As the daughter of King Saul, Michal lives a life of privilege--but one that is haunted by her father's unpredictable moods and by competition from...
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Mar 15, 2009
Virginia
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This is the story of Michal, the first wife of King David. In this book, readers get to know Michal at home before her marriage, and get an insider's glimpse of her father, Israel's infamous first king. We stay with her all the way through her second marriage, her return to David when she joined his harem, and beyond.
One thing I truly dislike about some Biblical fiction is when the author takes liberties with the Biblical account in order to enhance the story. I'm very happy to repor More...
One thing I truly dislike about some Biblical fiction is when the author takes liberties with the Biblical account in order to enhance the story. I'm very happy to repor More...
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Mar 18, 2009
Michelle
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Michal captivated me from the first page. I know that sounds, cliche, but it's true. I read the first two chapters about four years ago and they were just as good back then. I adore Biblical fiction when it is well done. The author did a fabulous job showing the culture of King David's time and explaining things that don't set well with our modern ways, such as having more than one wife. It made sense the way it was presented. I loved how the developing love story continued throughout the book,
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Dec 14, 2011
Debbie
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"Michal" is Biblical fiction about David and Michal. It covered a lot of time--most of their lives--so the relationships came off as somewhat superficial. I thought that their initial falling in love was supposed to be superficial (Michal wanting to be his future queen and to be protected from her father, and David lusting after her beauty). However, later, after years apart and married to other people that they loved, they hardly even acted awkward around each other. Michal forgets he
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Jul 29, 2011
Going backwards was not as hard as i thought, as the author allowed the books to overlap; but Abigail is still my favorite. I enjoyed this book as it went back all the way to David being Saul's harp player, and when he killed Goliath. It gave some background story for Michal and David. And although I know the novel is not a true account and it is assumptions based on customs of the times and some historical fact, I still felt strongly about some scenes. You could actually feel Saul's evil and hi
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May 15, 2011
Eugena
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 20, 2011
Mary Catherine
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What would you give up for love? What would you pass up? What would you gain?
Such are the questions to ponder in MICHAL, the first installment of THE WIVES OF KING DAVID, by Jill Eileen Smith – an epic story surrounding King David of the Bible, you know, the one who slayed the giant Goliath.
It’s not exactly my type of reading. In fact, the only reason I even downloaded it to my Kindle was because it was on the Free list. When I read the description, I was instantly intrigued, More...
Such are the questions to ponder in MICHAL, the first installment of THE WIVES OF KING DAVID, by Jill Eileen Smith – an epic story surrounding King David of the Bible, you know, the one who slayed the giant Goliath.
It’s not exactly my type of reading. In fact, the only reason I even downloaded it to my Kindle was because it was on the Free list. When I read the description, I was instantly intrigued, More...
Mar 06, 2011
Rebyj
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This book was free on Amazon Kindle this week and as always I'm happy to give a new author a try when it's a freebie.
Michal is book one in a series on the wives of King David. I give it 4 stars. Overall it was an interesting read that to my knowledge seemed accurate in it's historical features.
Michal herself as a character seemed to be fleshed out well in the beginning, the scenes with her sister and father were very interesting and explained a lot about her personality More...
Michal is book one in a series on the wives of King David. I give it 4 stars. Overall it was an interesting read that to my knowledge seemed accurate in it's historical features.
Michal herself as a character seemed to be fleshed out well in the beginning, the scenes with her sister and father were very interesting and explained a lot about her personality More...
Apr 12, 2010
Nora
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Jill Eileen Smith had me transported to the time of King Saul and David. The book starts out in Gibeah, 1023 BC, with a young David rising up for the challenge and battle with Goliath. The author says this about David, “without a doubt, David knew the Most High had called him to this moment, and nothing anyone could do or say would shake his confidence in the Almighty.”
Even after Saul watches David slay Goliath and promises David his daughter Michal in marriage, he makes David pay a More...
Even after Saul watches David slay Goliath and promises David his daughter Michal in marriage, he makes David pay a More...
Mar 10, 2010
Megan
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Jill Eileen Smith's first book in The Wives of King David series has made me a follower. Michal, not only made me a fan of Smith, but made it easy for me to decide what to read next in the Bible. I want to reread the history of King Saul, David, and Michal; therefore, I've started 1 Samuel again. As far as Biblical fiction is concerned, I believe the ultimate goal is turning readers back to God's Word. Smith stayed true to the Biblical account in her novel, while adding both emotional and histor
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Feb 27, 2010
Ruth
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With her debut novel, Jill Eileen Smith explores the tumultuous life of Michal, daughter of King Saul and the first wife of David. Honestly, Michal is a character that I never really gave much thought to before. It’s too easy to fall into the trap of thinking of the people that populate the pages of scripture as flat characters, rather than as the wonderful, flawed, fully-rounded human beings they actually were, filled with fears and hopes. Though Michal’s life has been reduced to mention in onl
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Feb 05, 2010
April
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Michal--a princess in love with her father’s best captain and worst enemy.
