In the year 2000, a new historical fiction series by Gerald Lund hit the shelves. Set in ancient Jerusalem at the time of Christ with a fictional family caught up in all the drama, The Kingdom and the Crown series promised to be just as engaging as Lund's previous Work and the Glory saga. The three subsequent volumes, published over the next three years by Deseret Book's imprint Shadow Mountain, were well-received but weaker in comparison to the series that put Lund's work on the map.
The story about the family of David Ben Joseph didn't grab and hold reader's attention as well as the Steed family. The plot dragged in many places as much of the action in Fishers of Men centers on the Zealot movement rather than the life and activities of Jesus.
The story in the first volume only spans three months: March-June A.D. 30.
Volume One is 640 pages long with 32 chapters. End-of-Chapter notes are included and the inside cover maps are very helpful.
There is a List of Major Characters, Glossary and pronunciation guide provided for the reader's benefit.
After a very LONG prologue-27 pages of narration-introducing our fictional characters, both Roman and Jewish, illustrating the political troubles of the time period, the story can finally begin.
Prologue Galilee A.D. 29
We are introduced to Marcus Quadratus Didius, a handsome young Roman tribune, age twenty-five, with dark hair and green eyes. His senior officer is Sextus Rubrius, an older, middle-aged soldier who is leading this column to collect taxes. Their next stop, the home of David Ben Joseph the merchant who is on friendly terms with Sextus.
We meet David's wife, Deborah, a proud and feisty woman, mother of four children who stands up to Sextus and declares her husband has not yet returned with the money they owe.
Marcus is quick to dole out the punishment by arresting Deborah and her daughter, hauling them off in chains to be sold in slavery. Lucky for the women, Simeon, the second oldest son, age twenty, whose blood runs hot with his mother's Zealot family genes, attacks and is seriously wounded for his effort. Simeon runs for his life while the women are led away, sobbing. On the road they meet David and the conflict is resolved peacefully but tension remains between Jew and Roman conqueror.
Chapter 1- It is now spring of the following year, A.D. 30. David Ben Joseph and Deborah's children are as follows: Oldest son Ephraim married Rachel and resides close to the family dwelling in Capernaum with his little family. Esther, age four, is sober and silent as a rock; Boaz is two. Simeon (whom we already met) is second oldest but not home much to help run the family business due to his commitment in leading the Zealot revolt. Leah, age fifteen, is a quiet and sweet natured young woman. Joseph is ten. (Not sure where he was during the Prologue. Joseph appears to have been added as an afterthought by the author and doesn't play a significant role in this series.)
Deborah enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren. Conversation centers around their two business partners who provide the fish for their trade, brothers Andrew and Simon (who will later be called Peter). Word is they've become intrigued by the teaching of a recent area preacher named John the Baptist.
"He said that?" will quickly become an annoying writing "tic" by the author in this volume.
David is interested in hearing more from this preacher claiming to be the forerunner to the Messiah. John will be in the area tomorrow but, as Deborah reminds him, because David is a member of the local Sanhedrin, he has a previous commitment and can't go.
Chapter 2- Meet Miriam Bat Mordechai, eighteen, daughter of one of the wealthiest Sadducees in the city. Miriam is an only child who lost her mother at a young age. She enjoys living like a princess in a great and spacious home, with only the finest food, wine and she probably has the biggest wardrobe in
Miriam also has a personal handmaid, Livia, a twenty year old Greek slave, with blonde hair, who is "separate but equal" as Miriam insists Livia is much more than her own personal slave, she is her adopted sister, yet, Livia never eats at the same table or sleeps in the same room as her mistress.
