Book Review - Noble: The Story of Maakah

The second book in the King David’s Brides series by Mesu Andrews is Noble: The Story of Maakah. This one focuses on the third wife the Bible lists during his reign in Hebron. The Geshurite princess sent as a treaty bride to David has been trained all her life in the ways of royalty. Her mind is sharp and calculating, always putting the good of the kingdom before herself, relying on the wisdom of her royal parents and the priestesses of her goddess. David ben Jesse, however, is in passionate pursuit of God’s own heart. He already has two wives, one more than he ever intended, and does not plan to take this opinionated heathen princess as his third. But circumstances bring out the protector in David, prompting Ahinoam and Abigail to embrace Maakah and all of them to seek God’s wisdom for her future.

Andrews has an incredible talent for taking the information given to us in the Bible and reputable historical documents, then using fiction as necessary to bring life to characters easily overlooked in the Old Testament writings. With remarkable skill for crafting fully immersive stories so rich that one can easily believe her characters’ thoughts and feelings are her own, she wrestles with some intense topics. In Noble, that means struggling with betrayal, clarifying the difference between royalty and nobility, exploring some of the challenges people would have faced in the process of letting go of their idols and embracing Yahweh, and the elephant in the room that is the fact of David taking multiple wives. While it was a common practice among royalty at the time, it is expressly forbidden in the Law, as we read in Deuteronomy 17. How then does one handle the fact that this God ordained king who so passionately pursued God’s heart did not only break the law, but did so repeatedly? It is a very charged issue, and rightly so. The fact remains that we do not really know the answer to that. Andrews handles it carefully and prayerfully, as is well expressed in her excellent Note to Reader and Author’s Note sections, both of which are treasure troves of information and insight. Though it is not a topic that should be glossed over, one should not miss the exquisitely addressed differences between thinking and acting royally as opposed to having a noble heart and mind. This is the gold in the purse of Noble, a treasure beyond jewels, and one that is timeless.

Noble: The Story of Maakah, the second book in the King David’s Brides series by Mesu Andrews, is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Walmart

I received an ARC of this book. It did not influence my review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review - Splendor of the Land

Time and place fall away as vivid details bring the reader face to face with the characters of Splendor of the Land, the third book in The King’s Men series by Connilyn Cossette. The cover of this book is rich with the textures of the setting, and it is only a taste of the treasure within. As her characters cross through untamed lands and venture into new cities, it takes little effort for the reader to feel the sand shift beneath their feet or the hot wind blowing across the back of their neck. And if her stories were the sum of her world building, it would be one thing, but the characters are crafted so carefully and easily become so familiar that one cannot help but become entangled in their lives. It is no surprise that I wept and laughed with Gavriel, Zahava, their families and their friends as this captivating story unfolded.

One is a prodigal, running from the shame of his lineage and barreling headfirst into chaos as if his life is worth nothing. The other is the apple of her father’s eye and trusted with a knowledge that will carry on her family legacy, wrapped in an unassuming package and easily overlooked. He a Benjamite and she a Kenite, they would not have been bound together, except for the nudging of guidance given to her father. Through joy and strife, their bond is formed as they are refined in life’s fire and the truths they were not prepared to see before become clear as Gavi and Zahava begin to understand who they are according to their Creator. I highly recommend clearing your schedule for this one, because putting it down is a challenge once you have started it. 

Splendor of the Land, book 3 of The King’s Men series by Connilyn Cossette, is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House        Christian Book        Amazon        Barnes & Noble        Walmart