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Rebekah (Wives of the Patriarchs #2)

by Jill Eileen Smith (Goodreads Author)

4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 · rating details · 85 ratings · 37 reviews

When her father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Her hope for the future is restored when she falls in love with her cousin Isaac, and their relationship starts strong. But marital bliss cannot last forever, and the birth of their twin sons marks the beginning of years of misunderstanding, disagree...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published February 2013 by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group

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Feb 18, 2013 Kaylea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: see-blog-for-more-info

Jill Eileen Smith has a rare talent.

She can not only write solid novels, but she uses Biblical knowledge and facts, to help her readers dive into the lives of her subjects.

In her newest book, Rebekah, Smith continues the "Wives of the Patriarchs" series, telling the love story of Isaac and Rebekah in a new way.

The novel opens with Rebekah, living as a young woman in her father's house. It spans the years - including her romance with Isaac (and how she ended up in his household) to her numerous y...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Christian Fiction Addiction rated it 5 of 5 stars

"Rebekah" is a wonderful addition to the "Wives of the Patriarchs" series, a book written with rich detail and heart-stirring emotion. I love the way that Jill Eileen Smith has brought Rebekah and Isaac to life, staying faithful to the Biblical account and yet forming them into characters with depth and uniqueness. These characters and their stories in the Bible have always fascinated me, and looking through their eyes as portrayed in this story has given me even more to think about. Never befor...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Janna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jill Eileen Smith is a master of Biblical fiction. She can take a childhood, Sunday School story and bring it to life with characters and motivation, vivid settings and twists that make you look at everything about the story in a fresh way. She is my go-to Biblical fiction writer and I always look forward to her next book. I have always loved the story of Rebekah and couldn't wait to see how she breathed life into it.
Rebekah is a strong woman at the mercy of her brother Laban's whims when it c...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Brenda Casto rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have become a huge fan of Biblical fiction so to say I was excited to read "Rebekah" is sort of an understatement, because I remember reading her story in the book of Genesis.Well after reading Jill Eileen Smith's fictionalized account of her story, I know I will never forget Rebekah, because she brought the story to life making me feel as if I was right there as the events take place.The twins that she bore, and who she chose as her favorite. Ms. Smith allowed me to see Rebekah as a mother, n...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Siobhan Parker rated it 2 of 5 stars

Synopsis: We all know the Biblical account of Isaac and Rebekah, but there's a lot of details that God's Word doesn't mention. Why did Rebekah help Esau trick Isaac into blessing him instead of his firstborn, Jacob? What was Rebekah's life like before she met Isaac? Did Isaac ever tell his wife of the time where he was nearly killed as part of a sacrifice? Author Jill Eileen Smith draws back the curtain, and shares an account of the private life of the woman whose name meant "noose."

Review: Thou...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Meagan Myhren-bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, fiction, relations, romance

Rebekah
Wives of the Patriarchs Book 2
By Jill Eileen Smith

When Rebekah's father Bethuel dies her brother Laban becomes head of the family. Rebekah fears that Laban's greed will keep her from marriage, as no man can meet his price for his sister's hand. But Rebekah is impatient and outspoken and, according to her mother, needs to learn to hold her tongue.

In Hebron, Issac, the son of promise, is yet unmarried. His father Abraham wants to secure a wife for Issac from among the household of his broth...more Rebekah
Wives of the Patriarchs Book 2
By Jill Eileen Smith

When Rebekah's father Bethuel dies her brother Laban becomes head of the family. Rebekah fears that Laban's greed will keep her from marriage, as no man can meet his price for his sister's hand. But Rebekah is impatient and outspoken and, according to her mother, needs to learn to hold her tongue.

In Hebron, Issac, the son of promise, is yet unmarried. His father Abraham wants to secure a wife for Issac from among the household of his brother's sons. Issac is quiet and introspective in his ways.

Is it truly the will of Elohim for two such different people to be the means to fulfilling the promise given to Abraham all those years ago? But as the years pass and no children enter their family, Rebekah fears that she will be like Sarah an old woman before she will be blessed with a child of promise. But unlike his father Abraham, Issac vows to take no other wife than Rebekah.

