The General: A Novel about Ancient Israel [NOOK Book]

Overview

Deborah, the lead judge of Israel in 1150 BC, and Barak, a farmer from the tribe of Naphtali in the north of Canaan, lead a rag-tag group of ten thousand Israelite farmers against an army five times larger, better organized and equipped with the latest in killing technology. The story involves Barak’s journey from simple farmer to reluctant fighter to heroic general to concerned lover within a milieu of late bronze era hardship and cruelty.

Barak struggles with his own frailties and fears while Deborah struggles with the reluctance of the majority of her people to get involved in an impossible war. With nothing to lose, these two fight side by side to lead their rag-tag army of 10,000 against the well-trained military of over 50,000 men aided by 900 iron chariots of war.

Then, Deborah and Barak lead their army to conquer the great walled city of Hazor, kill the Canaanite king, and end the human sacrifices to the god Baal. Historically, this particular victory over the Canaanites resulted in forty years of prosperity and growth among the early Jews of the tenth century BC preparing the growing nation to become an international force under the leadership of David and Solomon.