What do you think?
Rate this book
Daughter of the King: Remarkable Women of the Bible
This is a powerful love story from the Bible. Princess Michal was the youngest daughter of ancient Israel's first king. Thirty-five centuries ago, she fell in love with a hero named David. As told in the books of Kings and Samuel in the Bible, Michal helps David escape from her insane father. King Saul punishes his daughter by forcing her to marry a sadistic drunkard. After being banished, the Princess unwillingly becomes a pawn in negotiations between Judea and Israel. She is shattered when she learns her family has been wiped out. Michal's faith, patriotism, and love for David sustain her through the war, infidelity, madness, abuse, and betrayal.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2012
213 people are currently reading
725 people want to read
About the author
Carlene Havel
28 books109 followersCarlene Havel writes Christian-themed romances and historical novels set in Biblical times. She’s lived in Turkey, Republic of the Philippines, and all over the United States. Carlene worked for a banana importer, a software development company, and everything in between. She attended several colleges and universities, including one that—surprisingly--granted her a diploma.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 5, 2013
Review of Daughter of the King by Carlene Havel and Sharon Faucheux
Daughter of the King by Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux
When I received this book, I was unsure of how much I did not remember from the Bible.
A good and really fast read that kept me interested in the story of the first wife of King David, Michal.
When they first met, David was a young man and Michal was a princess, the daughter of King Saul. Michal remembered the first time she saw him at the age of six. page 16. David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem.
King Saul, betrothed her sister Merab to David and Michal was devastated. "But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. 1 Samuel 18:19." page 33.
Michal was always in love with David. "And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him 1 Samuel 18:28" page 141
"Samuel 18:20 says that Michal loved David, the only place in the Bible where a woman's love for a man is recorded, according to footnotes in The Jewish Study Bible from http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/Wo...."
The story concentrates on the life of Michal and her family. Her father is not a kind king and has a bad temper. The mother of Michal, Ahinoam, knows this and has learned what to do or not do.
Saul marries Michal to Phalti[el] saying that David is dead. "But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Philti[el] the son of Laish, which was of Gallim. 1 Samuel 25:44" page 1
The book begins with the death of King Saul and then goes back to the time David and Michal meet.
There is a verse at the beginning of each chapter that usually describes the chapter.
"and they anointed David king over Israel. David was 30 years old when he began to reign.... II Samuel 5:3,4" page 175
Many interesting facts about this time era with the foods, clothing, wars, modes of transportion, God, and the lives of women.
I learned a lot about David and his life. He had eight wives with Michal being the first. He had many children and the book says how he loved them. "Now, these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; The third: Absalom the son of Macchah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Stephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. Chronicles 3:1-4:. page 102.
It was not easy to share a husband and there were conflicts. All the women had a chore given to them. Michal loved her dyes and yarn and that was her chore. I was surprised to find knitting during those Biblical days; I always thought of medieval times. I knew of weaving and this is also mentioned. I first became interested in dyes when I read The Purple Quest by Frank G. Slaughter about the Phoenicians and the purple dye. I have used this interest to do natural dyes.
The authors, Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux did a good job of writing a Biblical and a lot of facts for a book of fiction about Michal. "This is what we think might have happened" on page iii.
A lot of research was done to write this book and this is one reason I used some of the verses to help describe the Daughter of the King. It should get the reader interested to do more research on David and Michal. I love the cover of the book and the reader will read when Michal wears green.
I give Daughter of the King a 5 star for all the knowledge in the book and also that it held my attention. I received a complimentary copy from Carlene Havel to read and review. The opinions are my own.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
Daughter of the King by Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux
When I received this book, I was unsure of how much I did not remember from the Bible.
A good and really fast read that kept me interested in the story of the first wife of King David, Michal.
When they first met, David was a young man and Michal was a princess, the daughter of King Saul. Michal remembered the first time she saw him at the age of six. page 16. David was the son of Jesse of Bethlehem.
