This book examines the origins of the Old Testament, one of the foundation stones of Western Civilization. Adam to Ahab begins with a fictitious but plausible tale about how the early books of the Bible were written, providing a means for the reader to enter that ancient world in which the stories from Adam to Ahab were recorded. Then, synthesizing the works of nearly 50 outstanding scholars in the fields of biblical studies and archeology, Fred Stitt presents the scholarly consensus on the history and myth regarding the events that occurred prior to 587-586 BCE, before the destruction of the First Temple.

"Fred Stitt shows a remarkable grasp of the current consensus of biblical scholarship, and expresses it in a concise way."
—John J. Collins, Professor of Old Testament, Yale University

"The result is succinct and no-nonsense, yet delivered with a calm clarity and at times an utter delight...."
—Richard A. Rosengarten, Dean, The University of Chicago Divinity School

"I read your chapter on Jonah and Nahum and was tremendously impressed...so well presented, clear, straight-forward and very solid...a fine contribution."
—Rabbi Herbert Bronstein, Senior Scholar, North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois

CONTENTS

Preface
A Plausible Fiction Masquerading as History
Introduction
Chapter 1: Jonah and Nahum: Myth and History
Sources and additional readings for Chapter 1
Chapter 2: The Documentary Hypothesis
Sources and additional readings for Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Creation
Appendix I – Translation of the first two words of the Hebrew Bible
Appendix II – Comments on the compilation of the Bible
Sources and additional readings for Chapter 3
Chapter 4: Origin of the Israelites in Judea
Appendix III – Survey of sites on Settlement Maps
Appendix IV – Conflicts in the Deuteronomistic History
Sources and additional readings for Chapter 4
Chapter 5: The Deuteronomist vs Ahab: I Kings
Sources and additional readings for Chapter 5
Epilogue