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Rizpah
This novel, set thousands of years ago, tells of the life-and-death struggles of Israel in the turbulent days when it was guided by the prophecies of Samuel and led by the anointed king, Saul.
The power of the story is matched by the depth and vigor of the telling. Moving against the background of epic events is the fascinating heroine - Rizpah - her wit, her loveliness, her gift for loving marking her as a woman born to seek the center of life.
Rizpah is just sixteen when her parents are killed by the Philistine raiders, and she herself is taken to be sold as a concubine in the slave market of the pagan city of Askelon. Here, in forced exile, she is schooled in the arts of the courtesan. Here she learns to play with power. Here she learns the meaning of life in high places - life sustained by privilahe and pleasure but threatened by intrigues from within and from without by the armies of the enemy.
(from the front flap)
The power of the story is matched by the depth and vigor of the telling. Moving against the background of epic events is the fascinating heroine - Rizpah - her wit, her loveliness, her gift for loving marking her as a woman born to seek the center of life.
Rizpah is just sixteen when her parents are killed by the Philistine raiders, and she herself is taken to be sold as a concubine in the slave market of the pagan city of Askelon. Here, in forced exile, she is schooled in the arts of the courtesan. Here she learns to play with power. Here she learns the meaning of life in high places - life sustained by privilahe and pleasure but threatened by intrigues from within and from without by the armies of the enemy.
(from the front flap)
- GenresHistoricalFiction
535 pages
First published January 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 14, 2025
A finely written novel which is absorbing and at the same time philosophical about the beautiful Israelite woman Rizpah mentioned in the Bible as the concubine of King Saul, and later as the women who mourned at the site of her sons who were hung by David, at the sanctuary of Gibeah, for several months refusing to leave their side until David agreed to give them a solemn burial.
This book gives us a fascinating portrait of Ancient Israel at the time of Saul.
The author takes the few passages that mention Rizpah in the Bible and fleshes out a beautifully written and engaging novel.
Rizpah is taken captive by marauding Philistines at the age of 16, who have murdered her family and betrothed. she is sold as a concubine to the Seren of Ashkelon, the ruthless Philistine chief, Torash. Later after Torash is defeated by the Israelites, she is brought before Saul who is entranced by her beauty and she becomes his beloved paramour.
Interesting portrayals of the characters such as the narrator, Rizpah's old Philistine hand maid Egrep, the Prophet Samuel, Saul's daughters , Meirav and Michal, and his sons the valiant Jonathan and the worthless Ishbaal, and the General Avner.
all characters are given interesting dimensions and depth of character in this novel.
A novel of love and valour of cruelty and cynicism and a whole range of themes.
A fine read.
Merged review:
A finely written novel which is absorbing and at the same time philosophical about the beautiful Israelite woman Rizpah mentioned in the Bible as the concubine of King Saul, and later as the women who mourned at the site of her sons who were hung by David, at the sanctuary of Gibeah, for several months refusing to leave their side until David agreed to give them a solemn burial.
This book gives us a fascinating portrait of Ancient Israel at the time of Saul.
The author takes the few passages that mention Rizpah in the Bible and fleshes out a beautifully written and engaging novel.
Rizpah is taken captive by marauding Philistines at the age of 16, who have murdered her family and betrothed. she is sold as a concubine to the Seren of Ashkelon, the ruthless Philistine chief, Torash. Later after Torash is defeated by the Israelites, she is brought before Saul who is entranced by her beauty and she becomes his beloved paramour.
Interesting portrayals of the characters such as the narrator, Rizpah's old Philistine hand maid Egrep, the Prophet Samuel, Saul's daughters , Meirav and Michal, and his sons the valiant Jonathan and the worthless Ishbaal, and the General Avner.
all characters are given interesting dimensions and depth of character in this novel.
A novel of love and valour of cruelty and cynicism and a whole range of themes.
A fine read
This book gives us a fascinating portrait of Ancient Israel at the time of Saul.
The author takes the few passages that mention Rizpah in the Bible and fleshes out a beautifully written and engaging novel.
