The Heart of the King: The Heart of the King

By JOhn Meier

Drums beat in rhythm to the steps of a giant as he walks towards the young man. Soldiers smash their swords to shields in sync with the drums, a throbbing pressure that resonates over the valley. Young, small, scared, the boy fights against the fears within that are telling him to turn and run. Why stay and fight? Why stand and die? The questions threaten to smother him before he can be used for the glory of the King. But this physical confrontation barely scratches the surface. The battle for the heart of David rages as Guardians and Fiends fight in the spiritual realm for control of David's emotions, thoughts, and ultimately the influence over his decision to stand against the giant, in honor of his King.

The Heart of the King is a Biblical fiction series that follows David on a heroic rescue mission planned from the very beginning of time. It is a tale of God's redemption and desire to save His great treasure: His people!  And so a great story about love, grace, redemption, and power is born. And it isn't over. We are still in the story; in the very thick of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JOhn Meier
• Release date: Dec 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781948957014

Book preview

Dedicated to my beautiful wife Sarah

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank a special group of men who have been incredibly helpful to me throughout this process. Not just in writing the Heart of the King, but in helping me become a better man, husband, father, and follower of Jesus.

THANKS TO SARAH KELLER, who designed and created the cover: www.sarahkeller.com

THANKS TO RICK EMOND who helped design and edit the map of Otherworld: www.rickemond.com

THANKS TO GEORGE VRBANIC who illustrated all the fantastic pictures: www.gvrbanic.wix.com/gavrbanicillustrator

Introduction

Igrew up reading, hearing, and dreaming about the stories written in the Bible. For years as a child I did nothing but imagine being on some grand adventure in God’s army: Gideon’s heroic victory with the meager three hundred, Jonah and the big fish, Esther’s courageous appearance before a powerful king, or David’s valiant stand against a giant. All these and more have captivated the imagination of my childhood and beyond, as I’m sure they have for countless others. And while you can easily search the internet for studies done on every book, or theological theses over every topic, little is found in fiction regarding the heroic story of Jesus and His people.

Disclaimer

This book series is not intended to replace the epic story that is the Bible. Nor is it meant to be an addendum or supplement to reading, studying, or understanding God’s word. The Bible is the perfectly inspired word of God written exactly as is, for our good, and God’s glory through His son Jesus. No other written work could make the Bible more complete or better. If you are interested in what the Bible says or wish to study in depth, these are not the books for you. Although these stories are filled with truths from God’s Word, nothing can replace sitting down and reading the Bible for yourself.  

But God’s Word inspires us to go beyond the words written for our benefit. Countless in-depth studies have been written that explore the culture, language, and history of every people and topic that is mentioned in the Bible. These studies are used to better understand God’s Word in context, content, and intended meaning. It is amazing to me that the more I study God’s Word the more I discover its depth and how intricately the layers relate and mutually support the other in perfect concert.

But for every story told in the Bible there is a dozen untold. The example I use is from 1 Samuel 17:34-47. David stands before King Saul and recounts that he has killed lions and bears in defense of his sheep. A few sentences that describe several different events. But how did that happen? Where was he at? What was the weather like? What was he thinking? A dozen questions come to mind that inspires another hundred questions. What was he wearing? Did he use a spear? A staff? Was it during the day? If David wrote a book about the day he killed the lion, what would it say?

This book series explores these questions and considers what the answers might be. I emphasize might. I framed these stories with as much of God’s written Word as possible to provide as realistic a background as possible. But to be clear, the thoughts, actions, ideas, and references to anything that doesn’t exactly align with God’s word are fictional.

Intent

From a very young age, I imagined myself an ally of God serving in his army. But that only lasted until I outgrew the childish depiction of Biblical tales that were written for elementary school kids. When I actually started reading the Bible as a young adult I was bored or shocked. The fanciful pictures and elaborated tales in children’s books set me up for failure. The Bible turned out to be much different than it had been portrayed to me.

The children’s books I read were great. They inspired me and expanded my imagination in an amazing way that led me to the above fascination with being part of the story. But they work only for a certain age group, and when I outgrew that, there wasn’t another series or story that helped point me to Jesus and His Word. I turned to other fictional tales of heroes and adventure instead.

Granted this is my experience and certainly not everyone’s. To those who, as young adults, loved to read God’s word, I commend you. I wish I enjoyed that same love. But I’m sure I am not alone when I say that I struggled to truly love God’s word from a very young age. As an older man, I love spending time in God’s Word. It refreshes my soul, clears my mind, and makes every day better when I read it. If this book series doesn’t point you to how exciting and amazing God’s Word truly is, then throw it away. Discard it and don’t recommend it to anyone.

Purpose One:

The Heart of the King was written to inspire the imagination that is intrinsic in all of us and expand the mind to recognize that the Bible is more than just a set of stories. The fictional representation of many of these stories is intended to fill in many gaps with fictional possibilities that remind us that the Bible is Truth. It is history: real events, filled with real people, who had real lives, living in real places, and who loved God and His people.  

It is easier to imagine the characters as people when we realize that they had thoughts, feelings, desires, ideas, and even failures. Sometimes the stories we hear of the men and women in the Bible are the heroic actions that saved nations. But the truth is that they were imperfect just like us.

The Bible is a story of God’s redemption. Of a heroic rescue mission planned from the very beginning of time to save His great treasure: us! His people! He never intended us to fall prey to the vicious lies of Satan, or for us to live apart from Him. But He knew we would. My hope is that this series would point everyone who reads it to the King (God) and his Son (Jesus) through the stories of His word. 

Purpose Two:

This book series demonstrates a fictional view of spiritual warfare in an effort to bring to the forefront of our minds that we live in a world that is not our home. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood... Paul writes in Ephesians as a call to Put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:12-13) Life is not a pleasure cruise, it is a war. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. (James 4:4). Satan boldly attacks Adam in the first few chapters of the Bible and forever destroys our relationship with our almighty Creator. He strikes again at God’s son in an attempt to ruin our chances of living with Him again. His demons show up in people throughout the New Testament by possession. And Peter warns us that he prowls around like a lion seeking those whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) This is not the language of a Christian walk in the park.

There is an evil presence that is seeking to destroy every relationship with God and His people, and young men and women should enter the world with that knowledge. Not out of fear or terror: those who belong to the King have no reason to truly fear Satan. But he is actively seeking to make us ineffective as men and women of God. We see it in our marriage, we see it in our children, we see it in our friendships, and it is obvious in our culture. My story reveals this battle for our souls in a different light (and somewhat muted, I would argue) that hopefully will wake up some of us into fighting for the souls of everyone we come in contact with, Christian or not.

Purpose Three:

This book series is a replacement for the non-Christian genres that steal the attention of our children and young adults. I gravitated towards them too, and they aren’t all bad. But if I had to choose between this and the newest fantasy or adventure novel, I would choose this. Not because I think it is better written, or better edited, or because I think the artwork is better. But because I think the story is better. And it isn’t mine! It is the Bible, with some fictional add-ins. The more options my children have to point them to our King and Savior, the better chance they have of a Spiritual encounter with Jesus Christ and His saving power.

I think there are hundreds of books series out there that fall into the secular category that are well written, well edited, and tell amazing stories. I have read many of them, would recommend some of them, and like to reread a few of them often. I think that most of them are probably harmless and fun. But do they point to Jesus? Do they point to his Word? Do they tell of the King and His people?

Purpose Four:

To enjoy! If you really don’t enjoy Bible stories then you won’t enjoy this book (at least I don’t think so). It was really fun to imagine how these amazing men and women of God thought and acted in the moments that are specified in the Bible. How did Rahab survive a week of the Israelites marching around the city of Jericho? They were supposed to attack it! How did David’s brothers react to the youngest and smallest son of Jesse receiving God’s anointing?

I encourage you to apply this to every story you read as you pursue your own relationship with God and his son Jesus through reading the Bible. Remember, these people were real people and their lives extend beyond the pages of the Bible.

I had fun writing this, I hope you have fun reading it.

Book One

Note about Otherworld:

This map shows key locations and geography of Otherworld to assist in following David and the Faithful’s journey through the series. This fictional world helps me fill in much of the missing information that isn’t mentioned in the Bible (example: where did David kill the lion and bear?). It also gives me freedom in creating places, cities, terrain, and other elements of the world to help tell the story (example: Boaz and Ruth’s farm). As mentioned earlier, anything in the series that does not exactly align with the Bible is fiction, and not intended to correct or add to God’s word.

In some cases, the timeline of Biblical events has been altered so that characters in Otherworld live and act at the same time, whereas in the Bible, they may have lived decades or centuries apart (example: in the Bible, Samson judges Israel after Joshua, but before Samuel and Saul. In Otherworld, he is actively fighting for the Faithful at the same time as Samuel and Saul). This occurs several times in the series allowing multiple Biblical figures to live at the same time.

This technique is not intended to confuse or misrepresent the Bible. Instead, it helps me weave all my favorite Old Testament Bible heroes into a single story. Rather than segmented events spread over a chronologically large amount of time, this series showcases the grander story of redemption as a single tale.  

Prologue

He looked up at the stars and imagined a number that might answer the question that was whispering in his mind. A thousand? A million? The twinkling lights spread out as far as he could see in every direction, as if someone had taken a black blanket and poked holes in it with a pin. Some were bright, some were dim, some looked large and others small, and there were always more beyond the layers of darkness above.

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you. He spoke the words over again in his mind as he looked down at the boy standing by his side. He smiled encouragingly at his son, patted his shoulder, and returned his gaze to the heavens above. Can you count the stars, Abraham? He couldn’t, of course. But the King had asked him all the same.

The King’s pronouncement of Abraham’s future seemed an ancient memory. It felt as if the promise had faded into a dream that was no longer real, like a fading wisp of thought balancing on the edge of a precipice. He felt the strength of his son’s shoulder in his hand. He heard his breathing and felt his eyes on the back of his head; his only son. He could feel his hand trembling softly. I’m stalling, he thought suddenly. Let’s go, son. The mountain is ahead, he nodded to the shadow that lay directly before them.

It had taken three days to get here. Three agonizing days. The mount had come into view by the afternoon and after stopping to rest, he continued alone with his son. The servants stayed behind to watch the donkeys and gear. Can you count the sand on the seashore, Abraham? The King’s promises repeated themselves in his mind over and over again. He believed the King; he trusted the King; but could he obey the King?

He had in the past. Years ago he was living in his home when the King spoke to him. He had never even heard of the King before but when He spoke, Abraham knew He was King: there was no other. He obeyed without question and had been blessed every step of the way. Most of the way, he corrected himself. But it wasn’t the King’s fault.

There were times when Abraham doubted. While following the King they moved to a new land where a ruler reigned with power. The ruler found Abraham’s wife beautiful and desired her for himself. He’ll kill me and take her, Abraham remembered thinking. He lied. ‘I’m not the husband,’ he said, afraid of death and losing his wife. It had only ended well because the King had intervened. Trust me, He had reminded Abraham. I am good. I am your shield, He had said.

And now? He thought, torn. Is he still my shield? Is he still good? Of course, he is. He always was. It was only my own doubt and fear that made things difficult. Or was it? Something seemed to whisper in his ear, the faintest sound of doubt, triggered by his questions and fear.

Father, the sound pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked to the boy at his side.

What is it, son? he asked with a smile. He doesn’t know yet.

You said that we are going to the mountain to worship the King, right? He nodded, confirming the boy’s question. And there we will make a sacrifice to honor him? again he nodded. We have the fire, the boy pointed to a pouch at Abraham’s side that held the hot coal, and the wood, he shifted the bundle on his back deliberately, but where is the lamb?

Again he nodded without response. Where is the lamb, King? He asked silently, pleading. I trust you, he said immediately afterwards. Do you? The whisper came again as if blown by the wind into the recesses of his mind. Help me...

The King will provide for himself the lamb, he looked down and answered.

There was a confidence in his voice that belied the battle that raged in his mind. He struggled to remember any of the good that had come from following the King. It had seemed to simply...vanish. All thoughts were of the trials and struggles since leaving his homeland. There had been some good...but what? Suddenly, he couldn’t think of a single thing.

The rest of the walk up the mountain went by just as agonizingly as the last three days. Every step felt like a huge weight was being added to his back, and every foot as if his legs were going to fail. He looked at the boy who continued on happily. He can’t know, he thought. But he will: soon.

MICHAEL WATCHED AS Abraham and the boy made their long, slow, final approach to the mountain. The man looked in anguish as if a terrible unfathomable pain was gripping his body. He couldn’t imagine the sort of pressure that he must be under. But if there was one thing he knew with utter surety it was that obedience to the King was first. His ways are good and right, he thought to himself.

Sir, a soft whisper broke the stillness of the night. Fiends, just beyond Abraham’s sight on his flank. Are they revealed or hidden?

Hidden. Although Michael saw them easily enough, Abraham and his son would not unless they revealed themselves. So, they mean to influence his mind, then. They must be afraid to reveal themselves and assault the King’s chosen physically.

Or perhaps they mean to trick us into a false sense of security? Dungy asked.

Michael shook his head, I’m not sure. But we must be prepared for any contingency. The Boanerges: are the Guardian brothers ready? Have they prepared everything?

Dungy nodded, Yes, John and James are ready. And, I fear, a bit hopeful that the Fiends will risk an assault.

Michael laughed at that. Of course they are, that is why I brought them. They are always ready to defend the King and His people. And the sacrifice...

Is ready, Dungy replied assuredly.

Then everything is set. Let’s get closer and chat with these Fiends. Perhaps we can discover their strategy. Fear, desire, despair, or perhaps all three?

Dungy shrugged unknowingly. If they knew who this man truly was they would place more effort here, surely.

Michael thought about that as he slowly walked towards the Fiends. Perhaps, he admitted finally. But we must be prepared in case they do know.

They remained hidden from sight to the humans, cloaked from their vision as they approached the Fiends on the other side. There was still a mile between here and the summit where the sacrifice would occur. A long mile to a man committed to giving up his son for the King. A lonely mile to a man beset by Fiends, intent on destroying the King’s chosen.

Who is it this time? Michael thought as they approached the hooded Fiends. The large figures would be imposing to a human at almost seven feet tall. Built like professional warriors they were more like giants than men. But the Guardians looked similar and carried the same builds as the Fiends. The major difference between the two was their allegiance.

Well, well, well, look who showed up? the first one nudged his partner at the sight of Michael and Dungy. "If Lucifer knew you were going to be here he would have come himself. He has a bone to pick with you, Michael."

He smiled, not taking the bait. Hello Terr, Spair. Working late? Terr was the larger one by far. Long, wicked looking scimitars hung at his sides and he leaned on a large war hammer with both hands. He was a fierce warrior, certainly a match for Dungy, and maybe even the Boanerges. The other Fiend was Spair. Smaller than most, his skinny form was better suited for slinking around in the dark and stabbing people in the back.

They both grunted in response, You have no power here fool, he brandished the hammer in front of him menacingly. Keep working Spair. If they interfere, I’ll handle them.

Michael raised an eyebrow at that but kept quiet and waited. The tense meeting ended for a while as the group walked up the mountain beside Abraham and his son. The Guardians followed the Fiends, who were tracking Abraham. Occasionally he could hear Spair whisper words towards the man. ‘You aren’t the chosen one. He isn’t good. You can’t trust him.’ Each phrase was timed perfectly to resonate with the man as he battled some darkness in his mind.

Dispair it is, he tilted his head to Dungy, who nodded. I would have thought more of an effort would take place against the chosen.

Spair broke his concentration for a moment and responded angrily. If you think this is all...

Shut it, or I’ll cut your throat, Terr snapped viciously. And get back to work. Spair looked like a culled animal but obediently shut his mouth. Now get away you filth, or I’ll pummel your brains out, he snarled at Michael.

Michael smiled at the two Fiends without worry. Only Dungy seemed concerned, but Michael shrugged and walked back to the other side of the two men walking up the hill. As he passed, Michael paused just long enough to speak his own words over Abraham: ‘You are chosen. You are blessed. Trust me.’ He finished and looked back as the Fiends frowned angrily at him, but he smiled at them again and moved to their position opposite Spair and Terr. 

The night was still young and the battle for Abraham was approaching its apex.

THE SHALLOW RISE OF the mountain’s base became steeper and they transitioned to walking the switchback path that cut its way back and forth across the face of the mountain. The casual walk of just a few hours early was now a steady grind that slowed their movement and caused deep heavy breaths.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been obedient, Abraham thought. Isn’t that what the King wanted? Since leaving his home he had faced one challenge after another. His nephew had caused most of that trouble between his servants starting fights or getting captured by thieves. Abraham had been more than generous in dealing with him, even refusing bounty from Lot’s new friends.

Lot had moved down into the plains between two large cities. But they were full of the wicked: people who killed, murdered, stole, raped, and did pretty much anything they wanted on behalf of themselves. He had promised the King he would separate himself from the other nations and devote himself to the King. It hadn’t been easy.

The worst part about this journey was that he truly trusted the King, at least he thought he did. It was easy to say he did and harder to show that he did. Will I be able to go through with it? He didn’t want to think about it yet. He couldn’t think about it or he might waver and he didn’t want to waver. He had to obey the King. He wanted to obey the King.

You are chosen, you are blessed, he heard, a flash in his mind that instantly banished the fear and doubt. The darkness fled and for a brief moment, he clung to the King’s light. Trust me. He did. He knew then that he did and would.

When he looked up again they were at the top. The top, he thought. Where did the last few hours go? He looked back down the slope and couldn’t understand how they had reached the summit so quickly. Yet here they were.

What next dad? Isaac asked, breathing heavily as he set down his stack of wood to rest a moment.

I don’t know, the thought came unbidden. The top of the mountain was relatively open and flat and extended for hundreds of feet across. On his left, the mountain continued up in a pile of boulders and rocks that extended into the air another thirty feet. Brush and trees sat against the base and continued to the far side of the mountain top. As he looked towards the far side he identified the spot where they would honor the King. Near the center, a long slab of stone jutted up out of the ground a few inches. He would build the altar there.

Follow me. Let’s go worship the King, he smiled warmly. Isaac picked up the bundle of wood and together they walked towards the stone.

They reached the slab and Abraham put down his pack next to the bundle of wood and together they went to the boulders and stones to gather rocks. An hour passed by the time they assembled the number of rocks needed, and only a little while longer to complete the alter. I’m not ready.

He sat down to rest and patted the ground next to him, indicating that Isaac sit too. Look at the stars, son. He said while they caught their breath. Can you count them?

Isaac shook his head slowly after a few minutes. "I keep losing