In Ancient Palestine, Michal, a young Israeli princess, marries the man she loves, but it comes with a high price. She must spy on him and report back to her father, the notorious King Saul. Michal hopes her father will forget his animosity toward the giant-killing David, and that she and David can finally live a life of peace together. Unfortunately, her father comes to collect on Michal’s … promise, and she is forced to choose between betraying her father or her husband. Her decision launches her life on a path she never expected. Michal and David are ripped apart for eight years. One is forced into a loveless second marriage, the other is forced to run for his life. If they can survive the vengeful King Saul, they may have a chance at restoring their love. But a lot can change in eight years, and Michal and David are not the same as they once were.
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David is such a fascinating person in the Bible. The young shepherd boy who believed that he could slay the giant Goliath, so he did. A young man who was able to calm King Saul with his beautiful music. The young soldier who became so popular with the people that King Saul feared that David would replace him in their affections. Now, as this story begins, it is 1019 BC and it is the wedding day of David and Michal, King Saul’s youngest daughter. This is a marriage of love but it soon becomes apparent that their love and their marriage is doomed because of KIng Saul’s deep hatred of his new son-in-law.
Author Janice Broyles has been able to create a fascinating re-telling of this biblical account that is related in 1 Samuel. David, at twenty-two, is forced to flee Palestine and leave his beloved wife; and even though they plan to reunite, obstacles constantly prevent this from happening. Broyles admits in her author’s notes that even though she is true to the biblical account, it is from her imagination that many of the events in this book find life. And even though I have read many times how David was forced to run for his life, I was completely drawn in with the fictional details and David, Michal, and Saul’s suspected thoughts. David longed for his wife, he feared for his life, and he wondered why God was allowing all of this to happen. Even when he had the chance to kill Saul, David believed that ‘I am not God, and I will not take Saul’s life into my hands. I will not do it. I will become King when the Lord determines it’s time. And not one second before.’ (p. 263)
The Runaway Heir is a story of love, hate, and fear; of deep faith, extreme loss, and the ability to forgive. It also reaffirms what we already know: that God sometimes allows circumstances to occur because of the future that He foresees.
This is intriguing biblical fiction and even though it is the second book in the David saga, it can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the next book, The Anointed Heir, that is due in 2020.
I received a copy of this book from the author and HFVBT Blog Tours but was under no obligation to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Runaway Heir
By: Janice Broyles
*REVIEW*
As a person not extremely well versed in biblical history, I was hesitant about reading this book with my lack of background knowledge. As it turns out, The Runaway Heir is not difficult to navigate, as Janice Broyles does an excellent job of weaving a beautiful and compelling story that speaks to the modern day heart. David(of Goliath) and Michal(daughter of King Saul) are married and love each other. Unfortunately, the circumstances of the time demanded a woman’s loyalty and left few choices. For Michal, her obligations leave her torn between her father and her husband, and ultimately, she loses in the end. This is a story of love separated and torn asunder, of loss, faith, revenge and redemption. David, Michal and King Saul have entertwined destinies that play out in heartbreaking and thought provoking ways throughout this story. The plight of women has always played a pivotal role in historical context, and that is true here. I felt acute sadness for David and Michal as they struggled and an intense dislike of King Saul in his vindictiveness. These characters deserved better than they lived, and it’s a heartbreaking situation. This story will give you all the feels and ups and downs of life and love as you journey with Michal and David. Even if you have no interest in biblical history, this story will appeal to all historical fiction readers because it’s not a bible story in the way you might expect. Instead, it’s touching and surprisingly relatable.