The Shepherd King: Book One, The Foundation Stone

by D. Avraham

Through the eyes of Goliyath's shield bearer, himself a disenfranchised, cynical Israelite working for the other side, the reader is taken on an odyssey that spans nearly a hundred years and the cultural divide of the Biblical and pagan worlds. Foundation Stone, the first book in the Shepherd King series, begins from the seemingly small divergent steps of two twin sisters, Ruth and Orpah, both recently widowed to brothers the fate of the world is cast. One chooses the pagan cults and pageantry of the Philistines, while the other casts her lot with the tribal inheritance of Israel. It is their descendants, Dawid and Goliyath, who clash on the battlefield in the Valley of Elah. Two very different ways of life, clashing regularly, each claiming the same land as their own. It is an ageless tale of hope, courage and conviction whose echo resonates in the world today.

Genres: Historical Fiction

398 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2009

Reviews

[Daniel Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was like walking the ancient land with King David. when I started reading this it was about a quarter of the way through that I realized this was a book I should be reading to my entire family and that is what we are doing. We started family book night. It was so great to see my children around the fireplace on a cold Chicago night enthralled with a story we have heard so many times but this time all of those tiny details came out. The ones known only by the most learned. My wife has been trying to get this started for years and now we have it. Honestly it is like walking with the Great King David in the ancient holy land. Thank you Mr.Avraham. You have a rare gift and you are sharing it with us. And the next volume will be out when? Please write fast.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and was totally blown away. I was skeptical that this would be another boring Bible story. But I was wrong. It even reminded me of one of my loves, The Lord of the Rings. It was hard core. There aren’t any fantasy wizards or fairy tale monsters, but real heroes in real life. This novel brings to life one of the greatest heroic stories of all time. I was especially impressed with the vivid way the author contrasts the world of David’s ancient Israel with Goliath’s world of idolatry. It really brought these characters to life for me and the vivid images created have remained in my imagination deepening my appreciation of the HOLY BIBLE. I was especially impressed with the incredibly brilliant way the author narrates the book around the voice of David’s shield bearer. Literary genius!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really good story but a little too much jumping around in the beginning. Don't know if it was because i read it on ebook but change in perspective, David to Goliath, was choppy and not obvious everytime.

[Miss C.J.M.Eastwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love someone to tell me if the sequel was ever written to this book. I would love to read The Foundation Stone based on these reviews but not unless the sequel(s) was written too. Please would somebody let me know, as I can’t find a record of it anywhere online.

[Sima Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the telling of this piece of history. Well written and paced, believable plot and likeable characters.