Ahab's House of Horrors - (Studies in Biblical Archaeology, Geography, and History) by Kyle R Greenwood & David B Schreiner (Paperback)

About the Book

"The extrabiblical testimony surrounding Israel's early history is difficult to assess and synthesize. But numerous sources emerging from the ninth century BC onward invite direct comparison with the biblical account. In Ahab's House of Horrors: A Historiographic Study of the Military Campaigns of the House of Omri, Kyle R. Greenwood and David B. Schreiner examine the historical records of Israel and its neighbors. While Scripture generally gives a bleak depiction of the Omride dynasty, extrabiblical evidence appears to tell another story. Inscriptions and archeological evidence portray a period of Israelite geopolitical influence and cultural sophistication. Rather than simply rejecting one source over another, Greenwood and Schreiner press beyond polarization. They propose a nuanced synthesis by embracing the complex dynamics of ancient history writing and the historical difficulties that surround the Omri dynasty. Ahab's House of Horrors is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of biblical historiography and, specifically, to our understanding of 1-2 Kings and the Omri family"-- Publisher

Book Synopsis

Reconciling biblical and extrabiblical history

The extrabiblical testimony surrounding Israel's early history is difficult to assess and synthesize. But numerous sources emerging from the ninth century BC onward invite direct comparison with the biblical account. In Ahab's House of Horrors: A Historiographic Study of the Military Campaigns of the House of Omri, Kyle R. Greenwood and David B. Schreiner examine the historical records of Israel and its neighbors. While Scripture generally gives a bleak depiction of the Omride dynasty, extrabiblical evidence appears to tell another story. Inscriptions and archeological evidence portray a period of Israelite geopolitical influence and cultural sophistication.

Rather than simply rejecting one source over another, Greenwood and Schreiner press beyond polarization. They propose a nuanced synthesis by embracing the complex dynamics of ancient history writing and the historical difficulties that surround the Omride dynasty.

Ahab's House of Horrors is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of biblical historiography and, specifically, to our understanding of 1-2 Kings and the Omride family.

From the Back Cover

Reconciling biblical and extrabiblical historyThe extrabiblical testimony surrounding Israel's early history is difficult to assess and synthesize. But numerous sources emerging from the ninth century BC onward invite direct comparison with the biblical account. In Ahab's House of Horrors: A Historiographic Study of the Military Campaigns of the House of Omri, Kyle R. Greenwood and David B. Schreiner examine the historical records of Israel and its neighbors. While Scripture generally gives a bleak depiction of the Omride dynasty, extrabiblical evidence appears to tell another story. Inscriptions and archeological evidence portray a period of Israelite geopolitical influence and cultural sophistication.Rather than simply rejecting one source over another, Greenwood and Schreiner press beyond polarization. They propose a nuanced synthesis by embracing the complex dynamics of ancient history writing and the historical difficulties that surround the Omride dynasty.Ahab's House of Horrors is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of biblical historiography and, specifically, to our understanding of 1-2 Kings and the Omride family.

Review Quotes

With literary sensitivity and deeply informed awareness of the context, Greenwood and Schreiner demonstrate the possibilities of an informed and careful way of critically integrating the biblical material with other sources. Their work thus not only sheds light on the fall of the Omride dynasty in Israel, it also provides promising pathways for the future integration of this material.

--David G. Firth, tutor in Old Testament, Trinity College Bristol

Every student of this period and every serious teacher of the relevant biblical texts will want to consult this valuable asset.

--Richard S. Hess, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, Denver Seminary

About the Author

Kyle R. Greenwood is administrative director of the master of arts program for Development Associates International and adjunct professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Scripture and Cosmology: Reading the Bible Between the Ancient World and Modern Science.David B. Schreiner is associate dean and associate professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary and author of Pondering the Spade: Discussing Important Convergences between Archaeology and Old Testament Study and 1 and 2 Kings (Kerux Commentary).