King Saul, betrothed her sister Merab to David and Michal was devastated. "But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife. 1 Samuel 18:19." page 33.
Michal was always in love with David. "And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him 1 Samuel 18:28" page 141
"Samuel 18:20 says that Michal loved David, the only place in the Bible where a woman's love for a man is recorded, according to footnotes in The Jewish Study Bible from http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/Wo...."
The story concentrates on the life of Michal and her family. Her father is not a kind king and has a bad temper. The mother of Michal, Ahinoam, knows this and has learned what to do or not do.
Saul marries Michal to Phalti[el] saying that David is dead. "But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Philti[el] the son of Laish, which was of Gallim. 1 Samuel 25:44" page 1
The book begins with the death of King Saul and then goes back to the time David and Michal meet.
There is a verse at the beginning of each chapter that usually describes the chapter.
"and they anointed David king over Israel. David was 30 years old when he began to reign.... II Samuel 5:3,4" page 175
Many interesting facts about this time era with the foods, clothing, wars, modes of transportion, God, and the lives of women.
I learned a lot about David and his life. He had eight wives with Michal being the first. He had many children and the book says how he loved them. "Now, these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess; The third: Absalom the son of Macchah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur: the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: The fifth, Stephatiah of Abital: the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. Chronicles 3:1-4:. page 102.
It was not easy to share a husband and there were conflicts. All the women had a chore given to them. Michal loved her dyes and yarn and that was her chore. I was surprised to find knitting during those Biblical days; I always thought of medieval times. I knew of weaving and this is also mentioned. I first became interested in dyes when I read The Purple Quest by Frank G. Slaughter about the Phoenicians and the purple dye. I have used this interest to do natural dyes.
The authors, Carlene Havel and Sharon Facheux did a good job of writing a Biblical and a lot of facts for a book of fiction about Michal. "This is what we think might have happened" on page iii.
A lot of research was done to write this book and this is one reason I used some of the verses to help describe the Daughter of the King. It should get the reader interested to do more research on David and Michal. I love the cover of the book and the reader will read when Michal wears green.
I give Daughter of the King a 5 star for all the knowledge in the book and also that it held my attention. I received a complimentary copy from Carlene Havel to read and review. The opinions are my own.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com
January 3, 2013
Michal, youngest daughter of King Saul, has been in love with David since the moment she first saw him, but her sister Merab had been promised to David in an arranged marriage. David did not feel worthy and Merab did not want to be the wife of someone so lowly. Michal could not believe her ears when her father sent Merab to be married to Adriel.
David and Michal were happy until the time it became clear Saul wanted David murdered. Michal helped David escape and had her brother, Jonathan, lie to David that she had been killed and King Saul sends Michal away to be married to a loathsome man. David and Michal were separated for many years.
When Michal returns, David is King. Michal learns that most of her family has died. She learns to cope with the additional wives and concubines David has taken as well as the bickering among the wives to have their own son placed on the throne. Michal remains barren and she confronts David in public over the issue making her, she feels, an outcast.
She remains at the palace and is asked to befriend Bathsheba. This is when Michal takes her rightful place as senior wife and demands order among the wives. But as in all ancient communities, war is not far from their door. Michal’s love for David teaches her to endure.
This book is reminiscent of The Red Tent. It is well written, descriptive and intriguing. Ms. Havel and Ms. Faucheux did an amazing job of storytelling and weaving the past into an extremely interesting read.
David and Michal were happy until the time it became clear Saul wanted David murdered. Michal helped David escape and had her brother, Jonathan, lie to David that she had been killed and King Saul sends Michal away to be married to a loathsome man. David and Michal were separated for many years.
When Michal returns, David is King. Michal learns that most of her family has died. She learns to cope with the additional wives and concubines David has taken as well as the bickering among the wives to have their own son placed on the throne. Michal remains barren and she confronts David in public over the issue making her, she feels, an outcast.
She remains at the palace and is asked to befriend Bathsheba. This is when Michal takes her rightful place as senior wife and demands order among the wives. But as in all ancient communities, war is not far from their door. Michal’s love for David teaches her to endure.
This book is reminiscent of The Red Tent. It is well written, descriptive and intriguing. Ms. Havel and Ms. Faucheux did an amazing job of storytelling and weaving the past into an extremely interesting read.
May 7, 2013
Saul gave his daughter, Michal, to David. But when she saves David from Saul, he gives her to Phaltiel, a hateful drunk who shamelessly uses his wives and their servants to satisfy perverse desires.
When Saul dies, troops come to take Michal away. She doesn’t know whether she is going to her death. Did David believe she willingly went with another man? However, she finds herself back with David whom she loved from the beginning. By now, David has gone from musician to king of Judea.
Happy at first, Michal evolves from David’s cherished and loved first wife to one of many in his mansion full of wives and concubines. The politics of dwelling with a city of wives gives us a glimpse of that unpleasant situation. We see the extent of her pain when she gives permission for her handmaid to marry a poor man. She longs for a poor man who could afford only one wife.
The book stays true to the book of Samuel and Biblical times. It answers plausibly the question of why she became angry when she saw David dance. It departs from the Bible slightly. Michal’s outburst came after David went home—Samuel 16:20-22.
This book is well paced and keeps you reading. We like the good guys, though the bad guys are unforgivably bad. In about three places, I found the descriptions too graphic.
Book supplied by the authors. I'm not acquainted with them. This is an honest review.
When Saul dies, troops come to take Michal away. She doesn’t know whether she is going to her death. Did David believe she willingly went with another man? However, she finds herself back with David whom she loved from the beginning. By now, David has gone from musician to king of Judea.
Happy at first, Michal evolves from David’s cherished and loved first wife to one of many in his mansion full of wives and concubines. The politics of dwelling with a city of wives gives us a glimpse of that unpleasant situation. We see the extent of her pain when she gives permission for her handmaid to marry a poor man. She longs for a poor man who could afford only one wife.
The book stays true to the book of Samuel and Biblical times. It answers plausibly the question of why she became angry when she saw David dance. It departs from the Bible slightly. Michal’s outburst came after David went home—Samuel 16:20-22.
This book is well paced and keeps you reading. We like the good guys, though the bad guys are unforgivably bad. In about three places, I found the descriptions too graphic.
Book supplied by the authors. I'm not acquainted with them. This is an honest review.
April 22, 2013
Daughter of the King is the adventurous tale of a brave and beautiful princess, a king handpicked by God, and what might have occurred behind the scriptural scenes.
Initially, the stunning cover art drew me to the book, but the strength of the story kept me captivated. Against a vibrant backdrop of sights and sounds, Princess Michal—daughter of King Saul—recounts the passionate love she shared with David on his journey from shepherd to King of Israel.
My heart soared when Princess Michal married her true love, and then shattered when she was forced to share her husband with the other palace wives and concubines. But for better or worse, she honored her marriage to David, the husband of her youth. Steadfastly, Michal believed the pain of loneliness did not compare with the glory of loving a king with a heart after God’s own.
I recommend this book to all readers who have a love for scripture and a yearning for romance. Admittedly, I read the last page through a veil of satisfied tears.
Initially, the stunning cover art drew me to the book, but the strength of the story kept me captivated. Against a vibrant backdrop of sights and sounds, Princess Michal—daughter of King Saul—recounts the passionate love she shared with David on his journey from shepherd to King of Israel.
My heart soared when Princess Michal married her true love, and then shattered when she was forced to share her husband with the other palace wives and concubines. But for better or worse, she honored her marriage to David, the husband of her youth. Steadfastly, Michal believed the pain of loneliness did not compare with the glory of loving a king with a heart after God’s own.
I recommend this book to all readers who have a love for scripture and a yearning for romance. Admittedly, I read the last page through a veil of satisfied tears.
