Jael's Story

Women of the Bible #3

by Ann Burton

Jael's dreams of a loving marriage are shattered when her new husband brings her home to live in the company of his other wife and concubine, demanding that she bear his a son, but Jael, after meeting a young warrior, finds the strength to change her destiny and the fate of Israel. Original.

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Biblical

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 7, 2006

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Burton does a great job of writing the story of the early years of the Israeli Prophetess and Judge Deborah.
A slave girl beaten and tortured by her Hebrew- hating Canaanite master, Ybyon. she saw Ybyon brutally murder her mother when Deborah was two years old.
Visited by prophetic dreams she warns the Hebrew-trader Lappidoth of the plot by Ybyon to murder him, and is severely beaten on Ybyon's orders before being rescued by Lappidoth, and Ybbyon arrested and himself taken into slavery.

She marries Lappidoth and is visited by visions and angles, realizing that it will be her mission to be a great judge of Israel and together with a great general called Barak, to save her people from the armies f the Canaanite commander Sisera who have laid waste Israeli villages and slaughtered the men. women and children.
The book is a pleasurable read which I finished in a night. It deals with subjects such as slavery and prophecy, overcoming doubt and fear, and the great struggle of the
Israelites to hold on their homeland.
It is a story of a great Jewish women of Israel and fiction of both Jewish and
Christian interest.
Burton does a god job of recreating the atmosphere of Biblical Israel.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story provides the reader a front row seat into the everyday life of woman who lived in this age of history, however, we must not take this fictional depiction as a Bible account of the details of Jael, wife of Heber, in regard to Sisera's death. I encourage all of you to read the chapter, Judges 4, where her story appears. This fictional depiction adds much!!!!!


"No gift should be taken for granted but should be received with deep and heartfelt thanks". Ann Burton

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Right so Jael's story in the bible has always been interesting to me. In fact she's one of two women in the bible whom I like. The first being Queen Esther and The prophetess Deborah, being second. Although there are other interesting women whom we sadly don't hear as much about due to being overshadowed by the men. Not to mention sometimes their stories are so short and a part of others like say Abigail. King David's second wife. Whom we don't really hear about.
Anyway moving on. Jael's story is interesting. She killed a general. And it was so very hard for me to actually read the story through and not skip to the confrontation with Sisera. To be honest I'm glad I didn't. The beginning was a bit slow, and like I said I was having a hard time not skipping to the end, but it picked up and once I settled down to read the entire story it was interesting to read this interpretation of her backstory. I never actually thought about her being married, but she might have been. And yes Burton took artistic license but I the events she depicted were believable. Women didn't have rights back in the day and Polygamy was acceptable back in those days. Not that God wanted it but he let it go on until you know he didn't with the new covenant and everything. Jael's married life was interesting but I was more interested when she began praying to Yaweh, I liked seeing how God maneuvered events to get her to where she needed to be in order to confront Sisera. Although I thought he was asleep when she killed him, not wide awake. But having her kill him while he was awake was a good choice. Although Huber ended up isolated and alone in the end, I was wavering a bit over his fate. I really wanted to see what happened to him when he returned to the main camp. But then this was Jael's story and I could see why she wouldn't care and since she never went back why she wouldn't know.
Overall a good story, quick read and an acceptable version of a bible story.
Recommended? Yes
Buy/Borrow? I think this would be a good addition to any collection but your choice.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burton penned another wonderful book in this series on Women of the Bible focusing on Old Testament women. Jael only has a short mention in the Book of Judges, but she played an important role in reestablishing the Hebrew in the Promised Land. Married to Heber, a mean-tempered and violent man, Jael attempts to keep out of his way along with his 2 other wives and concubine. Heber plays both sides of the military conflict selling iron metal works and weapons to both the Hebrews and the Canaanites. Meanwhile, Heber's concubine, a Hebrew, who was stolen by General Sisera and gifted to Heber has been teaching Jael about Yahweh the only God of the Hebrews. Jael begins to believe in Yahweh, and He in turn uses Jael to assist the Hebrew military.

Jael teaches us some valuable lessons in her role in the Bible. First, act on the opportunities God puts in front of you. Second, use the tools you've been given. Third, some things are more important than following the rules. Fourth, are highest motive should be honoring God. And finally, her story can be a metaphor for how we should fight our spiritual battles.

