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Chronicles of the Nephilim #7
David Ascendant
Six Giant Assassins. Goliath Was Only the First.
Everyone thinks they know the story of David. No one has heard it told this way before. In the days of Samuel, Israel’s worst enemy is the bloodthirsty worshippers of Dagon the fish god. Goliath is but one member of an elite warrior cult of six giants, The Sons of Rapha, whose sole ambition is to kill the promised messiah king of Israel. As David rises, he must flee the demon-possessed King Saul, avoid assassination, withstand the seduction of a Philistine queen, conquer the last of the giants in Israel and overcome his own weakness for many wives. This gritty romantic action-adventure story will take you places in the Bible you’ve never seen before. There is so much more to the story than you ever realized. The War of the Seed continues. David Ascendant is the seventh book of the series Chronicles of the Nephilim, a biblical epic story of the fallen angelic Watchers and their offspring, the Nephilim giants of Genesis 6. Written by respected Christian and best-selling Biblical author, Brian Godawa. On The Age Appropriateness Of The Novels
This Biblical Fiction series is rated PG-13, appropriate for mature teens and above, similar to the Bible and The Lord of the Rings.
Everyone thinks they know the story of David. No one has heard it told this way before. In the days of Samuel, Israel’s worst enemy is the bloodthirsty worshippers of Dagon the fish god. Goliath is but one member of an elite warrior cult of six giants, The Sons of Rapha, whose sole ambition is to kill the promised messiah king of Israel. As David rises, he must flee the demon-possessed King Saul, avoid assassination, withstand the seduction of a Philistine queen, conquer the last of the giants in Israel and overcome his own weakness for many wives. This gritty romantic action-adventure story will take you places in the Bible you’ve never seen before. There is so much more to the story than you ever realized. The War of the Seed continues. David Ascendant is the seventh book of the series Chronicles of the Nephilim, a biblical epic story of the fallen angelic Watchers and their offspring, the Nephilim giants of Genesis 6. Written by respected Christian and best-selling Biblical author, Brian Godawa. On The Age Appropriateness Of The Novels
This Biblical Fiction series is rated PG-13, appropriate for mature teens and above, similar to the Bible and The Lord of the Rings.
502 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2014
510 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Brian Godawa
110 books390 followersBrian Godawa has been a professional filmmaker, writer, and designer for over 20 years. His creative versatility was born of a passion for both intellect and imagination, both left-brain and right-brain. The result: Brian is an artisan of word, image, and story that engages heart, mind, and soul. Just think, "Renaissance Man."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 30, 2014
Another great installment in The Chronicles of the Nephilim series! Through exhaustive research and excellent story-telling, Brian retells the story of David. Beginning as a young shepherd boy who slays Goliath to his coronation as King David, Brian weaves a fantastic story that engages you all the way to its conclusion. Along the way, you learn more about the Nephilim (giants), the wars fought in the spiritual realms and the importance of listening to and relying on God for everything.
For the more sensitive, this tale does not sugar coat the vile sins and acts of the cultures of the time along with war violence, but it does portray a realistic picture of human nature.
Highly recommended and looking forward to the next installment, Jesus Triumphant!
For the more sensitive, this tale does not sugar coat the vile sins and acts of the cultures of the time along with war violence, but it does portray a realistic picture of human nature.
Highly recommended and looking forward to the next installment, Jesus Triumphant!
April 14, 2017
Made it though the first 6 books, but had to stop at this one. Could not finish it.
Godawa's proliferation with creative and too frequent deviant sexual imagery. Yes, fallen angels had sexual relations with the daughters of men. So, there is sexual attraction. But the author's apparent obsession with bringing this lust into all aspects of the story, is disturbing. It refocuses the story from the biblical account to a particular audience that maybe prefers this abnormality. Which in my opinion is not the christian audience.
There could have been less perverse sexual descriptions and imagery. The offending phases were carefully crafted to avoid the graphic language of the day, but ended up sophomoric. The obvious translations into today's speech were clear. A wolf in sheep's clothing became my primary thought through this book. I had read the first 6 books and this element was increasing as the series progressed.
The author does a good job of weaving obscure bible places and probable causes as to why the biblical stories unfolded. For example, why Goliath taunted the Israelites for so long was developed nicely.