Miriam and Livia are traveling with Mordechai and his company on their way to that same Sanhedrin meeting. Their camp is attacked by desert bandits. Just as the notorious leader, Moshe Ya'abin, is about to unleash his wicked intentions on Maid Miriam, Simeon and his band of merry men come riding to their rescue. Playing the part of "Little John" is Simeon's best friend, Yehuda, a large bear-like form of a man, age 24, who is immediately smitten by the unconscious form of Livia who was knocked out while defending her mistress. Yehuda tenderly revives Livia while Simeon and Miriam get to know each other. Mordechai, who never lifted a finger to prevent his daughter's attempted rape by Moshe Ya'abin, finally steps up and thanks this small band of desert rouges for saving their lives.
Chapter 3- With Moshe Ya'abin's group temporarily scattered, it is decided Simeon and his zealot band will escort the party safely to their destination. Miriam and her party endure the long trek. When they stop to rest, Miriam and Simeon continue their discussion about her pampered life in Jerusalem and her father's practice of keeping slaves. Miriam and Livia defend their relationship with Livia gushing her eternal gratitude that Miriam considers her to be part of the family and they are closer than sisters. Both women sob and throw their arms around each other to emphasize this.
Chapter 4- Yehuda's entire village of Beth Neela turns out to welcome them during their stopover to Capernaum and a party is thrown in their honor. The girls are introduced to Yehuda's two younger siblings, Daniel, age 22 and sister Shana, age seventeen. Shana is practically engaged to Simeon and gives Miriam the evil eye as she greets her boyfriend. Around the large campfire that night, Simeon finds Miriam who is too tired and footsore to join in the dancing. He explains how Yehuda and Shana were orphaned at a young age when Romans killed their parents for insubordination.
Chapter 5- Word reaches Mordechai the next morning that the meeting has been cancelled. This is good news for David as he and his family can now go hear John the Baptist preach. Before they leave, Miriam and Deborah have a chance to talk. Deborah enlightens the spoiled rich girl from Jerusalem in what life is like for those who forsake their Jewish lifestyle and risk their lives to fight against Rome. She is very proud of her son and, by the way, what perfume is that you're wearing?
Chapter 6- David relates an incredible story to his second-born as they walk back to Capernaum. When he was just sixteen, David was visiting his relatives in Bethlehem who tend the temple flocks. One night, around Passover, David just happened to be abiding in the fields with his fellow shepherds when a remarkable visitation occurred by heavenly messengers announcing the birth of the Messiah. Simeon is troubled and not sure what to think. They meet Andrew who informs them John's meeting has also been cancelled for John was just thrown in prison for ("He really said that?") telling wicked men, including Roman leaders, to repent and they didn't appreciate it. We are also introduced to Deborah's younger, married brother, Uncle Aaron who is a devoted Pharisee. He even wears the "peyot" side curls to show his devotion to God. Deborah practically raised Aaron after Romans killed and enslaved their entire family, thus her devotion to the zealot cause. Aaron would rather find fault with John the Baptist and any other religious fanatics, like this Jesus, who would dare violate The Law. Andrew informs them his brother just changed his name to Peter and they should all come to Nazareth later this week and meet Jesus.
Chapter 7- Having taken leave of Simeon and his family at Beth Neela, Miriam and her father traveled west (in fine comfort) to the seaside Roman town of Caesarea where Mordechai's friend Pontius Pilate is a gracious host. He is pleased to introduce his Jewish guests to Marcus Quadratus Didius and invites the two young single adults to hang out and explore the city together while the two men talk business. Pilate wants Mordechai to help him set up an elaborate trap to end this rebellion in the Galilee region once and for all. Little does he know, Mordechai has his own double cross planned to humiliate both the Zealot and Roman groups. Meanwhile, Marcus and Miriam's attraction to each other grows as they discuss the similarities and differences between their two cultures. Wanting to impress Miriam, Marcus promises to help track down Livia's family whom she was so cruelly separated from when she was sold into slavery many years ago.
