Mesu Andrews's Blog, page 2
January 27, 2025
Truth, Facts, & Fiction in Treasures of His Love Series
Many of you already know that my writing career didn’t begin with fiction. I started writing Bible studies and devotionals, but–like many other non-fiction hopefuls–no traditional publisher would contract them. Why? Because I didn’t have what the industry calls a “platform.” I wasn’t a recognized expert who could sell lots of “expert-opinion” books. I really only wanted to sell one book–a Bible study on Song of Songs. The Bible study was based on an allegory (story) that I believe the LORD showed me in the poetic masterpiece of Solomon’s Song of Songs. No one wanted a Bible study based on fiction. So why not teach biblical truth through a full-length novel?
Didn’t Jesus do that with His parables?
I started digging into stacks and stacks of research books at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in the early 2000’s. To write fiction about God’s Truth, I needed to understand what scholars taught about the Bible. To write believable fiction, I needed solid, historical facts about biblical culture, archaeology, and rabbinic tradition. While my husband pursued his PhD in education, I visited the TEDS library.
My husband’s gift of access to the library became a second gift from the One who had proven His love through Solomon’s best Song. Through the years, the LORD had opened doors to other university and scholar-level libraries (check for “community access” to university libraries in your area). On this research journey, I’ve learned from trial and error, patient research librarians, and through hours/days/weeks/years of God-driven fascination.
How Did Treasures of His Love Get Published?In 2008, I attended my first fiction intensive course at Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference. Gayle Roper was my teacher and will forever be revered as my publishing mama. She saw the ugliest of my first efforts at fiction and lovingly covered that first draft with red ink AND encouragement.
At the same conference, a very brave editor from Revell (A Division of Baker Publishing Group) was looking for biblical fiction. No other trad house was publishing “bibfic” at the time. Guess how many wannabe authors brought a bibfic proposal to that conference. One–me. TRUTH. She looked at her only option and said, “You’ve definitely got some craft issues, but I think you can tell a story.” JESUS alone provided a publishing open door for me. I still couldn’t write a Facebook post without Him!
Gayle helped me clean up some craft issues, and Revell offered me a two-book contract. Why two books? We’ve established it wasn’t my stellar writing. Remember that brave editor? Vicki–who had a PhD in theology (thank You, Jesus!)–said Revell needed to wait to release my Song of Songs novel until 2012. So, they wanted me to write a second novel to release first–in 2011–and they allowed me to choose Job and Dinah as the topic. The rest, as they say, is history. 😉
How Did the Series Get Its Name?Fact: The Treasures of His Love series wasn’t a series until Christianbook.com put all four books on sale in a bundle! They coined the name, “Treasures of His Love,” and my publisher loved it! You know the first two novels in the series as Love Amid the Ashes (LATA) and Love’s Sacred Song (LSS). The third novel, Love in a Broken Vessel (LBV), came in 2013, and the fourth and final, In the Shadow of Jezebel (ITSOJ), launched in 2014.
Why Is ITSOJ’s Cover So Different?
Fact: I shared in a social media post about our cover process on LATA (see FB post HERE and IG post HERE). After mediocre retailer feedback on the first cover, Revell totally changed the cover to the stunning bi-panel for my award-winning debut novel. However, by the third bi-panel cover in the series, I think the design team got tired of the same ol’ thing.
For a new look on book #4 they chose a beautiful young woman with Yahweh’s Temple as background. Though understated and simple, the ITSOJ cover has a special place in my heart. Why? Because the model’s father emailed me personally to thank me for choosing his daughter for my cover! How fun is that? I explained that I had nothing to do with choosing the model, but he was still very excited. I hope they read the book! 😉
What’s Truth, Fact, & Fiction in LATA?Truth:Love Amid the Ashes will always be special as my debut novel but also because it helped me work through the emotions of my own chronic illness journey. As I researched the names of Job’s friends–Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad–I found Eliphaz mentioned in Genesis as Esau’s firstborn son. Some scholars believe the ancient variations of Zophar (Zepho – Gen. 36:11, 15) and Job (Jobab – Gen. 36:33-34) also gave biblical proof that they, too, were Esau’s descendants.
Fact:These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau’s wife Basemath. The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz…The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath…When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king. Genesis 36:10–11, 13; 33 (emphasis added)
Since the Book of Job was contemporary with the time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), it was likely written during the same period as the Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). Some thought Moses might also have written the book of Job. We can’t consider it biblical Truth but it’s as close to agreeing on historical “fact” as scholars get.
I took many historical insights for the story of LATA out of The Testament of Job (ToJob). The ToJob is a Jewish historical writing thought to have been penned between the 1st-century BC and AD. It’s included in the Pseudepigrapha, which is a compilation of Jewish historical writings. Both texts have been debated for centuries about their authenticity, which is why they’re relegated to history and not included in Scripture.
While doing research on a Book of the Bible dating back to the 19th-20th century BC, it’s very difficult to find definitive facts on record. Most historical data at that time was maintained through the oral tradition, including word-for-word details passed down through song. If you want to know how accurate they might have been, ask your grandmother to sing, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” or “Happy Birthday.” Songs are easily memorized and last for generations!
However, the ToJob was very helpful to find clues to help me understand what Job’s culture, household, and surrounding political environment might have been like. Though I looked only to Job’s Book in the Bible for Truth, I found the one thing I MOST wanted to discover in ToJob. The name of Job’s wife–Sitis! According to history, she was an Ishmaelite and might have been related to Bildad–Job’s third friend.
If you’d like to delve deeper, CLICK HERE to read The Testament of Job for yourself!
Fiction:The hoopoe bird was, of course, a fictional element added during my final critique session with my two writing partners. They wanted to see a symbol in the story and helped me create deeper meaning with that cute little hoopoe bird. I’m so grateful for their insight.
Nogalah, though completely fictional, became my favorite character. She started as only Dinah’s maid but sort of stole the show with her naivety and simple faith. Aban was similar, beginning as the villain’s henchman but wiggling his way into my heart as the story progressed.
The Truth Through Story:
Before Job’s testing began:
He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. Job 1:2–3 (emphasis added)
After Job was tested and healed, God returned to him in double portion all that had been taken from him:
The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. Job 42:12–13 (emphasis added)
The Bible doesn’t tell us if his original wife gave him ten more children. Some scholars believe Job married a second wife. Just as all his livestock was doubled after Job passed the test, so were his children. He only needed ten MORE children since the first ten were awaiting him at Abraham’s side. Wouldn’t the same reasoning make sense for a wife. The first wife likely wouldn’t bear children into old age. Why wouldn’t the LORD bless him with a second wife who gave him those ten additional children that Job enjoyed for the next 140 years God gave him?
Want To Read More Truth, Fact, & Fiction?This post is already quite long, so I’ll finish the Truth, Fact, & Fiction about the other three Treasures of His Love series in my February 10th newsletter update. CLICK HERE if you’d like to receive the Truth, Fact, and Fiction, about Love’s Sacred Song, Love in a Broken Vessel, and In The Shadow of Jezebel directly in your inbox. When you subscribe, you’ll also receive a free novella, and you can unsubscribe any time. Becoming one of my “newsies” ensures you’ll get all the updates on current writing projects, exclusive giveaways, and more insights into my personal and writing adventures. Blessings on your week!
Tweet-Ables:Did you know when I started writing, I only planned to write ONE BOOK in my whole life?Did you know that Job may have been Esaus great-grandson? Find out more in todays post!Look for MORE Truth, Fact, & Fiction about my Treasures of His Love series in my February 10th Newsie update. Subscribe today and get a free novella!**Because I’m an Amazon advertising affiliate, a small commission is earned when purchases are made using Amazon links on this site. Thank you for your support!
December 23, 2024
8 Most Anticipated Biblical Fiction of 2025
It’s time to begin building your reading list for the New Year! Why only 8 Most Anticipated for 2025? The truth is, we could only fit 8 circles on the form with the titles! (Same as 2024 poll)
Why do a “Most Anticipated” post at all? It’s my devious plan to help readers deepen their love for the Biblical fiction and their knowledge of the Bible!
You’ll find many of the Biblical fiction titles listed below on Goodreads’ Most Anticipated Christian Fiction 2025 List. PLEASE CLICK HERE to VOTE. Let’s put Biblical fiction at the top of Goodread’s Most Anticipated 2025 Fiction!
This Post Is For You BibFic Lovers!We’re doing a SEPARATE poll for the 8 Most Anticipated Biblical Fiction of 2025! What’s the difference between Christian fiction and Biblical fiction?
Christian fiction can be a novel about any story in an array of genres–Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Amish, Speculative, etc.–that’s written from a Christian point-of-view.Biblical fiction (at least as defined for this blog post) is a novel written to bring out vivid details about stories we read in the Bible OR stories written about the early Church in which the disciples or early Church fathers play a role (in person or are mentioned) in the overall plot.I’m Sure We’ve Missed Some…My assistant and I have asked publishers and established indie authors to shake the social-media bushes to discover who might have a viable publication sometime in 2025. Inevitably, I’m sure we’ve missed some.
If your 2025 new release has been overlooked, please forgive me. Though I can’t add your title to the poll at this stage (after this post is live), please contact me in November 2025 if you have a 2026 title to release. Thanks, in advance, for your grace and understanding.
Don’t Recognize An Author?You may not recognize some names listed below. Hooray! There’s nothing like finding a NEW favorite author.
It’s important to do a little research before you vote. The books already listed on Amazon have clickable links (my aff links for which I receive a very small percentage of each sale). I’ve also provided a clickable link with each author’s name connecting to their website or Amazon author page.
Take your timeGet to know the amazing authors who have studied and researched God’s Word to bring you details you might not have known before.
Speaking of research and details, I haven’t read all the books listed, so I can’t vouch for the authenticity or theological leanings within the titles below. Do your research, and let the Holy Spirit help you discern which books are right for you in 2025!
When you’ve decided which of these FABULOUS releases are the top 8 Biblical Fiction novels for your 2025 TBR list, CLICK HERE to make your vote count!
