With extraordinary range and literary energy, the story of Absaloms rebellion in 2 Samuel ranks as the most elaborate and extensively narrated internal political event in the Hebrew Bible, complete with a host of scandalous and sordid events: illicit sex, murder, cover-up, petty crime, to name a few. For many students approaching the historical books of the Bible, however, texts often fail to address the vitality of this most turbulent period of King Davids career. Bodner addresses this shortcoming with his The Rebellion of Absalom, a lively analysis of the early monarchy of Israel, written by a recognized commentator of the Bibles historical books. Concise and insightful, each chapter incrementally focuses on the stages of Davids rise to power and Absaloms early life and rebellion. Crucial issues in the development of Israels monarchy are embedded in this story, including:
royal legitimation
divine election
succession
usurpation
divine and human punishment.
The Rebellion of Absalom is a student-friendly, culturally savvy approach to one of the most important episodes in deciding how the kings of Israel would be determined throughout the monarchic period.
