King David is nearing the end of his life and yet delays in making the announcement about who will be he next King of Jerusalem. Solomon, his youngest son, frets over the delay despite his father's assurances. Bathsheba, his mother, with a twinkle in her eye, suggests he gives the arriving Ammonite Ambassador's daughter a short tour of the palace. Once a childhood friend, Naamah has grown into a lovely young woman and is learning to love Adonai, the God of the Hebrews, having heard about him from Solomon as well as her mother, a former Israelite slave. Desiring her, Solomon agrees to the marriage and over time, she becomes the mother of Rehoboan, his heir.

Meanwhile, Bathsheba arranges for the beautiful and dutiful Abishag, a Shunammite shepherdess, to marry and give comfort to the old King. After Solomon is made King, he marries the virgin Abishag after hearing about Adonijah, his older brother's plot to take the throne. Solomon wishes his God, his Adonai, would talk to him as he once did with David. Finally, Adonai does answer his one word prayer.

As Solomon's reputation for wisdom grows and his riches abound, he marries Siti, Pharaoh's impervious daughter, to keep peaceful relations with Egypt. Even she cannot keep his attention when Nicaula, an amazing Queen from the rich lands of Sheba, comes to learn herself from Solomon. Whatever can Naamah do when so many new and more beautiful women vie for Solomon's attention?

THE HEART OF A KING: THE LOVES OF SOLOMON is the latest offering from award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith who brings to glorious life the story of this famous King, who according to the Old Testament, had 700 wives and 300 concubines in this amazing account.

Based on her extensive historical research and the stories from her earlier e-book series, THE LOVES OF SOLOMON, Smith expands and enhances their stories by weaving in Solomon's perspectives along with that of four very important wives. This new stand-alone novel vividly highlights how his wisdom grew along with his lusting for the pleasures of life and women. I particularly appreciate Smith's talents in fully developing Biblical and other characters from scant historical sources. I certainly gained a better understanding of Bathsheda and her role in particular.

Fans of historical or Biblical novels are sure to be pleased with THE HEART OF A KING. For myself, I am inspired by how seamlessly Smith uses dialogue and  characters' thoughts to seamlessly let in the message of God's love and how all people could be wholly accepted and embraced by the spirit of the Hebrew God. Regardless of faith preference, there is lots of insights and intriguing reading to be gained from THE HEART OF A KING!

Book Summary

King Solomon was wealthy and wise beyond measure. He could--and did--have anything he wanted, including many women from many lands. But for all his wisdom, did he or the women in his life ever find what they searched for all of their lives?

In this engrossing novel, you'll find yourself whisked away to ancient Israel, where you'll meet Solomon and four of the women he loved: Naamah the desert princess, Abishag the shepherdess, Siti the daughter of a pharaoh, and Nicaula the queen of Sheba. As you experience the world of Solomon through his eyes and the eyes of these women, you'll ask yourself the ultimate question: Did Solomon's wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved . . . or did it betray them?

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