A Little of This and That: Reconsidering David

Reconsidering David

Of all the figures in the Bible, David is arguably the most complicated and enigmatic. A warrior, a king, a poet, a servant of God, he is also a schemer, a deceiver, and an adulterer. His life and place in the Bible have inspired multiple and sometimes contradictory interpretations. In this class we will begin with an overview of David’s rise to power and then read closely sections of 2 Samuel (chapters 11-19) that describe his fall from power and finally observe some of the Biblical authors’ own perplexities about David as a leader of Israel.

No Bibles are necessary. The relevant text from 2 Samuel will be provided in class.

A graduate of Smith College and Harvard Divinity School, Susan McCaslin spent her career as a teacher and educational administrator, first at Harvard Divinity School and then for 27 years at Phillips Academy Andover where she taught in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department and served as academic dean and associate dean of faculty. For Osher she has taught courses in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the four gospels, and an introduction to Islam.

Note: This course is part of Osher's "A Little of This and That" series. We’ve gathered some of our finest Study Leaders from across the fields of science, religion, culture, literature, music, and hands-on crafting. If you’ve never taken an Osher class, try us out and discover what makes the Osher experience so rewarding. If you’re already a member, this is a perfect opportunity to explore new ideas, reconnect with friends, and continue to challenge and delight your mind.

We look forward to seeing you this spring.