Through the eyes of Goliyath’s shield bearer, himself a disenfranchised, cynical Israelite working for the other side, the reader is taken on an odyssey that spans nearly a hundred years and the cultural divide of the Biblical and pagan worlds.
Foundation Stone, the first book in the Shepherd King series, begins from the seemingly small divergent steps of two twin sisters, Ruth and Orpah, both recently widowed to brothers the fate of the world is cast. One chooses the pagan cults and pageantry of the Philistines, while the other casts her lot with the tribal inheritance of Israel. It is their descendants, Dawid and Goliyath, who clash on the battlefield in the Valley of Elah. Two very different ways of life, clashing regularly, each claiming the same land as their own. It is an ageless tale of hope, courage and conviction whose echo resonates in the world today.
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By Robert Apatow
Jan 20, 2010
This historical novel brings to life one of the greatest heroic stories of all time. I was especially impressed with the vivid way the author contrasts the world of David's ancient Israel with Goliath's world of idolatry. It really brought these characters to life for me and the vivid images created have remained in my imagination deepening my appreciation of the HOLY BIBLE. I was especially impressed with the incredibly brilliant way the author narrates the book around the voice of David's shield bearer. Literary genius! Robert Apatow, Ph.D. Author of the Spiritual Art of Dialogue
A rousing Biblical tale of two sisters who choose wildly divergent paths in life, thus impacting their descendants in ways they could never have imagined. The author weaves an intriguing account drawn from the Biblical text, Midrash and Talmudic commentaries to fashion of fascinating and often earthy narrative. SHEPHERD KING follows the lives of Ruth and her sister Orpah after they become widows in the land of Moab. Ruth, devoted to her kindly mother-in-law, Naomi, follows her to Israel and eventually weds Boaz, a tribal leader of Judah. Their union will establish the lineage that brings forth a brave young shepherd who defeats a brutish giant named Goliath---a direct descendant of Ruth's sister, Orpah! SHEPHERD KING: Book One is a well-researched, highly readable tale that will definitely engage and entertain you. I would love to see this make it to the big screen as a sprawling Biblical epic.
I am on my 4th time through this exciting and inspiring historical novel. Each time I finish it I yearn anew for the next in this epic series. Thank you D.Avraham for this truly monumental work.
