God King

God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah, Joanne Williamson

(Bethlehem Books, 2002), pb., 212 pp
Ages 8-13

Similar to Williamson’s Hittite Warrior (previously commented on), this story follows a fictional non-Israelite character as he eventually comes into a biblical story where God delivers His people. In this case the main character is an Egyptian boy who becomes pharaoh and then sees God’s deliverance of Judah and King Hezekiah from the onslaught of the Assyrians.

It is a good story with intrigue and action. The main character, Taharka (note 2Kings 19:9), is interesting and compelling. You also learn some things about Egyptian life and religion. The characters are more modern in their outlook, so it is not entirely ‘authentic,’ but it is a good, enjoyable read.

The intersection with the biblical narrative only comes late in the story. Taharka sees the power of Israel’s God as he decimates the otherwise unstoppable Assyrian horde. The names of used of the various Assyrian leaders come straight from the Bible. The book suggests the Assyrians died from an outbreak of the plague, as God’s judgment. The Bible simply says the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 of the Assyrians. How God did this is not stated, but there are improbabilities with the way this book suggests it.

In the end, we enjoyed this book and recommend it. It is not overly sophisticated, but it is enjoyable and gives a picture of Ancient Egypt as well as giving background to a biblical story.