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Lion of War #2
Covenant of War
In a time of Israel’s greatest need, an elite band of King David’s warriors known as the Mighty Men are all that stands between their people and destruction at the hands of the ruthless Philistines. Part two of the Lion of War series brings the actions of those heroes and the terror of the ancient battlefields to life.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 4, 2013
Great book, and a great journey into historical Israel for my first Around the World in 80 Books challenge!
"The Lord your God never abandons you, even when you abandon Him." Wise words from a wise king, and a theme in Covenant of War , follow-up book to Cliff Graham's Day of War. The story continues to follow King David and his Mighty Men, and their battle to reclaim the land of Israel. Covenant is told from the perspective of Eleazar, one of David's Three elite warriors, Benaiah, another of David's Three and the focus of Day of War, and Ittai, an enemy Philistine officer. Covenant of War has King David removed from the warrior he once was, grieving the loss of his best friend, Jonathan, and enjoying the pleasures of his harem. His lack of discipline had seeped into his armies, and the men were quickly becoming unprepared for an attack. Which is exactly what happened when Ittai launched an invasion of the Valley of Elah. It was a brutal battle, bloody & violent, which is true of both of Graham's books. For anyone who thinks the Bible is boring, these novels paint a very non-boring picture of events. As King David and his men hold back the Philistines, and reclaim the Valley, he is reminded of his first love, his first wife, Michal and Yahweh. The great warrior King, the Lion of Judah, was brought back to life, through repentance, forgiveness, humility and restoration. And Christians for generations are renewed by the life-giving words that King David writes throughout the Psalms.
"The Lord your God never abandons you, even when you abandon Him." Wise words from a wise king, and a theme in Covenant of War , follow-up book to Cliff Graham's Day of War. The story continues to follow King David and his Mighty Men, and their battle to reclaim the land of Israel. Covenant is told from the perspective of Eleazar, one of David's Three elite warriors, Benaiah, another of David's Three and the focus of Day of War, and Ittai, an enemy Philistine officer. Covenant of War has King David removed from the warrior he once was, grieving the loss of his best friend, Jonathan, and enjoying the pleasures of his harem. His lack of discipline had seeped into his armies, and the men were quickly becoming unprepared for an attack. Which is exactly what happened when Ittai launched an invasion of the Valley of Elah. It was a brutal battle, bloody & violent, which is true of both of Graham's books. For anyone who thinks the Bible is boring, these novels paint a very non-boring picture of events. As King David and his men hold back the Philistines, and reclaim the Valley, he is reminded of his first love, his first wife, Michal and Yahweh. The great warrior King, the Lion of Judah, was brought back to life, through repentance, forgiveness, humility and restoration. And Christians for generations are renewed by the life-giving words that King David writes throughout the Psalms.
September 18, 2025
Cliff Graham is an exceptional author and these revised and expanded editions of the Lion of War Series are phenomenal. I loved this new edition of the Covenant of War and I cannot wait for Song of War to be released. I will definitely be purchasing it as soon as it is made available. If you haven’t read these books, I cannot emphasize enough how much you are missing out.
"God of my fathers!" he screams through blistered lips. "You have delivered me on countless battlefields, in my heart and on earth! I have not forgotten! Now show the enemy the power of your Great Name!"
"God of my fathers!" he screams through blistered lips. "You have delivered me on countless battlefields, in my heart and on earth! I have not forgotten! Now show the enemy the power of your Great Name!"
February 8, 2012
The first book, Day of War was fabulous and so far this book is even better. Okay now that I have finished it.
What words describe valor? What phrase gives meaning to service? Dedication and sacrifice are they truly definable? I answer a resounding yes to all three questions. Cliff Graham has reached an even higher plateau than he did in 'Day of War'. Some characters have died since the first installment in this five part series 'Lion of War'. Next will be 'Song of War', Fires of War', and finally 'Twilight OF War'. Graham has entered into a agreement with director David L. Cunningham [Path to 911], and producer Grant Curtis [Spider Man series] to generate multiple films from this series.
Covenant of War starts out much like Day of War ended, A terrific battle between the northern kingdom and David's southern kingdom. However Abner is assassinated by Joab and Abishai because he killed the youngest brother Asahel through no fault of his own. In Hebron both are placed under house arrest and their places in the army taken away.
The action comes early and fast making this a real page turner with Benaiah and Gareb on a mission deep behind enemy lines. Whew once these two of the thirty escape with their lives there is no let up, David gets word that the Philistines are invading and must be stopped before they split the nation.
With only 500 men including David's 30 mighty men and almost no water a desperate mission is launched to stop them. The thirty split from the rest of the troops and head for Bethlehem to stop the Sword of Dagon an elite fighting unit from joining forces with the rest of the Philistine forces. In less than 48 hours the enemy is defeated but at a tremendous cost. Eleazar single handed stands off nearly 50 of the best of the Philistine army. His hand actually becomes to his broken sword and must be soaked in hot oil overnight to loosen the muscles.
What words describe valor? What phrase gives meaning to service? Dedication and sacrifice are they truly definable? I answer a resounding yes to all three questions. Cliff Graham has reached an even higher plateau than he did in 'Day of War'. Some characters have died since the first installment in this five part series 'Lion of War'. Next will be 'Song of War', Fires of War', and finally 'Twilight OF War'. Graham has entered into a agreement with director David L. Cunningham [Path to 911], and producer Grant Curtis [Spider Man series] to generate multiple films from this series.
Covenant of War starts out much like Day of War ended, A terrific battle between the northern kingdom and David's southern kingdom. However Abner is assassinated by Joab and Abishai because he killed the youngest brother Asahel through no fault of his own. In Hebron both are placed under house arrest and their places in the army taken away.
The action comes early and fast making this a real page turner with Benaiah and Gareb on a mission deep behind enemy lines. Whew once these two of the thirty escape with their lives there is no let up, David gets word that the Philistines are invading and must be stopped before they split the nation.
With only 500 men including David's 30 mighty men and almost no water a desperate mission is launched to stop them. The thirty split from the rest of the troops and head for Bethlehem to stop the Sword of Dagon an elite fighting unit from joining forces with the rest of the Philistine forces. In less than 48 hours the enemy is defeated but at a tremendous cost. Eleazar single handed stands off nearly 50 of the best of the Philistine army. His hand actually becomes to his broken sword and must be soaked in hot oil overnight to loosen the muscles.
September 4, 2015
Yet another masterpiece from Cliff Graham. I remember reading about David's Mighty Men as a kid and wanting to write a fictionalized version. Now I don't have to. Cliff nailed it.
September 24, 2020
My 2nd Lion of War novel. I read the first one
way back in 2014 or so. I bought this book back in 2015 from Entitle (for $5), but then soon after, the Entitle book service went out of business. The Entitle books are e-pubs (and encrypted) so I had all my Entitle books on an old 8 inch LePan tablet. I lost track of that tablet and soon moved on. Figured I would never find those 20+ books again. Then a month ago I found the tablet, charged it up and there they were! I tried to the e-pubs send to my Kindle, but it did not work, even if I converted them. Sigh, so I am forced to read these Entitle books on an older slower tablet.
Sob story over. I really enjoy these Lion of War books. About King David and the Mighty Men. Told from a personnel view. Biblical in nature, but the story focuses on the trails and tribulations of King David in his rise to being the King of Israel. I like the characters and the story. I will for sure move on the next book in this series.
way back in 2014 or so. I bought this book back in 2015 from Entitle (for $5), but then soon after, the Entitle book service went out of business. The Entitle books are e-pubs (and encrypted) so I had all my Entitle books on an old 8 inch LePan tablet. I lost track of that tablet and soon moved on. Figured I would never find those 20+ books again. Then a month ago I found the tablet, charged it up and there they were! I tried to the e-pubs send to my Kindle, but it did not work, even if I converted them. Sigh, so I am forced to read these Entitle books on an older slower tablet.Sob story over. I really enjoy these Lion of War books. About King David and the Mighty Men. Told from a personnel view. Biblical in nature, but the story focuses on the trails and tribulations of King David in his rise to being the King of Israel. I like the characters and the story. I will for sure move on the next book in this series.
March 6, 2026
This novel about David's Mighty Men was as good as the first volume, Day of War. It kept me interested the whole way; I flew through it on my vacation week.
Graham has a strong writing style that defies my expectations for his genre. And the story kept making me want to go back to 2 Samuel to dig into the text of Scripture. The story certainly added details to the story that aren't present in Scripture; but it didn't change anything recorded there. Such changes would have distracted me from the narrative.
But Graham kept me hooked and wanting more. I highly recommend it.
2023 update: My teenage sons loved reading this out loud together. They can't wait to dig into the third volume, and we're disappointed that Graham never finished the promised series.
2026 update: Enjoyed the second edition very much. The improvements make the story pop even more.
Graham has a strong writing style that defies my expectations for his genre. And the story kept making me want to go back to 2 Samuel to dig into the text of Scripture. The story certainly added details to the story that aren't present in Scripture; but it didn't change anything recorded there. Such changes would have distracted me from the narrative.
But Graham kept me hooked and wanting more. I highly recommend it.
2023 update: My teenage sons loved reading this out loud together. They can't wait to dig into the third volume, and we're disappointed that Graham never finished the promised series.
2026 update: Enjoyed the second edition very much. The improvements make the story pop even more.
August 22, 2019
I didn't realize until I put this book in here that it was the second in the Lion of War series...but I had no problem reading it without the first book.
I was really excited that someone was writing about David's mighty men!! I always wanted to write something myself about these guys.
Graham did an excellent job, even with a whole lot of conjecture, because there are quite a few gapsin the history of these warriors. But I felt like he gave good background and really researched the time-period in Israel's history.
Gritty and real...definitely a good read for those who enjoy historical fiction from Biblical times.
I was really excited that someone was writing about David's mighty men!! I always wanted to write something myself about these guys.
Graham did an excellent job, even with a whole lot of conjecture, because there are quite a few gapsin the history of these warriors. But I felt like he gave good background and really researched the time-period in Israel's history.
Gritty and real...definitely a good read for those who enjoy historical fiction from Biblical times.
June 19, 2026
Deel 2 in the Lion of War serie. En ja, zoals de titel wel aangeeft, zit ook deze in het genre 'mannen met zwaarden'. Je krijgt waar voor je geld: goede dialogen, onrealistisch stoere hoofdpersonages en sterke actiescenes. Vijf sterren. Exact wat ik soms even nodig heb!
January 28, 2019
Taking Biblical history and extra biblical facts and combining them to create this EPIC battle saga was genius! It's a view of David's life through the eyes of his closest, and highest elite warriors, as he flees for his life from the current King Saul who is taken over by jealous rage of David's favor with the people.
Filled with camaraderie, personal struggles, epic battles, shows of heroism, and a view into ancient war tactics and weaponry, this tale had me feeling all the feels!!
Highly recommended!! Its amazing!!
Filled with camaraderie, personal struggles, epic battles, shows of heroism, and a view into ancient war tactics and weaponry, this tale had me feeling all the feels!!
Highly recommended!! Its amazing!!
June 26, 2018
“If your courage holds in the small battles, it will hold in the great ones.”
A slower start than Day of War but captured my heart, spirit and attention by the end. Parts made me gasp out loud and other made me weep.
“Yahweh uses broken men. I don’t know why he uses David, why he uses any of us.” Benaiah said quietly.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
A slower start than Day of War but captured my heart, spirit and attention by the end. Parts made me gasp out loud and other made me weep.
