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The Davidic Chronicles #3
Fugitive
A King David Novel (Book Three of the Davidic Chronicles)
Book three of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David as he becomes a fugitive and outcast. On the run, alone, and pursued by the king, David must struggle to stay alive and find his place among his own people. Hunted by friends and enemies alike, David confronts his own anointing by Samuel and what that means for his future. He must do this while his king continues in the throes of the evil spirit and is driven to kill anyone who stands in his way--men, women, and children.
Inside Fugitive...
Saul snarled and pointed his spear at the high priest. “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your entire house!” Standing up to his full height, which was easily head and shoulders above everyone else, he gestured to his soldiers. “Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me.”
His men stared at him aghast, but though some shifted their weapons around, they did not fall upon the priests and obey. One by one, the soldiers dropped their eyes, refusing to look at their king. He knew what they were thinking—to slay the LORD’S priests would surely invoke the wrath of Jehovah. But they were wrong. The priests had forfeited any right to God’s protection the moment they had turned against the LORD’S anointed—the rightful king of the land.
Despite his rage, one fact was clear. If he forced his men to kill the priests, he would lose them. Looking from face to face, his gaze finally fell upon Doeg the Edomite. “Son of Edom, you claim to serve me. If there be any truth to your words, turn and fall upon the priests.”
Doeg’s eyes widened at the command, and Saul detected a hungry light that sprang into existence in those dark orbs. The foot-licker saw opportunity here, and he acted without any further hesitation. He sprang to the side of one of the soldiers and stripped away the man’s sword. The warrior thought better of protesting after a single look at Saul’s face, and let the Edomite take the weapon.
The priests were milling about in a circle. For though the soldiers were not attempting to kill them, they did hold them back from escaping. Cries for mercy and cries to Jehovah Elohim went unheard, and more than anything, that justified Saul’s decision. For if God would not spare His own priests, then surely they were guilty.
With a raspy battle cry, Doeg sprang upon the first priest, a man still wearing the linen ephod, the mark of his office. With one stroke, the Edomite cut him down. The man fell with a gurgled cry of protest and pain, blood staining the rocky ground.
Most of the priests panicked and tried to run at that point, but Saul’s men kept the group bunched together with spears.Doeg, like a wild man, began flailing about him without skill or precision. Soon the man was covered in blood, and the groans of the dying filled the air.
Book three of the Davidic Chronicles continues to follow David as he becomes a fugitive and outcast. On the run, alone, and pursued by the king, David must struggle to stay alive and find his place among his own people. Hunted by friends and enemies alike, David confronts his own anointing by Samuel and what that means for his future. He must do this while his king continues in the throes of the evil spirit and is driven to kill anyone who stands in his way--men, women, and children.
Inside Fugitive...
Saul snarled and pointed his spear at the high priest. “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your entire house!” Standing up to his full height, which was easily head and shoulders above everyone else, he gestured to his soldiers. “Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me.”
His men stared at him aghast, but though some shifted their weapons around, they did not fall upon the priests and obey. One by one, the soldiers dropped their eyes, refusing to look at their king. He knew what they were thinking—to slay the LORD’S priests would surely invoke the wrath of Jehovah. But they were wrong. The priests had forfeited any right to God’s protection the moment they had turned against the LORD’S anointed—the rightful king of the land.
Despite his rage, one fact was clear. If he forced his men to kill the priests, he would lose them. Looking from face to face, his gaze finally fell upon Doeg the Edomite. “Son of Edom, you claim to serve me. If there be any truth to your words, turn and fall upon the priests.”
Doeg’s eyes widened at the command, and Saul detected a hungry light that sprang into existence in those dark orbs. The foot-licker saw opportunity here, and he acted without any further hesitation. He sprang to the side of one of the soldiers and stripped away the man’s sword. The warrior thought better of protesting after a single look at Saul’s face, and let the Edomite take the weapon.
The priests were milling about in a circle. For though the soldiers were not attempting to kill them, they did hold them back from escaping. Cries for mercy and cries to Jehovah Elohim went unheard, and more than anything, that justified Saul’s decision. For if God would not spare His own priests, then surely they were guilty.
With a raspy battle cry, Doeg sprang upon the first priest, a man still wearing the linen ephod, the mark of his office. With one stroke, the Edomite cut him down. The man fell with a gurgled cry of protest and pain, blood staining the rocky ground.
Most of the priests panicked and tried to run at that point, but Saul’s men kept the group bunched together with spears.Doeg, like a wild man, began flailing about him without skill or precision. Soon the man was covered in blood, and the groans of the dying filled the air.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2019
65 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2023
fabulous read
I have very much enjoyed the Davidic Chronicles and am looking forward to book number 4. Read them people, heed the words
I have very much enjoyed the Davidic Chronicles and am looking forward to book number 4. Read them people, heed the words
July 31, 2023
Very nice.
The series builds up beautifully.
Some things seem to be a bit overstretched and a bit oversimplified, but still it is a good read.
I will now slowly amble towards the next one.
Thanks again Greg Baker.
The series builds up beautifully.
Some things seem to be a bit overstretched and a bit oversimplified, but still it is a good read.
I will now slowly amble towards the next one.
Thanks again Greg Baker.
May 13, 2020
David continues his journey.
David continues while being pursued and persecuted by King Saul. While avoiding Saul, the Lord miraculously provides for David and his men.
David continues while being pursued and persecuted by King Saul. While avoiding Saul, the Lord miraculously provides for David and his men.
June 11, 2021
David has to head for the hills
David has now offended Saul so deeply just by existing, that his life is now in danger, along with the lives of his family and friends. It is plain by Saul's twisted reasoning that the evil spirit that had tormented Saul may have taken up permanent residence. Saul feels that he has been badly treated, and his twisted logic has him convinced he will be fully restored in God's and Samuel's good graces onky if he kills David. He believes that with David dead, God will have to let His Holy Spirit rest on Saul once again since there is no one else anointed any more, and furthermore, Samuel will have to attend him and advise him once again, and humble himself before Saul for "plotting against him." Yet Saul still refuses to do what would at least restore his fellowship with God and Samuel: confess he was wrong and repent of his disobedience to God's express commands, making no excuses, and also confessing and repenting of desiring to please his army more than desiring to please God. This Saul refuses to do, so God rejected Saul as King, and God had Samuel anoint David in his place - secretly, but word still got out eventually.
David escapes, with Jonathan's help, and heads for Ramah to consult with Samuel. From there, David goes to Nob, where the priests and tabernacle lie, and asks for Goliath's sword and food, saying he is on urgent business for the king, in hopes that their aid will be attributed to his deception and not held against them. From there, he troes to hide in Gath, King Achish's area of Philistia, as a mercenary, but he is caught, feigns madness, and escapes with some unexpected help. He re-enters Israel close to Bethlehem, and decides he muat see his family. Together, they make some plans to lay a confusing trail and let David's old unit, the Indebted, know what is going on. Nearly 600 men, some known to him, some not, come to him in the caves of adullah, but mnay have no choice but to bring family. Knowing his men can't ficus if they're worried about their families leads to a side trip to Moab, and a request for hospitality based on David's GGM Ruth's being Moabite. While he doesn't get all he sought, he does arrange for safe haven for the families. Henreturrns to news thatnthe Philistines plan to raid a city where a good harvest is all that stands between famine and survival because Saul, having sent David away, and concentrating all Israel's resources on the hunt for David, has left no one to defend Israel against Philistine raids that result in the death or theft of livestock, the burning or theft of crops, death, and destruction. Israel needs the abundant harvest in that region to decrease the impact of famine. David, back in Israel and pursued by Saul and the army, is fleeing when he hears of the seige of the walled city that ahouses the graneries. Trapped between Saul and the Philistines, with both armies much larger than his, and both too close for comfort, David inquires ofnthe Lord, and the lone priest in Nob who survived tells him the Lord will give him victory over the Philistines, which He does. Now, as this book ends, David is again on the run from Saul, havingninquired of the Lord about staying in the city and being told the city elders will give him and his men up to Saul, even though it was David and not Saul who rescued them...even through David's men are weary from a forced march and ambush of the rear of the beseiging Philistines, and will have to flee as fast as they can, exhausted, hungry, and thirsty though they are. But these are hardy menz and even though some want to battle Israel and make David king in Saul's place, most of them respect his desire not to be guilty of regicide when God has said He will set a time for Saul to go, David is not to interfere. The book ends with God lending them the strength to escape Saul and Israel's army.
David has now offended Saul so deeply just by existing, that his life is now in danger, along with the lives of his family and friends. It is plain by Saul's twisted reasoning that the evil spirit that had tormented Saul may have taken up permanent residence. Saul feels that he has been badly treated, and his twisted logic has him convinced he will be fully restored in God's and Samuel's good graces onky if he kills David. He believes that with David dead, God will have to let His Holy Spirit rest on Saul once again since there is no one else anointed any more, and furthermore, Samuel will have to attend him and advise him once again, and humble himself before Saul for "plotting against him." Yet Saul still refuses to do what would at least restore his fellowship with God and Samuel: confess he was wrong and repent of his disobedience to God's express commands, making no excuses, and also confessing and repenting of desiring to please his army more than desiring to please God. This Saul refuses to do, so God rejected Saul as King, and God had Samuel anoint David in his place - secretly, but word still got out eventually.
David escapes, with Jonathan's help, and heads for Ramah to consult with Samuel. From there, David goes to Nob, where the priests and tabernacle lie, and asks for Goliath's sword and food, saying he is on urgent business for the king, in hopes that their aid will be attributed to his deception and not held against them. From there, he troes to hide in Gath, King Achish's area of Philistia, as a mercenary, but he is caught, feigns madness, and escapes with some unexpected help. He re-enters Israel close to Bethlehem, and decides he muat see his family. Together, they make some plans to lay a confusing trail and let David's old unit, the Indebted, know what is going on. Nearly 600 men, some known to him, some not, come to him in the caves of adullah, but mnay have no choice but to bring family. Knowing his men can't ficus if they're worried about their families leads to a side trip to Moab, and a request for hospitality based on David's GGM Ruth's being Moabite. While he doesn't get all he sought, he does arrange for safe haven for the families. Henreturrns to news thatnthe Philistines plan to raid a city where a good harvest is all that stands between famine and survival because Saul, having sent David away, and concentrating all Israel's resources on the hunt for David, has left no one to defend Israel against Philistine raids that result in the death or theft of livestock, the burning or theft of crops, death, and destruction. Israel needs the abundant harvest in that region to decrease the impact of famine. David, back in Israel and pursued by Saul and the army, is fleeing when he hears of the seige of the walled city that ahouses the graneries. Trapped between Saul and the Philistines, with both armies much larger than his, and both too close for comfort, David inquires ofnthe Lord, and the lone priest in Nob who survived tells him the Lord will give him victory over the Philistines, which He does. Now, as this book ends, David is again on the run from Saul, havingninquired of the Lord about staying in the city and being told the city elders will give him and his men up to Saul, even though it was David and not Saul who rescued them...even through David's men are weary from a forced march and ambush of the rear of the beseiging Philistines, and will have to flee as fast as they can, exhausted, hungry, and thirsty though they are. But these are hardy menz and even though some want to battle Israel and make David king in Saul's place, most of them respect his desire not to be guilty of regicide when God has said He will set a time for Saul to go, David is not to interfere. The book ends with God lending them the strength to escape Saul and Israel's army.
