Delilah by Angela Hunt Series: Dangerous Beauty #3
Publisher: Bethany House (2016)
eARC (352 pages)
Via: NetGalley
Rating:
Also by this author: Esther: Royal Beauty
Also in this series: Esther: Royal Beauty
Reading Challenges: 2016 Retelling Challenge, Read 2016
Synopsis
A Complex and Compelling Glimpse at One of the Bible's Baddest Girls
Life is not easy in Philistia, especially not for a woman and child alone. When beautiful, wounded Delilah finds herself begging for food to survive, she resolves that she will find a way to defeat all the men who have taken advantage of her. She will overcome the roadblocks life has set before her, and she will find riches and victory for herself.
When she meets a legendary man called Samson, she senses that in him lies the means for her victory. By winning, seducing, and betraying the hero of the Hebrews, she will attain a position of national prominence. After all, she is beautiful, she is charming, and she is smart. No man, not even a supernaturally gifted strongman, can best her in a war of wits.
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My Review
Almost everyone knows at least something about the story of Samson and Delilah. The beautiful and treacherous Delilah working with the Philistines to capture Israeli strongman Samson. Has anyone before considered where Delilah was coming from? What were her motives? Why did Samson trust her?
Angela Hunt takes on these questions and more in Delilah. We are able to see a possible backstory of Delilah and Samson, a motive for Delilah, a reason for Samson’s trust. Though these are all guesses, the novel gives a plausible story drawing on both the biblical story and historical context.
Delilah was a character who had to learn to be strong. Her life, up to the death of her stepfather, was relatively easy. She was provided for and taken care of. Then, she ended up abused by her stepbrother, escaping slavery, and discovering an unwanted pregnancy. No one could say her life was easy after that.
Samson was a judge and a fighter for Israel. He opposed the Philistine invasion of his country and did what he could to torment the Philistines. He also admired beauty, especially the beauty of Delilah.
With Samson, Delilah felt safe and loved until her stepbrother finally found her. Delilah’s actions all came from her wish for safety for herself and her son. She saw an opportunity to finally ensure her continued safety, and she grabbed at it. Her actions were all for her son.
I enjoyed Delilah as it really gave depth to Delilah that isn’t found in the biblical narrative. While this is a work of fiction, it does stay true to the biblical account while adding more to fill in the gaps.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for
review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title
nor the content of this review.
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