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Michal (The Wives of King David #1)

by Jill Eileen Smith (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 1,336 ratings · 190 reviews

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 her beautiful older sister. When Michal falls for young David, the harpist who plays to calm her father, she has no idea what romance, adventures, and heartache await her.
As readers enter the colorful and unpredictable worlds...more

Paperback, 382 pages

Published March 1st 2009 by Fleming H. Revell Company

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Dec 28, 2012 Brenda rated it 3 of 5 stars

“Michal” is a Christian adventure romance book. It takes place during the reign of King Saul when David of Bethlehem is merely a shepherd boy. David would occasionally come to the palace to sing and play his harp to give King Saul peace from the demons that were torturing him. While King Saul was in one of those moods, he’d get into tantrums and abuse his family, even Michal. Michal and her sister, Merab, would very much look forward to David’s coming, for they both loved him.
During a battle th...more “Michal” is a Christian adventure romance book. It takes place during the reign of King Saul when David of Bethlehem is merely a shepherd boy. David would occasionally come to the palace to sing and play his harp to give King Saul peace from the demons that were torturing him. While King Saul was in one of those moods, he’d get into tantrums and abuse his family, even Michal. Michal and her sister, Merab, would very much look forward to David’s coming, for they both loved him.
During a battle the Israelites were having with the Philistines, the Philistines used Goliath as their secret weapon. For forty days, no one dared fight him. King Saul promised that whoever killed Goliath would be given his oldest daughter, Merab, in marriage. David went to the Israelite camp to visit his brothers, and ended up being the one to kill Goliath. Merab was delighted, but Michal was devastated. She ended up tricking her father into marrying Merab to a well-respected, rich man. During her sister’s wedding, Michal and David see each other and Michal confesses her love to David. David is shocked and thinks of her as a young girl, but he definitely notices her beauty. Later, David makes a deal with King Saul. He’d be allowed to marry Michal if he killed two-hundred Philistines during a battle. Before he knew it, the two-hundred Philistines were dead, and he was married to Michal. They had a very happy, young love experience. However, King Saul became jealous that David was becoming more powerful that himself. Therefore, he sought to take David’s life multiple times. Eventually, David ran away to save his life. He left Michal behind, and her father forced her to marry Paltiel. Paltiel patiently tried to get her to love him, but she refused and constantly fought back. All she wanted was to be with David.
Multiple years later, after King Saul’s death, David came back to the area of Israel with multiple followers and power. He sent for Michal, and she goes to his palace. She is very hurt at the sight of his multiple wives and children in his harem. She feels abandoned and hates David and his godly ways. David is soon anointed as king over Israel and is highly respected by the people. She and he face many years of little contact. Finally, when a drought affects Israel for three years, Michal turns to God in despair. She repents for the first time in her life and feels an unexplainable peace in her heart. She later tells David of the change in her life, and he forgives her for her hatred towards him. However, he makes it clear that God didn't choose to bless their marriage, and she understands that.
I thought this book was fairly well written. It showed romantic struggles that all couples face in their marriage. It also had adventure, war, and plenty of emotion. However, I don't think it ended very well. I also think David should've been portrayed with a more genuine love.
This book causes you to think of your relationship with God, and how important the decisions you make are. It also has plenty of excitement. However, I think that David could've been portrayed as a more godly man. He seemed more like a teenage boy for a large part of the book. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone seeking a Christian romance book.
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Mar 15, 2009 Virginia rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 report that Jill...more

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Mar 18, 2009 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

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,...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Marie desJardins rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is just one of the most awful books I've ever tried to read. (I can't say "I've ever read" because there was no way I was going to spend my time reading the whole thing.)

It reads like it was written by a 12-year-old (or at the very least *for* a 12-year-old) -- overly melodramatic, overly simplistic, no plot line whatsoever, no character development whatsoever. It just jumps from scene to scene with no narrative structure, and the writing itself is just ... really, really terrible.

I mean,...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-non-fiction

Baker Publishing Group | March 1, 2009 | Trade Paperback | ISBN 978-0-8007-3320-9

Story Description:

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 her beautiful older sister. When Michal falls for young David, the harpist who plays to calm her father, she has no idea what romance, adventures, and heartache await her. As readers enter the colorful and unpredictable worlds of King Saul and King Davi...more Baker Publishing Group | March 1, 2009 | Trade Paperback | ISBN 978-0-8007-3320-9

Story Description:

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 her beautiful older sister. When Michal falls for young David, the harpist who plays to calm her father, she has no idea what romance, adventures, and heartache await her. As readers enter the colorful and unpredictable worlds of King Saul and King David, they will be swept up in this exciting and romantic story. Against the backdrop of opulent palace life, raging war, and desert escapes, Jill Eileen Smith takes her readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride as Michal deals with love, loss, and personal transformation as one of the wives of David. A sweeping tale of passion and drama, readers will love this amazing story.

