My favorite aspect of the story is the way the author pulled so in much of the Old Testament. I loved Solomon and David's excitement as they planned the temple and the descriptions of the temple and the sacrifices once it was built. Bits of wisdom from Proverbs and portions of the Song of Solomon were sprinkled through the book as were portions of Ecclesiastes. This was done quite well.

The book offers fresh and fascinating insights into the first marriage that did so much to define him and an assessment of his relationship with the woman he calls, with unintended accuracy, his 'dearest wife': Camilla, now Queen Consort. We see Charles as a father and a friend, a serious figure and a joker. Life at court turns out to be full of hidden dangers and unexpected comedy. Before I dive into the women, I want to talk about the cameos that King David and Queen Bathsheba had. I just LOVED them and the wisdom they gave to Solomon and the women. Bathsheba was more crucial in the romance while David was crucial in Solomon's kingship. They were some amazing parents and their love was beautiful -- even though it started off rough in sin. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. Nicaula, the virgin Queen of Sheba who seeks Solomon's wisdom and a trade agreement. In her search, she finds wisdom for herself in a relationship with the God of Israel.Some of the author's interpretations of different Bible verses and accounts didn't sit well with me. For instance, I don't believe David and Bathsheba would have been so happy with Solomon marrying Naamah, a foreigner (especially to the point where they were encouraging the marriage).

The other neat thing to see in reading this was the references to Song of Solomon. He really was poetic, and seeing that side of him presented here was really neat. The men of today certainly don't talk like this, nor do most of them in contemporary romance novels to be honest, so it was very sweet to read. Don't misunderstand - I know that it was also Solomon's downfall. But let's be real - if you were one of these ladies you can see how easily they could be swayed by Solomon. We read mostly in the bible about his time ruling, and to see this side of him was just so interesting to me. Solomon's character as shown in the book was quite multifaceted. He sought to follow God and showed a deep love and concern for following His ways - at first. Though in some ways he appeared strong - in his rulings - he also seemed quite insecure and unsure of the right actions to take, especially after the death of his mother. His portrayal was a bit swarmy in the way he related to the women. Then again, this is probably the way it really was. Seeing his alleged reason for taking on all his wives was quite thought-provoking.

Distribute your lyrics everywhere

This story was easy and fun to read. I love biblical fiction books and I really enjoyed reading this. I felt like I got to know King Solomon and his wives better, although it is fiction-it makes the bible seem more alive to me. Reading through the book of Ecclesiastes has always made me wonder about King Solomon. How could this king, to whom God Himself spoke and grant the gift of wisdom, write a book that reads so very much like the futility in our society today? Jill Eileen Smith has written an intriguing book about the life of King Solomon. Following the Biblical account very closely, she brings his story to life as we follow him through the politically turbulent years of his reign; his many marriages; and his search for true peace of heart and mind. Biblical fiction, when written well, is one of my favorite genres. The Heart of a King definitely delivered and I enjoyed almost every moment of it. I will definitely be looking for more books from Jill Eileen Smith in the future.