David—a nation’s here pursued by the King to whom he’s devoted his life.
Michal—a married woman forced to marry another man out of spite.
David--an anointed king hiding in caves and waiting on God’s timing for his crown.
It’s one of the most exciting and romantic plots of all time, and it should be. God is the author with Jill E. Smith creatively filling in the missing details for our imagination More...
David—a nation’s here pursued by the King to whom he’s devoted his life.
Michal—a married woman forced to marry another man out of spite.
David--an anointed king hiding in caves and waiting on God’s timing for his crown.
It’s one of the most exciting and romantic plots of all time, and it should be. God is the author with Jill E. Smith creatively filling in the missing details for our imagination More...
Jan 25, 2010
Rebecca
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I'm going to start off by saying that I have a degree in theology, and from a Biblical perspective, this book is exceptionally accurate. It is obvious that Smith is not only a lover of the Bible, but a great researcher. Very impressed with its historicity.
!SPOILERS!
What did not impress me was the way the story of David was fictionalized. So the history was impressive, the fiction was frustrating. First of all, the "love" that David had for Michal was either so s More...
!SPOILERS!
What did not impress me was the way the story of David was fictionalized. So the history was impressive, the fiction was frustrating. First of all, the "love" that David had for Michal was either so s More...
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Jul 18, 2011
Michelle
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This is a Biblical fiction. It was the first one I've read, and I like it. It takes a woman that's only mentioned a few times in the Bible and gives her a full story, feelings, emotions, etc. I did not fully agree with some of the things included in the story, but it was still a good read. Just keep in mind it's "fiction". It's not a theological book. While the author did do her research, no one fully knows what happened except God and He only gave us limited information in the B
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Feb 18, 2010
Molly
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I absolutely LOVED(loved loved loved!) this amazing and powerful book! It is book 1 in Jill Eileen Smith's Wives of King David series and it is one that you do not want to miss out on! Truly. You will truly look at the Biblical characters in a whole new light and feel like you were there, when you put this book down.
I absolutely did not want to put this book down but I had so many other books ahead of it that I had to force my self, really force myself, to put it down and come back More...
I absolutely did not want to put this book down but I had so many other books ahead of it that I had to force my self, really force myself, to put it down and come back More...
May 23, 2009
rjp316
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Biblical fiction always interests me as I like to learn more about the everyday lives of the bible found in the bible. However I really dislike when author take biblical fact and modify it to fit the story better. (Although since it is fiction they can do it - I just don't like it.) But I was happy to see that Jill Eileen Smith kept with the biblical account but added details so you could really get a feel for Michal. I liked one thing that Smith said in her note from the author. "Bibl
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Nov 18, 2011
LeAnne
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Michal starts as frothy-sounding romance, but this is history and the ending cannot be happily-ever-after. Although we identify strongly with Princess Michal's desire for David's love, we also see her bitterness and the price she pays to cling to it. Smith uses David's psalms and dialog straight from Scripture to bring the Bible to life. The language turns a little more formal at those points, but works for me. A lot of King David's life is left out to be filled in from the perspective of ot
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Dec 18, 2011
Betty
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The younger daughter of King Solomon, Michal is
haunted by her father's unpredictable moods and competition from her beautiful older sister. As a girl, Michal quickly falls for the handsome young harpist David. But soon after their romance begins, David must flee for his life, leaving Michal at her father's mercy in the prison that is King Saul's palace.
Will Michal ever be reunited with David? Or is she doomed to remain separated from him forever?
Against the backdro More...
Feb 06, 2012
Joy
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When considering people in the Bible, it is sometimes hard to understand why they did what they did. Smith revealed the character of Michal in a way that lets us sympathize with her situation while simultaneously condemning her for her sins. For a modern reader, it is hard to picture what it would feel like to find out that your husband had taken other wives, and I know I've always picture that as dreadful. However, the reasons for David doing that made a bit more sense in the context of Smit
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Oct 07, 2011
Ruth
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2009: Free kindle e-book - This is certainly a Christian novel. I should have known better - or at least read the synopsis. But, I didn't lose any money on it. But this book was so not for me! The style of writing for me was overdramatic and a lot of strange names (i know they are from the Bible but it doesn't make them any easier! I did not like the plot device of jumping forward in incremental years as it seemed to make me care about Michal less and less. "His earnest expression brought
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Aug 04, 2011
Megan
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Quite honestly I wasn't going to read this book. All for the reason that I just don't like her in the Bible. I read this because I wanted to read book two which is Abigail whom I love, and I don't read series out of sequence. I am so glad I read this book. I gives you a new perspective on what may have shaped Michal into the woman she became and cause her to despise her husband and her God. I also loved the insight into that period of history for Israel. Backgrounds on Saul, David, and of
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Apr 10, 2009
Monica
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I was very skeptical when I started to read the book because it was biblical romance. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel with someone putting their in own spin on what might have happened in those times, I must say I was pleasantly surprised The book is a great read and the author keeps the flow going and you interested through out the book. The author stays true to the facts that we have and fills in the blanks on what we don’t. I honestly thought the ending would have been different just
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Jan 29, 2012
Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥✫Melisa
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Great read, but a better, modernized version, MICHAL'S WINDOW (by another author) is soon to be published. WAIT for that one. I think it will be published in March or April 2012.
