However, I did not enjoy this book very much. The imagined personalities of the first three wives were terrible. The subject matter here is a little mature, in my opinion, for younger teens. While entirely clean, there are numerous preludes to lights-out liasions. Admirers and intimates (half of whom wanted to run their praise past “HRH”) testify that sir throws “the best parties”, sir is kind – no, actually sir is Christ-like, “almost to the point of pain he suffers with people”, sir is emotionally intelligent, a “huge asset” to the FCO, sir is “trying to save the world, dammit!”, sir is like Richard Branson, also Steve Jobs, although “almost too nice”, a man of conviction, with “a wisdom about him”, venerated in Armenia, a “fantastic bloke”, ahead of his time, and, to one particularly besotted acolyte, “a remarkable human being” whose arrival “on the planet” at this moment is “no accident”. And supposing he’d arrived too early or late to redeem mankind, Mayer herself tells us that with his great comic timing, sir could have been a decent standup.

If you are into reading the bible, but in a simpler way. This book is good for you. This is what it kind gave me as I was reading it. I enjoyed it, do not get me wrong. It seem better then reading the bible it self to get the history or story of King Solomon. Wish is best for me to understand.

Head north into the next car (the seat next to Prompto will give an option to rest--don't). There are newspapers on some of the seats that you should take a look at--these will help you better understand what's going on (remember that it's a few weeks after Chapter 9). In the area immediately past the private cabins, there's a Hi-Elixir on the floor next to the exit door to the west. Pass through the dining car, where, past the bar, you'll find a Remedy on the western counter north of a radio. Go through the door to the north, and take the Gralean Medal of Distinction from atop a hatch in the southeastern corner. I recommend this book to all readers, even those they don't really like love stories or Biblical fiction, because I think this book really shows that even wisdom without God is just foolish. The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, | He inclines it wherever He pleases. David Loades has written: "Whether she used these words, we do not know, although they have an authentic, theatrical ring". [16]

If you like Biblical Fiction this is a well researched story of one of the best known kings in the Bible. I believe you will enjoy this view of Solomon and 4 of his wives. With a content sigh, Arthur spoke up again, “Sometimes I miss the days where the only thing I had to worry about was training with the knights or going on quests.” In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. My other difficulty was the fact that Solomon spoke love poetry (essentially, passages from Song of Songs) to each of these women when he wooed them, and yet he didn’t seem to love any of them with the depth his words implied. At times it even felt as though he knew he was doing lip service rather than giving expression to his heart. I’m not sure I can quite put into words how that made me feel about Song of Songs—perhaps disillusioned?—but it wasn’t a feeling I welcomed.Next, follow the pond around to the northeast. Here, you'll see a massive root leading towards the giant gully to the north. Ignore it and keep heading west towards the quest marker, where there's another control panel very conveniently nearby. Examining it will tell you you need a key, but keep this place in mind as you continue heading west. Stay on the same level (ignoring the nearby path going north and downwards, there's nothing there) and continue to move in a westerly direction. The path will soon descend towards a mechanical joint, which, unsurprisingly, you should examine for a new objective. The four wives and their characters showed the complex man Solomon was underneath his wisdom, love for beauty and women, and passion. Naamah, his first wife and mother of his heir, was his first political obligation and passion of his youth though he didn't love her as much as she loved him. Abishag shared his curiosity, joy in song and poetry, and offered him comfort and unconditional acceptance. Siti, an Egpytian princess, captured him with her exotic beauty and intelligence that challenged his belief in One God. Nicaula, the Queen of Sheba, sought to learn from Solomon's wisdom and, in return, learned about Solomon's One True God and sacrificial love. The incorporation of David and Bathsheba into the story at the beginning was also quite delightful. Where I struggled with this story was with the wives, as I suspected, but not for the reasons I anticipated. Firstly, I felt as though there was no closure to their stories. Each wife was featured in turn in the lead-up to her marriage to Solomon but then faded out of the story, and seemingly his life, as the next wife came along. I know there are novellas corresponding to these characters that give a fuller account of their stories ( The Desert Princess, The Shepherdess, Daughter of the Nile, and The Queen of Sheba), so maybe I need to read those to get better closure, but I found their stories dissatisfying in the context of The Heart of a King. I appreciated the uniqueness of each woman’s story, and how they intertwined, not only with King Solomon, but also with each other throughout their lives. King Solomon was a very layered man. Reading this book gives you insight and perspective into this wise king.

Abishag was the second wife. She was previously the wife of King David, but married Solomon to be safe from his twisted brothers. Abishag was such a woman! She didn't let herself be played a fool nor did she have any delusions about being Solomon's second wife. She was such a artsy and pure hearted of the four wives. Overall, The Heart of a King was an intriguing, gripping look into the life of one of history's most famous kings. Highly recommended for fans of well-written Biblical fiction. Reports of the queen's visit to Tilbury circulated rapidly in the popular media of the day. On 10 August, one day after the speech, a broadside ballad describing the events was registered by the printer John Wolfe in the Stationer's Register of London. [25] The ballad, written by Thomas Deloney, one of the most popular poets of the day, corresponds fairly closely to John Aske's description of the events in Elizabetha Triumphans. [26] A second ballad on the same subject, likewise printed by Wolfe, also survives. [27] You can also still join BIPC events and webinars and access one-to-one support. See what's available at the British Library in St Pancras or online and in person via BIPCs in libraries across London. Although I cannot say I agree with all of the author’s creative licenses, I believe she did a masterful job of weaving a fascinating story of “what might have been” in the life of the wisest man who ever lived.This book really helps the reader understand why King Solomon had so many wives and concubines. But, at the same time I wonder if he just used his wisdom as a way to fool himself into thinking that his wisdom would protect himself as when he allowed his foreign wives to keep their idols and worship their own gods. I cannot here omit to speak a word or two, as well of the worthiness; and loyalty of those honourable gentlemen of her majesties court, who upon the approach of the Spanish fleet, presented, not only their persons and lives for the defence of her majesty, but also a great portion and yearly revenue of their lands; as also of her majesties great benignity and gracious answer, telling them, that she accounted herself rich enough in that she possessed such subjects, assuring them, that for her part, she would spend the last penny of her treasures for their defence, rather than she would be burthenous unto them. O happy people in such a princess, and happy princess in such a people! In popular culture [ edit ] The revelation that wisdom is not equal to morality or prudence. Solomon knew what he was supposed to do, but often foolishly chose to indulge his passions. I have done this in my own life, so I'm sure being the richest, wisest king of his era made temptations that much greater. I appreciated that Smith used the wives to challenge his foolishness. First, this is your final chance to complete Chocobaby Roundup and Caestino on Camera. They also must be turned in now; even if you completed their objectives you won't get another chance to hand them in. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

Miller Christy, 'Queen Elizabeth's Visit to Tilbury in 1588', English Historical Review (1919) XXXIV (CXXXIII), pp. 43–61. 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. Here we find no heart and stomach, and no interesting play on the Queen’s femininity or sex. This has led some historians to wonder if Sharp’s later recording of the words is unreliable and inauthentic. Janet M. Green of Kent State University in an article for the Sixteenth Century Journal in 1997 states that "substantial evidence exists for believing the Tilbury oration is genuine, which falls into three categories: First, internal rhetorical characteristics link this oration very strongly to Elizabeth's others. Second, there is considerable contemporary evidence that she delivered a speech at Tilbury whose phrases, often remarked, were like those of the speech we have.... The internal evidence of the Tilbury oration provides the best argument for Elizabeth's authorship". [15]

There are riches and oil of great worth in the house of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them up. I love the way that Jill Smith makes me feel that I’m an observer in the palace watching all these events take place. We not only see this story from Solomon’s point of view, but a large part of the story is from the viewpoints of four women in his life: Naamath, his first wife; Abishag, who took care of King David in his last years, Siti, his Egyptian wife; and the Queen of Sheba. Following their storylines helped me to better understand how all of Solomon’s marriages influenced the political situation of the nation of Israel. As we read through this book, the author never lets us forget that Solomon, in spite of all his wisdom, chose to ignore God’s clear commands about how a king of Israel should live in regards to marriage and material gain. I was by turns very aggravated at Solomon or felt great pity for him. I have to admit that I’ve wondered how a man who had that many wives would find peace, and there’s a slight glimmer of humor as Solomon has to deal with all their requests.