July 28, 2021
Definitely a different view into the Bible stories of King David. While I've never thought that much about how his wives and concubines lived, this story seems far from the Biblical account. So, as long as it's thought of as a fiction story starring characters we use the Biblical names of, it could be an enjoyable story. Just don't ever think of this tale as filling in any "gaps" in the testament of Scripture!
I enjoyed the narration the most!
I enjoyed the narration the most!
February 3, 2014
It's always risky for authors to write about real people, especially Biblical characters, when there isn't a lot known about the person's life. These authors did a good job of making Michal come alive and filling in the gaps of her story in a credible way. Although there were some variations from Scripture, for the most part, the story fits with what the Bible says about Michal and David.
February 22, 2021
Interesting take in a week known Biblical story
At 1st I thought this book would turn of differently. We all know what Michal ended up thinking of her husband. But this book showed it in a different light. This book starts off a little slow but sick with it it's a good read. I love the characters of Abigail and Bird. They are great supporting characters, even Tirzah is a good character. I don't know if I could have lived in that time and shared a husband with so many wives and concubines.
At 1st I thought this book would turn of differently. We all know what Michal ended up thinking of her husband. But this book showed it in a different light. This book starts off a little slow but sick with it it's a good read. I love the characters of Abigail and Bird. They are great supporting characters, even Tirzah is a good character. I don't know if I could have lived in that time and shared a husband with so many wives and concubines.
September 15, 2024
A great and interesting read.
The is A story based on the true account of Michal the 1st wife of King David.
I will confess there is one chapter that i feel may change my life the one you will read later in the book were here nephew tells of God's wisdom over Michal's desires, one of them has a health issue one a hearts desire neither will change but God well Be knows all.
So yes read this there is much to learn and a story to read.
The is A story based on the true account of Michal the 1st wife of King David.
I will confess there is one chapter that i feel may change my life the one you will read later in the book were here nephew tells of God's wisdom over Michal's desires, one of them has a health issue one a hearts desire neither will change but God well Be knows all.
So yes read this there is much to learn and a story to read.
June 5, 2023
another great story
So enjoyed this novel. Very rarely read about this first of David’s wives. She greatly grows in character as the novel progresses and into a courageous companion to David in his difficult times. I shall continue to read the other books in this series.
Penny Callaghan
So enjoyed this novel. Very rarely read about this first of David’s wives. She greatly grows in character as the novel progresses and into a courageous companion to David in his difficult times. I shall continue to read the other books in this series.
Penny Callaghan
February 27, 2023
This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. It was a nice surprise. Very well written. Although this is a familiar story to me, this author has taken a totally different path than the previous authors I had read, and I really enjoyed this telling of Michal’s story!
August 18, 2023
Interesting
The author portrayed the main character and her reactions and thoughts to the Biblical happenings in a believable way. I liked all the verses that tied it together.
The author portrayed the main character and her reactions and thoughts to the Biblical happenings in a believable way. I liked all the verses that tied it together.
October 20, 2023
great Read
I read this book after reading the Davidic Chronicles by Greg Baker. It is good to read more about Michal’s life and see how the book echoes the book of Samuel
I read this book after reading the Davidic Chronicles by Greg Baker. It is good to read more about Michal’s life and see how the book echoes the book of Samuel
September 22, 2025
Great Story of David’s 1st Wife
Enjoyed the story David and Michal. I like the results and it gives new insight of what may have happened between them
Enjoyed the story David and Michal. I like the results and it gives new insight of what may have happened between them
March 14, 2013
Michal is the youngest daughter of King Saul. Born a princess in a time where daughters were traded for whatever benefited the father the most, Michal’s heart is set on the heroic young shepherd, David. Unable to believe her good fortune, Saul gives her to her beloved David. Their young honeymoon is blissful until Saul’s jealousy erupts into murderous rage. At great personal sacrifice, Michal does all she can to save David, but soon finds herself traded to a foreign land to an oppressive new husband. When David learns she is alive, he brings her out of exile seven years later. But life has drastically changed. David is now king, and has taken six other wives that now compete for his affection. When he becomes king of all Israel, Michal must face even more heartache.
