What do you think?
Rate this book
Dahveed ##4
Yahweh's Soldier
He was already exiled from the king’s presence. But Abner’s devious plans didn’t include a rival to the throne, and the general convinced Shaul to pursue Dahveed once more. Sick at heart over the king’s inability to trust him after he had spared Shaul’s life in the cave, he refused to kill Yahweh’s anointed one yet again—and sought refuge in Gath a second time.
Seren Akish gave him Ziklag, and from there he brought Yahweh’s ban upon the Amalekites. Then the seren commanded his presence, and that of all his men, at the gathering of the Philistine army against Israel. He pleaded with Yahweh to show him what to do, but Yahweh simply reminded him of Moses and the Reed Sea. Begging Yahweh for hesed, he took his men to Akish.
But the Amalekites’ retribution came to the town while he and his men were away. It was here in Ziklag, first when ordered to present himself for war against his own people, and then when he doubted Yahweh’s leading after the destruction of the town, that he learned to trust Yahweh as Hassar Jonathan already had—when it could cost him everything.
Seren Akish gave him Ziklag, and from there he brought Yahweh’s ban upon the Amalekites. Then the seren commanded his presence, and that of all his men, at the gathering of the Philistine army against Israel. He pleaded with Yahweh to show him what to do, but Yahweh simply reminded him of Moses and the Reed Sea. Begging Yahweh for hesed, he took his men to Akish.
But the Amalekites’ retribution came to the town while he and his men were away. It was here in Ziklag, first when ordered to present himself for war against his own people, and then when he doubted Yahweh’s leading after the destruction of the town, that he learned to trust Yahweh as Hassar Jonathan already had—when it could cost him everything.
519 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Terri L. Fivash
15 books118 followersI have never lived more than 30 miles from Lake Michigan. I was born on the east side, grew up on the west side, and now live on the east side again. However, I rarely have time to go there! I attended Andrews University, graduating with a Master's Degree in History in 1986. I am a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national honors society for History; and a charter member of the Andrews University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the national interdisciplinary honors society. I began writing for publication in 2000 after seeing the need for books about biblical characters which were not only biblically accurate, but historically and culturally accurate as well. My husband and I have been married for over 30 years and have two children. We have always lived in the same house!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Read
May 2, 2019This book explained a lot of things I didn’t know already. It explained detain in David’s life. The little things the Bible doesn’t talk about it explains. This book helps you understand what David’s life might be like. Overall this is a good book defenetly read it.
July 11, 2024
amazing
Anyone and everyone! The amount of research and time to make it almost put you there.
Many lessons can be learned from this and all the other books of characters, to follow God, Yahweh wholeheartedly.
Anyone and everyone! The amount of research and time to make it almost put you there.
Many lessons can be learned from this and all the other books of characters, to follow God, Yahweh wholeheartedly.
March 14, 2022
Great Book in the Series
Great Book and great series. Author does a great job of immersing you in the lives of all the characters and different storylines. Didn't always understand the honor system but can't wait to read the next book in the series
Great Book and great series. Author does a great job of immersing you in the lives of all the characters and different storylines. Didn't always understand the honor system but can't wait to read the next book in the series
August 29, 2025
Wonderful & Heartbreakimg
I have a new appreciation for the Psalms and David! He was flawed, but faithful! Very inspiring! I can't wait to read the next one.
I have a new appreciation for the Psalms and David! He was flawed, but faithful! Very inspiring! I can't wait to read the next one.
October 2, 2025
Spoilers if you haven't read the Bible story.
Well, I have been destroyed. I knew this was coming. I have read the story at least twice in the Bible, and I cried neither time. But now I have grown to know and love these characters. I don't know the last time I cried so much over a book. 5 stars.
The crushing thing about this whole story is that it all could have been avoided. Shaul could have given his heart to Yahweh, and he would have lived, not ruled, but lived. He and his sons. Instead, I had to watch as my favorite character and his brothers, whom I have come to love, die because of their father's mistakes. Yahweh would have had mercy, and yet Shaul would not accept it.
