I will say, up front, that this book does not offer any hope for those who have been “broken” or wounded by authoritative pastors. Instead, it proposes a kind of catch-22 for those within the church who are questioning the abuses of their pastors. It makes sense that this book was brought to my attention by a person who was given it by her pastor. It also alarms me to read so many reviews on Goodreads where pastors are handing these books out to the congregation. Doesn’t anybody ever wonder why pastors spend so much time and money pushing books to read that support their authority and discourage those who dissent?I have read a long list of books dealing with disagreements, disillusion, and splits in churches. It seems that these things happen quite regularly; otherwise there wouldn’t be any market to entice publishers to print so many of these books. Unfortunately, most of them are written by pastors who are obviously writing from the side of the person demanding authority over his disenchanted followers. Is this one of those books? Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. I could say, like the writer, that only God knows. No. I’m just going to come out and say it. The evil of this book is its appeal. It is appealing to broken people. It appeals to the people who feel like Joseph in Pharaoh’s dungeon—waiting and hoping that God will vindicate them, will make good of all the injustices—but just rotting away in the meantime. We pick up this book wanting to know why all the bad things happened in our lives. Why people had to die. Why our dreams had to fail. Why every time we try to do the right thing we get the crap kicked out of us… and then we have to suffer the injustice of watching the guy who “broke” us succeed at his own vile agenda. The author describes our wounds so well, we feel as though he is speaking directly to us. Then he tells us that we are wrong to feel wounded. He tells us that we should not take action against our transgressors—not even speak up to point out their transgressions. In fact, he tells us we should hang in there and let ourselves be abused by the tyrannical pastor (never once pointing out that he might be one such pastor) until we are so broken and worn out that we just can’t take any more. And then, to ensure that we do not deprive our oppressor of his other victims, the author tells us we need to leave…alone. As in don’t try to liberate anybody else from the oppressor. Don’t try to bring the brute to justice. Don’t try to keep anybody else from being as hurt as you (and your family) have become. Just leave them all behind so he can have someone else to boss around or deceive and eventually lay the blame upon. Did it ever occur to this author that sometimes the people speaking up against the king are a Nathan? The very fact that this tale of three kings skips completely over those chapters tells me volumes about what the author was thinking when he wrote this book and what pastors are thinking when they hand it out to their unsuspecting congregations. Did it ever occur to this author that those who speak up against the “anointed” are Elijahs, or Daniels, or Martin Luthers? But no, the only option included in this tale is that of Absalom. The author insists that there is no way of knowing the difference between a corrupt leader and a misguided one. Then he suggests that the only option for one who rises to oppose that leader is one of sinful rebellion. The message intended here is obviously “resistance is futile”, and though it promises a study of brokenness, it does nothing to help those who are hopelessly broken other than to suggest that they not speak up in any way against those who broke them. Those who, like me, have tried for years to speak up and be heard, are only discouraged more by this author’s words.This book clearly shows an author hiding behind the shield of legalism. And here we see how legalism hurts. The law being implied here is “thou shalt not question the Lord’s anointed”, as if the anointing was—and still is—a carte blanche for “David” to do all the things he did wrong in his reign. Saul’s anointing, it is implied, was by another set of rules where, as soon as he messed up once, was revoked. But not David’s. Nope, David’s anointing was irrevocable. And so, by David’s unquestionably-anointed bloodline, the kingdom of Israel was divided, scattered, and even (some suspect) portions of the Bible were edited to remove any and all other contenders for that anointing.The author identifies this anointing as something to HAVE: a kingdom or a congregation. But what about those who feel God’s anointing on them is something to DO: To write a book or a song or to train up a child or to start a ministry in their community that is badly needed? I suppose David might have viewed his anointing as a task to do if it was not so much the ownership of a kingdom as it was the responsibility of a shepherd. His offspring, who told his story, certainly did not. Then again, pastors might fare better looking at their church not as a kingdom to own, but a flock to teach and guide—and not just to guide into following his law and order, either. If only we could find one of them to write a book on this subject. But there I go again, being Absalom.This book is a perfect example of what I was trying to say when I wrote the Sarian’s Sword. Like a sword, the Bible is only as good—or as evil—as the one who uses it. Here we see a pastor throwing his spear of twisted scripture at all who question him. And here we see how those who question that pastor must get real good at defending themselves against those spears (using their own spear of scripture, which the author discourages). In my own experience, I did just what David did. I got real good at dodging. Then one day I turned around and found that those spears that missed me had hit my family, my friends, and my loved ones. What are you supposed to do then? Are you supposed to just tell them to “take it”? Are you supposed to just tell them to leave quietly and not to question the “Lord’s Anointed”? That’s what I did. Now my kids don’t want anything to do with church. Now I sit on the sidelines listening to stories of the other kids from the church getting pregnant, arrested, tattooed, and even dying under the leadership of the “Lord’s Anointed”. But now, after reading this book, I have decided to say something.When it comes to warping the minds of the young and destroying the next generation, patience and apathy are no longer options I can consider. This is not the time for meekness or martyrdom. This is not the time for silence or ignorance as to the true meaning of scripture. And if I am just another Absalom, I’ll see this Saul of an author in HELL!
God has a university. It’s a small school. Few enrol; even fewer graduate. Very, very few indeed. God has this school because he does not have broken men and women. Instead, he has several other types of people. He has people who claim to have God’s authority... and don’t – people who claim to be broken... and aren’t. And people who do have God’s authority, but who are (mad and) unbroken. In God’s sacred school of submission and brokenness, why are there so few students? Because all students in this school must suffer much pain. (Excerpt from book)A Tale Of Three Kings by Gene Edwards is considered a modern classic of Christian literature. It was published in 1980 yet still often appears on the list of the top 100 sellers of Christian books. It has become assigned reading in Bible schools and seminaries worldwide, and has been translated into thirty languages. Funny thing is that I never knew this book existed until a wise mentor friend of mine encouraged me to read it recently. I'm so glad he did.A Tale Of Three Kings does not fall easily into any genre. It is a study in brokenness, but is written as a first person narrative delving into King David's struggle with Saul and Absalom (and the reader's comparison to each of the three kings). It contains many fictional conversations by David so I guess the closest genres would be historical fiction/classic.Perhaps it was just a very timely read, or where I currently am in my Spiritual walk, but I can say that this book ministered to me on a level no other fictional book has thus far. I cannot recommend this book more highly to any person in ministry leadership, especially those who have at times struggled with the authority God has placed them under. To the casual Christian however, this book may not have the same impact, nor the relevance, nor the revelation... then again, it just might.
What do You think about A Tale Of Three Kings (1992)?
The Three Kings examine the lessons learned from the choices made by Israels Kings: Saul, David, & Absalom.There are two types of people: Sauls and DavidSauls are individuals who ascend to power only to become prisoners of their own success - it becomes who they are.Davids also ascend to power but because it does not become who they are; they are capable of walking away.The other insightful thing that Gene Edwards brings to light is our difficulty in judging people. We think we can tell who the Saul's and David's are, but actually we really don't know. Prime example is the person of Christ; the crowds saw him as a Saul/Absalom figure and crucified him; yet in reality he was a David.One other observation - we have the ability to decide what type of person we are and become - through our choices.
—Gene
The book is well written. The book has tells the story of three kings: Saul, David, and Absalom. It speaks of leaders, and encourages the question of which one are we. Am I a "Saul" and let my anger rage as I become jealous of others and seek to hurt them? Am I a "David" and love everyone in spite of how they treat me? What I liked about the book is its central aspect of God wants people who are broken. God wants people who would live in pain, and allow Him to use them as His broken vessels. God longs to use us even when we are the most broken. David's character shined the brightest when he had the chance to kill Saul, but refused. He sought God's will in spite of circumstances. We all fall, but God desires to use us... He wants us to let Him into our broken lives, where He can use it greatly.The only thing I did not like about the book: the author did not reveal where the events took place in the Bible. It doesn't give scripture references in the text. So if I wanted to go back and read the biblical account of the story, I have to find it on my own without the help of the author providing references. I absolutely loved the book. I just would have preferred scriptural references, so 4 out of 5 stars is what is given.
—Stacey
This book was given to me as a gift in 2006 by a dear friend, but I didn't read it until 2010. It is an excellent book, especially if you have found yourself at a broken state in life. The book takes lessons from the Bible written around the time of King David, and illustrates how these lessons can be internalized, and how you as an individual can grow through your broken-ness. I love the note in the book that cautions the reader that this book is to be read by you, and not for you to use to point at other's attitudes or behaviors. Excellent book!
—Michael E.