My Review:

Fifteen-year-old, Michal, was the daughter of King Saul. He had a violent temper and was prone to outbursts of yelling, madness, and cruelty to anyone who was nearby including his wife and daughter. Michal, her sister, Merab, and her brother knew he wasn’t a good King. Ever since King Saul had returned from a battle with the Amalekites, he was a changed man who had been shaken to his core and never spoke of the battle. Michal questioned her brother Jonathan as to why the Lord seemed to have forsaken their father rather than help him?

King Saul was being tormented by something and his screams could be heard throughout the palace. The only thing that would calm him was, David, the harpist. He had already been sent for and everyone in the grand palace was awaiting his arrival so they could gain some peace from the sounds of her father’s raving madness that carried even through the open windows. David finally arrived and his sweet music and the strings of his harp mimicked the melodic trill of a nightingale. Michal closed her eyes and pictured a cascading waterfall. King Saul was no longer the crazed man he had been.

As David played his head lifted and glanced in Michal’s direction, her breath caught as their eyes connected. Could he tell how her heart yearned for him? His gaze then moved past her and lingered on her sister, Merab, and Michal saw the look that passed between them, a look that told her more than words could say. David, the man who had captured Michal’s heart, was in love with her sister!

Goliath of Gath was a huge man, larger than anyone had seen before. Goliath was taunting King Saul and his army for someone brave enough to stand up and fight him and try to kill him. No one was volunteering for the job. King Saul had promised riches, tax exemptions, and his daughter, Merab’s hand in marriage to the slayer of Goliath. David, the harpist couldn’t understand the fear in everyone in fighting Goliath. He said: “What difference did a man height make? The Lord is on our side, we have nothing to fear”. The men looked at David as though he had lost his mind. David retrieved his sling-shot from his pocket and placed a large stone in the sling and fired, hitting Goliath dead centre in the forehead and bringing the large man down to ground where he then beheaded him.

Determined to not allow Merab to marry David, Michal, unbeknownst to Merab and David, told her father the King, that Merab loved someone else. The King immediately sought this man out and ordered Merab and Adriel to marry. Michal had played her cards well, or had she? She had no idea what heartache awaited her.

This is a beautiful story from the Bible which you can read the original version of in 1 and 2 Samuel.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

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Dec 14, 2011 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, historical

"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 her second h...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Martine added it

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...more

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May 15, 2011 Eugena Moulton rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: do-not-recommend

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Too bad I can't give this book less than one star.

First off, I am thankful that I received this book as part of a free ebook promotion. I would have been sorely disappointed if I paid even a penny for it.

Being no historian, I can't really comment on the historical accuracy of this book, the only apparent redeeming quality. So, I will review this just as a book.

This is the first of a historical religious fiction novel series about the wives of King David. I'm sure nearly everyone is familiar with...more Too bad I can't give this book less than one star.

First off, I am thankful that I received this book as part of a free ebook promotion. I would have been sorely disappointed if I paid even a penny for it.

Being no historian, I can't really comment on the historical accuracy of this book, the only apparent redeeming quality. So, I will review this just as a book.

This is the first of a historical religious fiction novel series about the wives of King David. I'm sure nearly everyone is familiar with this historical figure.

The young David character as seen in the beginning is very consistent with his character later on with Bathsheba, who does not appear in this novel. He has several short internal monologues about how dare this woman (usually speaking of Michal's older sister) have some sort of power over him. This guy is apparently an equivalent of a modern teenager, hormones running rampant. Good foreshadowing, however, as many will remember that the older King David decided he had the right, as King, to as many sex partners as he wanted so he has sex with Bathsheba and murders her husband, a loyal soldier.

But this book is not about that faithless side of David, It's about his young life and rist to power in the perspective of Michal.