More than twenty years have passed, when the promise comes to pass with not just one but two boys. But Jacob and Esau will come between their parents. Issac will favor Esau his first born, while Rebekah will favor Jacob, whom the messenger of Elohim said would be the son of promise. Will the love of a child destroy them and the love that they vowed to one another. Or will Elohim allow them to see themselves as they are and give them a chance to change?

Rebekah is the story of Rebekah and Issac. Giving a glimpse of the lives they had before that shaped them into the people who would give birth to nations of people and from whom a promise of redemption would come. They are not portrayed as perfect people but as normal people with needs, wants, and desires. People who at times will do what they want to get the future they think has been promised, but who acknowledge that no matter what there is One who controls everything. Can we, like Rebekah put our trust in the God of Abraham knowing that through trials He has our best interest in mind no matter what we see or don't see.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review, all opinions expressed are my own.

Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.(less)

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Feb 16, 2013 Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy Biblical fiction books. They give you the basic gist of the Bible story, but also bring the story to life - so while it might be hard to understand or see the timeline in the original Biblical text - you get a feeling for the who the person/people of the story were in real life. Knowing that there have been some liberties taken to flesh out the characters, it is the big events in the characters lives that you remember.

In Rebekah's case, this would be her marriage to Isaac - the jo...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Gabrielle Meyer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I love discovering a great new author, and that's exactly what I did when I picked up Jill Eileen Smith's new release, Rebekah.

Rebekah is based off the Biblical character in the Book of Genesis, and is the second in The Wives of the Patriarch Series. Rebekah was the woman chosen by God to be the wife of Isaac, who was the Promised Child. She became the mother of Jacob, the man who would later be called Israel and would be the Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

After her father's death, Rebeka...more I love discovering a great new author, and that's exactly what I did when I picked up Jill Eileen Smith's new release, Rebekah.

Rebekah is based off the Biblical character in the Book of Genesis, and is the second in The Wives of the Patriarch Series. Rebekah was the woman chosen by God to be the wife of Isaac, who was the Promised Child. She became the mother of Jacob, the man who would later be called Israel and would be the Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

After her father's death, Rebekah is left at the mercy of her shrewd brother, Laban. He is responsible for finding Rebekah a suitable husband, and she is afraid he will choose the wrong one. When she is finally given in marriage to her cousin, Isaac, Rebekah is delighted to find the match God intended.

Rebekah and Isaac fall in love immediately, and revel in each other's nearness. But when their marriage is challenged by the birth of their twin sons, and the prophesy Rebekah has been given about them, misunderstanding, betrayal and disappointment follow. Rebekah and Isaac are left to wonder if their love for one another will withstand the trial.

What I loved about Rebekah is how Jill was able to fill in the blanks within the Biblical account. In the Book of Genesis, we're given the basic details of the real story of Rebekah. To bring the story to life, Jill used wonderful cultural details, vivid imagery to capture the setting, pertinent background information to help us understand the motivation of the principle characters and historical context to place us in the hearts and minds of Rebekah and Isaac.

This story is rich with secondary characters who play major roles in the telling of the tale. In some books, a large cast of characters can bog down the story, but I appreciated the diverse personalities in Rebekah and had no trouble distinguishing who was who.

I enjoyed reading Rebekah's story, and I look forward to reading Jill's other Biblical Fiction accounts of the women who played significant roles in the Bible.
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Feb 13, 2013 Veronica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biblical, historical, new-author-to-you, romance, what-s-in-a-name-challenge

Go behind the scenes of the Biblical Rebekah and walk a mile in her sandals! We're introduced to Rebekah months before her marriage to Isaac and see the strained relationships she has with her mother and brother Laban. She journeys far to become the wife of a man she's never met and and we see what she's thinking and feeling. We gain insight into Isaac also as the event of his childhood where his father Abraham almost sacrificed him deeply affected his relationships with his mother and father an...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Though this book is written as Biblical fiction, and the author has taken some liberties in her writing to enhance the possibilities behind the scenes, the basics of Rebekah’s early life and her marriage to Isaac come to life in Jill Eileen Smith’s book, Rebekah.

