The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel

Ok...I am a big fan of Robert Alter and enjoyed his Genesis Translation and Commentary. However, I am half-way through "The David Story" and I am not overly impressed or blown away by anything I have read thus far. It's a decent commentary/translation but it does not stand out as a premiere one and I would make my choices with several others before choosing this. Much of his commentary chooses to single out expressions and words which are already clearly interpreted without help. For example: "battle forces" is literally "battle" (pg. 21). This is repeated throughout his commentary and, in all honesty, isn't anything that you couldn't get from a generic commentary.I was really hoping that he would delve into the actual language, chiastic structures, parallelism, and etc. Bring us deeper into the poetic discourse that is the combined books of Samuel. Unfortunately, this does not happen.My BIGGEST gripe is the quality of the book. I only have three or four books that are made of the materials this book is made out of. The paper is extremely thin, feels recycled, and I was very surprised based on the price of the book. This is not what I expected. Even the covers feel to be made out of a recycled material.Anyway...I could write a big scholarly review, but I prefer to read "to the point" reviews. If anything changes I will edit my review once I am finished reading the book.

After reading Robert Alter's work on the Pentateuch, "The Five Books of Moses," I noted at the time that for someone wishing to take up the Scriptures for the first time, it would be wise to do so under the literary and scholarly guidance of such a man of letters. This advice is equally true for "The David Story," the title Alter gives to his translation of the two books of Samuel.The novice reader will find the Samuel narrative a virtual seamless garment, predating Aristotle's "Poetics" but adhering to its principles of unity of motion and catharsis. Looking at the entire Judaeo-Christian canon of Biblical literature, one can make the argument that the Samuel books, plus the opening chapters of 1 Kings which follow, comprise the most tightly knit and psychologically gripping narrative of the Bible.Theologically speaking, the original author was probably of the Deuternomic school of Israel's history, a conservative outlook on Israel's history whose writings [including Deuteronomy itself] appeared much later than the events they covered, perhaps around 600 BCE when the Jewish monarchy had wandered far afield from the ideals of Sinai and terrifying consequences were massing just beyond the horizon.The Samuel narratives succeed the Book of Judges, itself a summary of the two-hundred year era of uncertain Israelite governance whose leaders or "judges" juggled identities as prophets, military leaders, and community cultic organizers. 1 Samuel begins with the remarkable birth of the book's namesake, Samuel, who judged Israel throughout his life and was successful in recovering the pilfered Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines. In 1 Samuel 8 the old judge/prophet attempted a dynastic arrangement by establishing his sons in succession as judges, but the elders demanded a king. Neither Samuel [nor evidently the Lord Himself] thought this a wise move, though the hand of the Almighty is clearly in the selection and job description of young King Saul, Israel's first monarch.1 Samuel introduces us to Saul, Israel's first true king and the Bible's first true Peter Principle personality: deeply insecure, probably mentally ill, and unnerved by a young up-and-coming fighter in his ranks who slew the notorious Goliath with a shrewd military ploy that obviously advanced his standing among the fighting men. David's rise in stature corresponds to Saul's increasing paranoia; that his own son Jonathan loved David as a brother certainly complicated matters. But almost in spite of himself Saul came to love David, too, in the kind of relationship that could only mean death for one or the other. The exiled and hunted David rallies his fortunes with the strength of God that Samuel's premature anointing had assured, and he returns from a foreign land with a savagely recruited army and eventually takes Saul's throne--though the denouement of Saul is Greek tragedy as much as Jewish history.The Deuternomic author is respectful of David the king though it is important to note that some of David's finest hours were getting to the throne. In 2 Samuel, which cover's David's reign exclusively, the King enjoys a communion with the Lord that is unique among all the kings of Israel. That said, his personal life is hardly saintly: he laments that the Lord has no proper housing but proceeds to build his own residence instead. Far worse, he commits adultery and murder in the Uriah/Bathsheba episode, and though he does take rebuke and mortal retribution through the intervention of the prophet Nathan, Alter sees the Bathsheba/Uriah events as the beginning of David's moral and political deterioration. As David approached death his power was so precarious that succession of Solomon to the throne was no sure thing. The story of that "royal succession," such as it was, is contained herein with considerable detail. Modern readers will probably see David's farewell advice to Solomon as "taking care of family business" akin to Vito Corleone's final counsel to his son, Michael.Alter fully appreciates the literary gem that is the Samuel narrative; his translation is sterling. But it is his commentary that draws special attention. A lesser scholar might have obstructed the text with too much technicality or worse, obscured the artwork with too much commentary. Alter always seems to find the right balance, as he does in his commentary on the Pentateuch. His own treatment draws the reader to those subtle points of the text or the narrative that make the story compelling. His footnote on 1 Kings 1:11 for example [366], contrasts Bathsheba's courtly role in David's prime with her new and rather ambiguous position in David's old age--a critical piece of the puzzle in her son Solomon's ascension to the throne.Alter is a masterful commentator but he is equally successful in his restraint: he does not preach, he does not draw premature conclusions, and he does not tell his reader the "correct spin." He is that rarest of Biblical scholars, one who understands that God's revelation comes in the form of history and art. In that respect he would never intrude upon the reader's initial visceral reaction to this compelling drama, for the emotional or affective power is precisely the content of the Revelation. Not for nothing did the psalmist speak of "fear of the Lord" rather than "comprehension of the plan."As a Roman Catholic reader I am aware that as late as a century ago my tradition was guilty of "proof-texting." Perhaps in reaction to this methodology Catholic theology, particularly pastoral writing, has become guilty of excessive "theme texting" through the twentieth century. Alter subtly makes the case for Biblical experience, pure and simple, as the gateway to a wisdom that does justice.