Chapter 8- Shana's betrothal ceremony to Simeon is given in full detail here. Since her own parents are dead, Deborah acts as Shana's surrogate mother while all her female friends adorn her with gifts, fine clothes and fix her hair and makeup in preparation for tonight's meeting with her bridegroom. Shana sits quietly listening and learning as tradition requires, while matrimonial advice and compliments are given. Finally, it is time for everyone to take up their lamps and go meet the bridegroom under the chuppah. The ketubah is read and signed by both parties and informal vows exchanged. Yehuda stands in as Shana's father to give her away. Simeon lifts the bride's veil and gently kisses his bride to be. Mozel Tov!
Chapter 9- Back in Jerusalem, Miriam and Livia decide to walk to the temple grounds where Miriam hopes to run into a certain Roman centurion. Mordechai, meanwhile, is meeting with Sextus Rubrius and Marcus to set up his own plan for the elaborate trap he and Pilate have devised. The meeting ends and Marcus wanders out into the streets where he spots Miriam and Livia.
Chapter 10- After excusing Livia, who pleads exhaustion, Miriam gives Marcus a tour of the beautiful temple grounds. She explains, mostly for the reader's benefit, the purpose of certain designated areas, the meaning behind many Jewish words and the rituals and ceremonies so dear to Jewish hearts. They approach the noisy, crowded, dirty exchange area where outside currency must be replaced by temple coin before the sacrificial animals can be bought. Everyone is distracted by a man who appears on the scene, almost out of nowhere, with a whip. Miriam is impressed at his magnificent courage and the controlled power he wields providing a public service to what everyone considers one of the biggest eyesores of the holy edifice. Miriam is intrigued and wants to find out more about him.
Chapter 11- After the dust has settled, Miriam comments to Livia, who saw the whole thing. The two women are surprised by Mordechai who is not happy about the actions of this upstart preacher from the Galilee. When Mordechai and his fellow leaders questioned Jesus' authority, his only reply was some absurd prophecy about the temple. ("He actually said that?") In a new scene, Mordechai continues his double cross by secretly meeting with none other than Moshe Ya'abin to arrange a special attack on the one Pilate and Mordechai plan to make on the Zealots. Miriam serves as scribe in a different meeting that includes her father and members of the council. One of these members is Nicodemus who defends Jesus' actions yesterday in the temple. Later, he talks with Miriam and Livia, relating the experience he had last night when he sought out Jesus to learn more.
Chapter 12- Aaron is staying at David's home for the night. He will join the family when they make their trip over the hill to Nazareth where he plans to expose Jesus as a fraud. David and Deborah engage in scriptural debate with Aaron on his misinterpretation of the Messianic prophesies. Simeon makes snarky comments and asks some pointed questions about what kind of Messiah they should be looking for.
Chapter 13- April A.D. 30 David finds Andrew and Peter one morning, newly returned from a night's fishing but having little to show for it. The brothers share the story of observing Jesus turn water into wine at a recent wedding. Jesus appears with a crowd of followers and invites the brothers to follow him and become fishers of men. David tags along. Later that night, he talks to his wife about the scene he observed. David wonders if he possesses the same faith and courage to drop everything and follow Jesus as Peter and Andrew did today. Deborah is appalled David would even consider such nonsense. Providing for his family should come first.
Chapter 14- The Sabbath day finally arrives in which the family had planned to attend synagogue in Nazareth and hear Jesus preach. Everyone is going, even Yehuda and his family have come from Beth Neela (just 4 miles away) and Uncle Aaron is going as well. Chaos erupts when Jesus reads a passage from Isaiah, declares himself the promised messiah and is thrown out, quite literally, from both his boyhood synagogue and village. To the dismay of Deborah, Aaron was part of the mob. Walking back to Beth Neela, everyone discusses the doctrinal aspects of what they witnessed.
Chapter 15- May A.D. 30 A few weeks have passed since the incident and David enters to find his wife baking bread with his favorite granddaughter. David shares the latest word about Jesus and the miracles he's performed such as healing the sick and blind. Deborah admits she is curious and agrees to join the rest of the family in hearing Jesus preach. Simeon is also part of the crowd which has assembled on a grassy hill. When Jesus starts preaching about the importance of loving your enemy, Simeon is so offended he stands up and leaves, to the embarrassment of the family. Leah, who stayed home to babysit, wants to know why Simeon came home so troubled by what he heard today. ("He said that?") David explains the real meaning behind Jesus' teaching: God wants us to live a higher law so we can become more like Him.
Chapter 16- Shana comes knocking to inform Deborah her cousin is very ill. She prepares to leave for Beth Neela at once. Leah and her father remain at home and are walking by the lake one morning when they meet Peter and Andrew who share the story of Jesus calming the wind and waves. Father and daughter are equally impressed and want to learn more.
Chapter 17- Leah and David spend the entire day following Jesus. Twice Leah runs back to the family home to persuade Simeon to come and see. David also shares the story of the angels with Leah who weeps and believes. Father and daughter observe the many miracles Jesus performs which includes the healing of a leper and the man who was let down through the roof of a house. Leah is so excited she declares she's returning home to DRAG Simeon back here if she has to.
Chapter 18- Simeon is touched by the testimony of his little sister but he'll pass on following Jesus. Spending the day balancing the books in the family warehouse is more important. Leah rejoins David, Ephraim and Rachel. They watch as Jesus calls one of the unpopular tax collectors to the ministry. To everyone's surprise, Matthew the Publican accepts. Unbeknownst to the rest of the family, Simeon has decided to come after all and he's troubled when Jesus heals the servant of none other than Sextus Rubrius. Simeon can't believe his own father, David, would vouch for the character of this man who nearly separated his entire family in the name of Rome. Again, Simeon turns in a huff and leaves, offended.
Chapter 19- What a remarkable day this has been. Everyone stands around discussing the miracles witnessed. Miracles not included in the last chapter are mentioned here: the woman with an issue of blood and raising Jairus' daughter from the dead. David and his family enter the family dwelling to find a note from Simeon saying he's gone to Beth Neela. They gather at Ephraim's for dinner where they talk more about Jesus and his ministry. Over in Beth Neela, Simeon tells his mother everything he's seen and felt so far concerning Jesus. Deborah shares his frustration. Yehuda tells Simeon they've been summoned by Mordechai for some kind of meeting in Jerusalem.
Chapter 20- Livia enters Miriam's room in excitement-Jesus is here in Jerusalem and is preaching at the temple. They leave the mansion immediately. On the way, Livia tells Miriam of a scene she witnessed. A man was reprimanded by the Sanhedrin for carrying his bedroll on the Sabbath. He explained that he'd been healed by Jesus ("He said that?") and Livia's heart was touched. They find Jesus in the midst of answering questions by the scribes and Pharisees when the man Livia was just talking about approaches to properly thank Jesus. Then the woman taken in adultery is dragged before Jesus. Livia is especially shocked and sympathetic as her own mother was probably sold into prostitution so the unfairness of this situation is very significant for her. As they walk back to the house, Livia and Miriam agree they want to learn more, forsake their old ways, (Livia will put away the Greek idols she prays to) and become followers of Jesus.
Chapter 21- Miriam is surprised to discover the meeting her father asked her to sit in on as scribe includes Simeon and Yehuda from Galilee. Mordechai lays out Pilate's plan: Moshe Ya'abin is planning to attack a Roman column with the intention of robbing them of the gold they carry but if Simeon and his band of merry men will ride in and act as avenging heroes they will be greatly rewarded by Rome and the desert will be safer for travel. It's an agreeable plan, the zealots are in. Next day, Marcus comes calling for Miriam and they sit in the courtyard and talk. He has news of Livia's family, her parents are dead but her younger brother may still be alive. Mordechai enters to talk privately with Marcus about "the plan," everything is coming together and those Zealots will be destroyed in the double cross. That night, Miriam finds her father in his study to inform him she wants to give Livia her freedom and officially adopt her. She's also been listening to this Jesus of Nazareth and likes what she's hearing. Mordechai, unfortunately, does not.