Biblical characters have never been so incredibly fascinating, until I read this story. I have to admit, I was reading another friend's unfinished novel about Michal and David, and I wanted to know more. Not getting enough fast enough, I came to amazon to see if there were any other stories on Michal. And More...
Biblical characters have never been so incredibly fascinating, until I read this story. I have to admit, I was reading another friend's unfinished novel about Michal and David, and I wanted to know more. Not getting enough fast enough, I came to amazon to see if there were any other stories on Michal. And More...
May 30, 2011
Leann
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When reading fiction based on Bible stories, it's important to me that the story stay true to the Biblical account. Jill Eileen Smith successfully accomplishes this, and the amount of research she did on David's life is evident.
My only complaint is that at times the interaction between Michal and David isn't quite believable, but then again, this IS a work of fiction and some contriving has to be done in order to make the plot work. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes B More...
My only complaint is that at times the interaction between Michal and David isn't quite believable, but then again, this IS a work of fiction and some contriving has to be done in order to make the plot work. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes B More...
Mar 06, 2011
Tanya
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I didn't like this as much as I like Saul's Daughter by Gladys Malvern. It is similar and since I haven't read Saul's Daughter since highschool I don't remember it as well as I would like. I will say the author gave me a couple of things to think about and some ideas of how hard of a life Michal may have had. She was a pawn used by her father, left behind by David (he had to of course), and given to a man she didn't love as revenge. Not an easy thing by any means and the psychological impact
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Sep 12, 2011
Sue
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A fictionalised account of the story of Michal, daughter of King Saul and first wife of David. The author has brought this young woman to life in a novel that begins when Michal is a teenager, squabbling with her sister, and developing a crush on the handsome warrior, David. Daily life as a wealthy princess is described without excessive detail, giving a backdrop to this story of love and loss that takes place over many years.
The story follows the Scriptural account from the book of More...
The story follows the Scriptural account from the book of More...
Aug 20, 2009
Jessica
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Sometimes I found "Michal" to go a bit too quickly for my tastes. For a while each chapter said something like "Five Years Later" or "Two Years Later", but I suppose the author was attempting to go through her entire life (or most of it, anyway.) so that was necessary.
What irked me most was that I kept finding myself thinking of David as kind of...well...a jerk. Maybe its because of culture is different then theirs and so some things bother me that woul More...
What irked me most was that I kept finding myself thinking of David as kind of...well...a jerk. Maybe its because of culture is different then theirs and so some things bother me that woul More...
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Jun 08, 2009
Cindy
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One of the joys of Biblical fiction is that when it is well done, it aids the reader's understanding of the Bible. Another is that if it is true to the historical time period, the reader learns what life was like for the people who lived then. Jill Eileen Smith's debut novel accomplishes both things and more. The prose is beautiful, the romance tender, the realities of war all too real at times. Highly recommended!
Cindy Thomson
Author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom.
Cindy Thomson
Author of Brigid of Ireland and Celtic Wisdom.
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Mar 02, 2011
Debi
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These type of books tend to be hit or miss with me, depending on my frame of mind and the subject matter and writing style. I have the opportunity to go to a book-signing by this author this weekend and wanted to at least read some of what she wrote before meeting her. I ended up finishing the whole book! I was really drawn into the story of Michal and it had me going back to my Bible to check out various events that happened.
I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the serie
I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the serie
Sep 20, 2011
Lyndi
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I am doing the Beth Moore David Bible study right now and thought that I may learn something new from this that isn’t either in the Bible or the Bible study. I can’t say that I gained much knowledge from this particular book, as I think it would be really hard to fill in the blanks of what little Scripture there is about David's 1st wife. It was a decent read though. I will probably read the rest of the series, but not sure that I am going to rush right out and do it tomorrow.
Dec 30, 2009
Rachel
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This fiction, based on King David's first wife, began with his first encounter with Saul's daughter through their marriage and separation (LONG separation) and eventual reunion. I loved the very clear presentation of Michal's conversion in the last couple chapters.
Even though it is fiction - a lot of what "might have been" - it gave me a little more insight into Israel, David and his first wife...way back when...
Even though it is fiction - a lot of what "might have been" - it gave me a little more insight into Israel, David and his first wife...way back when...
