Quest For A King, by author Gary L. Ivey

No one escapes the palace intrigue, divided loyalties and tribal battles that characterized life 3,000 years ago. A catastrophic battle sets in motion events that birth Israel’s first monarchy. Eldad, a metalsmith from Mizpah, goes to fight to protect country, tribe and family from invading Philistines. He barely survives the battle of Ebenezer, in which 40,000 Israelites die. Four members of a cursed family of priests die during the battle and its aftermath, and a courageous young woman has to escape a burning city to rescue the last remaining heir to the priesthood, so the religion of Yahweh can continue. Against his better judgement, the prophet Samuel accedes to the people's demand that he install a king. Believing God has selected him, Samuel anoints Saul, a tall, young man with kingly bearing. He initially performs well, freeing the Israelite town of Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites who have besieged it, but Saul becomes depressed and paranoid, putting the fate of the nation in doubt.....