The romantic beginnings of Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage are delightful, as the author intricately develops their deep love for one another. Their lifestyle of living in tents is a reminder of ‘roughing it’ when on tent camping vacations....more

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Feb 11, 2013 ACS Book-finder rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review: Jill Eileen Smith has woven a wonderful story, based on scripture, about the lives of Rebekah and Isaac. I enjoyed this book and the author's perspective and details about how possibly Rebekah felt during her marriage to Isaac and motherhood to Easu & Jacob.

Many times we treat the scripture as just stories to teach our children and not actual people. The author has done a really good job of helping us see both the faithfulness of Rebekah and Isaac during difficult times and also show...more Review: Jill Eileen Smith has woven a wonderful story, based on scripture, about the lives of Rebekah and Isaac. I enjoyed this book and the author's perspective and details about how possibly Rebekah felt during her marriage to Isaac and motherhood to Easu & Jacob.

Many times we treat the scripture as just stories to teach our children and not actual people. The author has done a really good job of helping us see both the faithfulness of Rebekah and Isaac during difficult times and also showed us their "human side" as well.

I believe the author truly loves the "women of the Bible" and has taken great pains to be as accurate as possible. I look forward to reading other her other books on the wives of David. (rev. P.Howard)

SPECIAL VIDEO AUTHOR CHAT: Jill Smith will be the featured guest on a Live interactive Video Chat Session sponsored by “Shindig” on Tuesday February 19th at 7:00 pm EST!! It’s free to attend, and you can meet Jill and ask any questions you have for her! Go here to RSVP and find out more details about this event.

http://shindig.com/event/jilleileensmith

Join best-selling author Jill Eileen Smith as she presents ten facts and/or possibilities you might not know about the Patriarch Isaac's wife Rebekah. Do you have a question about the people in the Bible you've always wanted to ask? Jill will take questions about biblical characters, biblical fiction, and about any of her books in the Wives of the Patriarchs or Wives of King David series. So please, plan to join us!

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

About the author: Jill Eileen Smith is the author of the bestselling Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, all part of The Wives of King David series, and of Sarai, book 1 in the Wives of the Patriarchs series. Her writing has garnered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy was given to us in exchange for our honest review by Revell a Division of Baker Publishing Group on behalf of the author. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
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Feb 11, 2013 Lisa Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: Rebekah
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Pages: 320
Year: 2013
Publisher: Revell
As of May 2013, I will have been writing one blog for two years; the last 1-1/2 years have been far more fruitful than the first six months. One lesson I have learned is the discipline it takes to read a book, write a review and post the link or review on other sites. Another lesson is the administrating of reviews via email correspondence and signing up to review books. Above all else, the need to listen to what God ma...more Title: Rebekah
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Pages: 320
Year: 2013
Publisher: Revell
As of May 2013, I will have been writing one blog for two years; the last 1-1/2 years have been far more fruitful than the first six months. One lesson I have learned is the discipline it takes to read a book, write a review and post the link or review on other sites. Another lesson is the administrating of reviews via email correspondence and signing up to review books. Above all else, the need to listen to what God may speak as words are put upon “paper” for others to read. Reviewers, bloggers, and others write to share their personal thoughts and opinions of published works. I pray that the blogs encourage readers to read the Bible, the novels, and other works for their enjoyment as well as edification.
Rebekah is the second in a series entitled Wives of the Patriarchs; the first novel is titled Sarai. One benefit of fiction is being able to imagine what biblical times were like and how life was most certainly different than today. The patriarch series continues with this novel centered on Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, who was sent for by Abraham from his home country where his extended family still lived. Isaac’s life can be read about in Genesis. Please take time to read the biblical account of the real people on which Jill bases her fictional account.
Can you imagine leaving your home, country, friends, family, and customs to marry a man related to you, but one you have never laid eyes on before? We can only imagine what Rebekah must have felt. What about Isaac? I’m sure he was wondering what kind of woman he was receiving. Jill does a magnificent job of putting flesh to people who had experiences that the Bible reveals little of. Being raised in wealth and surrounded by servants, Rebekah worked alongside the women who depended on that work to live day to day. Her servants Deborah and Selima travel with her to her new life, one filled with hope as well as adventure.
The novel follows the lives of Isaac, Rebekah, their sons, and the years from youth to old age. We see Abraham after Sarah’s passing, remarried and with more children, yet much older. We follow Isaac from a young man to becoming the leader of his clan. We see what Ishmael might have been like as an adult as well. There is a flavor of love, trust, faith, learning, and choosing to believe in the God of Abraham or not. All this adds authenticity to the story as people today all over go through life’s stages from birth to death.
Some of the characters speech may seem unusual to readers, like when Rebekah answers Isaac by calling him lord or when the caravan travels back to Abraham on camels and the author describes so vividly the sights and sounds occurring in the scene. While we can only know some details as fact, remember some of the novel is purely fictionalized. The main hope is that you read about the real people and times in the Bible for yourself to catch a glimpse of the God who sees. The God that the patriarchs could know to a certain extent and the One we can know more about today. Enjoy the story told in this published work. It was fun to imagine life back then and the people who lived it.
My rating is 4 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspo.... Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson...
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Feb 10, 2013 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the course of a lifetime will the heart render its match?

