Book Review: Song of Redemption (Chronicles of the Kings #2)

 

Song of Redemption
by Lynn Austin
ASIN: B002EZZ4QY
3717 KB
Publisher: Bethany House Publisher
Retail: $6.99

(Paperback, 352 pages, ISBN: 978-0764229909, Retail: $14.99)

The second in the Chronicles of the Kings series.

After reading the first book, I was so hoping to find the second for free. Yes, I’m like that. But alas, I did not find it for such a good deal. I did find it relatively inexpensive at Amazon however and decided it was worth the price.

This picks up right where the first book left off. For this book read 2 Kings 17:1-23, 18:1-12, 2 Chronicles 29-31 and 32:27-30. Also Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and 2 Samuel 5:6-8.

The characters in this are what you read in the Bible and a couple that are added. Still focusing on the reign of King Hezekiah, we now get more of a glimpse into the life of his wife, Hephzibah, who in the first book was a gift from King Ahaz to Hezekiah (therefore Hezekiah avoided her- he disliked his father that much!). Striving to follow the Law of Moses, Hezekiah discovers that he is to have only one wife and has to get rid of his concubines. What a great part of the story! At the end of the first book, I felt so sorry for Hephzibah. By the end of this book, I am wondering what will happen with her… Can’t wait to get the next book!

Austin paints a picture of Hezekiah’s younger brother, Gedaliah, that isn’t too flattering. Zechariah is in this book as well and he helps Hezekiah make sound decisions in his attempt to follow God’s Law. Isaiah is also in this book but his part is smaller (no less significant because of his prophesying). Not overshadowing Isaiah but also a prophet is Micah, who has a larger part in this book. And we are reintroduced again to Eliakim from the first book (Hilkiah’s son).

Another character that we are given a good description of (her life and struggles) is Jerusha. She is kidnapped by the Assyrians and horrible things happen to her. At one point, I thought for sure she would die; she wished for it. I won’t give too much away about her but she feels that she is never to be forgiven- but of course, God forgives! and she comes to realize that she is the one who couldn’t forgive herself, not God. There is a lot of suffering for her but her father and mother believed that Yahweh was strong enough and faithful to bring her back to them.

I think that is about all I can tell without giving things away too much! It is a great book. I’ve enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to more. Lynn Austin is a good writer as well. I’m going to be looking for more books by her that are outside of this series soon.