This is a quick, easy read that brings the life and times of Jael to vibrant life. Highly recommended series.

[Mr John Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great storytelling

Having enjoyed the novel about Deborah so much I looked forward to the connecting story of Jael. I so loved how Ann tracked the early history of Jael, through her terrible marriage and how she put her faith in The God of Israel. This led to the memorable and courageous act we are so familiar with, the killing of Sisera.
Marvellous novel.
Penny Callaghan

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story of Jael, the woman who killed Sisera, as it might have been. She may originally been a Kenite pagan but her actions turned into an Israelite heroine.

[Michele Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

I have long thought Jael was one of my favorite women in the Bible. After reading this book I am absolutely sure she is. Very inspiring.

[Flora Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. This is the story of Jael who is briefly mentioned in the bible. She was married to Heber who was a blacksmith. Her family believed that he would provide for her and treat her well because of his wealth and social standing. Jael soon came to learn this wasn't the case. When she becomes part of his household as second wife she quickly learns how he treats his wives and concubines. And being women they have no protection against his abuse.

I loved seeing a glimpse of life during this time. And how even though life was difficult for women they found ways to be strong and cope. Jael was just a girl when she married Heber but with life experience she grew to become a strong woman. Its easy to see why Levi loved her.

I've read other books in the Women of the Bible series and I've not read them in order. They work just fine as stand alone novels and I recommend these to anyone who loves a clean romance or historical romance. I loved it and look forward to the last one in the series that I have yet to read.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Biblical story of Jael who is mentioned very briefly in the Old Testament. The author has created a story that could have taken place at that time an included a lot of historical detail to give a sense of what life might have been like for Jael. One of the major points was the vulnerability of women then. Jael's husband was brutal, but his wives and concubines had no protection under the law. Jael's husband was a blacksmith and the family lived in a large tent and moved with the army in order to be available to fix swords, chariot wheels and armor. The details about the men's and women's sides of the tent and the relationship between the various wives and concubines were very interesting.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this time. Listened book on cd before. Poor girl married off to an abusive husband. Her sister wives die, and she is rescued by Levi. Levi for once is cast as a good guy. Perhaps not same Levi as Joseph's brother. Deborah makes an appearance in the end. About a girl surviving, learning about judaism.

An interesting read to tell what daily life was like in that time.

It is about a very obscure character in the bible who outwits her husband to make sure Levi gets his sword.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently I read "Deborah's Story" and decided to read "Jael's Story" next, since it seemed they fit together. I enjoyed this short book quite a bit, it was an interesting tale of a Israelite spoils-of-war concubine who converted Jael to belief in the One True God, and, of course, how she did Sisera in. I was glad we got to meet Deborah again, as well.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with details relevant to abused women from the current times: wishing an abusing husband dead, wishing oneself dead, seeing no way out, subdued behavior, bruises and denial. The Jewish God apparently does more in terms of answering prayers than gods who demand gifts in addition to prayers. How is one to determine which god answers prayers when one prays to all of them?

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly light read for the women of the bible type series. I'm always amazed at how the women were able to be treated and I was very happy at the end. I think I'll read another one of the series next time I get around to the library.

[sally diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read. Informative and entertaining, this is a good companion to Deborah's Story since their lives are connected.

[Moonmomie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable Biblical Fiction read. Strong female main character and satisfying plot. There are four unrelated books in this series. All are equally well written.

[Bobbie Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Would like to read other books in this series. Want to compare to Bible version. Read by Effie Johnson

[Carol Fillmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned Biblical history...wasn't familiar with this woman...now I am.

[Jennifer Yanos]

Loved this book. It was a great story about what might have been. I read it super quick and loved it.

[Tiffani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was neither repelling or jaw-dropping. I enjoyed the overall feel of the book, but there were parts that were definitely bland and boring.

[Juanita Haden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It helped you to feel like you were back in biblical times seeing how the women lived and were treated. I also lived the bit of romance thrown in.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved learning about another amazing woman.

[Becki]

Includes an excerpt from the author's Deborah's story (p. [275]-282).\n\n\nA worthwhile read although not be taken as Biblically accurate.

[Tanisca Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful well told story of Jael's life. I read the book in two hours. It was that good!