Summary

The novel begins in the home of Natan, the prophet of King David of Israel, as he wakes near the construction site of the temple in Jerusalem. He hears the laborers hard at work but knows that he will not live to see its completion. He feels this is best, because he would not like to see it anyway without King David present, since it was he who conceived the plan to build the house of The Lord. He states that he is glad that at least he was able to complete his own life's work, the task of serving the Lord and His anointed King as well as write down the story of the King's life. In this way, the fullness of the King's life will be known - the light and the dark. Here, Natan tells the story of how...