“Yahweh uses broken men. I don’t know why he uses David, why he uses any of us.” Benaiah said quietly.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
June 15, 2019
This was an absolutely fantastic book! Author Cliff Graham takes the vague portions of King David's story that most intrigue us and brings them to life in a thrilling read. Detailed world building and a masterfully crafted plot suck you into the story, and endearing characters developed through believable dialogue keep you fully engaged from cover to cover.
May 18, 2024
Book two in the series.
Decent balance between war, plot and character’s own storylines. I loved how David and snippets from the pslams were incoorporated.
I felt it lacked a bit of… focus maybe? (Compared ro the first book) It pulled in a couple of differenr directions. I would have wanted to give it a 3.5 star.
Decent balance between war, plot and character’s own storylines. I loved how David and snippets from the pslams were incoorporated.
I felt it lacked a bit of… focus maybe? (Compared ro the first book) It pulled in a couple of differenr directions. I would have wanted to give it a 3.5 star.
April 6, 2018
This is a fiction based off of things that we actually do know. It’s not been written to be history, but a good story. I love a good story, and this is a great one indeed. It is mature though and has quite a lot of violence, but it is an amazing story for mature Christian audiences.
October 25, 2018
Interesting
This was a good read if you like biblical historical fiction and our war stories. It is a bit gory, but you can skip over some of that if you so choose. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was a good read if you like biblical historical fiction and our war stories. It is a bit gory, but you can skip over some of that if you so choose. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 3, 2023
Incredible continuation of the Lion of War series. Relive key moments in Israel’s history as an active participator rather than casual observer of ancient texts. It’s bloody, it’s viloent, it’s disturbing in some instances. Incredibly immersive.
June 27, 2024
This series has jumped up to my favorite books of all time. Graham writes with such knowledge and descriptive details, it's hard not to transport yourself back in time. Can't wait for the final books to be released!
August 19, 2025
Read. This. Book. I cannot recommend this series enough. The friendship between the mighty men is just so wholesome (Beniah and Uriah😭) and I’m not ready for certain events to take place later on. Eleazar is THAT guy and I absolutely love the Three.
February 7, 2018
Well researched and written. This is a great book in a great series. I love the real life detail that make these true stories come alive.
January 10, 2021
Great follow up to the first one
August 8, 2021
This series had been wonderful. Can not wait o read the rest of the series
September 20, 2021
Where is number 3???
Cliffhanger!
Yes I know how it ends but I want to read the three dimensional account of it.
Fantastic writing, Chaplin!
Cliffhanger!
Yes I know how it ends but I want to read the three dimensional account of it.
Fantastic writing, Chaplin!
Read
August 11, 2022Brutal but captivating.
October 5, 2023
On par with the first. Really enjoy the take on David and his mighty men. Disappointed that the author didn’t continue going with the series after this one
Read
February 9, 2024Christian.
I didn't care for it- can't remember why now...
Luke LOVED this series.
Audiobook
I didn't care for it- can't remember why now...
Luke LOVED this series.
Audiobook
September 22, 2024
The bible came alive through the eyes of Graham. Fantastic!!!
June 14, 2026
I enjoyed this read! Eleazar of the frozen hand is one of my favorite stories so it was cool to see it come to life!
May 17, 2020
This is my favorite in the Day of War series. Graham combines epic battles and action sequences with personal character arcs showing the spiritual transformation of the brave and flawed warriors. For students of the Bible, there is a real joy in reading a chapter and discovering that you are in the middle of a story in scripture you’ve read. The only downside for new readers is that this book ends in the middle of a larger saga and the book after it is no longer sold online or in stores.
October 5, 2016
A lot of talking and planning, interspersed with gory fighting, just like real war. Hard to read, but as with Cliff Graham's other works, this book made me want to dig into the Bible to find the real story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews