Song of Redemption

Title: Song of Redemption
Author: Lynn Austin
Series: Chronicles of the Kings, book 2
Major Themes: Assyria, Jerusalem, Ancient Times, Israel
Synopsis: As the Assyrians, with their horrific torture of anyone who opposes them, approach Jerusalem, Hezekiah must decide if he will continue with the reforms he has begun since his father’s death—or give in to the pleas of his councilors to appease the enemy.

I have been looking forward to reading Song of Redemption, the second book in the Chronicles of the Kings series, for probably a year, ever since I read Gods & Kings. Finally, I had the chance. I was glad it was a Sunday afternoon that we spent at home, and I could just keep reading. Even though I know the story in the Bible and how it turns out, I was totally gripped by this retelling. Lynn Austin did a masterful job of making the accounts in the Bible come to life.

Hezekiah has just become king of the nation of Judah. He saw what his father’s idolatry did to the nation, and is determined to lead his people back to God. He orders the temple cleaned and worship to begin again in it. However, many people oppose his reforms. Among them are some of the most powerful men in the nation. Dangers lurk outside the borders of the nation, as well. Assyria is there, still taking the heavy tribute Ahaz his father began giving them to keep them away, but Hezekiah believes it’s time to stop paying it. But what will happen to the nation, though, if he stops? 

Jerusha is a young woman from Israel. Captured by the Assyrians, and taken far from home, she knows what the Assyrians do to everyone around them. Can her desperate will to live somehow help Jerusalem to survive when the Assyrians arrive at the gates?

One thing that stood out to me in Song of Redemption was the necessity of obeying God, for His sake, not ours. We must not obey God just for what we can get from Him. Also, the instructions God gave Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah when it appeared that the Assyrians were nearly at the gates and all was lost really spoke to me, as well as the horrors of turning from God to idols. This book has made quite an impression, which I hope I won’t forget. If you want to read a story that will make the times of the kings of Israel and Judah come to life, check out this series. It is powerful. I’m not planning to wait very long to read book three! 

WARNING: Chapter 1: Girls abducted and raped. Chapter 4: Girls killed, one forced into prostitution. Chapter 12: Horrific battle and much torturing. Chapter 14: Baby killed. Chapter 16: Miscarriage. Chapter 17: People tortured to death, suicide attempt. Chapter 24: Bodies impaled on stakes. Chapter 25: Girl remembers being a prostitute. Chapter 26: Description of Assyrians killing people, girl remembering rape and other horrors. Chapter 30: People sacrificing baby. Chapter 33: Cannibalism mentioned. 

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Related posts:

The Strength of His Hand Faith of My Fathers Among the Gods Gods and Kings