Review: Day of War

Cliff Graham's Day of War (Zondervan, 2011) is a fictional account of Benaiah, one of David's mighty men, who, according to Scripture, struck down a lion with his bare hands and killed an Egyptian with the foreigner's own sword. This book explores what might have led up to those two events, giving a unique perspective on what David and his mighty men might have been like.

The story follows David and his warriors as they attempt to rescue their wives and children from the Amalekites. Graham sticks close to the scriptural account, although he does take creative license in giving Benaiah a reason to hate Amalekites-they killed his daughters.

Day of War is violent, but not overly graphic. Some characterizations-Joab as an overly eager war-mongering commander, for instance-do not stick to the biblical account of these people. But, as the book's author states, "This is fiction. Please read it as such." And perhaps this account will make you want to search the Scriptures yourself for the One who gave David and his mighty men victory.