Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4) [Hardcover]

Francine Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2001

The compelling story of Bathsheba and David as told by award-winning author Francine Rivers. Readers will see the familiar biblical account unfold in a whole new light through the eyes of Bathsheba. This timeless story has contemporary meaning for today's readers. A study on the biblical text is included for personal or group study.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In award-winning writer Francine Rivers's five-book Lineage of Grace series about women in the family tree of Jesus Christ, perhaps the most compelling installment is Unspoken, the love story of David and Bathsheba. This Old Testament saga of adultery, power, and battles fought both on the field of combat and in the human heart touches on the cost of poor choices, the need for forgiveness, and finding ultimate fulfillment--themes that are relevant today. Rivers writes poignantly of how Bathsheba falls in love with David as a little girl, and of her bitterness when she comes of age and is given in marriage to Uriah, one of David's mighty warriors. Love cannot be commanded, however, and it's not long before the sexual tension between David and Bathsheba reaches its logical conclusion, with disastrous results. Rivers adeptly brings the biblical account to life, portraying the difficult struggles of good people, the corrupting influence of power, and God's love for those who make mistakes--even big mistakes. --Cindy Crosby

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842335986
• ISBN-13: 978-0842335980
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,179 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

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bathsheba's story is an example of ... grace?, July 24, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4) (Hardcover)

In River's latest novella, she recreates the scandalous and steamy story of King David and Bathsheba. Brought up a "good girl", the story of David and Bathsheba seemed so unrelated and removed from my life. While reading Unspoken, however, I found myself in Bathsheba, matching her emotion for emotion, and for the first time, actually understanding her. The stone that I had been holding against her slipped out of my hand, as through this book, I heard Jesus whisper, "Let he without sin throw the first stone". For the first time, I am fully aware of why God put this tale of adultery/betrayal/murder in His sacred Book. Bathsheba's story, as I previously thought, is NOT about sex or murder. Rather, it is a shining example of how God's grace and mercy covers all sin, separating it from us as far as the east is from the west, and working through our failures. Bathsheba's story is our own story each and every time we fail, with the promise that redemption beyond anything we could ever earn is within our grasp, held out by the Holy One. Bathsheba's name, infamous for her sin, should instead be known for the forgiveness and mercy that she received. This story, coupled with the self - examining Bible study in the back of the book, makes this a real find.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most faith-impacting portrayal of a biblical woman, August 17, 2001

By 

Elisabeth Lutece (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4) (Hardcover)

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Thus begins one of the greatest psalms ever written, and is the strong message I received from this spirit-filled novel. The description of Bathsheba, the fourth woman figure in the lineage of Christ, is a vivid example of God's redemption and unconditional love. The first outhstanding feature is the introduction of Bathsheba. Although history surrounds her name with stories of adultery, scandal, and murder, the examination of her emotions in the novel gave a complete understanding of the encounter and cost of sin. True, at a first glance at the basic story, it would seem Bathsheba and David deserved what the received for their sin. But the novel shows the greater importance that God places on repentance. And even more so, it shows that He grants unlimited restoration! One word of caution. The novel is written in bold simplicity and detail. It calls for open-minded students of God's word, those who are willing to examine God's will as just and marvel in His judgement. From the inspiring presentations of David, the meritorious behavior of Uriah, the admirable personality of Abigail, and the redeemed portrayal of Bathsheba, the story causes those who are willing to lose the "bad-girl" appraisal of Bathsheba. Though these biblical characters' faults and triumphs, God contiues to demonstrate His providence. And that, indeed, is everything we need.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best of the series, July 30, 2002

By 

J. Peterson "jenpeterson" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unspoken: Bathsheba (The Lineage of Grace Series #4) (Hardcover)

I honestly think that this is the best book of the series--but of course, I haven't read the last one yet. There is a humanness to Bathsheba and David that I didn't get out of the Biblical version. The author portrays David as a humble man, who forgets his role as king and spiritual leader of his people to focus on his own physical desires. This leads to chaos. David eventually comes back to his true role as king.

Bathsheba was a little girl with a dream. She grew into a woman who was forced to marry against that dream, and then betrayed that marriage. But after all the heartache that she had and that she caused, she came to have a relationship with God that allowed her peace of spirit.

The end of the book brought tears to my eyes. I think that everyone should read this book and learn how one action can change the destiny of an entire people.