The Wages of Sin: Reappraisal of the Succession Narrative

This work highlights the growing dissatisfaction with the Succession Narrative hypothesis. Keys argues rather that 2 Samuel 10-20 is a self-contained document in its own right, a theological biography examining the nature of punishment for sin in the life of David. The nexus of sin and punishment is the motivating force behind the document. Of particular interest to many will be the opening chapter, which charts in detail the development of the Succession Narrative hypothesis from Rost until the present day. Also notable is the author's accounting for the absence of much of the David material from Chronicles.