Rebecca seeks patience when it comes to the waiting of her brother Laban to find a suitable husband for her. Time and again suitors are turned away from lack of proper financial gain.

Isaac seeks a wife of Godly character, one whom his father Abraham promised and who is familiar to the family line.

As the two come to unite unconditionally, obstacles threaten to strain the constant bond forged. Can faithfulness in the once true God withs...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adultfiction2013, christianfiction2013, readin2013, operationactuallybooks

I have enjoyed all of Jill Eileen Smith's novels. Rebekah's story isn't an easy one to tell, perhaps, because we only get a few glimpses of her in the Bible: when she agrees to marry Isaac, when she's pregnant with Jacob and Esau and God tells her that Esau will serve Jacob, when she's urging Jacob to lie to his father so he can get the blessing instead of Esau. But Smith does a great job in bringing this story, this romance, to life. It was imaginative and thought-provoking. For example, Smith...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rebekah witnesses her brother, Laban convince his way into power at her father’s death bed. Laban becomes the man of the household. As time passes Rebekah realizes that Laban has his own greed in mind and not Rebekah’s best interest when it comes to finding her a husband. Laban is holding out until he finds the highest bidder for his sister.

Abraham figures it is time for his son, Isaac to find a wife. Rebekah agrees to marry Isaac. Things are going well in the beginning but as time passes and R...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Maureen Timerman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

What a fascinating read. We walk hand in hand with Rebekah, as a young woman, and then to a Grandmother.
Jill Eileen Smith really brings the Bible to life. We live in the tents with these people. We feel the deceit that happens, and seems to repeat in History.
Because we live in the New Testament Times, things are a lot different. I had a lot of respect for Isaac, and his vow not to take another wife, other than Rebekah. It seems that they had a lot of love for one another, even with the arranged...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Barbara Shelton rated it 5 of 5 stars

My overall opinion of Jill Eileen Smith’s writing Rebekah’s story can be explained in one expletive – WOW!!

Ms Smith certainly displayed her ability to reveal deep inner feelings of each character that brought the age old story of Abraham followed by his blood born children to life. From now on, my personal thoughts of this scripture will vividly be quite different. She wrote with such freedom that only could have come from the Lord.

Rebekah is now known to me in a completely different light – bef...more My overall opinion of Jill Eileen Smith’s writing Rebekah’s story can be explained in one expletive – WOW!!

Ms Smith certainly displayed her ability to reveal deep inner feelings of each character that brought the age old story of Abraham followed by his blood born children to life. From now on, my personal thoughts of this scripture will vividly be quite different. She wrote with such freedom that only could have come from the Lord.

Rebekah is now known to me in a completely different light – before I had mistakenly imagined her as haggish and manipulative, but Jill brought out her beauty from the inside that endeared her to me. Yes, there were the same small minded or broad minded compassionate beings in that time as in any time. Rebekah and Isaac both showed a more loving compassionate lifestyle toward others, and as human nature proves time and again…resentment , jealousy and distance can mar close relationships through real or imagined slights and hurts.