Michal apparently leads a sheltered life. Yes, she's a princess, but she can't get over David. This will lead to her downfall, of course. She is the second daughter of the current King. In this day, the older daughters must always marry before the younger daughters. So, at first, her world crashes down as her father promises her sister to David. After David's initial rejection and Michal lying to her father who was going crazy (well, this book suggests he is possessed with demons. Modern day medicine might suggest he had Alzheimer’s or Dementia or maybe just Schizophrenic), Michal finally marries David. Yes, her sister is married off to some guy much older than her (not uncommon), but hey, Michal's lie got her what she wanted.

I stopped reading shortly after Michal and David's marriage. The boredom that had persisted since page one finally got me to stop giving this book a chance. Needless to say, I doubt I will be picking up any other book in the series, or even any more of this author's books.

Michal as a character is cursed. Aside from her brother Jonathan's son whom David adopts as her own, her entire family's line is wiped out. Michal never reproduced, either being sterile or via methods of existing contraception. After all, David ousted the prior royal family. He would not want any challegers in the future. He probably would have slaughtered the adopted son (forking him over to his family's enemies in the least) except he had made a promise to Jonathan.

Michal reminds me of the poor, barren Irulan from Dune.(less)

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Mar 20, 2011 Mary Catherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

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, not because I’m an...more

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Mar 06, 2011 Rebyj rated it 4 of 5 stars

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. I would have liked to s...more

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Apr 12, 2010 Nora St Laurent rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 very high do...more 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 very high dowry for her, in hopes he would die before the price could be paid. Through the pages of this story and in the bible God used David to turn the people’s focus back to the Lord. It was amazing to read all that David went through in chronological order.

When David has to flee for his life he is unable to take Michael with him, it’s too dangerous. I enjoyed the way Jill Eileen Smith told of the times, culture and events with so much emotion and insight. This author pens an up-close and personal look at David through Michal’s eyes. Starting when she first falls in love with him and all the drama that plays out before and after David becomes King.

Jill says in the author notes that this book was twenty years in the making. Originally she wrote this book about King David. Later on a publisher suggests she writes it from the point of view of Michal. I’m so glad she did write it through Michel’s eyes, it made the book more intimate. Jill Eileen Smith drew me into the story quickly and captured my imagination from the very beginning with the story of David and Goliath—a story I’m familiar with yet I found myself captivated by this tale and her passionate storytelling

There were events in this book that made me go back to scripture to see if what she wrote was true or she just added it to make the story work. I learned several surprising things about Michal and David that I hadn’t known before. I love when that happens because then the facts stay with me. This is the first book in the Wives of David series. I cant’ wait to read the next booking this series called Abigail.

Nora St.Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com (less)

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Mar 10, 2010 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

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...more 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 historical insights.
The book covers a large time span: from when Michal is a young girl with a crush on her daddy's harpist, through their marriage and separation, to David finally becoming king. What I liked most in the narrative was the clearly portrayed interlacing relationships. Michal was Saul's daughter, David's first wife, Jonathan's sister, Paltiel's wife, a woman in David's harem, and she lost most of her family. First, David was a shepherd, Saul's harpist, and Jonathan's friend. Then he was the commander of Saul's army and national war hero. After that he was Saul's enemy and on the run. He lost many he loved as well. Finally he was king of Judah and all of Israel.
The changing relationships and varying emotions within and between the characters was intriguing and raised my awareness to the complexity of these peoples' lives. Michal had two husbands. David had multiple wives. Jonathan was David's friend and Saul's son. David was first given a position of honor by the king, then a death sentence. Smith shows great empathy in her writing, and I believe a major strength of the book is her portrayal of emotion in both the characters and relationships, and in specific situations. She does not explain everything, but as this is a fictionalized account of true events and people, I enjoyed the added questions the narrative raised as to what these people really went through. For example: How did Michal feel when her father ordered David killed or when David was gone for so long and she had to take another husband? What turmoil did she experience when she was separated from her second husband and returned to her first, now only to be one of David's many wives?
(slight SPOILER ALERT)...My favorite part of Smith's retelling was the development of Michal's faith in the end and the demonstration of strength in silent witnessing. David's love for God was evident to Michal and that caused her to look at her own relationship with Yahweh. I actually hope that part really did turn out the way Smith wrote it! I enjoyed Michal and I look forward to reading both Abigal and The Wives of the Patriarchs that Smith has planned next!(less)

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Feb 27, 2010 Ruth rated it 5 of 5 stars

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...more 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 only a handful of verses, she witnessed an incredible amount of history and heartbreak. The way Smith brings Michal to life, from her early years as a young princess in Saul’s court, in love with David the simple shepherd, to the unfathomable tragedy she witnessed as Saul’s family fell from power, absolutely captivated me from the first page.

