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"God has rewarded Hezekiah's faithfulness with great wealth and power, but the king has much more to overcome. Will his faith sustain him against the ultimate enemy?"--Provided by publisher.Tags
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I’ve been reading this series for a couple of years now, and so far, each book has been a fascinating glimpse into King Hezekiah’s and the prophet Isaiah’s time. This book may have been the most interesting of the set so far. Every time I picked this up, I wished I had more time to read.
Lynn Austin does a great job bringing this time in history to life. Even though I knew the story—I’ve studied it multiple times over the years, and I was intrigued enough again while reading the first half of the book that I went back and reread the pertinent Biblical passages—I still couldn’t wait to keep moving in the novel and see how it all worked out in the end. That is the mark of a true master of the writing craft, in my opinion!
I show more also loved the focus on Jesus as Messiah and the way the love, mercy, and forgiveness of the Lord played a major part in this story. Some of the Messiah stuff did feel a bit pointed or unrealistic for me; I don’t think the Jews at this time had the prophecies put together quite as tightly as they are presented here (no more than we have a precise, all-encompassing view of how prophecy fits into future events today!). BUT in saying that, I appreciated seeing how Isaiah’s prophecies can be fit together now that we’re looking back on their fulfillment in Jesus—so there is value to the way Austin did it here. I just don’t think it’s 100% historically accurate.
I’m sad that we’re at the end of Hezekiah’s story at the end of this book, but I can’t wait to get into Manasseh’s story now! I know it won’t be an easy ride, but I know there’s redemption at the end, so that will be good. If you enjoy well-written Biblical fiction, I’d highly recommend you check out this book and the rest of the series! show less
Lynn Austin does a great job bringing this time in history to life. Even though I knew the story—I’ve studied it multiple times over the years, and I was intrigued enough again while reading the first half of the book that I went back and reread the pertinent Biblical passages—I still couldn’t wait to keep moving in the novel and see how it all worked out in the end. That is the mark of a true master of the writing craft, in my opinion!
I show more also loved the focus on Jesus as Messiah and the way the love, mercy, and forgiveness of the Lord played a major part in this story. Some of the Messiah stuff did feel a bit pointed or unrealistic for me; I don’t think the Jews at this time had the prophecies put together quite as tightly as they are presented here (no more than we have a precise, all-encompassing view of how prophecy fits into future events today!). BUT in saying that, I appreciated seeing how Isaiah’s prophecies can be fit together now that we’re looking back on their fulfillment in Jesus—so there is value to the way Austin did it here. I just don’t think it’s 100% historically accurate.
I’m sad that we’re at the end of Hezekiah’s story at the end of this book, but I can’t wait to get into Manasseh’s story now! I know it won’t be an easy ride, but I know there’s redemption at the end, so that will be good. If you enjoy well-written Biblical fiction, I’d highly recommend you check out this book and the rest of the series! show less
This book shows has God has rewarded Hezekiah's faithfulness with great wealth and power. But the one thing the king does not have is an heir to the throne. His wife, whom he loves, takes forbidden measures to try to become pregnant and the results will lead to heartache and deep sorrow for this couple. Hezekiah will make wrong decisions, trust ungodly wisdom and face near ruin. With all that is going on in his kingdom; the Assyrians approaching to destroy all that he has, can Hezekiah truly trust in God and learn true forgiveness.
I appreciate how the author makes the history from the Bible at this time come alive. It makes one also appreciate the goodness of our God and His ability to defeat the enemy if His people would just learn to show more follow His sovereign plan and trust in Him, not in chariots or man. show less
I appreciate how the author makes the history from the Bible at this time come alive. It makes one also appreciate the goodness of our God and His ability to defeat the enemy if His people would just learn to show more follow His sovereign plan and trust in Him, not in chariots or man. show less
I'm really liking this series. I know a lot of the content is fictional and the characters or events aren't this detailed in the Bible, but I can also see how the truth of the God's Word is seen in the pages as well.
In this book in particular, it gave Isaiah some more development and that helped me envision his prophecy in a new and powerful way. The lesson of forgiveness learned by so many characters was moving, emotional, and was such a great reminder of the forgiveness our Heavenly Father shows us. One of my favorite lines in this book said "God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve."
I was slightly confused at how the author described the death of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in the end since it wasn't the same as it is told in the show more Bible, but I can see why she tweaked it a little for the story's sake. It just bothered me that she would shift it when so many other things have lined up with the tellings in the Bible.
Another qualm (or rather, a personal annoyance) I had was when the author would write something like "and for the first time in 4 years, I [some character] remembered my past and all that..." And I just have a very hard time believing that if you went through something hard and traumatic that you healed from and processed through, that it would leave your mind for 4 years. show less
In this book in particular, it gave Isaiah some more development and that helped me envision his prophecy in a new and powerful way. The lesson of forgiveness learned by so many characters was moving, emotional, and was such a great reminder of the forgiveness our Heavenly Father shows us. One of my favorite lines in this book said "God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve."
I was slightly confused at how the author described the death of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in the end since it wasn't the same as it is told in the show more Bible, but I can see why she tweaked it a little for the story's sake. It just bothered me that she would shift it when so many other things have lined up with the tellings in the Bible.
Another qualm (or rather, a personal annoyance) I had was when the author would write something like "and for the first time in 4 years, I [some character] remembered my past and all that..." And I just have a very hard time believing that if you went through something hard and traumatic that you healed from and processed through, that it would leave your mind for 4 years. show less
The whole series was very educational and interesting. Read them all for a great perspective on the days of Manasseh and Hezekiah.
NO OF PAGES: 330 SUB CAT I: Fiction SUB CAT II: Bible Stories SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: God has rewarded Hezekiah's faithfulness with great wealth and power, but the godly king has no heir. In desperation, his beloved wife takes forbidden measures to ensure fertility. With all that is going on in his kingdom--and with the Assyrians approaching--Hezekiah does not discover his wife's idolatry until it's almost too late. Her betrayal cuts to the very core of his being and belief in God. Will his faith sustain him in the face of this deceit, and against an overwhelming enemy?NOTES: Purchased from CBD. SUBTITLE: Chronicles of the Kings - Book Three
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76 Works 14,357 Members
Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Strength of His Hand
- Original title
- The Lord is my Salvation
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Hezekiah, King of Judah
- Important places
- Assyria; Israel; Jerusalem
- Epigraph
- The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Exodus 15:2
- First words
- Eliakim kissed his fingertips, then touched the mezuzah on the doorpost of his house.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Listen carefully, son," Hezekiah said. "I'm going to teach you your very first lesson. And you must never forget it, because it's also the most important lesson you'll ever learn: 'Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God -- Yahweh alone!' And you must love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
- Disambiguation notice
- This is the Revised edition of The Lord is My Salvation c.1996
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Statistics
- Members
- 470
- Popularity
- 64,716
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.50)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 4
