"A masterpiece of contemporary Bible translation and commentary."—Los Angeles Times Book Review, Best Books of 1999 Acclaimed for its masterful new translation and insightful commentary, The David Story is a fresh, vivid rendition of one of the great works in Western literature. Robert Alter's brilliant translation gives us David, the beautiful, musical hero who slays Goliath and, through his struggles with Saul, advances to the kingship of Israel. But this David is also fully human: an ambitious, calculating man who navigates his life's course with a flawed moral vision. The consequences for him, his family, and his nation are tragic and bloody. Historical personage and full-blooded imagining, David is the creation of a literary artist comparable to the Shakespeare of the history plays.

The author of this fascinating book lays out the continuous line of dated events embedded in the Bible which spans across forty centuries of time from the creation of Adam to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A tremendous testimony to the divine Authorship and reliability of the Scriptures.

1 Samuel is the story of battles and murders, schemes and betrayals, and shepherds and giants. It is also the history of what happened when God gave his people the king they wanted, and then gave his people the king they needed. And through it all, it paints a wonderful picture of the ultimate King God has chosen for his people, his Son Jesus. With his trademark insight and clarity, Tim Chester unpacks this part of the Old Testament for small groups, enabling them to appreciate Jesus' rule for his people, and to see how to live as his subjects today.

Following on the heels of the successful New Testament for Everyone commentaries by N. T. Wright, John Goldingay, an internationally respected Old Testament scholar, authors this ambitious Old Testament for Everyone series. Covering Scripture from Genesis to Malachi, Goldingay addresses the texts in such a way that even the most challenging passages are explained simply. Perfect for daily devotions, Sunday school preparation, or brief visits with the Bible, the Old Testament for Everyone series is an excellent resource for the modern reader.

Samuel Gerard is just your average teen: he hangs out at the bike jumps or at the mall with his friends, finds creative ways to avoid schoolwork, and repeatedly asks his parents questions that he knows have no answer. But when his dad leaves on a quest to ‘save the world,' Samuel's life takes a turn – a big turn. Starting the day after his father leaves, Samuel finds himself on a dizzying, often humorous series of adventures, from being covered in leeches to accidentally blowing up his friend's garage, from cheering up his mom to supervising his feisty grandma, from making out with the most popular girl in school to a life-changing fight with school bullies. As Samuel tries to sort out the world around him, he gradually finds himself at crossroads of religion and community, family and friends, newfound love and deep-seated hatred, all of which threatens to pull apart his neighborhood – and his family. And in the end, when violence in the community comes to a frightening peak, Samuel is faced with a tough choice: let things continue on a dangerous path, or make a personal sacrifice for peace?

The ancient Egyptians are an enduring source of fascination, from mummies and pyramids, to curses and rituals. In this second edition of his Very Short Introduction, Ian Shaw explores the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt, and examines the latest research on Ancient Egyptian ideas of death, kingship, religion, race, sex, and gender.

God. Gifts. You. takes you on a journey to discover your own unique calling and design. Look at examples of call in Scripture, explore your motivations and interests, and review your gifts, giving new life to your commitments in the workplace, the community, the church, your family, and the world. You are tailor-made by a loving God. You will experience new freedom and bask in God