Invention of Monotheist Ethics
Exploring the Second Book of Samuel
Invention of Monotheist Ethics
Exploring the Second Book of Samuel
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Publisher: University Press of America
ISBN: 9780761849247
Number of Pages: 360
Published: 04/12/2009
Width: 18.1 cm
Height: 25.7 cm
The Invention of Monotheist Ethics, Volume I presents a comprehensive analysis of the Biblical Book of Samuel. Usually taken to be a socio-political history of ancient Israel during a turbulent century of change, The Invention of Monotheist Ethics contends that beneath this surface level the true focus of Samuel is a profound appraisal of power, its seductive appeal and its drastic limitations. Thus Samuel emerges as a radical critique of our power-based world, and the way we, its inhabitants, order our lives. Taken together with the contention that the Book of Samuel was written by a woman, the Biblical book emerges as a woman's critique of a man's world. This assessment concludes by proposing an alternative to the world we know: a world based on care and concern. Relying on recent sociological studies, this work explores the ramifications of an ethic based on care rather than justice.
Chapter 1 ACT FOUR: DAVID THE GREAT Chapter 2 19. The Paths of Glory: The Curtain Rises Chapter 3 20. The Paths of Glory: Brother Against Brother Chapter 4 21. The Paths of Glory: The Making of a King Chapter 5 22. The Paths of Glory: David Triumphant Chapter 6 23. Reaching for Something Higher - Excursus VII: The Tent Shrine Chapter 7 24. To Build A House for God Chapter 8 25. The Course of Empire - Excursus VIII: David's War Machine Chapter 9 26. Interlude: Keeping Faith With Them That Sleep in the Dust Chapter 10 27. The Course of Empire II: The Loosing of the Blood-Dimmed Tide Chapter 11 ACT FIVE: THE FALL OF THE KING Chapter 12 28. The Bathsheba Affair Chapter 13 29. Before the Bar of Justice Chapter 14 30. Rape and Revenge Chapter 15 31. The Fugitive's Return Chapter 16 32. The Man Who Would Be King Chapter 17 33. The Day of the Mercenaries Chapter 18 34. The Return of the King: Planting the Seeds Chapter 19 35. The Return of the King: Reaping Bitter Fruit Chapter 20 EPILOGUE: The Alternative Vision Chapter 21 36. The Martyrdom of the House of Saul Chapter 22 37. The Sweet Singer of Israel Chapter 23 38. The Sweet Singer of Israel: Twenty Years Later Chapter 24 39. David's Heroes: The Halls of Fame Chapter 25 40. The Ancient Sacrifice Chapter 26 CONCLUSIONS Chapter 27 Toward a New Conception of Morality Chapter 28 Postscript: The Death of the King Chapter 29 APPENDIX 1: Psalm 34 Chapter 30 APPENDIX 2: Psalm 51 Chapter 31 APPENDIX 3: Who's Who in Samuel: A Listing of the Cast Chapter 32 APPENDIX 4: Timeline - Keeping Track of When it Happened Chapter 33 APPENDIX 5: Timeline - Putting Things in Perspective Chapter 34 Glossary of Terms and Place Names Chapter 35 Selected Bibliography Chapter 36 Index of Scriptural References Chapter 37 General Index Chapter 38 About the Author
[Millgram]?wonderfully integrates an explanation of the relevant historical background of the book and includes an analysis of the concepts necessary for a deep understanding of the text. The author also deliberates?the literary, historical and religioussignificance of Samuel?giv[ing] no little attention to the linguistic and textual problems in order to explain words, expressions and difficult concepts whose significance requires elucidation, comparing the text we have with those that exist in ancienttranslations of the Bible (the Septuagint, the Vulgate) or by examining the medieval Jewish commentaries and modern non-Jewish expositors. A unique work that every reader?will enjoy reading immensely, and?will learn much from it about this literary creation in particular, and about the Bible in general. -- Shlomo Sharan, professor emeritus, Tel-Aviv University, professor emeritus, Tel-Aviv University A beautifully written exegesis...The Biblical characters come alive, and careful research and original translation clarify both the social structural, cultural, and psychological factors that contextualize the author's explanation...a significant contribution to our understanding of this biblical period both in terms of history and social science. -- Judith Porter, PhD, Professor Emerita of sociology, Bryn Mawr College [Millgram]...wonderfully integrates an explanation of the relevant historical background of the book and includes an analysis of the concepts necessary for a deep understanding of the text. The author also deliberates...the literary, historical and religious significance of Samuel...giv[ing] no little attention to the linguistic and textual problems in order to explain words, expressions and difficult concepts whose significance requires elucidation, comparing the text we have with those that exist in ancient translations of the Bible (the Septuagint, the Vulgate) or by examining the medieval Jewish commentaries and modern non-Jewish expositors.
A unique work that every reader...will enjoy reading immensely, and...will learn much from it about this literary creation in particular, and about the Bible in general. -- Shlomo Sharan, professor emeritus, Tel-Aviv University, professor emeritus, Tel-Aviv University
