Monthly Archives: November 2016

Baden-a new nation founded

Posted on November 30, 2016 by

I am reading Joel Baden’s The Historical David. I have come to the point where David conquers the old kingdom of Saul in the north. Here is a summary of the events as Baden sees them: The situation is that … Continue reading →

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I judge Fidel Castro

Posted on November 28, 2016 by

Who is a good person and who is a bad person? I was thinking about King David, a morally ambiguous historical figure. I was also thinking about Fidel Castro, a leader who some remember as a great leader in spite … Continue reading →

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Baden-what happened at Hebron?

Posted on November 28, 2016 by

Joel Baden’s The Historical David gives us a helpful and simple outline of David’s rise. First he was a mercenary for Israel and King Saul. Then he was a rebel against Saul. After that he became an outlaw barely surviving. … Continue reading →

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Baden-did David kill Saul?

Posted on November 21, 2016 by

This is the week of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.  It is a family gathering time, and we have family coming in.  So this will probably be my only post this week.  I continue with Joel Baden’s The … Continue reading →

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Baden-David in survival mode

Posted on November 18, 2016 by

If I disagree with Joel Baden, in his The Historical David, point by point it will get tiresome. It will also give the wrong impression. I basically agree with him that the story of David’s rise is propaganda and that … Continue reading →

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Baden-David’s love life

Posted on November 16, 2016 by

Joel Baden’s The Historical David is still my topic. I have called this “David’s love life”, but it’s not about the Bathsheba incident, which will come later. Baden notes how often in the story it is said that someone loved … Continue reading →

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Baden-history and embellishment

Posted on November 15, 2016 by

Joel Baden’s book, The Historical David, is my current reading project. The presence of the Philistines in Gaza gives the context for the stories about David and Saul. From sources outside the Bible we know that the Philistine presence in … Continue reading →

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Baden-reconstructing David’s setting

Posted on November 14, 2016 by

I am reading Joel Baden’s The Historical David. This is one of several attempts to reconstruct the actual events that happened about a thousand years before the Christian era and gave rise to the dynasty that ruled Judah for a … Continue reading →

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Going home behind the curtain

Posted on November 12, 2016 by

To my surprise, with everything else that is going on this week, I am still grieving for Leonard Cohen. Five of six years ago he was thinking about mortality.  This is not surprising.  He was in his late 70s.  He … Continue reading →

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Leonard Cohen-Rest in Shalom

Posted on November 11, 2016 by

Just a few weeks ago I posted about Leonard Cohen’s new song, “You Want it Darker”. Now, last night word came of his death. His music and lyrics always had a Jewish background.  Lately this had become even more so. I … Continue reading →

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