Deadline to vote is December 31, 2024 at Noon (EST)!We’ll tabulate YOUR CHOICES with the others and publish the results in my regularly scheduled January newsletter (CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE). We’ll also publish results right here in January’s blog post! So, be sure to bookmark this page!
Books Are Listed By Month of Publication (in order of pub date):January ReleasesJanuary 21, 2025
Before the King by Heather Kaufman
Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.
Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.
January date TBD
Bronze and Brokenness – Midianites (Book #2 in Light of the Nations) by Christine Dillon (not yet on Amazon)
February ReleasesSee description of Wells and Wanderers – Amorites (Book #1 in Light of the Nations series)
February 11, 2025
As Sure As The Sea by Jamie Ogle
Once she denied everything she believed in. Now she’d give anything to choose differently. But in the shadow of the Roman Empire’s persecution and the shame of her past, she fears that what she wants most will be forever out of reach.
Eastern Roman Empire, AD 310.
In the shadow of Emperor Diocletian’s anti-Christian edicts, Demitria makes a meager living harvesting coral and pearls for a merchant who turns a blind eye to her faith. By night, Demi goes upriver with her brother, Theseus, to obtain provisions for fellow believers in the port city of Myra. While willing to risk her own life to ensure others are safe and fed, Demi lives with a desperate fear for those she loves and carries secret shame over her greatest failure. When Theseus is injured in a diving accident, all seems lost, until a stranger named Nikolas appears on the beach and offers help.
Arriving in a sinking boat, Nikolas is burdened by guilt over his older brother’s tragic death. Though the wealth he inherited from a prosperous shipping business now rests at the bottom of the sea, as the new pastor in Myra, he is determined to recover it and use it for good. As the violence against Christians increases, Demi helps Nikolas retrieve his lost fortune and distribute it to those in dire need.
Despite wondering if she can ever be worthy, Demi is drawn to Nikolas and longs to trust in his belief that freedom can be found in forgiveness. Then one terrifying night, everything changes as the Roman Empire’s fury rains down. Demi has no other choice but to decide if she has the courage to do what she once failed to . . . and if the faith she calls her own is sure enough to carry her.
February 18, 2025
Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith
From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same.
Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.
On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new.
February date TBD
The Ephesus Pages: Mysteries in Ephesus (Part II) by MJ Elliott
CLICK HERE to see info on The Ephesus Pages : A Kedoshim Limited Series (Part I: A Journey Begins).
Among the Giants by Jenelle Hovde (Available through Guideposts Mysteries & Wonders series; not on Amazon)
March ReleasesAchsah has heard her father’s stories of entering the promised land only to be forced to turn back. For many years, the Israelites have battled the giants—first under Joshua’s leadership, then that of her father, Caleb. He has his warriors’ respect, yet they refuse to advance and end the fight against the last tribe of giants. Especially when Joshua’s death threatens their confidence. Achsah’s faith, however, remains steadfast that Yahweh will provide a victory. To inspire his warriors, Caleb promises Achsah’s hand to the man who conquers Kiriath-sepher. Achsah doubts that anyone would want a strong-willed woman like herself. But to her great surprise, Othniel—a quiet man favored by her father—rises to the challenge. He carries a secret devotion to the fierce Achsah and hopes to win her heart. Can she return his love and encourage his leadership as the first judge of Israel? And together, can they return the Israelites to the One True God before disaster strikes again.
March 4, 2025
Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt
In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on a group of Christians–unusual individuals unlike any she has encountered before. Intrigued by their worship of the Son of an invisible God, Calandra grapples with her mistrust, only to find herself indebted to these believers as they help her rebuild her shattered world.
When Emperor Nero begins constructing his opulent Golden House, the people of Rome grow resentful, suspecting him of starting the fire in order to clear the land for his immense palace. Needing a scapegoat, Nero points at those who follow the Jewish Messiah, forcing Calandra to make an impossible choice between right and wrong, friends and family, love and death.
March 11, 2025
The Pharisee’s Wife by Janette Oke
April Release
From the beloved author of Love Comes Softly comes an inspiring work of historical fiction about a young Jewish woman, plucked from obscurity and thrust on a perilous journey, only to witness the world’s most life-changing story.
Like most young women in ancient Israel, Mary has little control over her own destiny. When Enos, a rising Pharisee, sees her one day in the market―the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on―and determines to make her his wife, Mary’s fate is quickly sealed. His exorbitant bride price is the only hope her parents have of escaping abject poverty, but surely the fact that such a devout and esteemed man has chosen a girl of her station must be a sign of blessing.
When Mary enters training to become the proper Pharisee’s wife, it is as though she has been abandoned in a foreign land, where one misstep could cost her greatly. That feeling only deepens when she discovers Enos is all she feared he might be, treating her merely as a prize he has won―and worse. Then rumors of a miracle-working, traveling Prophet change everything, and Mary and Enos are swept up in events that will challenge all they hold dear and forever alter both their futures.
April 10, 2025
The Wanderer’s Legacy by Natasha Woodcraft
Date TBD Spring Releases
Adah lives trapped between the life she longed for and the life she chose. She’s failed to produce an heir for her once devoted husband. As Lamech becomes increasingly unpredictable and domineering, Adah seeks refuge in legends about the mysterious Wanderer.
Then Lamech takes another wife. Adah flees to her family home, where freedom causes hope to rise once more. But her body hides a secret that will propel her back into danger. Can a legend come to her rescue? Or does someone else hold the power to help her dwell in safety?
The Wanderer’s Legacy is the third book in The Wanderer Series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. It explores the tale of Lamech and his two wives from Genesis 4 in Biblical Historical Fiction. If you love fresh spins on ancient Bible stories and books that dive deep into the human condition, then you’ll love The Wanderer’s Legacy.
The Lion of Corinth by Katrina D. Hamel
The Struggle for Hope: The Story of Gomer by Marilyn Parker
May ReleasesMay 5, 2025
Mantle (Book III in Whispers on the Wind series) by Dana McNeely
Reflected against the blaze of fiery chariots and the whirlwind of heaven’s call, young Jaedon must confront the injustice of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Mantle, the third book in the Whispers on the Wind series, follows the intertwining journeys of Elisha, Jaedon, and the ambitious Gehazi as they confront prophecy, love, and the divine hand of Yahweh.
May 16, 2025
Salome: Captivating 1st Century Biblical Novel (Servant Siblings Book 7) by Jenifer Jennings
From quiet obedience to bold defiance, Salome’s stand places her fate in jeopardy.
Salome bat Joseph struggled to make herself heard as the youngest of eight siblings, often choosing silence over conflict. Raised fatherless and cared for by her oldest brother Jesus, His strong, nurturing presence was the only fatherly influence she had known.
After Jesus revealed Himself as the Messiah, Salome eagerly followed Him, inspired by His strength and the transformative power He represented. Under His guidance, she learns to use her voice to advocate for change and to speak the truth with boldness.
When the Pharisees send one of their own to hunt down followers of the Way, Salome bravely speaks out against them. Her defiance leads to her imprisonment by the Romans, leaving her fate uncertain. Will Salome’s words secure her freedom, or will they seal her doom?
Explore the passion, conflict, and sacrifice of the early church in Salome, Book 7 of the Servant Siblings series.
May 25, 2025
The Hope of Inheritance by MJ Elliott
One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together Their Message will Speak to Many.The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place… on the surface. That is until fire reigned down and destroyed it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to continue spreading that truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of this calling and the message is clear, the hope of inheritance is Christ living within each of us.In the echoes of persecution, suffering, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering. Each one has endured their own journey for such a time as this, and have been given a different message they were each called to teach.Silas, Luke, John-Mark, and Timothy all knew Peter and Paul and the message God spoke through them. Will they complete this mysterious letter before they are all killed just like those who came before them? This story is the epic journey these four brothers in Christ experienced as God prepared their hearts to write that Letter and how HE led them through it. Are you ready for the Journey?June Releases
June 3, 2025
A Faith Untamed by April Gardner
He breached her city, chained her king. Neither her faith nor her heart is as easily conquered.
Jerusalem 587 BC
Liora bat Chesed, once a noblewoman of Jerusalem, now finds herself bound to Babylon’s highest general—the man who captured Jerusalem while calling her the light of his soul. Liora’s future seems sealed, but one vow holds him at bay: a rash promise he made to Yahweh.
General Nebuzaradan is a man feared by all, but even the Butcher of Babylon must bend his iron will to the God of Judah. While his soldiers strip the Temple and systematically burn the city, he chafes under the shackles of his vow. Never one to concede defeat, Nebuzaradan seeks counsel from the prophet Jeremiah, desperate for a way to bypass his sworn oath. Then a Babylonian prince arrives and threatens Nebuzaradan’s authority over the city…and Liora.
Expected to despise the man bringing her city to ruins, Liora feels the lash of judgment from those around her. She can’t bring herself to hate him, but neither will she let him tear down the walls of her heart. While a Babylonian prince wants her as an interpreter and a rebel from the hills wants her as a spy, Nebuzaradan simply wants her. As Jerusalem burns, Liora is thrust into the dangerous political games between prince and general, rebel and the people of her heart.
In a world of destruction and intrigue, Liora is once again a tool in the hands of power-hungry men—only her untamable faith in Yahweh will guide her through.
June date TBD
And They Were Persuaded by Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane (not yet on Amazon)
July Release
In the bustling cities and remote corners of the ancient world, four extraordinary individuals join the Apostle Paul to spread the transformative message of Jesus Christ and bring the gospel to life, facing relentless persecution and trials that test their faith and courage.
Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, stands unwaveringly by Paul’s side, offering comfort and strength in times of adversity. Timothy, a young and eager disciple, learns to navigate the complexities of leadership as he shoulders the weight of Paul’s teachings.
Damaris, a seeker of truth, finds herself drawn to the message of hope and redemption. Her journey from skepticism to faith mirrors the challenges faced by those grappling with the radical message of Jesus. Epaphroditus, a steadfast companion, exemplifies selfless dedication as he endures hardships for the sake of the gospel.
