God-Directed Fiction, Part 2 (Maakah)

by Mesu Andrews

In yesterday’s post, I shared some of my research process to layer biblical Truth with historical facts. But what do I do when history seems to contradict Scripture?

I fall on my knees and pray that the Lord will provide a creative fictional answer! In every book I’ve written so far, I’ve experienced at least one fact/Truth contradiction, and in every case, my creative Creator has provided a solution to combine biblical Truth, historical facts, and God-directed imaginings of what might have been.

Place: Where Is Princess Maakah’s nation Located?

In yesterday’s post, I shared the historical location of Geshur as the ancient city UNDER the New Testament city of Bethsaida. Our guide for my Israel-2020 readers’ tour pointed to irrefutable archaeological proof that Geshur was on the northeast side of the Sea of Galilee. But God’s Truth says this about Geshur’s location:

Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 1 Samuel 27:8

The “land extending to Shur and Egypt” is far south of the Sea of Galilee, and there was no archaeological proof of a southern Geshurite kingdom. How did I reconcile the irrefutable northern kingdom with the absolute Truth of God’s Word?

Using the Bible to Clear-up Contradictions

I’ve discovered that the Bible clears up many contradictions when I simply quiet my heart before the Lord and listen for His clarification.

Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish. 1 Samuel 27:9

What if David’s raids wiped out any archaeological evidence of a southern Geshur? This “what if” provided more tension when Maakah discovered David had raided all Geshurite villages established in Philistine/Israelite territory.

There is no contradiction that’s too complex for the Author of all things to reconcile. God-directed fiction is trusting the Creator to show me creative solutions to unexpected answers.

People: Who Were Maakah’s Ancestors?

While looking for information on Princess Maakah’s heritage, I searched Scripture for “Maakah” and found much more than the princess of Geshur. Maakah was also a nation that was Geshur’s. The people of the Maakah nation were called, Maakathites. What if…Princess Maakah’s ima (mom) was a Maakathite given in treaty marriage to King Talmai of Geshur? What if…Geshur’s queen named her daughter after her homeland?

Person: Who Is Maakah?

Can you see how the complex web of Maakah’s heritage could provide multiple story layers that could be biblically accurate and creative fiction that’s simply practical human nature? If you’d like to dig deeper into Maakah’s “what ifs,” check out my March 24, 2025 blog post, “Who Is Princess Maakah?”

MESU ANDREWS is a Christy Award-winning, best-selling author of biblical novels and devotional studies whose deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the Bible alive for readers. For more information, visit  MesuAndrews.com.

2025 Readers/Writers, Meet Maakah!

Today, August 19, 2025, is launch day for Noble: The Story of Maakah (Amazon affiliate link to audiobook format). At the time of creating this post, the audiobook is cheaper than either Kindle or paperback! You can also find Noble in many libraries or wherever books are sold.

CLICK HERE to visit Noble’s page on my website, where you’ll find a sneak peek chapter, a sample audio clip, a YouVersion companion Bible study, and more!