Rizpah is taken captive by marauding Philistines at the age of 16, who have murdered her family and betrothed. she is sold as a concubine to the Seren of Ashkelon, the ruthless Philistine chief, Torash. Later after Torash is defeated by the Israelites, she is brought before Saul who is entranced by her beauty and she becomes his beloved paramour.
Interesting portrayals of the characters such as the narrator, Rizpah's old Philistine hand maid Egrep, the Prophet Samuel, Saul's daughters , Meirav and Michal, and his sons the valiant Jonathan and the worthless Ishbaal, and the General Avner.
all characters are given interesting dimensions and depth of character in this novel.
A novel of love and valour of cruelty and cynicism and a whole range of themes.
A fine read.
Merged review:
A finely written novel which is absorbing and at the same time philosophical about the beautiful Israelite woman Rizpah mentioned in the Bible as the concubine of King Saul, and later as the women who mourned at the site of her sons who were hung by David, at the sanctuary of Gibeah, for several months refusing to leave their side until David agreed to give them a solemn burial.
This book gives us a fascinating portrait of Ancient Israel at the time of Saul.
The author takes the few passages that mention Rizpah in the Bible and fleshes out a beautifully written and engaging novel.
Rizpah is taken captive by marauding Philistines at the age of 16, who have murdered her family and betrothed. she is sold as a concubine to the Seren of Ashkelon, the ruthless Philistine chief, Torash. Later after Torash is defeated by the Israelites, she is brought before Saul who is entranced by her beauty and she becomes his beloved paramour.
Interesting portrayals of the characters such as the narrator, Rizpah's old Philistine hand maid Egrep, the Prophet Samuel, Saul's daughters , Meirav and Michal, and his sons the valiant Jonathan and the worthless Ishbaal, and the General Avner.
all characters are given interesting dimensions and depth of character in this novel.
A novel of love and valour of cruelty and cynicism and a whole range of themes.
A fine read
February 13, 2021
The author with remarkable insight and imagination, has recreated a great story of the times when Israel was guided by the prophecies, of Samuel led by the anointed King Saul.
In it's mortal struggle with the Philistines, it is set against this background of epic events and we are introduced to a fascinating Heroine Rizpah.
Rizpah, with her wit, her loveliness, her gift for loving, marking her as a woman born to be at the centre of life.
The author truly brought this story of her to life.
At only fifteen when her parents are killed by Philistine raiders, she is taken captive and is sold as a concubine in the slave market of the pagan city of Askelon.
Now in forced exile, she is schooled in the arts of the courtesan and learns to play with power. Three years later the triumph of the Israelite army brings her home..strong willed, beautiful and irresistible to King Saul.
The love that flames up between them endures through Saul's agonising contest of wills with the prophet Samuel, his own fits of madness (I was amazed at this woman for sticking it out with this man) Saul's bitter conflict with the young David, and through the birth of their two sons. Unforgettable events, battle scenes, also scenes of pastoral pleasure, moments of great courage and as well despair these characters really came to life for me.
The history was nicely balanced,so that it didn't overtake Rizpah's story but I also learned a lot of this time period without it being confusing.
The sexual scenes were also tastefully done, written so that you knew what was happening but the author left the rest up to your imagination and how far you wanted to take it.
Torash:
The man who bought Rizpah.
He is a cold unfeeling ruler, but as the years pass by he slowly unfolds and falls under Rizpah's spell.
But the affection and passion growing between them will never be completed.
Then there is the charming David vacillating between ambition and compassion.
Abner, the strong and wise general,who holds a secret flame of love for Rizpah.
Ahinoam, Saul's wife defeated by Rizpah's youth and beauty but unswerving in her devotion to Saul.
Samuel:
The tortured prophet recognizing only his own call to God, and unable to deal with men.
Egrep:
The clever worldly Philistine woman who loves Rizpah and is the narrator of her story here.
And most of all, Rizpah herself who in this book grows from girl to woman, pitting her own strong instincts against the cruel and tumultuous times in her life.
What a great historical, romantic story and a amazing Heroine!
Rizpah was brilliantly brought to life in this novel.
What a great way to start off the New year re-reading a 5 star book I forgot all about and enjoyed even more!
In it's mortal struggle with the Philistines, it is set against this background of epic events and we are introduced to a fascinating Heroine Rizpah.
Rizpah, with her wit, her loveliness, her gift for loving, marking her as a woman born to be at the centre of life.
The author truly brought this story of her to life.
At only fifteen when her parents are killed by Philistine raiders, she is taken captive and is sold as a concubine in the slave market of the pagan city of Askelon.
Now in forced exile, she is schooled in the arts of the courtesan and learns to play with power. Three years later the triumph of the Israelite army brings her home..strong willed, beautiful and irresistible to King Saul.
The love that flames up between them endures through Saul's agonising contest of wills with the prophet Samuel, his own fits of madness (I was amazed at this woman for sticking it out with this man) Saul's bitter conflict with the young David, and through the birth of their two sons. Unforgettable events, battle scenes, also scenes of pastoral pleasure, moments of great courage and as well despair these characters really came to life for me.
The history was nicely balanced,so that it didn't overtake Rizpah's story but I also learned a lot of this time period without it being confusing.
The sexual scenes were also tastefully done, written so that you knew what was happening but the author left the rest up to your imagination and how far you wanted to take it.
Torash:
The man who bought Rizpah.
He is a cold unfeeling ruler, but as the years pass by he slowly unfolds and falls under Rizpah's spell.
But the affection and passion growing between them will never be completed.
Then there is the charming David vacillating between ambition and compassion.
Abner, the strong and wise general,who holds a secret flame of love for Rizpah.
Ahinoam, Saul's wife defeated by Rizpah's youth and beauty but unswerving in her devotion to Saul.
Samuel:
The tortured prophet recognizing only his own call to God, and unable to deal with men.
Egrep:
The clever worldly Philistine woman who loves Rizpah and is the narrator of her story here.
And most of all, Rizpah herself who in this book grows from girl to woman, pitting her own strong instincts against the cruel and tumultuous times in her life.
What a great historical, romantic story and a amazing Heroine!
Rizpah was brilliantly brought to life in this novel.
What a great way to start off the New year re-reading a 5 star book I forgot all about and enjoyed even more!
August 15, 2008
Loved it. Very good book about the time of Saul and David in the old testament. Written from the perspective of a philistine, therefore the things of god are represented by a non believer and appear as things of man instead.
January 2, 2013
I read this book years ago and remember it with fondness. a terrific Bible story set into a fictional historical book.
February 14, 2015
The writing was fantastic and kept me reading without getting bored, despite it being over 500 pages. The story line was gripping. My major problem with the book was that I felt it did not portray David the King biblically. It made him seem power hungry, which is not found in Scripture. But for learning more about the Philistine culture, ancient Israelites and history of the first Kings of Israel, I think I learned alot and enjoyed this book quite a bit.
February 21, 2010
Such a different view of the bible. I remember that the book was based on a line from the bible "Saul had a concubine and her name was Rizpah" She was an amazing woman in the book, with great power and great weakness. Certainly one of my early favourites in terms of historical romance.
October 11, 2021
King Saul, King David, and some other Biblical characters figure in this novel, which is focused on a woman (even though the author is a man) that would have taken a great deal of research. The reader will obtain considerable education.
August 31, 2010
Historical fiction - about the concubine to King Saul.
February 3, 2019
The story of Rizpah, wife of King Saul and later, King David
August 21, 2023
The age old story of Saul of Israel and the woman he loved is written in this novel with such vivid poetic licence and Biblical truth, that this will stick in my mind for a long time to come
March 3, 2020
The book kept my attention ... and I read it twice. (So maybe I should give it 4 stars.) But then I got rid of it. I don't like cruelty.
Good introduction to Biblical characters.
Good introduction to Biblical characters.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews