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The Davidic Chronicles #2
Valiant
A King David Novel (Book Two of the Davidic Chronicles)
Book two of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David as he emerges as a warrior and leader among men. Marked for death by the Philistines and despised by his king, young David must navigate the many conspiracies that threaten to end his life and defeat God's anointing on his life.
Inside Valiant...
Saul sat hunched over, his trembling body growing fiercer. Suddenly he threw back his head with such violence that David started in surprise, and he missed a chord on his harp. As the disjointed note floated in the air, a rattling sound issued from Saul’s throat, and he spoke in a voice not his own, “Is Jehovah a man that He should repent? Nay, for He has rejected the son of Kish and shall rend his kingdom from before his eyes and give it unto his neighbor, the son of Jesse, and to his seed after.”
And then the evil spirit deserted Saul, but not until a spirit of anxiety and worry had descended on the house of King Saul upon hearing those prophetic words.
The king seemed to gather himself, his body still trembling, and his eyes, as they locked onto David, were red. He rose to his feet then, staring at David in such cold fury that the young harper recoiled as if stung.
David didn’t know what to do. He sat motionless in a cold sweat, his heart threatening to beat itself right out of his chest. “My lord,” David tried to say, his voice sounding hoarse and broken. “I--”
"Nay!” Saul bellowed. “Nay! I will not let you bereft me of mine!” With the speed of a trained warrior, Saul spun his javelin into a throwing grip and hurled it with stunning force straight at David’s chest.
David threw himself aside just in time. The javelin’s heavy iron head smashed into the wooden wall right where David had been sitting. The force splintered the wood, and the shaft quivered in place like an angry viper robbed of its kill.
Book two of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David as he emerges as a warrior and leader among men. Marked for death by the Philistines and despised by his king, young David must navigate the many conspiracies that threaten to end his life and defeat God's anointing on his life.
Inside Valiant...
Saul sat hunched over, his trembling body growing fiercer. Suddenly he threw back his head with such violence that David started in surprise, and he missed a chord on his harp. As the disjointed note floated in the air, a rattling sound issued from Saul’s throat, and he spoke in a voice not his own, “Is Jehovah a man that He should repent? Nay, for He has rejected the son of Kish and shall rend his kingdom from before his eyes and give it unto his neighbor, the son of Jesse, and to his seed after.”
And then the evil spirit deserted Saul, but not until a spirit of anxiety and worry had descended on the house of King Saul upon hearing those prophetic words.
The king seemed to gather himself, his body still trembling, and his eyes, as they locked onto David, were red. He rose to his feet then, staring at David in such cold fury that the young harper recoiled as if stung.
David didn’t know what to do. He sat motionless in a cold sweat, his heart threatening to beat itself right out of his chest. “My lord,” David tried to say, his voice sounding hoarse and broken. “I--”
"Nay!” Saul bellowed. “Nay! I will not let you bereft me of mine!” With the speed of a trained warrior, Saul spun his javelin into a throwing grip and hurled it with stunning force straight at David’s chest.
David threw himself aside just in time. The javelin’s heavy iron head smashed into the wooden wall right where David had been sitting. The force splintered the wood, and the shaft quivered in place like an angry viper robbed of its kill.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2018
88 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 21, 2024
Second Great Book in Series
I enjoyed this book as much as, or perhaps even more, than the first in the series. David grows into the warrior that makes him eventually a famous warrior king (though not without many truly awful mistakes later), marries the king’s daughter (I enjoyed this because it portrayed the couple accurately — Michal loves David in the beginning but later comes to hate him, and we see hints of that personality now). I’m eager to start the third book, which should find David on the run after Saul tries for the second time to murder him by flinging a javelin at him. But David is determined “not to touch the Lord’s anointed” (though clearly Saul no longer has the Lord’s favor) and remains, as the title says, Valiant. Great historical read! Violence and realistic portrayal of life in the ancient near east (but no smut).
I enjoyed this book as much as, or perhaps even more, than the first in the series. David grows into the warrior that makes him eventually a famous warrior king (though not without many truly awful mistakes later), marries the king’s daughter (I enjoyed this because it portrayed the couple accurately — Michal loves David in the beginning but later comes to hate him, and we see hints of that personality now). I’m eager to start the third book, which should find David on the run after Saul tries for the second time to murder him by flinging a javelin at him. But David is determined “not to touch the Lord’s anointed” (though clearly Saul no longer has the Lord’s favor) and remains, as the title says, Valiant. Great historical read! Violence and realistic portrayal of life in the ancient near east (but no smut).
June 9, 2021
A worthy sequel to the first book of the series
Well written hostoriccal fiction account of David's first command - the ones who would end up sticking with him because he stuck up for them. Jonathon's armor bearer accompanies David, who takes command of 1,000 men who aree a ragtag mix of petty crimnals, debtors, thieves, etc. Adriel, the armor bearer, has tremendous insight into the nature of individual men and groups of men that help David mold them into an elite fighting force that, after 3 years, moves almost as a single person. They have watched as the Spirit of the Lord has resred upon David, upon individuals innhisncomoany, and upon the company of men as a whole. David, by putting God first, sets the example and the tone for his men.
Meanwhile, King Saul becomes increasingly angry with God and Samuel, and knowing that Samuel has anointed David as the next King of Israel, is convinced Samuel is either a part of, or has actively - and on his own - instigated a.plot against Saul. It never seems to enter Saul's thinking that God may have told Samuel to anoint a new king, and that neither man has consoired against Saul in any personal way.
Saul was rejected as King when he disobeyed a direct command of the Lord in regards to the disposition of the inhabitants and livestock of a conquered city, the battle for which they had prevailed against their enemies only because of God's help. On top of that, he had himself made offerings without getting a priest of Aaron's line to do so, opting to make the sacrifices himself. And to top all this off, he believed the God of the universe had no right to reprove him for these sins. They had made him popular with the men, and he cared, it seemed, more for thenopinions of man than those of the God Who had made him king. Samuel corrected him to no avail; Saul offered excuses but did not repent or confess he was wrong. Once the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, as Samuel had told him, he still insisted, even after Samuel left him, that God was in the wrong for being too harsh with him, and that if Samuel returned to his side, the Spirit of God would once more rest on him. Samuel's continuing refusal to return irked the king. Samuel had warned Saul and his sons that an evil spirit from the Lord would trouble him, but the fact is that Saul's continued rebellion had taken not only God's Spirit but God's protection from him. Out from under the protection of God by choosing popularity with m+en, a sense of earned entitlement (v. bestowed favor from God), ambition for mostly himself and his family rather than Israel itself, and a desire for wealth and power, onencan see the evil spirit simply made those desires more deeply ingrained, made repentance less likely (lacing it with increasing paranoia to boot).
The last section of the book deals with the disposition of Saul's daughters as reward, a group of raw men, like the first a mixed bag of petty criminals and debtors, to mold into a fighting force, his challenge to the Philistine army, arrayed against him and baying to saxrifice him to their gods (Dagon, Beelzebub and his son, and his consort Ashtaroth, queen of heaven) in the wake of his battle against a Philistine garrison to get the bride price for Michal of 100 foreskins, though he got 200. The next book in the series will be about the years David hid in the wilderness with those men who chose to follow him into exile, and how he repeatedly refused to eliminate Saul and take the role of king, for which he was anointed, because Saul's life, as the currently anointed king, was God's to end, not David's.
The afterword clarifies the writer's intent in how he composed the tale.
Well written hostoriccal fiction account of David's first command - the ones who would end up sticking with him because he stuck up for them. Jonathon's armor bearer accompanies David, who takes command of 1,000 men who aree a ragtag mix of petty crimnals, debtors, thieves, etc. Adriel, the armor bearer, has tremendous insight into the nature of individual men and groups of men that help David mold them into an elite fighting force that, after 3 years, moves almost as a single person. They have watched as the Spirit of the Lord has resred upon David, upon individuals innhisncomoany, and upon the company of men as a whole. David, by putting God first, sets the example and the tone for his men.
Meanwhile, King Saul becomes increasingly angry with God and Samuel, and knowing that Samuel has anointed David as the next King of Israel, is convinced Samuel is either a part of, or has actively - and on his own - instigated a.plot against Saul. It never seems to enter Saul's thinking that God may have told Samuel to anoint a new king, and that neither man has consoired against Saul in any personal way.
Saul was rejected as King when he disobeyed a direct command of the Lord in regards to the disposition of the inhabitants and livestock of a conquered city, the battle for which they had prevailed against their enemies only because of God's help. On top of that, he had himself made offerings without getting a priest of Aaron's line to do so, opting to make the sacrifices himself. And to top all this off, he believed the God of the universe had no right to reprove him for these sins. They had made him popular with the men, and he cared, it seemed, more for thenopinions of man than those of the God Who had made him king. Samuel corrected him to no avail; Saul offered excuses but did not repent or confess he was wrong. Once the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, as Samuel had told him, he still insisted, even after Samuel left him, that God was in the wrong for being too harsh with him, and that if Samuel returned to his side, the Spirit of God would once more rest on him. Samuel's continuing refusal to return irked the king. Samuel had warned Saul and his sons that an evil spirit from the Lord would trouble him, but the fact is that Saul's continued rebellion had taken not only God's Spirit but God's protection from him. Out from under the protection of God by choosing popularity with m+en, a sense of earned entitlement (v. bestowed favor from God), ambition for mostly himself and his family rather than Israel itself, and a desire for wealth and power, onencan see the evil spirit simply made those desires more deeply ingrained, made repentance less likely (lacing it with increasing paranoia to boot).