There was more to this book besides pain. There was Jonathan's forgiveness journey, which was very touching. There was a little pain in another death. There was the slimy Phoenician. There was the charge of the riff raff. (I love Hazzel. Especially her mismatched speaking and earrings.) There was Abner curbing. There was a high-stakes heist featuring our favorite thief. Manani finally got his comeuppance. Yahweh's bowman stood firm. Dahveed rescued a lot of people, and his wives poisoned some people. Oh, and did I mention the pain? The last fifty pages were just Pain. "'Yah, grant Abbi hesed!' he said, and those large, strong hands caught him as he fell." I almost started crying again as I wrote that.
I feel as though through these books I come closer to God and to understanding the way things worked back in David's day. The simple trust that David, sorry Dahveed, had is something that I want to have. "Yah," I whispered, "I will follow You, for I cannot know the way I should go. I cannot save Israel. I cannot save Jonathan Hassar. I cannot save myself from what may be in store today. You are the shepherd, and the sheep are in Your hand, not mine. You must work things out in my life. You must help us bear the pain of this day, and all the days to come, for Your ways are Your own. I must trust that they are the good ways for me, no matter what the beginning of it may look like." That was after what the Amalakites did. (That's in the Bible, so not technically a spoiler.)
There are some funny moments in this book, but the thing that sticks out to me the most is the ending and the fact that God is so merciful and knows exactly what He's doing, even when, especially when, it doesn't seem like it. Please read this series!!!!
P.S. That slave's name being Khay, like Khay from Joseph, did not escape me. It made me smile, especially after he called Yahweh El Shaddai like Mahesa did in book 2.
Well, I have been destroyed. I knew this was coming. I have read the story at least twice in the Bible, and I cried neither time. But now I have grown to know and love these characters. I don't know the last time I cried so much over a book. 5 stars.
The crushing thing about this whole story is that it all could have been avoided. Shaul could have given his heart to Yahweh, and he would have lived, not ruled, but lived. He and his sons. Instead, I had to watch as my favorite character and his brothers, whom I have come to love, die because of their father's mistakes. Yahweh would have had mercy, and yet Shaul would not accept it.
There was more to this book besides pain. There was Jonathan's forgiveness journey, which was very touching. There was a little pain in another death. There was the slimy Phoenician. There was the charge of the riff raff. (I love Hazzel. Especially her mismatched speaking and earrings.) There was Abner curbing. There was a high-stakes heist featuring our favorite thief. Manani finally got his comeuppance. Yahweh's bowman stood firm. Dahveed rescued a lot of people, and his wives poisoned some people. Oh, and did I mention the pain? The last fifty pages were just Pain. "'Yah, grant Abbi hesed!' he said, and those large, strong hands caught him as he fell." I almost started crying again as I wrote that.
I feel as though through these books I come closer to God and to understanding the way things worked back in David's day. The simple trust that David, sorry Dahveed, had is something that I want to have. "Yah," I whispered, "I will follow You, for I cannot know the way I should go. I cannot save Israel. I cannot save Jonathan Hassar. I cannot save myself from what may be in store today. You are the shepherd, and the sheep are in Your hand, not mine. You must work things out in my life. You must help us bear the pain of this day, and all the days to come, for Your ways are Your own. I must trust that they are the good ways for me, no matter what the beginning of it may look like." That was after what the Amalakites did. (That's in the Bible, so not technically a spoiler.)
There are some funny moments in this book, but the thing that sticks out to me the most is the ending and the fact that God is so merciful and knows exactly what He's doing, even when, especially when, it doesn't seem like it. Please read this series!!!!
P.S. That slave's name being Khay, like Khay from Joseph, did not escape me. It made me smile, especially after he called Yahweh El Shaddai like Mahesa did in book 2.
June 14, 2023
The story of Dahveed continues in this fabulous epic. I am constantly enchanted by Fivash's story telling and character development. I know the story of David very well and so I knew where this book would end but I still wasn't ready for it and Fivash's writing made it even more heart-wrenching. Good writing makes you feel and that's exactly what this is, and I can't wait for the next book.
April 19, 2023
This series truly brings the Bible alive. The emotions are so real when you close the last page. You have learned to love and connected with the characters, and this point of the story always hits my heart.
March 19, 2019
I love this series and I can't wait until the next one! This one was so beautifully written I almost cried at the end!
February 11, 2014
so good! the ending was sad but so interesting. i recommend this to everyone!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews