The Invention of Monotheist Ethics, Volume II: Exploring the Second Book of Samuel

[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 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, Ph.D., 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

This book, Volume II of II, presents a comprehensive analysis of the Biblical Book of Samuel. Usually taken as a sociopolitical history of ancient Israel during a century of change, this book contends that, at a deeper level, Samuel is a profound appraisal of the appeal and limitations of power.