The David Chronicles

Here is the story of David as you have never heard it before: from the king himself, telling the unofficial version, the one he never allowed his court scribes to recount. In his mind, history is written to praise the victorious—but at the last stretch of his illustrious life, he feels an irresistible urge to tell the truth. In the first volume, Rise to Power, David gives you a fascinating account of his early years, culminating with a tribal coronation. Rooted in ancient lore, his is a surprisingly modern memoir.

At the peak of his life, David makes a serious error. His forbidden love for Bathsheba threatens to undo his entire legacy. When she becomes pregnant, he attempts to cover up the ensuing scandal by sending her husband - who serves him faithfully in his army - to his death. And for the rest of his life, he is tormented by the memory of that moment. Will he find redemption? And when his other wives suspect him of marital infidelity, will Bathsheba survive the ensuing court intrigue?

Struggling to find the right balance between loving his sons and upholding justice, how long will David remain silent, even as Amnon rapes Tamar, even as Absalom lures Amnon to his death? These crimes go unpunished because a mysterious change has come upon the king, which his court scribes note even before he does. In the past, he had to explain his actions, such as the affair with Bathsheba, to them. Now, they want to understand the opposite thing: his lack of action.