Against the backdrop of a world hostile to their beliefs, the characters confront persecution, political intrigue, and personal trials. The novel explores the bonds forged in the crucible of adversity and the enduring power of faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Their stories paint a vivid portrait of the challenges faced by the early Christian community, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith.
July date TBD
Star of Wonder by Robin Lee Hatcher (Available through Guideposts Mysteries & Wonders series; not on Amazon)
August Releases
Dobah’s lonely widowed life changes the night her cousin Yosef arrives with his wife, Miryam, and their newborn son, Yeshua. The baby was born under a brilliant light in the sky that could only have come from Adonai. With the arrival of the Magi from the East looking for the King of the Jews, Dobah knows her cousin’s son is blessed.
But along with the Magi comes warning of danger on the horizon. When Yosef receives a message from Adonai, he knows he and his family must flee. He advises Dobah that it would be best for her and her son, Levi, to leave as well. But they won’t be alone. Menes, the Magi’s guide, pledges to help and protect Dobah and Levi. Together, they will undertake a long journey of faith, love, and the promise of a better future for all mankind.
August 5, 2025
Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette
Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan–son of King Saul–dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel’s finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior forces Yonatan to present him with an ultimatum, Gavriel is sent on a mission to persuade a distant tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.
Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father’s legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her talent, unmatched and unrecognized, is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a love that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they’re tangled together in a way no one could have imagined. As they navigate through unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose his love forever.
Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, bestselling author Connilyn Cossette breathes life into the Old Testament era with this exhilarating tale of redemption, courage, and sacrifice.
August 19, 2025
Noble: The Story of Maakah by Mesu Andrews
September Release
Princess Maakah of Geshur is duty-bound to create a political alliance for her father through marriage. The cancellation by King Saul of her betrothal to his fourth-born son compels Maakah’s father to arrange an unexpected marriage to the rebel David ben Jesse, a shepherd-warrior anointed years earlier as Israel’s future king. Taken aback by stories of David’s fierceness and lowly birth, Maakah considers the match a degrading fate but obeys her father’s wishes out of duty as her nation’s only heir.
While alliances shift and enemies loom, Maakah navigates the delicate balance between her noble heritage and her growing respect for David’s faith and leadership. When David and his army move to Hebron, and he becomes king over Judah, Maakah faces prejudice and suspicion from David’s home tribe. In a land torn by war and divided loyalties, she must choose where her allegiance lies: with her people and heritage, or with an extraordinary destiny alongside David that beckons her from within.
Through Maakah’s lens of nobility, courage, and love, beloved author Mesu Andrews skillfully presents a biblical tale of King David and his royal household.
September Date TBD
Survival Secrets (Book II of The Magi’s Encounters) by Lana Christian
Akilah and the Wise Men’s caravan flight from Herod’s wrath pushes them into the Wilderness of Paran, where the only route to safety is to reach Egypt. At odds with the harsh terrain, hobbled by the capture of one of their own, each Wise Man’s faith is tested severely in different ways. At the same time, Akilah’s cousin, Farzaneh, is on a spiritual journey of her own. Traveling to Arbela to settle her husband’s final affairs, her greater goal is to learn why he became a God-fearer so in life after helping the Jews in Arbela rebuild the area’s water systems. Akilah, his father, and Farzaneh need to learn the power of forgiveness—while power plays in Herod’s now-divided kingdom and Persia’s rise of a new king, a half-breed Roman, will change the course of everyone’s destiny forever—as will another encounter with Yeshua.October Release
October Date TBD
Leading Philip by Jenifer Jennings
Date TBD Fall Release
In the raging sea of fear, Epaphroditus finds his faith.
In the bustling colony of Philippi, Epaphroditus, the son of a traveling merchant, finds himself ensnared in the threads of destiny. Blessed with wealth and privilege, his life is shadowed by a prophecy whispered by one of Aphrodite’s priestesses: a grim fate aboard a ship awaits him.
Living vicariously through his best friend Luke, a compassionate physician traversing the seas to aid the afflicted, Epaphroditus grapples with the threat of mortality and the uncertainty of his future. When a bold traveler named Paul arrives, bearing tales of a humble craftsman from Nazareth named Jesus, Epaphroditus finds himself drawn into a journey of faith.
Join Epaphroditus on his extraordinary odyssey, where he discovers the transformative power of grace and the strength to battle fear with faith. Dare to embark on a journey that will stir your soul and ignite your faith as the letter of Philippians comes to life.
Truth and the Way–Roman Britain (working title ) – next in the Light in the Empire series by Carol Ashby
November ReleaseNovember Date TBD
Book II in Queen Esther’s Court series by Tessa Afshar – (Title Reveal late Dec. ’24)
December Release(No entries listed)After You’ve Done Your Research
In ancient Persia, a Jewish potter must risk everything to help the queen . . . and find her second chance at love.
Sazana’s master, Lord Haman, does not know Sazana is really Shoshana—one of the Jews he loathes so much. When tragedy strikes, Sazana must join forces with Jadon, the man who broke her heart five years earlier, and find the lost artifact that will help Queen Esther protect the lives of the Jewish people.
Keep in mind: those releases planned for later in the year don’t have as much info to share yet. For those, you’ll simply need to consider the author, their website, and the author’s past books to decide if their 2025 release intrigues you enough to become one of your top 8 choices!
After you’ve determined your 8 Most Anticipated Biblical Fiction Titles for 2025, CLICK HERE TO VOTE! You’ll be taken to a Google form. You’ll be able to vote only once and for only 8 titles.
I can’t wait to see who y’all choose as 2025’s 8 Most Anticipated BibFic List!November 25, 2024
Jenelle Hovde–5 Reasons Christian Fiction Is Great to Educate Kids
I’d like to introduce you to someone who I find absolutely UH-mazing. Though I’ve never met Jenelle Hovde in person, she’s been a “cyber-friend” for several years. She won a special place in my heart when, for my sixtieth birthday, my VA (virtual assistant) commissioned Jenelle to paint a portrait of what Joseph’s wife, Asenath, might have looked like–using the clues from my book, In Feast or Famine.
Unbeknownst to me, my friend and VA (Amanda) gave Jenelle my character description notes on Asenath, and Jenelle went to work. Amanda’s gift–through Jenelle’s talent–became the most unforgettable gift I’ve ever received. Their rendition of Asenath was much closer to how I imagined her than the woman portrayed on the cover. Don’t you LOVE Jenelle’s portrait?
Jenelle Hovde, Author & Much MoreBesides Jenelle’s artistic talent, she’s also a gifted author. She’s written biblical fiction for Guideposts, and I’m currently reading her historical novel that releases from Tyndale, July 2025. This woman can WRITE!
But her passion and heart for readers goes much deeper than writing for adults. In a recent email, Jenelle shared a bit of her background and what drives her current passion:
Aren’t My Books Too “Raw” For Teens?I used to work in the school systems as a doctor of audiology. My speciality was with children. Reading played a tremendous role. I worked alongside psychologists to provide testing to rule out ADHD or autism. My side was central auditory processing disorders and auditory neuropathy. I also worked with the deaf community. Reading skills became imperative for my clients. Ironic, considering audiology focuses on hearing! I provided remedial reading for many children. I’ve also homeschooled three girls from preK to grade ten. We love your novels!
I often shy away from sharing my books with teens and tell parents they should read the book themselves and then decide if their child is ready for the themes in my stories. The Bible is full of violence, infidelity, and other hard situations to illustrate how real people dealt with real life and then found hope in God’s steadfast love and forgiveness. Jenelle added these thoughts to our email volley:
Jenelle Gives More Good Insight For Kids’ Reading!Your books are quite a bit softer than the YA authors [popular in the secular market]. But you do take on the perspectives of young women who often buck their systems–albeit in a Godly way. I think you fit amazingly well with the YA genres.
I asked Jenelle to write a post specifically for my readers (and me) to help us reach the children in our lives with the gift of words. Most kids these days would rather play a video game or read a graphic novel (similar to a 200 page comic book) than sit down with a book full of words.
Jenelle responded with what she titled, “5 Reasons to Incorporate Christian Fiction into Your Homeschool and Help Your Kids Fall in Love with Reading Again,” (which was too long for my website title to handle). 😆
I hope you’ll take the time to read, process, and follow an expert’s advice–and perhaps give a child in your life the gift of words this Christmas…
When I decided to homeschool, I knew I wanted fiction to be a part of my curriculum. Some of my favorite memories as a preteen included multiple trips to the Regina Christian bookstore, where I paid for Gilbert Morris novels with an assortment of quarters and Canadian dollar bills. I was only twelve years old, but I lived for those trips. Books proved to be a lifeline during my turbulent teen years. The more I read, the more I fell in love with literature and writing. When I graduated from high school, I donated my vast collection of novels to the Indian Head High School library. I like to think a book or two survived.
Fast forward past a doctorate degree in Audiology, and now, as a pastor’s wife with a heart for book clubs, women’s and children’s ministry, and writing, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on just how important Christian fiction was during those formative years.
Fiction to Teach Homeschoolers?As homeschool moms, we often find ourselves searching for books that not only keep our kids entertained but also help them grow in character, empathy, and understanding of the world around them. In today’s age, where reading scores are declining across the nation, it’s become increasingly important to find stories that engage kids on a deeper level—stories that challenge them to think, grow, and feel.
When we think of Christian fiction, it’s not just about reading Bible stories. It’s about engaging with books that shape character, teach life lessons, and spark important discussions.
Whether you send your children to public or private school, or homeschool, here are five reasons why incorporating Christian fiction into your children’s reading list can help develop moral character, build reading skills, and get your kids excited about reading again!
1. Building Strong Moral FoundationsChristian fiction is about more than just entertaining stories; it’s about teaching solid values like compassion, honesty, and perseverance. Whether it’s a story of redemption or a character learning the power of forgiveness, Christian fiction introduces dilemmas that help children understand the importance of good choices. For example, when a character faces a decision between doing what’s easy or doing what’s right, kids can follow along and reflect on how they might handle the situation themselves.
