Delilah by Angela Hunt

Delilah by Angela Hunt is the Biblical story of Delilah and Sampson.  While little is known about Delilah, much of what is contained in this story is fictional and what the author imagined might have happened.

Delilah has found herself begging for food and is determined to find a way to defeat the men who have taken advantage of her.  She does what she can to overcome obstacles to find riches for herself.  Along the way she meets Samson.  Samson is the judge in Israel and is known for his great strength.   She's heard many of stories about him and what he has done and is determined to meet him to get him to help her.  She wants to win and seduce the hero of the Hebrew people so she can have a prominent position with the Philistines.  She will do what ever she can, including using her own beauty.  Her beauty though isn't the only thing she uses, as she is also very smart and easily able to charm those around her.

While most of the Biblical accounts are accurate (the story of the gates, the lion, the foxes and the changes of garments) the Biblical account of when Delilah seduces Sampson is not accurate.  Judges 16:4-5 states "And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.  And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by whatmeans we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver."  The Lords of the Philistines came to her.  NOT the other way around as portrayed in the book.  While it is fiction, it should maintain Biblical accuracy, and in this one place it does not.

With the exception of that one accurate according to Biblical accounts, the remainder of the book is very well written and keeps you wanting to read more.

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.   I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.