DAVID AND BATHEHEBA

by Ari Ibn-Zahav ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 19, 1951

This is a novel, taking certain liberties with the Bible chronicle, that plays up the sex angle of David's life. The prologue sets the scene with David as an old man on his death bed. His scribe, Seriah, is sitting with him and the old king, reminiscing, starts the story of his life- the struggles with his unruly, human passions and the happinesses and miseries they caused him. Ibn-Zahav's David meets Bathsheba when he is but a young shepherd boy. Later, after David has well embarked on his political career, curried favour with Saul, maneuvered to gain support for himself, Bathsheba is forced by her father into marriage with Uriah and so David must commit adultery to win her back. The changes effected by the author do not make for a consequential or meaningful reinterpretation of the story but on the whole, Mr. Ibn-Zahav has put this personal history into the mouth of David quite smoothly. The outcome is a pleasantly readable, colorful, sexy retelling of the wars, politics, romances and other Biblical events of the times, in spite of its tameness and sentimentality. A well-timed item for post-movie sale.

Pub Date: Nov. 19, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1951

Categories: FICTION