The latter half of David's life ranged from failure to spiraling fall-out to a focused finish. While forging a nation, this warrior and King faced crisis after crisis, engaged in fierce warfare, grappled with crushing sorrow and gut-wrenching betrayal. However, there was some respite - the men who surrounded him. Many of these men stepped in and did what David could not. His was a complex world of family, politics and enemies. In the last decade of David's life, no longer able to fight on the field, this Warrior King stepped into the role of the visionary builder, acquired the foundation for Israel's future Temple, gathered untold wealth for its creation and secured the kingdom for his son Solomon. David's position in time and history was critical. It is from his nation and his "seed" Messiah would come. At times Israel, along with David, stood on a knife's edge. David's leadership, his skill in employing the giftings of those around him coupled with his ability to "touch heaven," saves the day. This story, closely wrapped around the Biblical narrative, plumbs the power, love and heartbreak of David, a man after God's own heart. At the end of this work "Insights" are offered that will hopefully give a deeper understanding of David and his world. A graduate of Baptist College at Charleston, Palma is an educator and Bible teacher. Formerly a resident of Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, she now resides with her husband in Jacksonville, Florida.