Smith’s narrative closely follows the Biblical account of David’s life and rise to power found in 1 and 2 Samuel. In many cases, she incorporates some of the actual dialogue from the scriptures which adds further authenticity to the novel. Her research and passion for the time period clearly shines through in her vivid descriptions of palace life. It was easy to imagine myself in that world, walking alongside Michal and David, drinking in the sights, sounds, and smells of ancient Israel. The book covers decades in Michal’s life, often with jumps of one to six years between chapters. Those transitions can be a little abrupt, but overall they did not detract from my enjoyment of the story or my complete immersion into Michal’s world. And although the focus of this novel is Michal, David also emerges as a fascinating and complex man. Smith gives readers a window into the personal, family side of David, while not neglecting David the king and worshipper so well known in the pages of the Bible. I wanted to smack him when he started accumulating multiple wives. Through Michal’s role as first – and childless – wife, Smith gives a very human face to the toll such a lifestyle must have taken on women during that time.

I really appreciate how Smith depicted the many cultural and social standards a woman in Michal’s position dealt with seem so foreign today. Seeing Saul’s descent into madness from the perspective of a daughter was absolutely terrifying, especially since as a woman she was wholly subject to his dictates as her father and king. I cannot imagine the courage it took to help David escape Saul’s wrath in the early days of their marriage, and then to endure being given to another man when Saul declared her marriage to David void. It’s easy to understand Michal’s struggles with anger and bitterness, and how she clung to her dream of being declared David’s queen as her salvation. In a culture that placed a premium on a woman’s ability to provide her husband with children, Michal’s struggles with anger, fear, and bitterness over the uncertainty of her position at court are heartbreaking. Her journey towards redemption, and a personal relationship with David’s beloved God after enduring so much heartbreak and horror was beautiful to witness. Michal does not get your typical happy ending, but it’s the right ending for her story, offering the hope and restoration that only a relationship with God can supply to a life torn asunder by circumstance. Very well done – I look forward to the sequels!(less)

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Feb 05, 2010 April W. rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 imaginations to feast on.
1023BC isn’t the...more 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 imaginations to feast on.
1023BC isn’t the best time to be alive. There are giants, crazed kings, and brutal enemies bent on Israel’s destruction, but all Michal wants is a life with the only man her heart has ever wished for--David.
David, on the other hand, has a kingdom to win, a God to please, and a murderer to avoid. He loves Michal, but having a few other wives is convenient too.
In the Bible, Michal and David’s story is spread out over so many years and between so many momentous events it’s hard keep it together on your mind. The author did a fine job of taking all the bits and pieces and tying them together in a neat little package. Michal is written in a clear voice and concise plot which is entertaining and easy to follow.
Michal’s development from bratty younger sister to woman of God was a joy to witness. I’d never fully grasped what a hard and trying life she led. Being the daughter of a crazy king had to have been rough. On top of that, she was forced to relinquish the man she loved. They were reunited years later but Michal had to share him with other wives. Not fun.
Michal is a story of God’s perfect timing, of his moving in and through our lives to carry out his plan on earth.
One of the disadvantages of reading Biblical fiction is the reader probably already knows the plot bringing the surprise level to zero. In this case, the bond the reader develops with the characters is worth the sacrifice of the element of surprise. From now on, when I read 1 Samuel, I’ll look at Michal differently, with a bit more respect and a touch of awe.
I look forward to the next book in the series Abigail, recently released through Revell.

Reviewed by April W Gardner
www.aprilgardner.com
“Wounded Spirits”
November 2010
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Jan 25, 2010 R.L. Syme rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: enduring-romance-reviews

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 shallow or so under-developed that...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Loraine Alcorn rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really loved reading Michal By Jill Eileen Smith. I actually have now put her on my must read authors list. Jill has the ability to make the reader really feel the story. She also has a way of making bible stories come to life while keeping true to the biblical account. I think her books are a must read for not only the Christian fiction lover, but for anyone who wants to read a really interesting historical story.
What I loved about Michal was that Jill really brought her to life for me so I c...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Sabrina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-nook-book, historical-fiction, christian-romance

After just completing a story on David, I was excited to see B&N had Michal as a free Nook book. This is a fictional story based on real people, timeline and historical events. I enjoyed the real-life biblical aspects of the book, but what I didn’t completely enjoy was the made-up story in between. Some actions just didn’t make sense. Michal’s emotions seem like a roller coaster. . .and I just wish there could have been better progression to her feelings and actions. The book tried to make i...more

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May 09, 2013 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don't read all that much Christian fiction, other than some Amish stuff (which I view as being a bit of a guilty pleasure) because often, I find it's a bit too "written for a purpose" and the quality of the writing suffers. When I started this book, I have to be honest, it didn't grab me right away and I was afraid that this was going to be another weak read. I had been reading something extremely well-written and it seemed a bit stilted. In fairness, the author has to be very, very careful ab...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 Bible.