An obsession with deviate sexual acts is being perceived as an author's addiction. This seriously undermines his credibility to treat the biblical accounts and characters as holy.
Godawa's proliferation with creative and too frequent deviant sexual imagery. Yes, fallen angels had sexual relations with the daughters of men. So, there is sexual attraction. But the author's apparent obsession with bringing this lust into all aspects of the story, is disturbing. It refocuses the story from the biblical account to a particular audience that maybe prefers this abnormality. Which in my opinion is not the christian audience.
There could have been less perverse sexual descriptions and imagery. The offending phases were carefully crafted to avoid the graphic language of the day, but ended up sophomoric. The obvious translations into today's speech were clear. A wolf in sheep's clothing became my primary thought through this book. I had read the first 6 books and this element was increasing as the series progressed.
The author does a good job of weaving obscure bible places and probable causes as to why the biblical stories unfolded. For example, why Goliath taunted the Israelites for so long was developed nicely.
An obsession with deviate sexual acts is being perceived as an author's addiction. This seriously undermines his credibility to treat the biblical accounts and characters as holy.
December 27, 2014
Like this series, but...
I really do like this series, but I like the earlier books in the series much better than the last few. I get pretty bored with the obsessive focus on homosexuality. The original problem with the watchers, for which the flood occurred, had to do with their indiscretions with human females, so it seems to be more of an expression of the author's obsessive bias that is unnecessary. Otherwise, this is a fantastic series and I have high hopes for Jesus Triumphant.
I really do like this series, but I like the earlier books in the series much better than the last few. I get pretty bored with the obsessive focus on homosexuality. The original problem with the watchers, for which the flood occurred, had to do with their indiscretions with human females, so it seems to be more of an expression of the author's obsessive bias that is unnecessary. Otherwise, this is a fantastic series and I have high hopes for Jesus Triumphant.
August 28, 2020
Another fantastic installment of The Chronicles Of The Nephilim series. I loved this one just like I loved all the books in the series. And like all of Godawa's novels, while events are fictionalized and some liberties are taken, not once does anything occur that CONTRADICTS The Bible. For example, The Bible says that Saul was tormented by an evil spirit but it never says WHO that evil was. The biblical text leaves the evil spirit unidentified. Godawa gives a name to the spirit, a very significant name, a name that someone had earlier in not only the Chronicles series, but biblical history. I was surprised. Perhaps I shouldn't have been given how huge of a role this evil man played while he was alive. However, I'm leaving his identity concealed so you can be as surprised as I am.
I think many of us will see ourselves in David. David struggled with the flesh and constantly felt like he had a foot in both worlds; the world of the ungodly and the world of the godly. David wanted so badly to obey God. He adored The Lord and wish he could be as righteous as he saw his friend Jonathan. But he struggled with keeping his sexual appetite at bay. The Bible, of course, records Davids piety and his moral failings (the Bathsheba incident most significantly) But The Bible is not a novel. You can only gleen so much personality from Ancient Near Eastern historical records like 1 and 2 Samuel.
My only criticism is how graphic this novel can be at times. When Saul sent David to get all those Philistine foreskins for him, he cut off the full genitalia. Saul complained "I only told you to get the foreskin! You got the whole thing!" and David said "which includes the foreskin". Later when the Sons of Rapha discover the slain philistines, they discovered an Israelite was among them. One of them (I can't remember who it was) mocking cited the "eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" part of Torah, cut off the Israelites genitals and shoved them into his mouth, saying "consider this a cock for a cock." Was that really necessary? I mean, I know Godawa wants to emphasize how depraved the Philistines were (especially the Rephaim giants), but GEEZE!
Overall, this was a great novel. I can't wait to read Jesus Triumphant! :-D
I think many of us will see ourselves in David. David struggled with the flesh and constantly felt like he had a foot in both worlds; the world of the ungodly and the world of the godly. David wanted so badly to obey God. He adored The Lord and wish he could be as righteous as he saw his friend Jonathan. But he struggled with keeping his sexual appetite at bay. The Bible, of course, records Davids piety and his moral failings (the Bathsheba incident most significantly) But The Bible is not a novel. You can only gleen so much personality from Ancient Near Eastern historical records like 1 and 2 Samuel.