2. Helping Kids Develop EmpathyThe best books help kids understand others’ perspectives. Christian fiction does this beautifully by telling stories from a variety of viewpoints, whether it’s a character who is struggling with loss, a person who is facing judgment, or someone learning how to forgive. These books challenge kids to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, growing their ability to empathize and connect with people who are different from themselves.
Empathy is a skill that’s crucial both in school and in life. Christian fiction makes it fun and relatable as kids experience the highs and lows of the characters’ journeys. How many times have we cried over a character like Anne of Green Gables when she loses her beloved Matthew—the first father figure to show her love?
3. Encouraging a Love of ReadingIn today’s world, where reading scores in the U.S. have seen a significant drop in recent years, fostering a love of reading has never been more important. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 37% of U.S. students are reading at or above the proficient level. But when you provide your kids with well-researched books and stories that connect with their hearts and minds, reading becomes something they want to do, not something they have to do.
Christian fiction can re-ignite a love of reading because it’s engaging—it draws readers in with exciting plots, dynamic characters, and emotional stakes. From adventurous historical fiction to contemporary coming-of-age tales, these stories don’t just teach—they captivate. Whether you’re introducing your younger child to their first chapter book or helping your teen tackle more complex plots, Christian fiction offers something for every age group.
When I started teaching history, I quickly learned that my daughters retained historical facts regarding ancient biblical worlds through Mesu Andrews’ and Tessa Afshar’s fiction. Dry textbooks simply are not as fun!
4. Promoting Critical ThinkingSome of the best Christian fiction doesn’t just offer a story—it offers moral and philosophical questions that encourage kids to think critically. When characters are faced with difficult decisions—such as choosing between truth and lies or standing up for what’s right even when it’s hard—kids are forced to analyze these situations and consider the choices they would make.
For older students, books with deeper moral complexities offer a great opportunity for discussions on ethics, religion, and human nature. This can be an excellent way to integrate critical thinking into your homeschool curriculum while simultaneously teaching your kids important lessons about how to live in a wild world.
5. Handling Gritty ContentAs parents, it’s important to stay informed about the books our kids are reading. Keeping a running tab on their reading choices can help you ensure the content aligns with your family’s values and your child’s maturity level. Christian novels, while far softer than most secular children’s literature, can still address tougher subjects like loss, hardship, or sin, but always through a lens of hope and redemption. Children learn they are not alone in their suffering when they discover a character has endured and later thrived through a similar circumstance.
Decide what levels of romance or challenging subject matter you’re comfortable with. Is your child sensitive? If so, adjust the book choices accordingly. For more mature students, inspirational novels can provide a safe space to explore difficult topics, as the Christian perspective offers real hope, guiding readers toward faith-based solutions. Whether it’s handling themes of forgiveness, redemption, or perseverance, these books can help older readers navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.
The great writer, C.S. Lewis, beautifully sums up the role of literature for children.
Some of My Favorite Christian Fiction Titles for Homeschooling Families“Since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”
If you’re looking for great titles to add to your homeschool bookshelf, here are a few personal favorites I recommend for various age ranges:
For Younger Readers: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – A timeless series with deep Christian allegory hidden beneath an adventurous fantasy world.For Tweens: The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson – A beautiful mix of fantasy, friendship, and faith, perfect for middle-grade readers.For Teenagers: The King’s Men by Connilyn Cossette, Brave by Mesu Andrews, The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz, While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden, Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep, and A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky – Powerful historical fiction exploring themes of faith, courage, and sacrifice.For Adults: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers – A beautifully written, heart-wrenching story of unconditional love, forgiveness, and redemption, based on the Biblical story of Hosea. Lynn Austin and Shannon McNear also provide complex historical fiction in different eras that immerse me, the teacher, into the time period. After all, moms need great books too!Final Thoughts: Building a Solid Foundation for the FutureDon’t be afraid to experiment with the many genres tucked inside Christian fiction. I have two daughters who adore Christian fantasy, and one who prefers mysteries. I steer to biblical historical fiction and historical romance.
Jenelle’s Short Bio:
Jenelle Hovde is an illustrator, a pastor’s wife, and a homeschooling mother with eight novels in print. She adores faith-inspired stories and Regency romances that make readers swoon. A transplant to Florida, Jenelle currently pens romantic tales while at the beach. Visit her online and subscribe to her newsletter at jenellehovdeauthor.com. Her latest novel, No Stone Unturned, a Regency romance releases with Tyndale in July 2025. To stay updated with her latest works or subscribe to her newsletter, visit her online at jenellehovdeauthor.com.
October 28, 2024
Answers to BRAVE FB LIVE Questions
On October 1, 2024, Hubby Roy and I had so much fun celebrating the release of Brave: The Story of Ahinoam with the FB LIVE BRAVE BASH! For those who joined us that night or watched the live video later, thank you so much for your fun comments and fabulous questions!
Below are some of the questions y’all submitted for me to answer, and I’ve held off answering them on the post so more people can see them here on my blog. We can never really guess at FB’s algorithms or how many people will see those answers. I know around five thousand folks get to see my blogs and newsletters, so here we go with the answers to each of your questions:
Becky Hartsfield Asked:My Answer:“With the intertwining of a lot of Biblical history, has that part of the process become less intense with the writing of each new book?”
Yes, a lot of the basic research for various biblical time periods is transferrable to other stories. I’ve written stories set in every time period of the Old Testament except the Flood and before: the Patriarchs (The Reluctant Rival, Beauty’s Surrender, Love Amid the Ashes, Potiphar’s Wife, & In Feast or Famine), Moses & the conquest (The Pharaoh’s Daughter & Miriam), the monarchy (Love’s Sacred Song, Love in a Broken Vessel, In the Shadow of Jezebel, Isaiah’s Daughter, Isaiah’s Legacy, The Brides of King David series), and the Exile (Of Fire and Lions, By the Waters of Babylon).
Though each time period has many similarities, there’s still plenty to research for each individual story. Locations are always a bit different. Characters’ family, dwellings, food, clothing, daily tasks, etc. can all add some fun new research and may also shed deeper meaning on Scripture’s Truth. That’s what I love about God’s Word. Though its Truth absolutely never changes, because it’s the Living Word, I find something new in it each time I read a passage that I’ve read dozens—or even hundreds—of times.
Alyssa Ross Asked:My Answer:“My question is, how do you keep each story and characters straight if you are doing edits on one, while plotting another, plus keeping Brave well enough in your head to promote it and talk about it?”
My only explanation for that is God’s faithfulness! Seriously, I can’t remember what I had last night for dinner. It’s a lot like having children. My sister has ten, and my daughter has six. But they started out with just one, then another, then another, and another. So it is with books and releases. When I started out with Love Amid the Ashes, it got my full attention. I had already written the second novel, Love’s Sacred Song, so I could focus on edits, and I didn’t have a contract for the next book—yet.
As my contracts continued to come, my ability to juggle more books grew as did my familiarity with the publishing business. A new author might not be able to do all three tasks—release, edits, plotting—at the same time. Granted, it’s tough even for us old birds! But it’s a privilege that I feel grateful for each and every day!
Chad/Heidi Olszewski Asked:My Answer:“Are there audio versions that I can listen to in my car while taxi driving my kids?”
Yes! I’m so grateful that ALL my full-length novels are available on audio and one of my short-story collections. I have two other short-story collections that have not yet been read into audio format because they’re such a quick read.
Brittany Elswick Asked:My Answer:“What was the most interesting bit of research you came across when researching for this book?”
I’m such a research nerd, so I LOVE this question. Because I’d never done a lot of research on David’s family, I was fascinated by King David’s backstory. Scripture tells us his father’s name was Jesse, who was a descendant of Boaz and Ruth, the Moabitess whose story is written in the biblical book labeled with her name (Ruth 4:17). The Bible also mentions that David had seven brothers in 1 Sam. 16:10 but only lists six brothers in 1 Chron. 2:13-15. In vs. 16-17 of that same chapter, we learn that David had two sisters: Zeruiah and Abigal–some biblical translations insert a “i,” making her name, Abigail (not Nabal’s widow, Abigail).
Abigal married an Ishmaelite named Jether and gave birth to a son, Amasa, who later served as one of David’s Mighty Men. In 2 Sam. 17:25, we learn that Abigal was the daughter of Nahash, and she was the sister of Zeruiah. Who was Nahash? I thought she was the daughter of Jesse! This question sent me to Bible commentaries and rabbinic literature for answers. As usual, scholars disagree on the answer, which means I can choose to make the historical records line up with the biblical Truth in a fictional story that supports the WHOLE COUNSEL of Scripture.
I chose to adopt the Jewish records on this one, established through millennia of oral tradition, while also using Scripture to interpret Scripture. In 1 Samuel 11, a man named Nahash, King of the Ammonites attacked Israel, Saul called every tribe of Israel to join in battle against them. It could have been during this battle that Jesse’s wife—named in Jewish legend as “Nitzevet”—was taken captive by King Nahash and made his concubine. OH MY GOODNESS! Is that not the most interesting piece of research you’ve heard on David ben Jesse! There’s more, but you’ll find it within the story of Brave: The Story of Ahinoam!
Emily Shanahan Asked:My Answer:“Mesu Andrews, what’s your favorite part of the writing process? Roy, what is your favorite part of helping Mesu with the research process as a retired Bible professor?”
My favorite part is research and editing. I’ve often shared about my love of research, but here’s why I love editing. Since I didn’t grow up dreaming of being an author, imagining stories doesn’t come naturally for me. Actually, I never did much dreaming and imagining as a kid—or as an adult—so writing that first draft of a story that happened 3000-4000 years ago doesn’t come easily. My love for fiction is connected to my love for God’s Word.
If you’ve read any of my Bible studies, you know that they all focus on putting myself in the shoes of whoever wrote the biblical passage we’re studying together. So, that’s how I write a novel’s first draft. I do enough research to live in the characters’ shoes and walk with them through every scene, every word. After writing a few paragraphs (or a full chapter), I go back and use the “read aloud” feature on Microsoft Word to hear how my words sound without imposing my inflection on them. Listening to a mechanical voice helps present the raw words, and if they sound decent with no-frills-Fanny reading, it passes inspection.
Roy’s favorite part of helping Mesu?(This is Mesu answering because I couldn’t catch Roy to get his answer…) His only part of helping these days is a very crucial aspect: proofreading! He’s a huge reason that my newsletters and blog posts (and books) are so clean (thank you, Honey).
He not only finds my typos, but he also catches extra spaces before paragraphs or between words. He also finds typos after my book manuscripts have been through all the publisher’s proofreaders! I’m very happy I married that guy–even before I knew he’d be the best proofreader in the world. LOL! 😆
Katie Combes Asked:My Answer:“Was there one thing you wanted to add into the book Brave, but it didn’t make the final edits?”
My characters tend to have emotional swings without much building up or calming down. One of my editors used to say, “I need an onramp (or an offramp) to help me feel that character’s BIG emotion!” So, some of the things that were cut from my story were mostly those BIG EMOTIONS that would have seemed out of place. I think I had Ahinoam throwing a dagger at Abigail the first day they met. Ummm, probably not good. How does their relationship recover from that?
Lisa Dorsey Asked:My Answer:“Since Ahinoam’s name precedes that of Abigail more often than not in Scripture, it has been suggested that David married Ahinoam before he married Abigail. Do you portray Ahinoam as David’s first or second wife and why?”
I do make Ahinoam the first wife, and I actually believe there’s biblical foundation for it. In 1 Sam. 25:42-43, David has asked Abigail to marry him, she gets on a donkey (attended by her five female servants—which David didn’t invite, BTW), and then v. 43 says, “David HAD ALSO MARRIED Ahinoam of Jezreel…” (EMPHASIS added). Using past tense there, “had also,” says to me David and Ahinoam were already married. I LOVE all those little-bitty words in the Bible that can just slap us with a revelation!
Jeanette R Durkin Asked:My Answer:“How do you cross-reference for information?”
Sometimes I do it on purpose by using the footnotes and cross-referenced Scriptures in the study notes of my Bibles. I use a Jewish Study Bible (the Tanakh), which gives me study notes from the Jewish perspective as well. Sometimes I stumble onto a Scripture that relates to another passage I’m using. For instance, I’m reading the Psalms of David for my quiet time with Jesus while I’m writing the stories in the series, King David’s Brides. While reading Psalm 59 one morning—entitled, “When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him,” which correlates with the story in 1 Sam. 19:11-12, I discovered the Psalm expanded on the story in 1 Samuel!
Psa. 59:6, 14 says, “They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.” What?! The 1 Samuel passage makes it seem like Saul sent his men one night, and BOOM! Michal lowered David out of the window to escape. Psalm 59 gives us a fuller picture—that maybe they both knew the assassins were prowling for more than that one night. I didn’t put anything in the book about it, but it was a little wink from my quiet time with Jesus that He could give me information from anywhere in His Word if I simply remained faithful to come with an open heart every single day.
Katie Combes Asked:My Answer:“During your research, who have you found to be your favorite of David’s wives to research?”
Since I’ve written all of these women before (in short stories published back in 2021 on Patreon.com—no longer available), I know a little about their stories before digging in fully to their research. I’ve really enjoyed them all, but to be honest, Ahinoam is my very favorite. I LOVE that she throws daggers and is so SASSY! Probably my second favorite is the last book: Worthy. It will feature David’s last TWO wives in Hebron: Abital and Eglah.
Abital and Eglah are minor characters throughout the series, and pointing them out now is sort of a spoiler, but if you read the Bible…you’ll know why it’s a spoiler anyway. I LOVE their friendship and the way their story ties up the story of these six women who form the foundation of David’s household while he reigns in Hebron. He’s very humble and completely devoted to his family and to Yahweh—before he and his men conquer Jerusalem. *Yikes!*
Betsy Stevens Asked:My Answer:“Are any of your books appropriate for a 10-year-old girl?”
Unfortunately, I must say no to this question. Although my friend and fellow author, Jenelle Hovde, is a homeschool mom who has incorporated several of my books into her Bible history courses with her middle school and high school kids. Much of it depends on the parents standards and if you plan to read along with the younger readers. My books provide LOTS of conversation opportunities–as does the Bible–on real-life topics.
I just atteded a one-day intensive seminar on writing for children and would love to explore the possibly of writing middle-grade or YA (young-adult) graphic novels. We’ll see what God has in store. Stay tuned through my newsletter, since that’s where I share those personal adventures. You can subscribe here (to receive one email per month—usually): https://mesuandrews.com/#newsletter
Betsy Stevens Asked:My Answer:“Mesu… I’d love to begin reading your books…give me a map…not sure where to start? I’ve googled… and feel overwhelmed … so haven’t jumped in yet…”
Thanks for asking! Of course, while everyone is talking about BRAVE, it’s a great place to start so you can get in on all the fun conversations! You can also check out my website which lists My Books In Order (both in order of publication and in biblical chronological order—on the small chart): https://mesuandrews.com/books-in-order/. You can also download a printable listing of ALL BOOKS BY SERIES at this link: https://mesuandrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-updated-My-Books-bibliography-ma-edit.pdf.
Where you start really depends on what you’re in the mood for or where you are in your personal Bible study. I like to correspond my personal quiet time with the novel I’m writing (and others I’m reading for endorsement). If you like to read LOTS of books, you can honestly just take your pick. Most of the books in a series can be read as stand alone, but the ones I’d suggest you read in order are: The Pharaoh’s Daughter, then Miriam; Love in a Broken Vessel, Isaiah’s Daughter, then Isaiah’s Legacy; Potiphar’s Wife, then In Feast or Famine. As I said, however, each book can be read and understood on its own. Happy reading!
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September 23, 2024
Who is Ahinoam? Part II
If you’re one of my Newsies, you’ve already received September’s monthly update with Part I on “Who is Ahinoam.” You’ve already read about brave Ahinoam’s hometown and why I DON’T believe David’s wife is the same Ahinoam that Saul married. You also know where the Bible says that Ahinoam was David’s first wilderness wife.
If you haven’t yet read Part I and would like to, I’m giving access to the exclusive article in September’s newsletter (just this once) to non-subscribers so you won’t miss anything about this feisty heroine! I want you to be ready to really enjoy the October 1st release of Brave!
CLICK HERE TO READ Who Is Ahinoam? – PART 1
If you aren’t yet receiving monthly updates with my Newsies and would like to, CLICK HERE to be included in future emails!
As I mentioned in Part I, when I began imagining who Ahinoam might have been, I knew her character in my book must be tough.
What kind of woman would be willing to dash around the desert for almost seven years with a man hunted by King Saul? She needed to be fierce, yes, but more.
What Did David’s Heart NEED?Let’s look at the condition of David’s heart when he might have first encountered Ahinoam of Jezreel.
He was lowered from a window by Michal to save him from Saul’s assassins (1 Sam. 19:9-17).David sought protection from Samuel the prophet in his prophet’s school in Naioth. Saul sent his assassins there and eventually came himself to kill David, but Yahweh’s Spirit seized every assassin as well as Saul with the ability to prophesy–giving David time to escape (1 Sam. 19:18-24).Next David ran BACK to Gibeah to speak with his best friend Jonathan (Saul’s firstborn son, Israel’s crown prince). David tried to convince him that his father was trying to kill him, but Jonathan needed proof. After Saul threw a spear at Jonathan, the crown prince finally believed and sent David away with a covenant of peace between them to last generations (1 Sam. 20).David ran to the high priest at Nob to get food and a weapon–and lied about his circumstance. Did he lie to save himself or give the priest plausible deniability if Saul’s men came asking why he’d helped the runaway, David? We’ll never know (1 Sam. 21:1-9).David then goes to Gath, seeking asylum with the assumption that the enemy of his enemy would be his friend. Not so. The Philistines in Goliath’s hometown remembered David. So David pretended insanity to escape with his life (1 Sam. 21:10-15).From Gath, David returned to southwest Israel and hid in the cave of Addulam. His family heard of his woes and joined him. Another four hundred men had heard of his troubles by then and became his misfit army.I believe Ahinoam and her (fictional) father were part of that band of misfits who joined David at Adullam and traveled to Moab with him (1 Sam. 22:1-4).
Interpreting David’s HeartPart of the reason I love writing biblical novels is the fact that I MUST slow down to read familiar Bible stories. I was familiar with all six of those progressions in David’s story, but I’d never before slowed down to consider the depth of pain and betrayal he’d felt at each step. Nor had I considered how he might have felt about marriage after the trouble he’d experienced with Michal. Being human, I suspect David’s wounded heart would take a while to mend.
How long before David could even look at a woman and feel romantically attracted to her? How long before he could let his heart trust a woman again after hearing how Michal lied about him and how Saul had given her to another? And I suspect a man with David’s rended heart could spot a woman with any falsehood from a hundred miles away.
That’s why the fictional depiction of Ahinoam and David are alike in many ways:
A heart wounded but courageousSkilled with their weapon of choiceBetrayed by those closest, but ferociously loyal to those proven to love them nowAhinoam, the Kenite.jpg)
Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing, CC BY-SA 3.0
At the end of Part I, I gave a little hint about the reason I’d given Ahinoam a Kenite heritage. To those who read Judges 4 to find out more about Jael, I hope you noticed that she, too, was a Kenite.
As I mentioned in Part I, I’d written a short story in 2021 about Ahinoam, thinking it was “cool” for her to throw daggers. After deeper research–and after writing almost 1/3 of the first draft–I discovered that “Kenite” meant “blacksmith!” It’s always exciting when the LORD confirms something I’ve “accidentally” done right! I also discovered Kenites had a long history of peace with Israel and lived mostly around the Tribe of Judah.