This is a powerful story. Biblical fiction is difficult to write, but these two authors were able to create a beautiful fictional story rooted deeply is scripture. Drawing the reader into the culture and lives of the ancient world and into a story that is moving and deep, the authors effectively create a strong emotional connection with Michal. With action, intrigue, heartache, betrayal, infidelity, and sacrifice, Daughter of the King weaves a powerful story of love and forgiveness. This book will leave the reader thinking about it long after the final page and deserves a solid 5 stars.
Fiction with Flair Christian Book Reviews
www.FictionwithFlair.blogspot.com
This is a powerful story. Biblical fiction is difficult to write, but these two authors were able to create a beautiful fictional story rooted deeply is scripture. Drawing the reader into the culture and lives of the ancient world and into a story that is moving and deep, the authors effectively create a strong emotional connection with Michal. With action, intrigue, heartache, betrayal, infidelity, and sacrifice, Daughter of the King weaves a powerful story of love and forgiveness. This book will leave the reader thinking about it long after the final page and deserves a solid 5 stars.
Fiction with Flair Christian Book Reviews
www.FictionwithFlair.blogspot.com
October 14, 2017
Daughter of the King is an amazing story of Princess Michal - King David's wife - who wasn't a King at the time - when Saul went a little mad - he wanted to kill David - so she helped him escape and so her father - King Saul - well lets just say she became a wife to a war lord - yrs go by and David becomes King and wants his first wife back and he sends for her return and this is where this book starts off - Roman soldiers show up and the evil warlord's house and demanded to take her - he wasn't going to do it but you don't say no to a contingent of soldiers - she was afraid to death - she had no idea if she was going to be taken and killed because of her father - she didn't know what had happened to her father - she didn't care she wanted out of that awful house - anywho - she goes and then things are wonderful then there are so many twists and turns and hurts - my heart just broke to death for her - and then ........I shall not say anymore to ruin it - but this book was phenomenal - it was amazingly intelligently thought out - you felt like you were there with her - astoundingly accurate when it came to Biblical storyline. I loved it - yup I used the L word. You will too. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
May 15, 2013
I enjoy Bible-based historical fiction, so long as it doesn’t get too romancy. This one pushes the limit for me (hey, I’m just a guy), but the gooeyness didn’t detract from the scholarship and culture. Do be aware that by “culture,” we’re talking about the very tip…royalty in the king’s palace, not us common folk.
Michal, daughter of King Saul and the first of many wives to David, tells the story of David’s rise to political greatness. Michal seldom gets any sympathy votes among Bible readers, so it was fascinating to hear the story from her angle. Other than this fresh perspective, though, I think the book stays pretty close to the Bible’s slant when selecting its heroes and villains.
Culture is indeed the point, where the patriarchal society dominates, where polygamy among the elite is accepted with nonchalance, where Levitical revenge and gory warfare are a way of life. While these morals seem foreign to us today, Havel and Faucheux take seriously their undertaking to write a story based on the Holy Bible “in an acceptable manner, [for] Scripture is truth.”
That conviction may account for the odd omniscient ending. Yet it’s a good story, definitely entertaining.
Michal, daughter of King Saul and the first of many wives to David, tells the story of David’s rise to political greatness. Michal seldom gets any sympathy votes among Bible readers, so it was fascinating to hear the story from her angle. Other than this fresh perspective, though, I think the book stays pretty close to the Bible’s slant when selecting its heroes and villains.
Culture is indeed the point, where the patriarchal society dominates, where polygamy among the elite is accepted with nonchalance, where Levitical revenge and gory warfare are a way of life. While these morals seem foreign to us today, Havel and Faucheux take seriously their undertaking to write a story based on the Holy Bible “in an acceptable manner, [for] Scripture is truth.”
