The Darker Side of Samuel, Saul and David

Now the sequel Here we watch David become king over Israel. But the table is set for a rather unappetizing meal where brutality, intrigue and questionable morality and ethics are served. We see the turning point and the decline of David's power and possibly his virtue. Like so many in biblical narrative, he does not end well. Leaders take warning: integrity matters. How we respond to God's rules of engagement and how we treat others – especially the disenfranchised – will determine the difference between greatness and mediocrity and how our lives will be evaluated. As with the previous volume, this book can be utilized as a commentary and an aid to the student of Second Samuel, or each section can be read and reflected upon in isolation. I will continue my efforts to be personable but professional, playful but pointed, impassioned at times but always thought provoking. Dr. Vreeland received his Ph.D. from Trinity International University in Theological Studies (Old Testament) in 1994. He served for four academic years at the Nairobi International School of Theology. He then joined the faculty of Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, Washington) and has concluded eight years there (July '08) as Associate Professor of Semitic Languages and Biblical Literature. He teaches Hebrew, Aramaic and English Bible and related topics. So far as the Church is concerned, his love is serious biblical study as related to integrity and leadership – hence this work on Second Samuel and its prequel on First Samuel. Dr. Vreeland has been married for 27 years to the love of his life, Donna – who is still the finest English Bible scholar on the planet and to whom this volume is gratefully dedicated. They have three grown children.