November 24, 2024
Still going strong
I’ve been reading this series one book after the other this past week. I’ve enjoyed each one as much as the others. Great historical fiction. This might break your heart, but it’s based on a true story and the author tries to remain true to the chronology and often violent events. There was one place I noticed where he switched the facts up, but it’s minor and really has no impact on the narrative. Just letting those who are sticklers for exactly sticking to the narrative know in advance — it’s not a big deal. The ending was satisfying and I look forward to the next two books in this series. Highly recommend!
I’ve been reading this series one book after the other this past week. I’ve enjoyed each one as much as the others. Great historical fiction. This might break your heart, but it’s based on a true story and the author tries to remain true to the chronology and often violent events. There was one place I noticed where he switched the facts up, but it’s minor and really has no impact on the narrative. Just letting those who are sticklers for exactly sticking to the narrative know in advance — it’s not a big deal. The ending was satisfying and I look forward to the next two books in this series. Highly recommend!
July 10, 2020
Definitely Worth Your Time
I am enjoying The Davidic Chronicles. This book continues David's journey from shepherd to king. Biblical fiction brings Bible stories to life, and these chronicles are some of the best.
I am enjoying The Davidic Chronicles. This book continues David's journey from shepherd to king. Biblical fiction brings Bible stories to life, and these chronicles are some of the best.
December 15, 2020
Entertaining combination of scripture and story
I enjoyed the thread of Samuel and historic scripture and the research the author put in to accurate descriptions of the settings and culture of the time.
I enjoyed the thread of Samuel and historic scripture and the research the author put in to accurate descriptions of the settings and culture of the time.
October 4, 2022
Started with 4 stars went to bed and thought about it, changed to 5
David has fled from Saul. Saul is relentless in trying to capture him.
With Book 3 you see David as a young man, husband, & soldier
David has fled from Saul. Saul is relentless in trying to capture him.
With Book 3 you see David as a young man, husband, & soldier
November 29, 2020
Awesome!
Brings to life my favorite book of the Bible: 1 Samuel. I can’t say enough good things about this series.
Brings to life my favorite book of the Bible: 1 Samuel. I can’t say enough good things about this series.
September 25, 2021
Good Read
Book three in Greg Baker’s series on King David is well written and a joy to read. Well worth the purchase price.
Book three in Greg Baker’s series on King David is well written and a joy to read. Well worth the purchase price.
October 1, 2022
Spell binding
I am loving this series of Greg Baker. I know the story but he has made it come alive for me. I'm totally impressed with all the research he has done.
I am loving this series of Greg Baker. I know the story but he has made it come alive for me. I'm totally impressed with all the research he has done.
March 22, 2023
Great book and continuation of the series.
September 26, 2023
Another Great Book in the Series
I continue to be enthralled with this series. What a great mixture of fiction and fact! Now on to book four!
I continue to be enthralled with this series. What a great mixture of fiction and fact! Now on to book four!
April 12, 2025
The Story of David
Enjoy the novel and compare to the Old Testament verses. The novel closely follows the Biblical text, adding detail that could have happened.
Enjoy the novel and compare to the Old Testament verses. The novel closely follows the Biblical text, adding detail that could have happened.
July 6, 2023
Took me into the craziness of what went on in the Old Testament. A lot of violence, but it was true to the events in scripture! Ready for book 4!
October 25, 2025
This book follows in the tradition of great reading for the entire series. The writing is great, and the storyline closely follows the footnoted scripture references of the Old Testament of David's life, his flight from King Saul and those who assisted him and became fugitives with him. I am enjoying the series and am now on book 5, The King and am about 75% through that book.
I love historically based fiction written well and including accurate historical events.
I love historically based fiction written well and including accurate historical events.
March 6, 2023
Review
Keep writing, I so enjoy your books. I am only missing one but they are so good. They have been such a joy reading them.
Keep writing, I so enjoy your books. I am only missing one but they are so good. They have been such a joy reading them.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews