Abomination: The Story of David & Jonathan
The tragic, intertwined destinies of a reckless, rising shepherd and a loyal prince shackled to his fading father's sins as they navigate a forbidden romantic bond amidst the brutal power struggles of ancient Israel.
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 12 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 9 Jul 2026
Wipf & Stock | Resource Publication
Talking about this book? Use #AbominationTheStoryofDavidJonathan #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
David, a shepherd from Bethlehem, and Jonathan, the son of the Israelite king, come face-to-face after the death of the Philistine giant, Goliath. Their encounter stirs the soul, and the two become one in a way that many believe but few have dared to write about. This love story follows the tragic journey of two bisexual men who are deeply connected, and yet whose destinies ultimately do not align. One is reckless and ascendant, while the other is loyal and shackled to the sins of his fading father. Abomination explores the definition of love with a contemporary, yet historical, spin on the lives of these two biblical heroes.
Readers should be advised that this novel contains elements of violence, sexism, misogyny, and ancient cultural bias / ethnic prejudice.
Advance Praise
QSpirit Queer Best Fiction Book of the Year
"Tracks closely to the biblical text. Impeccable research means times, places, and interactions adhere to the often harsh realities of the ancient world. This book does not shy aware from the glaring imbalances of ancient life, as depicted in First and Second Samuel. It does, however, steer readers into the worlds of two men who shared a passionate and troubled love story, with long-lasting implications even as they relate to current topics in our modern lives."
"A beautiful but controversial retelling of the Biblical story of David and Jonathan."
"The twist on what is an actual abomination went someplace completely different than anticipated, and in many ways had far more impact than simply being salacious."
"Richly researched and remarkably faithful to historical biblical texts, Abomination challenges traditional interpretations of ancient law while delivering a gripping, deeply emotional story of love and survival."
"I finished it in one sitting. A must for anyone interested in how the Bible relays this unique bond."
"I adore this biblical account of star-crossed lovers."
"Weaves historical and contemporary themes into this novel."'
"The characters come alive. Sometimes it's difficult to handle the pure disregard men had for women in 3000-4000 BCE. Yet the author shines a light on their devaluation."
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9798385259601 |
| PRICE | $9.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 250 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 4 members
Featured Reviews
this had everything that I was looking for from a historical fiction novel, it uses the concept perfectly and was engaged from start to finish. The plot was everything that I was expecting and enjoyed the love story of this. The characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed the elements of these characters and world. Jeza Belle wrote this well and was glad I got to read this.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Laini Taylor
Children's Fiction, Middle Grade, Sci Fi & Fantasy