The final piece of research that affirmed the Lord’s approval of Ahinoam’s fictional characterization was the passage in 1 Sam. 15. Samuel had passed on God’s command to King Saul that he was to completely destroy the Amalekites. Saul’s failure to do so later cost him Israel’s throne, but there was something very interesting that Saul did before that battle started:
Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 15:5–6 (emphasis added)
As Jael–a Kenite woman–had helped Israel centuries before by killing a Canaanite general, so Saul now repaid kindness to the Kenites by warning them of his attack on the Amalekites before it began. It was at this point in Ahinoam’s backstory that she and her father escape to what becomes her hometown of Jezreel. Both she and her father are Yahweh worshipers, who are welcomed by townsfolk as descendants of Jael and because of their blacksmithing skills to provide daggers as protection against enemy raids.
Ready to Read Brave: The Story of Ahinoam?You still have two weeks to take advantage of the special preorder pricing at Baker Book House. If you’re among the first 150 readers to order you’ll receive some extra goodies as well as 40% off the retail price! But hurry! Offer ends September 30th (the day before 10/1/24 release).
Want to Attend My Facebook BRAVE BASH?
1. the series: King David’s Brides.
2. book #1: BRAVE: The Story of Ahinoam.
3. my writing or research process.BEFORE the LIVE event, my hubby will RANDOMLY choose (using random.org) several questions that I’ll answer during our LIVE BRAVE BASH. The authors of the questions I answer on camera will be our giveaway winners! So be sure to tune in and see if you’ve won a prize!Rules:Ask as many VALID questions as you’d like to maximize your entries. Any giveaway prizes that require postal service are limited to entries from the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Downloadable prizes are available to international entries. Giveaway prizes will be awarded in order of their random drawing. Deadline to enter is Monday, September 30th at midnight (ET).
August 26, 2024
David: an OT Foreshadowing of Grace
I’ve often been asked why I only write novels about the Old Testament (OT). (CLICK HERE to see all my books.) My answer is firmly rooted in how I came to faith in Jesus, so we can blame my husband! 😆 He’s the one who first explained to me that the Bible is one story, cover to cover. He showed me the New Testament (NT) message of Grace through Jesus Christ in Genesis and promised to show me salvation’s Crimson Thread from Genesis to Revelation! (CLICK HERE to see my full personal testimony)
God created a perfect garden and the perfect man and woman to tend it. The husband and wife were told they could eat from any tree except one. One day, Adam left Eve alone and Satan–disguised as a serpent–deceived her into mistrusting God. She disobeyed the Creator’s one rule, ate from the forbidden tree, and coaxed Adam to do the same. God confronted all three: Adam, Eve, and the serpent.
[To the serpent, He said:] “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
Though Adam and Eve sinned, God doled out punishment but also offered the hope of grace. Someday, Eve’s offspring would crush the head of the serpent’s offspring–after the serpent’s offspring struck the heel of Eve’s child.
Confused? Let’s put it in NT terms: FIRST, Satan struck Jesus’s heel with the crucifixion.
Heel strike = Jesus 100 % dead.
Three days later, Jesus’s Resurrection CRUSHED Satan’s head by freeing all those who believe that His death and resurrection were the perfect atonement for their sin (as fulfillment of Genesis 3:15)!
Satan’s head crushed = Jesus 100% alive.
Did Jesus die for those who deserved his sacrifice? Nope. He died because no matter how good we try to be, we could never deserve His love.
100% Jesus’s love = 100% GRACE!
So Where Is Jesus In the OT?While researching biblical history and culture, I try to find three resources in agreement to help ensure reliability. In my research, most scholars agree “the angel of the LORD” refers to an OT human manifestation of Jesus. Whereas “an angel of the LORD” can refer to any angel God sends. My Bible software says the phrase “the angel of the Lord” occurs 280 times in the OT.
So, who in the OT actually SAW the angel of the LORD? This is only a quick list, so forgive me if your own research reveals that I’ve missed some!
Hagar (Gen. 16)Abraham/Isaac (Gen. 22)Moses (Ex. 3)Balaam (Num.22)all Israel (Judg. 2)Gideon (Judg. 6)Manoah (Samson’s father/mother – Judg. 13)David (2 Sam. 24)Elijah (1 Kings 19:7)killed 185k of Assyrian soldiers during Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 19)Significance of THE Angel With Abraham & IsaacGod told Abraham, Isaac’s father, to sacrifice him on Mount Moriah like a lamb. Abraham was obedient–as was Isaac. Both traveled a distance to Mount Moriah. Abraham bound his son, who was likely between 18-40 years old by then. Isaac would have crawled onto the stone altar. Abraham lifted his dagger… That’s when THE angel of the Lord stopped the whole thing!
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:13–14
Again, we see wide agreement between scholars on the location of Mount Moriah and its significance to the story of the Bible as a WHOLE:
Mount Moriah is likely the same place David purchased the threshing floor to stop a plague from spreading.
Significance of THE Angel With DavidBrave: The Story of Ahinoam is the first of a four-book series, King David’s Wives, that explores David’s rise to power through the eyes of his Hebron wives. David reigned in Hebron for his first seven years as king, then conquered the Jebusite’s impenetrable fortress of Jerusalem. After such a great victory, he fell into the trap that snares many successful people. He began relying on his own intellect and efforts to maintain the kingdom God had given him.
Price, Randall; ROSE GUIDE TO THE TEMPLE (Rose Publishing; Torrance, CA); Picture by Bristol Works, Inc., p. 21.
When he commanded General Joab to count the men in his army (proving his trust in the army to keep his people safe rather than Yahweh’s power to save them), Joab warned they shouldn’t count the soldiers. David insisted, and God disciplined His chosen king. He allowed David to choose between three punishments (2 Sam. 24:12-14): 3 years of famine; 3 months of fleeing enemies; or 3 days of a killing plague. David chose the plague, placing Israel in God’s merciful hands. When the plague reached Jerusalem, God relented and sent His messenger to David:
“On that day Gad went to David and said to him, ‘Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.’ So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad.” 2 Samuel 24:18–19 (emphasis added)
The threshing floor of Araunah is thought to be the same plot of ground where Solomon built the Temple.
The Place of Sacrifice–and GraceWhen God promised David to make his “house”–meaning his lineage–an eternal reign, David longed to build God a permanent “house” in return. But God refused to allow David to build His earthly Temple. God was and IS impressing on everyone who hears David’s story that GRACE began long before Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem (David’s hometown).
Though God refused to allow David to build His “house,” He promised David something far more precious in return:
“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you…He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men…But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:11–16
It was Solomon, whose birth name was Jedidiah–meaning, loved by the LORD (2 Sam. 12:24-25). Solomon was blessed by the LORD with greater wisdom than any ruler before or since, but he also sinned greatly against Yahweh. True to His promise, however, the LORD brought a “Son of David” to reign eternally–a King of Kings to save the world.
The Temple Mount is thought by some to be the same plot of ground where Jesus–the eternal Lamb of God–hung on a Cross.
Amazing GraceWhen Jesus walked the earth as wholly Man and holy God, people were divided. Was He the “Son of David,” promised to save the Jews from earthly oppressors? Or was He a messenger of Beelzebul–like the Jewish leaders said–who drove out demons by the power of Beelzebul?
[Jesus answered] “If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? …But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Matthew 12:27–28
Ultimately, Jesus was born to die. Yes, it was the Jewish leaders who killed Him, but OT prophecy says the Jewish nation will receive the same grace Jesus gives us all–when they see Who He is…
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” Zechariah 12:10 (emphasis added)
Below is one of my favorite renditions of the hymn, Amazing Grace. Brother Wintley Phipps is awesome!
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July 22, 2024
Who Is King David?
I may have told y’all before that King David is my favorite Bible hero. Have I also confessed that I love Richard Gere movies? One of the ways I enjoy “researching” biblical characters is by watching movies or reading other novels about the characters I’ll be portraying in my fiction. It often helps me delve more deeply into the culture and time period.
When I discovered Richard Gere had, during his early acting days, played the role of my favorite Bible character…well, no brainer!!!!
But…I was soooooo disappointed. 😥 Then I realized–how could anyone live up to the King David I’d created in my mind?
So, let’s take a look at some biblical Truth, historical facts, and some educated fiction. I’ve discovered such interesting things about King David during my research, that I hope you’ll be excited to read the first book in my new series, King David’s Brides. Brave: The Story of Ahinoam, releases October 1, 2024!
Biblical Truth:David’s Early Life:
Jastrow, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
We first learn of David’s importance when he’s mentioned as a descendant of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17, 22). We hear nothing more of him until Samuel the prophet anoints David as Israel’s new king. Plot twist: he’s only a boy tending his father’s sheep and King Saul still sits on Israel’s throne (1 Sam. 16).
Soon after David defeats the Philistine giant, Goliath, using only a sling, a stone, and a faith bigger than Israel’s army (1 Sam. 17). David becomes more beloved than Saul, so the king becomes murderously jealous and spends the rest of his royal life trying to kill David ben Jesse (1 Sam. 18:29).
David became a fugitive, hiding from King Saul and his assassins in the Judean desert for approximately 6-8 years. During this time, he marries two women:
Ahinoam, the Jezreelite (Jezreel being a small village in the Judean hill country–Joshua 15:48, 56)Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel (1 Sam. 25)After the second time David spares Saul’s life, he flees Israel’s borders with his six-hundred-man army, their families, and David’s two wives. They find sanctuary in the city of Gath, which was Goliath’s hometown (of all places! 1 Sam. 26-27).
David’s Early Reign:While in the land of the Philistines, the King of Gath (Achish) gave David the role of Governor over the town of Ziklag and allowed their army/families to live there (1 Sam. 27). When the Philistines marched into Israel’s northern territory, King Saul’s army engaged them in battle. Saul and three of his sons–including David’s best friend, Jonathan–were killed.
After an undisclosed amount of time, David, his army and their families moved out of Ziklag and into Hebron, a town within David’s family tribe of Judah. Soon after, David was anointed Judah’s king, and he reigned in Hebron for seven years.
Since my current series, King David’s Brides, will only cover the first two years of David’s reign in Hebron, I’ll stop here and sum up a little of the interesting research I’ve discovered while writing the first book, Brave.
Historical Fact:Looking More Deeply at King David’s Psalms:We know from Scripture that David was a gifted musician. His harp/lyre playing soothed Saul’s torment for a time and proved a comfort to David while he fled from Saul’s assassins. Today, many of David’s songs/psalms turn my heart to heaven when nothing else can focus my scattered thoughts.
I’d often wondered the exact number of Psalms David wrote. Historians and biblical scholars disagree (as they do on most things), so I searched Google images with, “Authors of Psalms” and found the graph below at the neverthirsty.org website.
Chart from: neverthirsty.org.
CLICK HERE if you’d like to see a listing of the Psalms timeline on BibleHub.com. The Psalms I’ve quoted–or had David or others sing to Yahweh–in the story of Brave are:
Psalm 59Psalm 56Psalm 34Psalm 57Psalm 52Psalm 54Psalm 18Psalm 63Watch for a FREE Psalms Bible study coming to YouVersion closer to Brave’s release in October!
The Tabernacle During King David’s Reign:We also know from Scripture that David loved to worship. The Bible tells us that after David fled Saul’s murderous threats, he went first to the Tabernacle and high priest at the city of Nob. The high priest recognized David and asked why no one had come with him. Doesn’t that infer that David was a frequent worshiper at the Tabernacle with others?
After David left, a villainous Edomite told Saul that the high priest had aided David’s escape. Saul slaughtered all the priests at Nob and their families–except one.
The son of the high priest, Abiathar, escapes and finds David and his army in the wilderness. Abiathar serves as Yahweh’s high priest in King David’s court until he betrays David’s son, King Solomon. But what happened to the Tabernacle? Several resources agreed with this explanation:
After Saul has the city and the priests destroyed (I Samuel 22), we later see the tabernacle has been set up in Gibeon (approximately 5 miles northwest of Jerusalem) during Zadok’s tenure (I Chronicles 16:39-40). It appears that with two high priests serving at that time, Zadok seems to have been fulfilling his duties at the original tabernacle built by Moses in Gibeon while Abiathar served in Jerusalem. Even after Abiathar was relieved of his duties as high priest by Solomon, we see King Solomon going to Gibeon to sacrifice there at the original tabernacle in II Chronicles 1:3. (The Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant by Wayne D. Turner From BibleTrack)
King David reigned seven+ years in Hebron (2 Sam. 2:11) before he and his men conquered the Jebusite city of Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:6-15). Could David’s desire for the military fortress of Jerusalem also have been motivated by its proximity to the original Tabernacle only a morning’s walk away?
Educated Fiction:I’ve had multiple people email me (or comment on social media) and ask why I would ever write about King David. They then list the looooong list of his faults and usually end with this question:
Why would God make a adulterer and murderer the honored ancestor of Jesus?
I have two answers to this question which I hope you’ll see fleshed out in ALL FOUR BOOKS in the King David’s Brides series:
Answer #1:God chose King David to show that no matter how terrible the sins, if a man’s heart turns back to Him in repentance, God will ALWAYS show mercy and steadfast love. If you decide to read all the Psalms David is credited with writing, do a word search on “steadfast love.” David knew he was a screw-up. He knew the countless times Yahweh had forgiven him better than anyone! Which meant he knew better than anyone about God’s steadfast love.
Answer #2:God chose King David because he was Brave enough to show the world his ugliest self during those early years when Saul chased him. Read the psalms, y’all!!! It’s as if David wrote in his journal and then published it on every social media platform–for everyone and forever. I journal, but I’m burning them before I die. No one gets to see my ugly!
So the next time we’re tempted to criticize King David, consider the “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). Here’s a twist straight from the Bible and following the timelines of Saul’s reign and David’s projected birth. Samuel spoke those words to King Saul when Yahweh stripped away Israel’s throne–before David was even born.
Sometimes Truth and facts are proven even more powerful than fiction!
Today’s Question:What information about King David made you pause and say, “Hmmm,” today?Did you enjoy this post? Never miss out on future posts by following my blog. Or sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive a free novella as well as exclusive monthly giveaways and book news in your inbox! Because I’m an Amazon advertising affiliate, a small commission is earned when purchases are made using Amazon links on this site. Thank you for your support!
June 24, 2024
Who Was Prince Jonathan–David’s Best Friend?
Have you ever had a best friend? I have several. Okay, so “best” friend implies one and only, but my God is an ABUNDANT Giver. I believe best friends are His special gift–and He can give as many as He wants!
I still consider the girl who became my best friend in grade school through middle school, high school, and college as my best friend forty two years later! The best friend in the picture I met in 2005 at a California writer’s conference. She lived in Washington State, and I lived in Indiana. Two years later, the Lord moved Hubby and I to Washington–only 35 minutes from where this best friend lived!
It seems with each season of my life, the Lord graciously knits my heart together with someone else. Someone with whom I can share thoughts about HIM and other important moments.
What “Best Friend” Means To Me:Here are a few characteristics of the best friends I’ve been given in life:
A truly BEST friend is knit together with your heart for a lifetime.You can say absolutely anything to your best friend without fear of judgment or shaming.It doesn’t matter how much time passes between contact because when best friends reunite, you feel as comfortable together as if no time at all has passed.A best friend knows when something is wrong without telling them–sometimes sensing it across miles and miles.A best friend doesn’t need to know why you’ve asked them to pray, but they’ll keep a confidence if you need to tell someone.A best friend will tell you if you’re being stupid–in the kindest way possible.When Did David & Jonathan Become Friends?Let’s set the stage before we reveal the punchline. David has been serving at King Saul’s palace in Gibeah, playing his lyre to calm Saul’s mania from an evil spirit that torments him. When war season begins, David is sent home to tend his father Jesse’s flocks, and his brothers fight in Saul’s army.
David’s father sends him with a donkey loaded with food to the battlefront to provide nourishment for the sons of Jesse. (There were no McDonalds or government organizations to feed soldiers in ca. 900 B.C., so all provisions came from their families.) David received a snarky welcome from his jealous brothers, but he was more appalled by Goliath’s blasphemy than offended by his brothers.
So, David volunteers to fight the mammoth Philistine. This Goliath has been shouting threats to the whole Israelite army for forty days, and their bravest warriors are too afraid to fight him! But David doesn’t fight for Israel. David fights for Yahweh…
[David said to King Saul,] “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:36–37
And that’s exactly what happened. With his shepherd’s sling and one smooth stone, David shouted at Goliath before he killed him:
You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1 Samuel 17:45
BAM! Don’t you want to jump up and celebrate! I’m sure that’s exactly what Israel’s army did when David killed Goliath with a sling, a stone, and the power of Almighty God!
Now Comes the Best Friend Part
Saul’s firstborn son, Jonathan–who was also the crown prince in line to inherit Israel’s throne–would have been standing right beside his father to watch it all unfold. He would have witnessed David’s refusal to wear Saul’s armor (1 Samuel 17:38-40) and felt both excitement and fear at David’s faith-filled threat of doom when he met the giant face-to-face.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
1 Samuel 17:50
David took Goliath’s sword, cut off the dead man’s head, and presented it to King Saul (ewwww!). How did Jonathan feel in that moment?
King Saul was likely in his early seventies and Jonathan probably in his fifties. David was probably mid-teens. This BOY had done what no Israelite warrior dared to attempt–and he’d done it with total reliance on Yahweh.
Was Prince Jonathan Star Struck?
As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine’s head. “Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. David said, “I am the son of your servant Jesse of Bethlehem.” After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.
1 Samuel 17:57–18:1 (emphasis added)
When I first read this passage–many years ago–I thought Jonathan was on the David “groupie” wagon. Maybe Jonathan was a little star struck by David’s boldness and success and wanted to be best friends with the best warrior in Israel.
I don’t think so any more. Instead, I believe that Jonathan’s heart was knit together with David’s because he’d finally found someone whose heart was as passionate for Yahweh as his own. We see several hints in Scripture that point to others in Jonathan’s family being double-minded about their faith. Here are a couple of biblical clues that helped change my mind:
David’s wife placed a large IDOL in her bed to trick Saul’s assassins when she helped David escape. Why would she have access to an idol if someone in the family (or several someones) didn’t worship idols (1 Samuel 19)?After Saul orders all the priests of Nob killed–where the Tabernacle was located–he chooses another chief priest. Who was the new chief priest? Was he a direct descendant of Aaron as the Law required? How was he chosen? And the Bible gives us no record of how the Tabernacle was transferred from Nob (1 Sam. 21) to Gibeon (1 Chron. 16:39).
I saw other hints and clues highlighted while reading a well-researched novel by Jubilee Lipsey, My Brother the King. CLICK HERE to read my full review or purchase your copy HERE. Jubilee’s descriptions of David’s and Jonathan’s emotions and how their relationship began and deepened helped me understand these two men and what God must have done in such a tumultuous time in both their lives.Has God Blessed You With a Best Friend?The answer to the above question is an adamant, YES! But I must add one caveat. Our loving Heavenly Father may choose NOT to knit your heart together with a best friend. Why would he do that? Speaking from experience, there was a season in my life when I so yearned for a best friend, and there was simply no one around me that felt safe or seemed interested in that sort of reciprocal relationship.
What do we do then?
Those were the weeks, months, and–yes, years–that I grew deeper in my relationship with Jesus than at any other time in my life. When God doesn’t bring you an earthly best friend to tend your heart, He may be calling you to draw closer to Him. To listen to His whisper. To sense His heart being knit together with yours. Nothing is sweeter than knowing the still small voice of our Father’s personal comfort.
Today’s Question:Have you experienced the certainty of a God-given best friend? If you feel comfortable, share a bit about that journey in the comments below.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24
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May 27, 2024
Who Are Samuel and King Saul?
