A tale of three kings

This is the kind of book that people will either love or hate. Its short easy to read chapters keep you in the story while challenging you to agree Edwards' main point. However, it is also a classic study in eisegesis where he reads into the story what he needs in order to make his point hit home. This is not the biblical story of Saul, David and Absalom but a caricature in order to make a point about proper church leadership. Quite frankly any church led by a "David" is a church in crisis looking for a place to happen. David's doing "nothing" as Absalom gathers others around him is not a pattern to emulate. Furthermore, the biblical story is one in which David acted to defeat Absalom's forces and take back the kingdom, not one in which show more he did nothing and let God give it back to him. At best this story is well intentioned but dishonest. Am I a Saul, a David or an Absalom for pointing that out? show less

A Tale of Three Kings is dedicated

"To the brokenhearted Christians
coming out of authoritarian groups, seeking solace,
healing, and hope. May you somehow recover
and go on with him who is liberty.

And to all brokenhearted Christians:
May you be so utterly healed that you can still answer
the call of him who asks for all because he is all."

The book’s theme is simple. God used David’s suffering under King Saul to form his character. When David’s son tried to usurp the throne, David refused to become Saul-like. I can understand how appealing this sounds to those who have suffered under abusive leadership. The fact that this book is so popular is a sad testimony to the state of leadership in the church!

While there is deep value in suffering show more and God uses everything in our lives to develop our character, this book offers but one answer to the problem of Saulide leadership: “What, then, can you do? Very little. Perhaps nothing” (44). To the abused, this is a counsel of despair.

Edwards’ story presupposes an authoritarian type of leadership in which the leader, for good or for ill, is anointed of God and in place to call the shots. There’s nothing for the Davids of this world to do but to endure. While rebellion is never a good solution to poor leadership, mute endurance only enables the abuser.

Jesus has demonstrated and calls for a different type of leadership—servant leadership. Perhaps the model of King and servant isn’t the best metaphor for church leadership in light of the one who washed our feet. show less

I first read this book about 15 years ago, and have not gone back to it because it is impactful, and uncomfortable. I just now listened to the audiobook, and it is just as uncomfortable now as it was 15 years ago. And yet, I need that discomfort and reminder. A must read for all believers, and especially those of us who have served under a King Saul, who clearly was insane and abusive. I have practiced these truths. I learned not to rebel as Absolom did, and finally had to do as David did under Saul and leave.

在神的家中，由於權柄的誤用，造成大量屬靈難民的出走，有的自此躲在陰暗的角落，怨天尤人：有的自此遠離神的家，展開自己的「出埃及歷程」。究竟這種堪稱屬靈殺戮的悲劇原因何在？如何才能重新挽回破碎的心靈？在神的家中，權柄和順服應該如何定位？

本書述說了一個深刻感人的故事，在悽美的情節中，作者再次讓我們體會到，神依然高坐為王，祂不但在宇宙中掌權，也在人心的運籌帷幄中掌權。且看神如何為落難英雄佈局，如何導引環境情勢，如何鋪陳每個人的人生藍圖。

This was a historical fiction account of three kinds, Saul, David and Absalom in the Hebrew Bible (old testament). It was an interesting read in that it give a fresh perspective on the stories in ways I had not thought of them before.

To many Christians who have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers, this compelling tale based on the biblical figures of David, Saul, and Absalom offers comfort, healing, and hope.

This book was an easy read, but wasn't what I had expected walking into it. It reads more like a fictional tale than a discussion or study of these three kings. This wasn't the book for me, but it was still good.