The Prince: Jonathan (Sons of Encouragement Series #3) [Hardcover]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 2005

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Prince, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Jonathan.

In this new series of hardcover biblical novellas from beloved author Francine Rivers, each novella tells the story of one of five biblical men who stood behind the great heroes of the faith: Aaron the priest, Caleb the warrior, Jonathan the prince, Amos the prophet, and Silas the scribe. In the vein of the Lineage of Grace series, these books will entertain, challenge, and inspire, directing readers back to the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and hope.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist.

Francine and her husband, Rick, live in Northern California and enjoy the time spent with their three grown children and every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842382674
• ISBN-13: 978-0842382670
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the Christian Booksellers Association's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loyal to Scripture and intriguing plot!, December 20, 2005

By 

Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Prince: Jonathan (Sons of Encouragement Series #3) (Hardcover)

The Prince by Francine Rivers tells the story of Jonathon, the son of Israel's first king, Saul. Taken straight from 1 Kings, embroidered with precision, biblical love, and a sanctified imagination, The Prince grips readers from first to last.

Unlike his father, who drifts into self and away from the Lord, Jonathan slowly, painfully learns to place the Lord first while he handles the rival loyalties engendered by his father and his friend, David. Jonathon's victorious battles with the Philistines, his deep love for those he befriends, his desperations and self-questionings, and his devotion to God, all lead to a denouement that is breathtaking, heartbreaking, and victorious.

Writing both secular and Christian novels, award-winning author Rivers adds another fascinating novel to her Sons of Encouragement Series. Starkly told, with complexities woven in seamlessly, The Prince provides a well-planned plot and deep character studies, as well as adventure, and understandable Christian concepts. This book concludes with a Bible study useful for both group and individual study.

Knowing the story of Jonathan from Bible study, I enjoyed The Prince for its loyalty to the Scripture, as well as its intriguing narration and plot. It will be enjoyed by capable young readers as well as High School through adult readers. - Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back on Track!, October 18, 2006

By 

Monty Rainey (New Braunfels, TX) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prince: Jonathan (Sons of Encouragement Series #3) (Hardcover)

In my review of the first book in this series by Francine Rivers, The Priest, I mentioned that I did not feel the book met the high bar Rivers has set for herself and hoped that other books in the series would show a return to her usual form. I have to say this book, THE PRINCE, is definitely a return to what I've grown to expect from this magnificent writer. The book is derived from the books of Samuel.

This book follows the life of Jonathan, son of Saul, friend of David. Although much of the story is told from Jonathan's viewpoint, this is a masterful chronicle of Saul's transgression from humble farmer to a hostile king consumed by his jealousy of David. Jonathan is accurately portrayed here as a man dedicated to The Law and we also see the beginnings of David's first transgression from God's path.

As we've come to expect, the battle scenes such as David's defeat of Goliath, are portrayed in exacting detail that will place the reader's minds' eye at the scene. And at only 200 pages, this novella is a very easy and fast read. That, however, is what I consider to be the books only short coming. It could have easily been a larger volume and gone into greater detail. For example, I would have liked to have seen Jonathan's wife, Rachel, developed further and given a larger role here.

But all in all, this is exactly what readers have come to expect from this gifted writer. Jonathan's story is certainly a treasure for us all, not just for his fierceness in defeating the Philistines, but more so for this constant dedication and unwavering devotion to God's Law.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Must Read!!!!, October 10, 2005

By 

lms - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince: Jonathan (Sons of Encouragement Series #3) (Hardcover)

She's done it again! God is truly taking Francine to another level. I love the way she has brought the characters of Jonathan, Saul, Samuel and David and to life. As many times as I have read the story of Saul in the old testament, I've not taken a closer look at Jonathan. Francine's master storytelling definitely make you want to go back to God's word and read it again with a whole new perspective. You can relate this story to your personal life also. I have every book she has written. Francine can't write fast enough! I can't wait until the release of the next book in the Novella series. May God continue to bless and anoint Francine Rivers.