An intriguing story of the life, situations, and reactions of three kings--Saul, David, and Absalom. Using the Bible's account of David's choices as a framework, Gene Edwards lays out a very powerful case for the sovereign control of our God even in the most unimaginable situations. Edwards gives a delightfully human emotion to the struggles and thoughts that could have been floating around in David's head while his troubles with Saul and Absalom were in full swing. David is painted as having very humble responses in His encounters with insubordination, pride, and slander. His brokenness is portrayed perfectly. True leadership can only come through brokenness under God's control and power. The author paints God as in control, man as under His power, and every circumstance only as another opportunity to trust the All-sufficient. This book is a quick easy read (only 2-3 page chapters…100 pages in all.) Don't let the size fool you, though. It is solid. It should be noted that this book provides a beautiful variety to your reading. He has a mysteriously captivating style of story-telling that just draws you into what he is saying. It was refreshing.

Loved it. This book is a classic. Somehow, Edwards was able to bring me under deep conviction under the guise of sweeping me into a very intriguing, twisting story. I loved the fresh look at the narrative, but yet at the same time, by the end of each chapter, I kept getting whacked over the head with my own sinful reactions and my own pride in much easier trials. I still wanted to read more. I finished this book in 2 days; I was loving it. I didn't want it to end. I wanted more.

Each mini-chapter examines a different side of brokenness. Whether it is how to get good at dodging spears, or how important it is not to throw back those spears that are thrown at you, Edwards uses all the plunges in David's life to show off David's amazingly humble life. He describes David's pain as the news of his sons mutiny spreads to the palace, and yet in it all, David trusts. David trusts the God that delivered him from the power of a bear, the strength of a giant, even the snare of a deranged king Saul. He submits and submits and submits and submits and submits, no matter what.

The truth that is most evident in this book is that adversity is designed to break us into submission. David's difficulties, beginning with the days in the field as a shepherd boy and ending in the palace with a usurping son, only broke him to see and trust God. They taught him the submission that must come, and the leadership that is true. The leadership that only God can give.

[The days in the wilderness] were David's darkest hours. You know them as his pre-king days, but he didn't. He assumed this was his lot forever.

Suffering was giving birth. Humility was being born.

By earthly measures he was a shattered man; by heaven's measure, a broken one.