Jill Eileen Smith’s story is rich in believable information about the personal lives of each character, their thoughts, emotions, fears, and affections. This writing of Biblical fiction caused me to think deeper about the scriptures from whence the story came. Believing in God was as much of a choice then as now. I do have many questions yet as to where Ishmael and Esau spread their influences throughout history. But that is an issue that might better not be questioned here.

My admiration is unmeasured toward Jill’s study and research, placing herself in the position of each character to think deeply as they might have thought. I count this all as AWESOME! She has further interested me in digging out maps and study regarding the scripture from which this fabulous story is written.

This review is following a bit later than others due to personal circumstances; however sharing a few thoughts about this historical Biblical fiction is merited. Indeed a pleasurable and emotional read and proving again God is infinite and blesses beyond comprehension. Thank you, Jill Eileen Smith, for shedding new light on the Word of God. In the future, over time, all of your writings will appear in my personal library. Abigail and now Rebekah have brought joy with my recommendation for all to pick up these great reads.
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Feb 19, 2013 Sharon Galligar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've always been fascinated by the women of the Bible, so I was really eager to read Jill Eileen Smith's take on Rebekah, the wife of Issac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. I wasn't disappointed!

Smith takes her readers into the heart of this woman who made such an impact on the world with her words and actions. Rebekah is potrayed in this novel as a woman who desperately wanted to show her love and devotion to her beloved husband, but she always felt like she wasn't privy to his inner-most secr...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fans of Jill Eileen Smith who have been waiting for the second book in the Wives of the Patriarchs series, will be thrilled that the wait is over. If you enjoy Biblical fiction, you will LOVE these books! I have not been disappointed by any of Jill's books - each one has been fantastic.

Her stories bring the Bible to life and are filled with rich history and customs. While she takes some liberty with her characters and plots, she is very consistent and stays true to the scriptural accounts. I rea...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Sally rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: proverbial-reads-review, christian-fiction, biblical-fiction, historical-fiction

I’ve always had issues with the story of Rebekah. I felt she manipulated her son, Jacob, and deceived her husband, Isaac, and I had struggled to understand her actions. The second title in the Wives of the Patriarchs series, however, has given me new insight. The novel begins with Rebekah at her father’s deathbed where she witnesses him give his blessing to his second son, Laban. This is extrapolation on Smith’s part; there is no mention of Rebekah’s father in Genesis and Laban is portrayed as t...more I’ve always had issues with the story of Rebekah. I felt she manipulated her son, Jacob, and deceived her husband, Isaac, and I had struggled to understand her actions. The second title in the Wives of the Patriarchs series, however, has given me new insight. The novel begins with Rebekah at her father’s deathbed where she witnesses him give his blessing to his second son, Laban. This is extrapolation on Smith’s part; there is no mention of Rebekah’s father in Genesis and Laban is portrayed as the head of the household. Still, it’s an important scene. The blessing was the equivalent of naming an heir, and it was usually given to the eldest son. This scene shows it wasn’t unheard of for the second son to receive that blessing. After her father’s death, Laban looks for a man wealthy enough for his sister to marry, although Rebekah isn’t interested in wealth. “I want a man who treats me well. A man I can trust,” she declares. Trust will play a pivotal role later on in the relationship between Rebekah and Isaac.

Smith’s interpretation of these ancient events has made these characters come alive. I’d never thought about how Sarah might have reacted to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, but we know she often doubted God’s word by the way she acted to give Abraham an heir. Nor had I pondered how the event might have affected Isaac’s relationship with his parents and his future relationship with Rebekah. This novel made me recognize the human frailties of these amazing people. I can now see that Rebekah was much like Sarah in that she was impatient and had difficulty in waiting for God’s promises to play out. And Isaac was definitely his father’s son in many respects, even if he didn’t have the faith of Abraham.

Although this is the second book of the Patriarchs series, it can be read as a standalone. I’ll admit to not having had the chance yet to read the first book, Sarai. The third and final book of the series will be called Rachel and will probably be published this time next year.

Thank you to Donna Hausler and Revell for my free copy of Rebekah, which I received in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Feb 04, 2013 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: REBEKAH
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
February 2013
ISBN: 978-0800734305
Genre: Biblical fiction

Can love heal the rift between two souls?

When her beloved father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Though she should be married by now, it's clear that Laban is dragging his feet, waiting for a higher bride-price to line his pockets. But then Rebekah is given a chance to leave her home to marry Isaac, a cousin s...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jill Eileen Smith in her new book, “Rebekah” Book Two in her Wives of the Patriarchs series published by Revell gives us a fictional account of what might have happened with her life and that of Isaac.

From the Back Cover: Can love heal the rift between two souls?

When her beloved father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Though she should be married by now, it’s clear that Laban is dragging his feet, waiting for a higher br...more Jill Eileen Smith in her new book, “Rebekah” Book Two in her Wives of the Patriarchs series published by Revell gives us a fictional account of what might have happened with her life and that of Isaac.

From the Back Cover: Can love heal the rift between two souls?

When her beloved father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Though she should be married by now, it’s clear that Laban is dragging his feet, waiting for a higher bride-price to line his pockets. But then Rebekah is given a chance to leave her home to marry Isaac, a cousin she has never even seen, and her hope for the future is restored. Little does she know what a wondrous and heart-wrenching journey she is beginning.

As Rebekah experiences the joy of young love and the bitterness of misunderstanding and betrayal, her resolve is tested. When the rift between Isaac and her grows so wide it is surely too great to be mended, can she trust the God of Isaac’s father Abraham to bridge the gap?

Join bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith as she fills in the blanks around the life of the enigmatic Rebekah.

There are some wonderful love stories documented in the Bible, the love story between Isaac and Rebekah is one of them. Sight unseen she packs up everything she has and leaves the family she knows to travel and marry a stranger. But the story is more than that, much more and Ms. Smith has done a wonderful job of bring Rebekah to life. I like “Rebekah” by Jill Eileen Smith because of the depth of research that was put into the writing and the fact that everything that is in The Bible is in Ms. Smith’s story but with much more detail, emotion and back story that The Bible leaves out. Ms. Smith tells us the events from the Bible but from Rebekah’s viewpoint and it lends a new flavor to the telling. Ms. Smith makes Rebekah and Isaac come alive and we get a chance to walk with them and share their adventures intimately. We see what they see, we feel what they feel simply because Ms. Smith is such a great storyteller.

If you missed the interview for “Abigail” book two in the Wives of King David series a different series from Jill Eileen Smith, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biblical-characters, historical-romance

REBEKAH by Jill Eileen Smith is a wonderful inspirational historical romance set 1969 B.C. Book 2 in the “Wives of the Patriarchs”,but can be read as a stand alone. See,”Sari”. Rebekah, a beautiful woman full of hope and promise,finds heartbreak,betrayal and healing. Follow Rebekah on a journey with many twists and turns. After their twins are born the rift between her and Issac grows larger,misunderstandings and betrayal stronger, and her faith falters. Rebekah has faced much sadness,dangers,an...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

How long must she wait? Rebekah's brother, Laban, is taking his time in choosing a husband for her. Because of her brother's greed, Rebekah fears she will not marry a man of character, but rather, a man of station that can fill her brother's pockets.

Yet, God in his sovereignty, provides a way for her to marry a man whom her brother approves of and also possesses great character.

Upon meeting and marrying, their love grows and flourishes until the time approaches for their twins to be born. Rebeka...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour-book, christianfiction, forreview, forpleasure, historicalfiction

More like 4.5 stars.