My only criticism is how graphic this novel can be at times. When Saul sent David to get all those Philistine foreskins for him, he cut off the full genitalia. Saul complained "I only told you to get the foreskin! You got the whole thing!" and David said "which includes the foreskin". Later when the Sons of Rapha discover the slain philistines, they discovered an Israelite was among them. One of them (I can't remember who it was) mocking cited the "eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth" part of Torah, cut off the Israelites genitals and shoved them into his mouth, saying "consider this a cock for a cock." Was that really necessary? I mean, I know Godawa wants to emphasize how depraved the Philistines were (especially the Rephaim giants), but GEEZE!
Overall, this was a great novel. I can't wait to read Jesus Triumphant! :-D
January 1, 2022
Best of the bunch so far!
I really like this series by Brian Godawa and I intend to listen to all eight novels. This is Book 7 of the series, again read by the author himself which I have come to appreciate more and more during the series. I had to overcome a slight annoyance each time he reads a female voice, but after six novels I was finally used to it and it didn't bother me anymore.
This seventh novel is the best of the series up until now. This very well-written story about perhaps the most famous king in the bible has upped the volume to 10! It has action, sex, rough language, gods (small g), giants and even some chimeras (hybrid creatures). Which personally I believe captures the atmosphere of the underlying biblical story very well.
Be advised though that this is not a 'modernized telling' of the literal bible story. The author has studied and read the bible and a lot of historic materials, and in the appendix he talks us through his research.
All in all I loved this novel the most of the entire series. Of course I have Book 8 still waiting for me, so for now the jury's out on the complete series a little longer :-)
I recommend this novel, and the entire series.
I really like this series by Brian Godawa and I intend to listen to all eight novels. This is Book 7 of the series, again read by the author himself which I have come to appreciate more and more during the series. I had to overcome a slight annoyance each time he reads a female voice, but after six novels I was finally used to it and it didn't bother me anymore.
This seventh novel is the best of the series up until now. This very well-written story about perhaps the most famous king in the bible has upped the volume to 10! It has action, sex, rough language, gods (small g), giants and even some chimeras (hybrid creatures). Which personally I believe captures the atmosphere of the underlying biblical story very well.
Be advised though that this is not a 'modernized telling' of the literal bible story. The author has studied and read the bible and a lot of historic materials, and in the appendix he talks us through his research.
All in all I loved this novel the most of the entire series. Of course I have Book 8 still waiting for me, so for now the jury's out on the complete series a little longer :-)
I recommend this novel, and the entire series.
June 22, 2021
Intense fun
I've always enjoyed the stories of David's exploits, until I realized how gruesome they were. R-rated movies have nothing on these ancient warriors.
I really enjoyed the build up, two thirds of the way through it got a bit slow. As usual, the battles at the end were awesome. I also appreciate the author's broad view of the events, and interpretation at how things could've happened. I distantly remember the Bible mentioning David fighting other giants besides Goliath, so it was really cool to see what it might've looked like.
Also, It's interesting how Mr. Godawa has aimed all his stories to focus towards building to the triumph of the Messiah.
Christa
I've always enjoyed the stories of David's exploits, until I realized how gruesome they were. R-rated movies have nothing on these ancient warriors.
I really enjoyed the build up, two thirds of the way through it got a bit slow. As usual, the battles at the end were awesome. I also appreciate the author's broad view of the events, and interpretation at how things could've happened. I distantly remember the Bible mentioning David fighting other giants besides Goliath, so it was really cool to see what it might've looked like.
Also, It's interesting how Mr. Godawa has aimed all his stories to focus towards building to the triumph of the Messiah.
Christa
April 22, 2020
Biblical fiction
Beautifully written! I saw David in an entirely new light. His story has always been so familiar that sometimes you read it and don't get anything new. But, because the viewpoint was skewed slightly I looked at David and Saul differently. I can't say enough how much I enjoy the lessons that are given by adding the Eastern viewpoint at the end and the meaning of Hebrew words. How else can you learn this kind of thing without extensive study and research?
Beautifully written! I saw David in an entirely new light. His story has always been so familiar that sometimes you read it and don't get anything new. But, because the viewpoint was skewed slightly I looked at David and Saul differently. I can't say enough how much I enjoy the lessons that are given by adding the Eastern viewpoint at the end and the meaning of Hebrew words. How else can you learn this kind of thing without extensive study and research?
June 29, 2019
Thrilling book ( possible spoilers)
This is my favorite one in the series so far. The bible stories I grew up with come alive in Godawa's books.
Is Saul of Nephlim blood? Was his madness caused by a demon? Can a raphiem be redeemed? Were there hybrid lion/ men in Moab?
I learned that Philistians of old are the Palistinians of today.
This is my favorite one in the series so far. The bible stories I grew up with come alive in Godawa's books.
Is Saul of Nephlim blood? Was his madness caused by a demon? Can a raphiem be redeemed? Were there hybrid lion/ men in Moab?
I learned that Philistians of old are the Palistinians of today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2020
Loved it
Love this series. It really brings the Bible to life.....fleshes out those one or two sentences that mean so much more! I would have not liked to live in those times with those monsters, but demons are still at work today, & we have our own monsters....
This makes those Bible stories so vivid! Thank you! On to another series by this author!
Love this series. It really brings the Bible to life.....fleshes out those one or two sentences that mean so much more! I would have not liked to live in those times with those monsters, but demons are still at work today, & we have our own monsters....
This makes those Bible stories so vivid! Thank you! On to another series by this author!
April 12, 2020
Another excellent book in the Nephilim series.
I enjoyed this next book in the series very much. Though often very fantastic (Lion-Men?, etc), I still feel like I gained a worthwhile context for the Old Testament stories and an illumination of what that time was like, both literally and spiritually. I've loved this whole series!
I enjoyed this next book in the series very much. Though often very fantastic (Lion-Men?, etc), I still feel like I gained a worthwhile context for the Old Testament stories and an illumination of what that time was like, both literally and spiritually. I've loved this whole series!
May 30, 2017
Another amazing fact filled book
I have truly enjoyed this series of books. Not only for the extra knowledge I have gained by the author's hard work but adding it in in his special way that really brings the Bible stories to life in a way that compliments Gods work.
I have truly enjoyed this series of books. Not only for the extra knowledge I have gained by the author's hard work but adding it in in his special way that really brings the Bible stories to life in a way that compliments Gods work.
March 16, 2019
I have really enjoyed my excursion through a look at Giants and other things in the Bible. Pulling all the NE beliefs together and putting names and reason for the other gods. These are good in perspective and giving you reason to think.
July 25, 2019
Provocative read
If you are interested in Old Testament history of if you love a great action adventure tale, this series is for you! Brian Godawa's meticulous research brings Biblical history to life and will challenge you to do your own digging into the biblical text.
If you are interested in Old Testament history of if you love a great action adventure tale, this series is for you! Brian Godawa's meticulous research brings Biblical history to life and will challenge you to do your own digging into the biblical text.
March 10, 2020
Still reading
I love a good story rooted in the rich soil of history. Late in 2019 I picked up the first book in the Nephilim series...7 books later I am still reading and enjoying these wonderful stories.
I love a good story rooted in the rich soil of history. Late in 2019 I picked up the first book in the Nephilim series...7 books later I am still reading and enjoying these wonderful stories.
June 11, 2024
Great read added texture to my biblical readings
Sometimes the Bible does not give enough texture, and you have to use your imagination coupled with other research to fill in the story.
Sometimes the Bible does not give enough texture, and you have to use your imagination coupled with other research to fill in the story.
September 3, 2024
Great Book
The way you write allows me to be able to picture in my mind what the people looked like and where they came from. These are people from the Bible that I am very familiar with and you stick to the basics about them and I like that.
The way you write allows me to be able to picture in my mind what the people looked like and where they came from. These are people from the Bible that I am very familiar with and you stick to the basics about them and I like that.
April 12, 2025
This series is a fun retelling of familiar Bible stories, but through a supernatural lens. Very creative and entertaining, just not all that well written. Godawa has a tendency to over explain things, and frequently gets attached to certain words or phrases, and overuses them.
January 6, 2026
I love this book series
The only thing about this writing style is the constant repetitious "reminding". It gets out of hand when you're reading one book after another.
Overall it's a great series.
The only thing about this writing style is the constant repetitious "reminding". It gets out of hand when you're reading one book after another.
Overall it's a great series.
October 25, 2019
Very interesting, very enjoyable but got a bit too fictional for me.
December 13, 2019
So good! A bit Rated R , not recommended for young readers. Great story, making the Bible come alive a bit more. I cried, I cheered. So great!
October 18, 2020
Brian Horses is a excellent writer. However I would appreciate less details on sex. His books are so good but I can't recommend them to others because of the sex scenes. Its a shame.
June 23, 2021
Excellent work surrounding the Biblical narrative- even with it being fiction or “faction”- it helps with modern readers getting a grasp on OT context.
March 20, 2022
Another fun read
Godawa delivers again. I have enjoyed all of the Nephilim books and this one did not disappoint. The story of David comes alive in new ways.
Godawa delivers again. I have enjoyed all of the Nephilim books and this one did not disappoint. The story of David comes alive in new ways.
April 8, 2024
Just read 1st Samuel and almost done with 2nd Samuel so this was a nice companion read.
August 24, 2024
Fantastic read!!
This is a fantastic series. I want to just keep reading to see what happens next. I highly recommend these series! On to the next one!!
This is a fantastic series. I want to just keep reading to see what happens next. I highly recommend these series! On to the next one!!
March 11, 2025
Super Exciting
This whole series is awesome. The fact that it gives great insight into the biblical stories of the Bible that makes one understand the Bible a bit more.
This whole series is awesome. The fact that it gives great insight into the biblical stories of the Bible that makes one understand the Bible a bit more.
Read
March 18, 2025Author not available at library
March 9, 2017
Exciting!!
Such an exciting series!! I have one more book in this series and then on to the next! These have answered so many questions I have had about the Nephiliim and their influence on many things.
Such an exciting series!! I have one more book in this series and then on to the next! These have answered so many questions I have had about the Nephiliim and their influence on many things.
September 22, 2016
David Ascendant tells the story of a league of giant assassins who seek to kill King David during his reign as the ruler of Israel . Goliath is only one of them, and when his brother Lahmi , another giant, discovers David killed his sibling, he sets out to kill the Israelite leader for both revenge and to stop the messiah king from securing victory over the Philistines and ownership over all of Canaan. As much as I admit creative license in my adaptation of Scriptural story, my goal for the entire saga Chronicles of the Nephilim is to faithfully retell those stories of the Bible that touch on the giants and the War of the Seed as expressed in Genesis 3: 15 through God’s curse upon the Serpent: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [Seed] and her offspring [Seed]; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (From the Author)
There are two other passages in 1 Chronicles, with parallel passages in 2 Samuel that explain the giants defeated by David and his Mighty Men. I will only reproduce the 1 Chronicles passages and fill out the facts with additional information from 2 Samuel.
1 Chronicles 11: 22–23 22
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel…And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. [7 1/ 2 to 8 1/ 2 feet] The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
1 Chronicles 20: 4–8
4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai [Saph - 2 Sam. 21: 18], who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. 8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Sam. 21:16-22
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain -- David.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote -- the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not -- the light of Israel.
And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew -- Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of -- Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
And when he defied -- Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
These -- four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
.
There are two other passages in 1 Chronicles, with parallel passages in 2 Samuel that explain the giants defeated by David and his Mighty Men. I will only reproduce the 1 Chronicles passages and fill out the facts with additional information from 2 Samuel.
1 Chronicles 11: 22–23 22
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel…And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. [7 1/ 2 to 8 1/ 2 feet] The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear.
1 Chronicles 20: 4–8
4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai [Saph - 2 Sam. 21: 18], who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. 6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. 8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Sam. 21:16-22
And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain -- David.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote -- the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not -- the light of Israel.
And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew -- Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.
And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of -- Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
And when he defied -- Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
These -- four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
.
March 6, 2016
Good story line that adds imagination to Bible truth
Carrying the war story forward, the author uses myth, Bible, archeological finds, and his imagination to paint a exciting take on the story of David.
Carrying the war story forward, the author uses myth, Bible, archeological finds, and his imagination to paint a exciting take on the story of David.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews