Cephas Tushima provides a thorough analysis of the fate of Saul's heirs, focussing on whether their tragedies were due to continuing divine retribution, coincidence, or Davidic orchestration. He concludes that David was unjust and calculating in his dealings with the Saulides and, like other Near Eastern usurpers, perpetrated heinous injustices against the vanquished house of Saul. Traditionally readers saw Saul as evil and David as a hero; but more recently scholars have written about Saul as a tragic character and David as a villain, turning the book of Samuel into deeply contested interpretive territory. Tushima provides analysis of the critical literature surrounding this contentious issue and contributes his own study that will prove important to the continuing debate. He assesses David's character by analysing how he treats the surviving children of his predecessor, drawing upon the provisions for justice in the covenant community in the book of Deuteronomy. He demonstrates a connection between Samuel and the Torah through themes and motifs, and develops theological conclusions from them on such issues as the impact of human conduct on the environment, marriage, monarchy and Zion theology.

Synopsis: This book, as a comprehensive analysis of the fate of Saul's heirs, shows that David, like other ancient Near Eastern usurpers, perpetrated heinous injustices against the vanquished house of Saul. It evaluates the relationships between David and Saul's heirs, using the criterion of justice, which is a cardinal directive principle for living in YHWH's covenant community as is enunciated in the Deuteronomic Code. Tushima focuses on the story of David and its interconnections with the fate of the Saulides to determine the factors that lay behind the latter's tragedies, inquiring into whether these tragedies were due to continuing divine retribution, pure happenstance, or Davidic orchestration. In his close reading of these texts, Tushima argues that David was, for the most part, unjust and calculating in his dealings with the Saulides. Thematic and motific threads arising from this narrative critical study (such as the impact of human conduct on the environment, the tension between election and the character of God's servants, the dynamics of sacred space and sacred typonyms, the Judahite Davidic] kingship, the monarchy, marriage, and Zion theology) are considered within their contexts in Israel's traditions for their biblical-theological and redemptive-historical import. Endorsements: "Dr. Tushima presents a bold, comprehensive, and penetrating study of the other side of King David who is usually depicted as hero by biblical writers and scholars. The author argues that David orchestrated with ruthless details in undermining and effecting the eventual demise of Saul's dynasty. In my opinion, this book is a must reading for all Bible teachers and students." -Samuel Waje Kunhiyop South African Theological Seminary "Tushima's book is a most welcome research contribution. Within the field of Samuel studies it fills a thematic and methodological gap, and from the perspective of Old Testament studies in Africa it is an excellent demonstration of the growing interest for narrative and literary approaches amongst the younger generation of scholars." -Knut Holter MHS School of Mission and Theology, Stavanger, Norway "Tushima has identified and correctly evaluated an important issue in the life of David. Namely, 'Yahweh's role as an impartial, just judge is anchored in His ability to weigh the deeds of man, a clear innuendo to His ability to look beyond outward appearances but penetrate to the realms of the heart and motives.' This will be an excellent resource for those researchers who follow this path to understanding the significance of David in the Bible." -Ken Davis Villanova University "This new book will certainly re-direct the course of biblical scholarship, especially in Africa where this new approach will resonate with African emphasis upon the traditional value of storytelling. In the course of time The Fate of Saul's Progeny in the Reign of David will certainly mark out Cephas Tushima as an outstanding biblical scholar for the future." -Yusufu Turaki Professor of Theology and Social Ethics Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria Author Biography: Dr. Cephas T. A. Tushima is acting Director of the PhD program at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria. He is also an adjunct professor at Eastern University, Pennsylvania.