One of the things I both like and dislike about Biblical fiction is that you already know what will happen when you begin the story. The fun for me is in experiencing the details. For the most part I enjoyed this novel. I was familiar with the story about Isaac and Rebekah and how they came together for marriage to fulfill God's plan. I liked how the author showed the effects of what they referred to as "the binding" of Isaac by his father and how that caused a rift in his pa...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Mandi Ehman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Although I often read historical fiction, it’s been a long time since I’ve read a book set during biblical times (a genre I loved when I was in high school), and so I jumped at the chance to review Rebekah by Jill Smith. This is really a beautiful telling of the story of Rebekah, who married Isaac, the son of Abraham, in the Bible. I loved discovering more about the customs and culture of that time, and Smith is a wonderful storyteller. The one downside was that I had a hard time just enjoying t...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Trinity Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jill Eileen Smith is a wonderful storyteller and has a great imagination. Her story of Rebekah from the account in the Bible is really interesting. I probably would have had a few things different if I wrote the story, but everyone is different.
I like how this book portrays Rebekah as independent and full of life and spunk.
The love story between Rebekah and Isaac is very special and tender. The scenes were described brilliantly. You feel like you are there.
I think Rebekah is a book worth rea...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Rosie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Jill Eileen Smith returns with the Biblical tale of Isaac and Rebekah. :-)

I was first entranced by Miss Smith's writing with the first book in this series, Sarai. If I liked Sarai then I loved Rebekah. I read pretty much the whole book in one day. For me, Rebekah totally surpassed Sarai. Sticking close to what is in the Biblical account; Miss Smith leads us through Isaac and Rebekah's early marriage all the way to the infamous impersonation of Esau by Jacob.

Rebekah came right off the page! I con...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction, read-in-2013, review-copies

When her father dies, Rebekah's hope for a husband rests with her brother Laban selecting one for her. Yet as time passes and he does nothing, she wonders if she's meant for something else. The unexpected visitor from Abraham arrives seeking Rebekah for a wife for his master's son Issac. Rebekah departs to marry a cousin she'd never met. As she begins her life as wife to the promised one, she has no idea just how much her life will change. Or how deeply the birth of her own twin sons will tear a...more

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Feb 12, 2013 TAMMY CUEVAS rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biblical-fiction, christian-fiction

Rebekah worries that her brother is going to betroth her to the highest bidder with no thought of her happiness, so when she is given the chance to wed her cousin Isaac, whom she has never seen, she agrees. She has heard of his father Abraham and his covenant with God and knows that this is where she belongs.

After years of barrenness, she became pregnant when God answered their prayers. During the pregnancy, God revealed His plan for her twin sons. Her faith in the promise of God causes strife...more
Rebekah worries that her brother is going to betroth her to the highest bidder with no thought of her happiness, so when she is given the chance to wed her cousin Isaac, whom she has never seen, she agrees. She has heard of his father Abraham and his covenant with God and knows that this is where she belongs.

After years of barrenness, she became pregnant when God answered their prayers. During the pregnancy, God revealed His plan for her twin sons. Her faith in the promise of God causes strife in her marriage, and her impatience caused her to plot with her son Jacob to bring about God's plan.

The women of the Old Testament have long fascinated me. Although they are often seen as second-class citizens in that time and place, a closer look reveals that they were often strong, determined women whose faith was as strong as that of the men. In this second installment of Jill Eileen Smith's series, Wives of the Patriarchs, the author presents the story of Rebekah, who daughter-in-law of Abraham, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob. She has stayed true to the Biblical account while fleshing out the story only when necessary. Rebekah is seen as a woman with strong principles, while also having the same human shortcomings that exist today. Rebekah's inner conflict with her desire to "help" God out with His plan is clearly portrayed, as is the marital conflict experienced by Rebekah and Isaac.

Ms. Smith has written a novel that answers my need to more closely explore the lives of the women of the Old Testament. I will be looking for her other novels, especially Sarai and Bathsheba.

Recommended for adolescents and up; will appeal to historical fiction fans as well as students of Biblical history.

5 stars

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. (less)

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About Jill Eileen Smith

I'm a wife, mom, and author of a biblical fiction series - The Wives of King David. The books in the series are: Michal: A Novel, Abigail, and Bathsheba. Michal: A Novel is available now from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Abigail releases February 1, 2010.

I write and promote the work of Christian fiction authors that I admire on the "Spotlight" page of my website, and I interview h...more

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Rebekah (Wives of the Patriarchs #2)

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