That conviction may account for the odd omniscient ending. Yet it’s a good story, definitely entertaining.
April 30, 2015
What a great read. This book told of the love between David and Michal and their life, from the time they were children. The book was told from Michal's point of view. It told of the many hardships they both had to face, how it affected their marriage and the dynamics of their lives along with David's other wives and concubines. No, this book is not full of biblical facts, but rather it helps us to wonder what life was like, how their lives affect us today and more importantly, how thankful we should be that we live in today's world. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. For a good, entertaining read that will leave you thinking, this is the one for you.
November 14, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book, although there were some things I didn't appreciate. The author has made this story come to life, and stuck very closely to the Biblical account, which I liked very much. Michal is a much more vivid character to me now! The only part I didn't like was the occasional, somewhat explicit, references to marital intimacy. If those had not been included, I would have highly recommended this book to my friends. That being said, I did appreciate and enjoy much of the book, especially a conversation between Michale and Mephibosheth, when he sarcastically said, “I missed the part where God is supposed to comply with our wishes.”
May 12, 2024
I’ll admit I’ve never given much thought to David’s wives in the Bible before. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fictional interpretation of what life could have been like for them.
June 1, 2013
This was a great story, based in the Bible, about King David's first wife. It was a nice version that fills in the part of what might have happened in her life that the Bible doesn't tell us. I found the the Character of Michal to be realistic and liked the look of what it might have been like to share a husband with several wives. I was given this book by the author for an honest review. My opinion is that this is a good read. Would definately read more by this author.
December 20, 2012
This is not a review. It appears because the author somehow managed to click an incorrect sequence of buttons when attempting to add this book to listopia. If anyone know how to delete - please do. I was unable to find a way. Thanks! Carlene Havel
March 26, 2013
Writing historical fiction (any book really) is like sticking out one's neck.
This was a good book in itself, but marred by historical mistakes some of which were nothing but brazen blunders. For me, that took away a lot of the pleasure of reading this--otherwise well-written--book.
This was a good book in itself, but marred by historical mistakes some of which were nothing but brazen blunders. For me, that took away a lot of the pleasure of reading this--otherwise well-written--book.
August 6, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the life of Michal, daughter of King Saul and wife of King David. It was a fast read that kept my attention, I'd definitely recommend to those that enjoy this genre.
November 1, 2013
Enjoyable. Unique perspective from the point of view of a minor Bible character.
September 14, 2017
I received this ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. So thank you netgalley and publishers.
This is a story about a beautiful princess, a king that God chose, and what might have happened back in those days, a lot of Biblical story's don't give us a lot of detail so that leaves plenty of room for us to imagine how they would have handled things back then.
The title and cover art is what attracted me to this book, then I realized it was biblical I knew I had to have it! I adore biblical time periods and biblical stories!! Princess Michal daughter of King Saul, recounts the love she shared with David on his journey from shepherd to King of Israel. I recommend this book to all readers, especially those who love historical romances and the bible ♡ This is my first book by this author and I can tell you now it won't be my last!!! I will be buying the hard copy so I can pass it down to my daughter one day ♡ 5 stars ♡
This is a story about a beautiful princess, a king that God chose, and what might have happened back in those days, a lot of Biblical story's don't give us a lot of detail so that leaves plenty of room for us to imagine how they would have handled things back then.
The title and cover art is what attracted me to this book, then I realized it was biblical I knew I had to have it! I adore biblical time periods and biblical stories!! Princess Michal daughter of King Saul, recounts the love she shared with David on his journey from shepherd to King of Israel. I recommend this book to all readers, especially those who love historical romances and the bible ♡ This is my first book by this author and I can tell you now it won't be my last!!! I will be buying the hard copy so I can pass it down to my daughter one day ♡ 5 stars ♡
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews