As in Poznansky’s novel ‘Rise to Power’ the second book of ‘The David Chronicles’ trilogy titled ‘A Peek at Bathsheba’ begins with a prologue where King David is old and ill and ends with an epilogue leading to the next part of his story. The prologue of ‘A Peek at Bathsheba’ begins right where it left off in the epilogue of ‘A Rise to Power’. It would seem that ‘A Peek at Bathsheba’s’ prologue might be a bit confusing and may not be as well appreciated if the reader had not read ‘Rise to Power’ first.
From the powerful prologue of ‘A Peek at Bathsheba’ it is learned that there is crisis in the land as Bathsheba begs her husband, David, to look at a papyrus scroll. David claims that he is bored with ruling and replies:
“I don’t want to hear it, not now,” say I. “Such matters, overblown as they invariably are, become trivial when you find yourself as close to dying as I am. The time that remains to me is waning, so let’s not waste the moment. It is too precious, my love.”
What had turned Bathsheba away from David decades ago was a psalm in which she felt he did not take responsibility for his actions and set her to blame. And it is this that she reveals to him in the prologue of this thoroughly engaging book:
“So she takes a deep breath, and from memory she recites, quite fluidly, “Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba—”.”
"Taken aback I try not to betray any sign of hurt feelings. None of my other wives has ever dared to tell me that anything I wrote was less than perfect. None of them has ever offered any type of literary critique, let alone hinted that my work was, in any way, objectionable. But then again , Bathsheba is unlike Michal, Ahinoam, Abigail, Maachah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. They are mine. She is not."
Then David takes over with reciting the rest of the psalm: “Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”
“There,” says Bathsheba. “You see?”
“See what?”
“How you never find it in your heart to take responsibility for your actions.”
The first chapter goes back in time to the prime of his life, the beginnings of his rule, and when he begins to exercise his privileges. Further on, he decides to take back his first wife Michal, who had hastily remarried once her father deemed David a traitor. From David’s perspective, Bathsheba, who he viewed bathing in ‘Rise to Power’, is the ultimate woman yet he now has seven other wives, including Michal, his first wife, who was the daughter of Saul, the previous king. Michal, David decides, he will not have relations with as their offspring could pose a threat to David’s reign, so he keeps his distance from her and does not really consider her to be ‘one of them’.
The story progresses to the time he peeks upon Bathsheba for the second time. After having her brought to his chamber, her yearning to have a child is realized by the reader, and one lunar cycle after their lovemaking, Bathsheba tells King David of her pregnancy. He tries his hardest to do ‘the right thing’ but in the end, he feels he has no choice other than to end Uriah’s life. Because, above all, he must protect Bathsheba’s honor – women that committed adultery were to be stoned to death – so he must quickly dispose of her husband and marry her before it is known that she is pregnant. But, of course, there are those that knew…
If you’re wondering about Poznansky’s brilliant portrayal of David’s reactions and thoughts on the events that shape his story, you’ll have to get this wonderful book.
FIVE STARS
Sherri Christian