Chapter 22- Deborah is back from Beth Neela and shares with her husband what Simeon told her about his feelings toward Jesus and his teachings. David realizes the dividing lines have been drawn and hopes members of his family will all eventually become followers of Jesus. The next day, Deborah takes Esther to market where they see Jesus, surrounded by a throng of people. One of them is her brother Aaron. When a woman requests Jesus bless her child, shy little Esther surprises her grandmother by joining the children gathering around Jesus. Jesus picks her up as Deborah approaches and reminds her unless she becomes like her little grandchild, she cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Back at the house, Deborah tells David everything that happened and that she now believes.
Chapter 23- Simeon and Shana continue to make plans for their future life together as part of their courtship and betrothal. Shana understands that Simeon's risky involvement with the Zealot movement means he might not return home one of these nights but it's a sacrifice she's willing to make as the wife of such an important community leader. When Simeon arrives back home, he sits in the courtyard reflecting on how his family sat him down for what can only be called an "intervention" as everyone bore their shiny new testimonies to him about Jesus, including his own mother. They are all going to be baptized the next day and want Simeon to be there. He's torn as to which path he should follow. He has an epiphany: perhaps Jesus really IS the deliverer Messiah who will free them from Rome, he's just been biding his time! Simeon decides when that time comes he will be ready to follow Jesus by leading his men into glorious battle. The next day, this "golden investigator family" sans Simeon, enters the waters of baptism: David, Deborah, Ephraim, Rachel, Leah and Joseph. Peter and Andrew perform the ordinances with Jesus presiding. Aaron crashes the party but Simeon defends his family's actions and dismisses him. Simeon takes Jesus aside for a quick chat about the kingdom and is shocked when Jesus tells him, straight out, that he'd prefer Simeon take up his cross of sacrifice and follow him, not a sword. Simeon is ashamed to realize if he believes Jesus is the son of God, that means he doesn't need Simeon's pitiful band of armed Zealots to bring forth his kingdom. Esther, who has become quite taken with Jesus, comes over and, after Jesus whispers something in her ear, she giggles and informs Simeon he'll be getting baptized soon.
Chapter 24- Miriam and Livia have just spent an enjoyable evening hanging out in Miriam's room (braiding each other's hair, painting their nails, ect) talking, laughing and reading. Livia is touched at all Miriam has been doing to help reunite her with her family and wanting to adopt her but she must remember her place and it's time for her to retire to the servant's quarters for the night. Alone, Miriam stands at her darkened window and is surprised to see Marcus entering the garden to meet her father. She sneaks down to eavesdrop and is shocked when she overhears the other part of the plan her father forgot to mention to Simeon and Yehuda. It's a trap! Miriam runs to awaken Livia. They must warn their new friends, but how can two women leave Jerusalem without an escort?
Chapter 25- June A.D 30, Capernaum. Because David sits on the Sanhedrin council, he knows about the Roman activity to transfer a large sum of money north, he also heard about the large meeting that recently took place among all Zealot leaders and has put two and two together about Simeon's involvement in the attack on the Roman column. He is worried for his son's safety but Simeon is determined to follow through with this opportunity as it could be the opportunity Jesus needs to declare himself their deliverer. Today is the Sabbath and it's time for Synagogue. Jesus and his twelve disciples are gathered outside the building, visiting. Simeon talks to Peter who relates another incident they just had this morning passing through a farmer's field and being criticized by the elders for "harvesting" grain on the Sabbath day. Once inside, Jesus interrupts the services to heal a man's withered hand but because this is the Sabbath day, Aaron and the other Pharisees are quick to condemn.
Chapter 26- Simeon is in Beth Neela overseeing the preparation of his men for the upcoming raid. Yehuda leads them in training with bows and arrows. With all he has recently heard and seen, Simeon is beginning to doubt they should do this. Yehuda encourages him to return to Capernaum and talk with Peter. Simeon arrives just in time to participate in the feeding of the 5,000. Peter shares with Simeon more of the lessons and parables Jesus has been teaching about love and forgiveness. He tells Simeon if he's still questioning Jesus' paternity, he needs to go to Nazareth and talk with Jesus' mother. Mary will be happy to answer all his questions.
Chapter 27- Miriam and Livia managed to travel all by themselves, many miles northwest, to the seaside town of Ptolemais where they are staying with Miriam's favorite cousin, Lilly, who lives with her husband, Ezra the Sandalmaker. Miriam is chomping at the bit to get to Capernaum and warn Simeon who is, at this very moment, visiting with Mary the mother of Jesus of Nazareth. Mary shares her experiences: the annunciation, holy conception and Joseph's subsequent confusion about how best to handle this delicate situation. He's passed on now but he was the biological father of all their other children, except Jesus. She bears testimony to Simeon that Jesus has indeed come to save EVERYONE. Not from Roman subjugation, but from sin. Simeon finally gets it. No mortal man could accomplish such a divine task as The Atonement.
Chapter 28- Simeon walks alone, out in the wilderness, pondering his change of heart and what it will mean for the planned attack on Moshe Ya'abin and the Roman column. Now that he knows, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is the Christ, the one prophesied in so many scriptures he was made to memorize as boy in Hebrew school, he realizes he must give up his role as a Zealot leader. Yehuda is disappointed to learn Simeon will not be joining them in another exciting adventure but he understands. Simeon will return to Capernaum to tell his family there's going to be one more baptism.
Chapter 29- Deborah is up at sunrise, as usual, preparing for the day when there's an urgent pounding on the door. It's Miriam, Livia and Ezra. Simeon stumbles downstairs. He snuck in late last night without telling anyone. The family is just as alarmed by Miriam's warning as he is. They decide all the adults will travel with Simeon to site of the planned attack at the Joknean Pass because the safest road back to Jeruselem is also near that area. They hire a carriage for the women to travel in and this provides Deborah with the opportunity to talk about Jesus with Miriam and Livia; the bonds of Christianity are formed. Ezra, the driver of the carriage, also expresses interest in learning more. Arriving at their destination, the men leave to warn the others and the women farewell them with tears.
Chapter 30- David and Simeon find Yehuda. Without revealing the source of their information, they pass on the warning. Down in the Joknean pass, the wheel breaks right on cue, just as Marcus planned. While he rants and feigns his exasperation at this "delay" he is surprised by David and Simeon who ride straight into the Roman camp. It is midday and the "attack" isn't scheduled until later this evening. Simeon explains what is really going to happen, again without divulging his source. He promises them safe passage if Marcus will give them a share of the money and supplies they carry. Sextus and Marcus confer and declare "No deal." Father and son are taken hostage but they manage to escape.
Chapter 31- Simeon and David next call on Moshe Ya'abin to bring him up to speed on what's actually going to happen when he and his men attack everyone but Ya'abin doesn't believe them and is sticking to the original plan. Night falls, the moon comes up, and the signal for the attack is given. Simeon sees no choice but to dive in, try and save as many of his friends as he can. Thanks to the warning, Yehuda is holding his men back. He won't lift a finger to help the Romans but he will join in the fight to stop Ya'abin's men from getting away with all the Roman booty. Daniel, brother of Yehuda and Shana, is killed. Yehuda is captured by the Romans. A horrified Simeon witnessed it all, powerless to do anything, all his efforts to prevent this were in vain and he feels terrible. Shana is going to kill him.
Chapter 32- David finds Simeon the next morning. The woman are all safe but Simeon is still overwhelmed with grief: Daniel is dead, Yehuda will be tortured by the Roman's for information, Ya'abin got away with all the spoils; on top of everything else, Shana served Simeon the divorce papers. They are officially and legally broken up. All because Simeon and Yehuda lost their Zealot battle and got Daniel killed. Simeon returns to Capernum to face Jesus, a broken and humble young man who sees no other choice but to declare his belief in Jesus as the son of God. Jesus puts his hand on Simeon's shoulder and says, "It is enough."
The End