I have oft...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Tracy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-on-kindle

My kindle loan expired when I was 98% through the book. I was honestly struggling to finish the book anyway. I will have to go to the library or book store just to finish out the book and be done with it.

I thought this book was only okay. It had a lot of potential, in my opinion, the author did not deliver.

The main character of Michal comes off as very young, immature, spoiled, and shallow. The book series is supposed to be about the WIVES of King David, but instead this book was mostly about D...more My kindle loan expired when I was 98% through the book. I was honestly struggling to finish the book anyway. I will have to go to the library or book store just to finish out the book and be done with it.

I thought this book was only okay. It had a lot of potential, in my opinion, the author did not deliver.

The main character of Michal comes off as very young, immature, spoiled, and shallow. The book series is supposed to be about the WIVES of King David, but instead this book was mostly about David - perhaps since it was the first one in the series? There was a lot of Michal in it, but she was more of a backdrop, a reason to tell David's story.

I understand Michal starting off as young and immature, but she never really grows up throughout the book, which spans over 20+ years.

Michal is supposed to love David, yet in the beginning the only reason she wants him is because her older sister is supposed to have him. She successfully ruins that pairing and is able to marry David, but I never really FELT a connection between them. Even towards the end of the book when she is reunited with David, her main concern is being favorite Queen and having a say in everything David does. Not to mention she just walks away from her current husband of 17 years without ever looking back, even though she states that she did grow feelings for him and did love him.

You could really see David grow through this book, from someone who wants to be loyal and faithful to only one woman, waiting several years after his separation from Michal before remarrying because he doesn't want to be unfaithful. Into a "man-whore" with several wives, adding them to the harem to keep the peace across the nations. I guess after the first 2 or three the next dozen get easier... You could also feel his belief and struggle with a higher power.

I really enjoyed the way Jonathan and Saul were written. I could actually see them as real tormented individuals. Saul tormented by his mental "illness" and Jonathan torn between his loyalty to his father, loyalty to his god and to his best friend David.

I read other reviews that say Michal has a change in attitude in the last 50 pages, but really that is just too far into the book to hold my interest or to save the book.

I was really disappointed with this book.(less)

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May 19, 2013 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

Biblical fiction is difficult for me to draw a line at. It's interesting to think about what those characters might have been like but often liberties are taken with the actual text and we form images that are nothing like the real person. And if we don't expose ourselves to what we know from the Bible, we can't tell the truth from the fiction.
I believe Jill Smith did well sticking to what we know about Michal but what we know isn't much. There are a number of gaps to fill in to make a readable...more

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Feb 18, 2010 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-review

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 to it. I too...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Michal is the daughter of King Saul, the first King of Israel. But when her father beings to have nightmares after disobeying Adonai, only the young harpist David can sooth the king's guilty conscience. Her attraction to David is undeniable, but it is with great disappointment that she realizes her sister Merab must be given in marriage first.

David becomes a great warrior from King Saul, to the point that the king seeks his life in the jealous rages that shadow his reign more and more frequentl...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Jae Roth rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a nice book, not a great book, but a nice one. I'd probably be interested in picking up another by this author. It tells the story of King David's first wife Michal, daughter of King Saul. David is forced to flee and refuses to take Michal with him thinking she'll be safer if she stays behind. Her father annuls her marriage to David and gives her to another man she doesn't want. As King Saul sinks deeper into madness and David's star rises, Michal is caught between her family and the ma...more

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May 23, 2009 rjp316 rated it 4 of 5 stars

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. "Biblical ficti...more

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Nov 18, 2011 LeAnne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction, historical-fiction

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 others...more

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Dec 18, 2011 Betty rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

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 backdrop of opulent palace life, ragi...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Joy rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 Smith's...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Ruth rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: history

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 a sliv...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 course...more

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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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“We don't always know why God allows trials. We do know He wants us to trust Him.” — 8 people liked it

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Michal (The Wives of King David #1)

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