Most versions of the biblical text succeed either because of a superb translation or because of thought provoking commentary. David Alter gives the world one of those rare treatments that succeeds on both scores and provides a truly important addition to biblical scholarship.Alter's analysis of the language can be a true bridge for those who want to know the text but do not speak Hebrew. By pointing out to the reader places where the language is unclear, he lets him or her make the choice of what the texts real meaning is. Only the Everett Fox translation is equal or superior.As for commentary, Alter's literary critique of the text helps bring it to life and helps the reader understand how those in the period of redaction read the text.Alter has already made many noteworthy contributions to biblical scholarship. With this work, he assures his place in the illustrious pantheon of important biblical scholars.

I’m preaching the continuous OT lectionary commentary this year and a big part is the David narratives. This is by far the best textual / literary commentary. Alter isn’t a Christian but if you want to know what is going on in the text on a literary and rhetorical level there is absolutely no one better.

A compelling story. Every student of literature should read this. Alter's commentary explains so much. Before reading, listen to Alter's lecture on the art of Biblical poetry.

When Robert Alter writes comments about the text and content of Bible stories, he speaks on the basis of broad knowledge of the language and culture of ancient Israel coupled with deep understanding of the literary forms that shape the stories internally and in relation to each other. Alter's "The David Story," translation and commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel is, among other things, a good read. Alter's translation is extremely readable all by itself. In his comments he reveals problems with the various manuscripts that contribute to translation challenges. He also applies literary analysis that assist the reader to hear the story as a story, not just a raw Bible fact.I highly recommend this book to anybody who is serious about studying the Bible or about telling Bible stories authentically.

I’d often thought of trying to write a "David Story" (without the expertise to do so) and was pleased to discover Robert Alter has already done it (in this translation of Samuel plus a bit of Kings). His contention is that the Hebrew Bible is literature, and his masterly translation amply proves his point. I was raised on the lofty diction of the King James Version; Alter's translation, based on solid Hebrew scholarship and drawing on a broad background in "world literature" is not "lofty", but certainly possesses its own gravitas. Its style corresponds to no current vernacular; it is somewhat archaising (David "sallies forth" a lot), conversely unnamed extras are referred to as "lads", who are often deputed to mind the "gear". Copious easy-to-access notes explain the nuances of the Hebrew, insofar as one can tell at this remove, as well as the uncertainties of the Masoretic text; on one hand, he deals soberly with a venereal discharge, while bravely facing up to "pissing against the wall". I used to be fascinated by the coloured maps at the back of the Bible, but never really got to grips with biblical topography; a pity, because Samuel is full of proper/place names. The notes help out with these — though I was never able to situate them all. But the fact the narrative is so punctiliously documented, with even minor characters named, and its wealth of detail, lend the story great (albeit just possibly spurious) credibility. The text is structured in the manner of a folktale, and may contain interpolations; in many cases, it is obscure and possibly corrupt. Yet in Alter's translation, it is hard not to be convinced that it represents some ancient reality.

I spent a month studying the history of David, King of Israel and later of Judah. This was an invaluable aid. Professor Alter's commentary was beautiful: clear and helpful but avoiding prolixity. I shall treasure this book and return to it time and again.

Oooh it’s good 😁✅

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.

Good