Attribution: the Providence Lithograph Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
God chose Saul son of Kish to become Israel’s first king. God chose Samuel, a prophet and priest, to anoint King Saul.
Did God make a mistake? Or did Samuel?
Neither.
The Israelites made the mistake. To this point in Israel’s history, God ALONE had been their King. Previously, when they were in trouble, God sent faithful people like Moses, Aaron, Deborah, and Barak to rescue them. But now, the Israelites became terrified and DEMANDED an earthly king.
Who Is This Samuel Character?
[So Samuel said to those gathered,] “When you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’—even though the Lord your God was your king.”
1 Samuel 12:12
Samuel became both prophet and priest in Israel. His birth and beginning years were miraculous, proving God’s anointing from the moment of his conception. He was Hannah’s firstborn son. Hannah was one of many misunderstood women in the Bible. For years, her womb had been barren, and her husband chose to marry a second wife, Peninnah, who was very fertile and just as snarky (1 Sam. 1:2).
Hannah went with her husband every year to the Tabernacle. One year, she approached the altar (a definite no-no for any woman) and began to pray silently. Eli, the high priest, thought she was drunk. Evidently, the combination of approaching the altar and moving your lips without making a sound meant you’d had too much wine? She convinced him she wasn’t drunk, and he felt so bad about his mistake that he prayed for Yahweh to open her womb (1 Sam. 1:12-17).
And He did! But Hannah had bargained with God: if He gave her a son, she’d give her son (after he was weaned) for service in the Tabernacle. Samuel was born, and at a very young age, he was given to Eli to serve in the Tabernacle (1 Sam. 1:20-28).
Why Choose Saul?I’ll give you my opinion, but since no one can know the mind of God, remember–it’s only my opinion. Scripture presents a picture of pre-royal Saul as extremely modest and rather unqualified for the job, which is precisely the sort of man God would be looking for!
A Well Known & Handsome Donkey Farmer
“There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish…Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.'”
1 Samuel 9:1-3
Humble
“Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: ‘About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines…[When he met Saul, Samuel said,] ‘As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?’ Saul answered, ‘But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?’
1 Samuel 9:15-16, 20-21
…Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?'”
1 Samuel 10:1
[When Samuel came to anoint the king, the lot fell to Saul, but no one could find him among the crowd…] “So they inquired further of the Lord, ‘Has the man come here yet?’ And the Lord said, ‘Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.’ They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, ‘Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.’ Then the people shouted, ‘Long live the king!'”
1 Samuel 10:22–24
Receptive to the Holy Spirit
So What Changed?
“When [Saul] and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.”
1 Samuel 10:10
Attribution: Willem Swanenburg-Abraham Bloemaert-Biblioteca Nacional de España, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
God doesn’t change. Samuel remained faithful.
Saul changed. Pride slipped in and made him think HE knew better than God. It’s the same sin that got Eve in the Garden. It’s the same sin that gets most of us if we walk back most of our motivation for wrongdoing…
God’s Instruction Through Samuel Is Clear
“Samuel said to Saul, ‘I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” ‘ “
1 Samuel 15:1–3 (emphasis added)
Saul’s Disobedience Is Also Clear – To Everyone But Saul
God Deals With Saul
“Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.”
1 Samuel 15:9 (emphasis added)
“Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, ‘Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.'”
1 Samuel 15:12
“When Samuel reached him, Saul said, ‘The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.’ But Samuel said, ‘What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?’ Saul answered, ‘The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.’ ‘Enough!’ Samuel said to Saul…’Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?’ ‘But I did obey the Lord,’ Saul said…I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”
1 Samuel 15:13-21 (emphasis added)
Yahweh chooses the HUMBLE:
Saul: “But God, I’m from the smallest tribe in Israel! I’m a nobody!”God can even deal with HIDING:
“Where’s Saul?” Hiding with the supplies (some translations: with the baggage). AKA: “Please God, don’t make me do this. It’s too much for me.”El Shaddai WILL NOT abide the HAUGHTY:
God didn’t cut and run the first time he disobeyed–or the second. So, let’s not feel sorry for Saul. Instead, let’s consider how sneakily pride can slip in for us all–and say no to the serpent’s tricks! After Samuel announced the bad news, he actually cried for the king he had anointed…
“‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.'”
1 Samuel 13:13–14
Though it’s hard to realize timelines when you’re reading through pages of Scripture, my research shows that Samuel prophesied this BEFORE David was born. Doesn’t that make David’s Psalm 139 even more precious?
Today’s Question:What steps can we take in our own context to avoid pride?
“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:13–14 (emphasis added)
You’ll meet both King Saul and Samuel in my October release: Brave: The Story of Ahinoam, Book #1 in my new series, King David’s Brides. CLICK HERE if you’d like to pre-order from Amazon. But if you’re looking for a paperback, you can buy it much cheaper from Baker Book House here!
Did you enjoy this post? Never miss out on future posts by following my blog. Or sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive a free novella as well as exclusive monthly giveaways and book news emailed straight to your inbox! Because I’m an Amazon advertising affiliate, a small commission is earned when purchases are made using Amazon links on this site. Thank you for your support!
April 22, 2024
3 Ways Publishing a Book Is Like Spring Gardening
Dennis Lamczak, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
I’m not a gardener, but I lived in Indiana for most of my life, so some farm girl stuff sort of soaks in. My grandma could put a twig in the ground, and a tree would grow, but I somehow got the proverbial “black thumb.” Though I tried a vegetable garden a couple of times (not very successfully), I was never astute enough to begin some plants inside during the spring. (CLICK HERE if you’d like to know why you should start them in spring!)
#1 – Gardening/Publishing Require More Than Hard WorkI’d be much more willing to garden if it only involved putting a seed in the ground, dumping a cup of water on it, and returning in a week to harvest the vegetables. Sign me up!
Alas, gardening is so much more. It’s more than tilling the soil. More than planting. More than watering the soil, faithfully weeding and protecting the plants from pestilence and predators. Gardening is more than hard work. It’s an art. It’s a passion. And I don’t have it.
But I am passionate about Jesus and God’s Word. I love the Bible. I love reading it and studying it. I could research the words, the culture, the locations, the archaeological discoveries every moment of every day! Sometimes I jokingly say I only write novels to support my research addiction. Well, sort of jokingly. 😆
A 2021 survey of over 2,000 Americans revealed that over half believed they had a good idea for a novel. Of that half, only 15% started writing a book, and only 8% actually finished their book. (CLICK HERE to see more survey results.) If writing was easy, everyone would do it.
#2 – Gardening/Publishing Require the Creator’s Partnership
Since Indiana is synonymous with corn, let me illustrate with two “corn” pictures why the Creator is the essential Partner in gardening (and farming). Picture #1 was taken on the day of our daughter and son-in-love’s wedding. That year the Lord had blessed the corn crop with perfect summer weather! Dry enough to get seed in the ground early in the spring, rain soon after, terribly hot and humid for us poor humans during June, July, and August.
Our son-in-love is about 5′ 9″. Granted, he’s bending over to kiss his bride, but that corn is WAAAAAY taller than him, right?
The following year, Indiana experienced the worst drought in decades. Can you see the difference? Both photos were taken during August in Indiana–one year apart. See what happens when the Creator withholds rain? Even farmers with irrigation systems couldn’t sustain their harvest numbers in a drought of this proportion.
So it is with writing, publishing, and book sales. On some days, I sit at my laptop and the words just flow out of me. Other days, it’s like trying to wring out water from a dry cloth. I’ve found marketing and publicity to be much the same. Some of the books we’ve worked hardest to promote with pre-order sales, social media blitzes, and sale prices somehow fall flat. Other books sell like spring water in a desert with very little hype. My only explanation is the One who gave me the words in the first place. He gets ALL the glory!
#3 – Gardening/Publishing Require Advanced PlanningI’ve had so many people ask me, “Why can’t you write faster?”
Believe me…I wish I could! 😉
You might be wondering what I’m doing during these endless months BETWEEN my book releases. Well, like the gardener who plants a few of their plants inside during early spring to get the “slow rooting” seeds going, I’m busy with behind-the-scene tasks to prepare before release day! Brave: The Story of Ahinoam is Book #1 in the series of King David’s Brides, so I’ve also started plotting and writing Book #2 about Maakah (see 2 Samuel 3:2-5).
For those of you who follow me on Facebook or Instagram and answered my question about what sort of Bk #2 teaser you’d like to see included in Brave, here are the results of everyone’s comments!
To give you an idea of some of the writing/publishing tasks that will keep me busy all the way up to Brave’s October 1, 2024 release date, here’s a general list:
monthly newslettermonthly blog postfour scheduled social media posts per week (personally answering comments)personally answering daily emailsMay 7th release and promotion of The Nameless Ones (our 3rd indie-published short story collection)3 more edits on Brave (line edits–April; copy edits and proof pages–end of May).brainstorm marketing & publicity for Brave with Bethany House.execute marketing & publicity plan for Brave:work with launch team to stir excitement for releasewrite discussion questionswrite Bible study for YouVersionwrite prequel (free download for new & existing newsletter subscribers)publicity and interviews: podcasts, TV/radio, blogs, magazine articles, and live eventswrite teaser chapter for Maakah’s story to include in Bravewrite Maakah’s story (100,000 words)send to beta readersrevisesend to senior editor by August 1stSuccessful “Gardening”Perhaps after reading how I’ve compared writing to gardening, you’ve seen similarities between gardening and your own life.
To succeed at work, to strengthen family relationships, or to grow a church, we must work together with passion toward a common goal.But as Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its laborers labor in vain” (NIV). Only when we partner with the Creator Himself do we see success that reaches into eternity. That’s the success that matters!Though I’m a creative that loves spontaneity, I’ve learned that much of life’s success comes to those who plan. It’s a bitter pill but good medicine for a less-stressful future.Today’s Question:Which of the three “gardening” life lessons is the one you needed to hear today?
