son and self-appointed heir. Israel then carefully shows the correlation between this rebellion, which is ultimately thwarted, and the rebellion of Absalom, which ends tragically. The parallels are insightful; we are often guided by “result oriented thinking” and hence miss this important parallel. Yet Israel could have been more daring and gone further: After noting that both sons were “good looking,” he could have cited the Talmudic tradition that David had many children from “beautiful captive women.” This insight would draw a clear line of thought from the rebellious ways of David’s children back to David’s own impetuous behavior.
Indeed, Absalom’s mother was a foreign woman – see II Samuel 3:3. This, in turn, could take us as far back as Deuteronomy, to a newly-enlightened reading of the section regarding the king who takes many wives and its relationship with the consecutive sections several chapters later regarding the beautiful captive and the rebellious child.
I Kings: Torn in Twohas much to offer any reader seeking instruction and insight that is based upon, but not limited to, the classical commentaries. This volume will surely enlighten and enrich any reader’s understanding of the words of the prophets, it will fill a void, particularly for readers whose language skills do not allow them direct access to the classical commentaries, and will help bring the English-speaking audience back to an authentic understanding of the Book of Books.