 | The desire of Israel… the first to wear the crown is the warrior king. For decades the nation of Israel had no rest from her enemies. The people cried out, “Give us a king to lead us, to go out before us, to fight our battles.” And Yahweh hears the cries of the chosen. He plucks a king out of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes—Saul, son of a herdsman. The prophet Samuel anoints him as Israel’s first warrior king. Under the banner of the wolf, the symbol of his tribe, Saul rises to prominence, winning the hearts and minds of the people of Israel with his success on the battlefield and benevolent leadership. But when the nation of Israel cries out, “For the love of Israel. For the glory of Yahweh. For the honor of the king,” the praises of the people turn the humble heart of the warrior king into one filled with pride—a pride that has fatal consequences. |
In this tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love and burning rivalries, the new epoch is given a voice…and it is a Song of Prophets and Kings
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Release date: December 1, 2021
Release date: December 1, 2021
Click here to get your copy!
Interview with Henry O. Arnold
#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
The stories in the Bible have always fascinated me ever since I was a kid. As I grew older and begin to move into acting and writing as a profession, I found that the ancient stories and the characters were as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. So, forty years ago when I was in-between acting gigs, I began writing a one-man show on the apostle Paul. The following years I wrote two more one-man shows on Jesus and David. The language was contemporary and I wore modern clothes, no bathrobes. In creating these theatrical pieces and performing them all over the country, I saw how these stories and characters connected with audiences in a way I never expected.
The stories in the Bible have always fascinated me ever since I was a kid. As I grew older and begin to move into acting and writing as a profession, I found that the ancient stories and the characters were as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. So, forty years ago when I was in-between acting gigs, I began writing a one-man show on the apostle Paul. The following years I wrote two more one-man shows on Jesus and David. The language was contemporary and I wore modern clothes, no bathrobes. In creating these theatrical pieces and performing them all over the country, I saw how these stories and characters connected with audiences in a way I never expected.
#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
In a way, this series was years in the making. As a follower of Christ and an avid reader of Scripture, I have always been dreaming of how I might tell these familiar stories of the great prophets and kings of ancient Israel in such a way that would bring them to life in a unique way to a modern audience. But when I actually sat down and began the process of writing was in 2013. I would write in-between acting gigs and other writing responsibilities. It took about three years to complete the first three volumes of the series. I am currently working on volume 4. I will complete the series in volume 5.
In a way, this series was years in the making. As a follower of Christ and an avid reader of Scripture, I have always been dreaming of how I might tell these familiar stories of the great prophets and kings of ancient Israel in such a way that would bring them to life in a unique way to a modern audience. But when I actually sat down and began the process of writing was in 2013. I would write in-between acting gigs and other writing responsibilities. It took about three years to complete the first three volumes of the series. I am currently working on volume 4. I will complete the series in volume 5.
#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I would have to say Shira, Samuel’s wife and Ahinoam, Saul’s wife. I had to create them out of whole cloth. Samuel’s wife is never mentioned in Scripture, yet we know he had two sons. Ahinoam is listed as Saul’s wife, but that is it. Because this series fall into historical fiction and specifically biblical fiction, I felt the freedom to create multi-dimensional characters that you would find in any work of fiction. While faithful to the cultural norms of ancient Israel, I believe I have written these two female characters in such a way that will resonate with modern women.
I hold the same opinion for Samuel and Saul in this second volume of the series Crown of the Warrior King as well. They are fully human, and I believe, exciting to watch as their characters unfold in the story.
I would have to say Shira, Samuel’s wife and Ahinoam, Saul’s wife. I had to create them out of whole cloth. Samuel’s wife is never mentioned in Scripture, yet we know he had two sons. Ahinoam is listed as Saul’s wife, but that is it. Because this series fall into historical fiction and specifically biblical fiction, I felt the freedom to create multi-dimensional characters that you would find in any work of fiction. While faithful to the cultural norms of ancient Israel, I believe I have written these two female characters in such a way that will resonate with modern women.
I hold the same opinion for Samuel and Saul in this second volume of the series Crown of the Warrior King as well. They are fully human, and I believe, exciting to watch as their characters unfold in the story.
#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
A deeper understanding of who these people might have been, the struggles they had with making the choices and the results of the choices they made. Those of us who walk in faith and believe in the relevance and authority of Scripture as God’s word want to be able to relate and understand to so many of the characters in the Bible. If we see ourselves in these people we see our common humanity and our need for God.
A deeper understanding of who these people might have been, the struggles they had with making the choices and the results of the choices they made. Those of us who walk in faith and believe in the relevance and authority of Scripture as God’s word want to be able to relate and understand to so many of the characters in the Bible. If we see ourselves in these people we see our common humanity and our need for God.
#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 2:10.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Ephesians 2:10.
One of the ways I interpret this verse is that I, as is anyone else, am uniquely created by God in His image, and that what work I get to do in life is also unique to my calling and the talents/gifts which He has given me. And God knew in advance (which in and of itself is a wonderful mystery to ponder) and prepared these works for me to do. This brings me joy, and I believe, joy to the Father.
More from Henry
After the golden age of theatre in the Greek and Roman times, the theatre went dark, very dark as in Dark Ages, and for centuries it was thus. But it was the church that brought the theatre back to life by staging passion plays on biblical subjects. Since most people could not read at the time, it was a great way to tell the folks some Bible stories. The world has certainly improved its literacy skills since then. The delight I have in reading and writing stories from the Bible or on biblical themes has been with me for a long time.
When I formulated the concept of retelling the stories of the first three kings of Israel and matching them with the leading prophets of that age, the title of the series, The Song of Prophets and Kings, was a perfect match for the biblical/historical fiction genre. The first volume in this series, A Voice Within the Flame, was released last year and features the life of the prophet Samuel up to and including the anointing and coronation of Saul as the first king of Israel. Now it is time for the second volume, Crown of the Warrior King. This second novel picks up where the last one left off.
Whether the reader or listener is familiar with the biblical stories or not, I have written these novels in such a way that makes these ancient stories come to life in the modern world. When the reader/listener dives into stories that are 3,000 years old, it will be surprising how we all can see ourselves in these characters.
These are biblical stories that I grew up with and have read and studied all my life. It is a joy to get to share them with you in this series, The Song of Prophets and Kings.
When I formulated the concept of retelling the stories of the first three kings of Israel and matching them with the leading prophets of that age, the title of the series, The Song of Prophets and Kings, was a perfect match for the biblical/historical fiction genre. The first volume in this series, A Voice Within the Flame, was released last year and features the life of the prophet Samuel up to and including the anointing and coronation of Saul as the first king of Israel. Now it is time for the second volume, Crown of the Warrior King. This second novel picks up where the last one left off.
Whether the reader or listener is familiar with the biblical stories or not, I have written these novels in such a way that makes these ancient stories come to life in the modern world. When the reader/listener dives into stories that are 3,000 years old, it will be surprising how we all can see ourselves in these characters.
These are biblical stories that I grew up with and have read and studied all my life. It is a joy to get to share them with you in this series, The Song of Prophets and Kings.
 Henry O. Arnold | Henry O. Arnold has co-authored a work of fiction, Hometown Favorite, with Bill Barton, and nonfiction, KABUL24, with Ben Pearson. He also co-wrote and produced with Steve Taylor (director) and Ben Pearson the film The Second Chance starring Michael W. Smith, the screenplay for the authorized film documentary on evangelist Billy Graham, God’s Ambassador, and the documentary film KABUL24, based on the book which is the story of western and Afghani hostages held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. He lives on a farm in Tennessee with his lovely wife Kay. They have two beautiful daughters married to two handsome men with three above-average grandchildren. For more information please visit: www.henryoarnold.com |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Henry is giving away the grand prize package of
a signed copy of the book and a $50 Amazon gift card!!
a signed copy of the book and a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
Beauty in the Binding, January 15 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 15
For Him and My Family, January 16
Inklings and notions, January 17
deb’s Book Review, January 18
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 19
Splashes of Joy, January 20 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 21
Connie’s History Classroom, January 22
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 23 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 24 (Spotlight)
Cats in the cradle blog, January 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 26 (Author Interview)
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 26
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
Beauty in the Binding, January 15 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 15
For Him and My Family, January 16
Inklings and notions, January 17
deb’s Book Review, January 18
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 19
Splashes of Joy, January 20 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 21
Connie’s History Classroom, January 22
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 23 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 24 (Spotlight)
Cats in the cradle blog, January 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 26 (Author Interview)
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, January 26
RSS Feed