The last section of the book deals with the disposition of Saul's daughters as reward, a group of raw men, like the first a mixed bag of petty criminals and debtors, to mold into a fighting force, his challenge to the Philistine army, arrayed against him and baying to saxrifice him to their gods (Dagon, Beelzebub and his son, and his consort Ashtaroth, queen of heaven) in the wake of his battle against a Philistine garrison to get the bride price for Michal of 100 foreskins, though he got 200. The next book in the series will be about the years David hid in the wilderness with those men who chose to follow him into exile, and how he repeatedly refused to eliminate Saul and take the role of king, for which he was anointed, because Saul's life, as the currently anointed king, was God's to end, not David's.
The afterword clarifies the writer's intent in how he composed the tale.
November 11, 2020
Second book in David Chronicles
Greg Baker is a new author to me. I must say I have enjoyed both books a lot! I finally pulled out my Bible so I could read Scripture along with the books. I will have to reread them to get a better perspective. I love the Old Testament so much. I love God’s Word! I am in awe of writers who can take the stories of the Bible and make readers like me want to delve into God’s Word and learn more. David’s life is so interesting. You can see Gods love for him and David’s love and reverence for God. I could only pray for a smidgen of David’s faith and faithfulness!
This series is a MUST read! I can’t wait to explore other books by Mr. Baker! But first I’m excited to start the third book…along with my Bible next to me for the complete picture. Thank you Mr. Baker for sharing your talent!
Greg Baker is a new author to me. I must say I have enjoyed both books a lot! I finally pulled out my Bible so I could read Scripture along with the books. I will have to reread them to get a better perspective. I love the Old Testament so much. I love God’s Word! I am in awe of writers who can take the stories of the Bible and make readers like me want to delve into God’s Word and learn more. David’s life is so interesting. You can see Gods love for him and David’s love and reverence for God. I could only pray for a smidgen of David’s faith and faithfulness!
This series is a MUST read! I can’t wait to explore other books by Mr. Baker! But first I’m excited to start the third book…along with my Bible next to me for the complete picture. Thank you Mr. Baker for sharing your talent!
April 7, 2024
Exciting adventures portrayed remarkably well of king David
I enjoyed the “ filling in the gaps “ to a Biblical Hero that has always intrigued me! I love to read the accounts of David and often have wondered what was the attraction God would have had to love David so deeply. This story sorta helped me ponder how amazing God’s love is…
I enjoyed the “ filling in the gaps “ to a Biblical Hero that has always intrigued me! I love to read the accounts of David and often have wondered what was the attraction God would have had to love David so deeply. This story sorta helped me ponder how amazing God’s love is…
June 12, 2025
I enjoyed this dramatic narrative of David's life based on scriptures. Much like the TV series The Chosen, this book offers to add insight into the daily life, battles, triumphs and struggles of this Biblical champion in Valiant. I enjoyed the first book in this series but enjoyed this one more. I recommend giving this series a try if you love the bible, Biblical stories, and action.
May 3, 2020
Lord, give me the faith of David...
I enjoyed reading this book and hated to put it down! Reading about Saul and David is interesting and David's total belief and trust in God is miraculous! Oh, that I could have his total faith in the face of any and all circumstances.
I enjoyed reading this book and hated to put it down! Reading about Saul and David is interesting and David's total belief and trust in God is miraculous! Oh, that I could have his total faith in the face of any and all circumstances.
April 11, 2022
Must read...
I love delving deeper into biblical history and this series inspires time in scriptures. While not biblical history in itself, glimpsing into scriptures intertwined with historical fiction, what a mix!
I highly recommend this series,..
I love delving deeper into biblical history and this series inspires time in scriptures. While not biblical history in itself, glimpsing into scriptures intertwined with historical fiction, what a mix!
I highly recommend this series,..
March 22, 2021
Wow , this book makes me like David more. David and Saul sure do have a love hate situation, at least on Saul's part.
March 13, 2023
Great continuation of David's journey and story.
May 17, 2023
A nice read. The story continues and it is very inviting to keep on reading.
I like the weaving in of the mighty men.
I have read similar historical fiction series.
I like this one very much.
I like the weaving in of the mighty men.
I have read similar historical fiction series.
I like this one very much.
October 5, 2023
Another great read
Written so well you feel you are in David’s battle. Another excellent read from this author, portraying David’s story that we may learn more about our God and David’s relationship
Written so well you feel you are in David’s battle. Another excellent read from this author, portraying David’s story that we may learn more about our God and David’s relationship
October 24, 2023
luving this series !!
September 22, 2025
Another excellent book in the series. Greg does a fantastic job weaving together details from Scripture into a fascinating and tense book.
October 25, 2025
Another in the 5-book series that continues to follow the historical records of David through the Old Testament scriptures. I am excited to move on the following books in this well-written series.
August 26, 2020
Valiant picks up where Anointed leaves off. David is growing up and is becoming a warrior that trusts God with all of his might. Greg Baker takes you to that time in David's life using scripture and adding background imagery that lets you take a front row seat and experience what David saw, heard, felt and had to endure. Scriptures are footnoted so you can refer to the Bible where the information came from. All of the editions are researched to be historically correct to that time era. If you are a David admirer, this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews