The Chronicles of the Kings Books by Lynn Austin

Experience the life of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh in the “Chronicles of the Kings” historical fiction series.

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Experience Life as a Woman During Bible Times

I am not a Christian fiction reader. I just can’t get into the simplicity of the storylines and flat characters I most often find.

But years ago someone introduced me to a new genre called Christian Historical Fiction. I read one book and it provided so much insight into Bible times that I never learned about in church.

I got to see what life was like for a woman living in a harem and surviving during exile. Although the Bible doesn’t seem to say much about women, I learned they are all over the pages! If we look hard enough, you can see them raising the children of God’s kingdom!

At first, I was skeptical about reading books that claim to be “true” but are fictionalized. I wasn’t sure if it was immoral or sacrilegious, so I looked into the author’s research. After comparing notes to Biblical text, I felt she did a great job portraying the events during these kings’ reigns.

Lynn Austin created a series of novels that allow you to explore some of the possible emotions these women and leaders may have experienced during the time of the kings.

The Chronicles of the Kings Series

While the main stories are about the Kings of Judah during the kingdom split, I love that these books explore the historical context and the spiritual conflicts that other key characters may have gone through. I learned about the cultures of the people God warned the Israelites not to intermarry with and began to understand more context for his reasoning.

For one, the pagan god, Molech, was one where people would offer their firstborns as child sacrifice in many cultures and I understood that God was trying to protect his children from evil, not to place unfair guidelines on their choices.

The Chronicles of the Kings Series goes through the life of evil King Ahaz, God-fearing Hezekiah, and his corrupt son, Manasseh.

I highly encourage you to read this series and use your Bible while you do! There is so much to learn, and we need to train ourselves to filter out what is truth and what is theorized. I think it’s okay to do both through the lens of what the Bible says. This is a great tool to help train yourself to seek truth. Compare notes, do your research, and I think you will be blessed!

Book 1: Gods and Kings

“Gods and Kings” covers the story of the later years of King Ahaz and his son, Hezekiah. I love how this book focuses on how his mother raised him to trust in the Lord because he ends up being a king the Bible considers “good” after his father’s “evil” reign.

“Unlike David his father, [King Ahaz] did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.” 2 Kings 16:2-3

Lynn Austin provides details for how she compiled her story notes at the beginning of each book that I’ve added below. Check them out:

Book 2: Song of Redemption

“Song of Redemption” tells the story of Hezekiah’s years as king after his father’s death and provides insight into the terrible Assyrian empire through the eyes of a woman named Jerusha.

“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the other kings of Judah, either before him or after him...And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.” 2 Kings 18:5,7

Book 3: The Strength of His Hand

In the book, “The Strength of His Hand”, King Hezekiah’s last years are troubled as he becomes ill. Isaiah prophesies that he will die, but there are miracles in store for Hezekiah because of his faith. It also implies some of the reasons his future son Manasseh may leave the faith he once held so dear.

"In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, went to him and said, 'This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, becase you are going to die. You will not recover.'...And Hezekiah wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:1-2

Book 4: Faith of My Fathers

“Faith of My Fathers” is a book that tells the story of Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, and his sad turn to idolatry as he abandons the true God of his ancestors.

"[King Manasseh] did evil in the eyes of the Lord...He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole." 2 Kings 21:2-3

Book 5: Among the Gods

In the final book, “Among the Gods”, we see how evil Manasseh becomes and explore God’s love for his children through the story of Joshua, a fictional childhood friend of Manasseh.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

Order the Series

If you want to understand more about what it was like during Biblical times, this series is the perfect addition to your studies! Here’s the link to order “The Chronicles of the Kings”:

ORDER THE SERIES

START WITH BOOK 1