Has Joab Foiled David?: A Literary Study of the Importance of Joab’s Character in Relation to David

by Michael A. Eschelbach

Was David a good man ruined by the negative influence of the evil villain Joab or was David himself the villain who cast his dark shadow wrongfully over Joab? The depth and complexity of David’s character is more clearly observed and appreciated through this careful reading of the texts describing Joab as his foil. This book provides a wealth of information regarding character studies, a new perspective on David, and a groundbreaking study of Joab. Courses in biblical studies, especially literary or historical, will find this text most helpful.

122 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2005

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I gave this book such a high review because it was exactly what I was looking for at this exact moment. Maybe I gave it such a high review because it's just that good.

Eschelbach does a good job of sticking to the Biblical text and avoiding any presuppositions when dealing with the often over-looked character of Joab as he relates to David.

He makes strong arguements in defense of Joab, not as being blameless, but as being a literary foil for David. That said, at the end of this study there is a chance the reader will come out with a higher regard for Joab then when he went into it.

Though I personally disagree with a few of his conclusions, I agree with the majority. In both cases, his arguements are thorough and convincing.

I highly recommend this to anyone studying the Character of David, or doing a study on the narratives of I and II Samuel and I and II Kings.