Was King David a Hero or a Villain?

Jewish History Nerds is a finalist for a Signal Award in the history category. If you enjoy this show, please leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts. We'll be back soon with a brand new season.

Most people know King David as the shepherd who defeated Goliath. But that story is only the beginning. In this special bonus episode of Jewish History Nerds, Yael Steiner and Jonathan Schwab explore David's rise from shepherd to king, his relationships with Jonathan and Bathsheba, his triumphs and failures, and the complicated legacy that made him one of the most enduring figures in Jewish history. Was David a hero, a sinner, or something far more human?

This episode is sponsored by Jewish Lives, a prize-winning series of biographies from Yale University Press. To learn more about King David's life, identity, and legacy, you should check out David: The Divided Heart by David Wolpe at ⁠www.jewishlives.org⁠ and you can use the special promo code DAVIDPOD to get 30% off.

Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount.

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen was released in 1984 on the album Various Positions, copyrighted and published through Sony Music / ATV Music Publishing and Stranger Music.

Note: Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah places Bathsheba on the roof. But in the Book of Samuel, King David is on the roof when he spots her bathing below.

And write to us at [email protected]. We really want to hear from you. Check out Jewish History Nerds now on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgPaAFlsq_5O5LUa1VdshRsUonWjKk1ZK

This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and Unpacked on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

------------------

For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soulful Jewish Living⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stars of David with Elon Gold⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unpacking Israeli History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wondering Jews⁠⁠