Remarkable in Their Own Ways: A King David Story

By Christy Kendrick

A humble young man steps into their world, bringing with him questions of surrender, loyalty, and devotion.

Summoned from his fathers farm and anointed as the future king of Israel, young David knows the life awaiting him will far exceed his fondest dreams. But he never anticipates his secret promise will threaten the agendas of some and capture the hearts of others. Soon caught in the maze of a king who is plotting his death, a prince with mysterious and unselfish devotion, and a princess who desires his heart, he flees from the palace he thought was his destiny.

Now a fugitive, outcasts become his only friends. A deeply complex and dangerous man becomes his loyal ally. He is the only hope for a shattered young priest, and the only desire of a beautiful and privileged woman with a desolate heart.

After winning the favor of many and being crowned their king, still some hate him. Others deceive him. Even his own son rebels against him, banishing him into exile.

Will the king forgive them and return to his promised throne? Will those who embrace him remain faithful, or will the sacrifices be too great? Only in the depths of their hearts will they find the answers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781973601197

Christy Kendrick

Christy Kendrick is a native Georgian who enjoys music, crossword and sudoku puzzles, journaling, silent retreats, and tea. Her interests include The Masters golf tournament, college and professional football, and fancy hotels. She has a Master’s degree in Primary Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

We’re completely surrounded! There’s no escape!

The captain could clearly see the figures of men forming a circle around them. Although small in appearance because of the distance, the moonlight revealed they stood with casual but attentive postures, and were equally spaced a few arm-lengths apart. I’m sure these are the valleys of Nabal. We’ve grazed sheep and cattle here many times over the years.

What are they doing? the captain asked as scouts returned and gathered around.

Actually, sir, it’s really odd. The men seem to have their backs to us.

I noticed that, too, another scout said. It’s almost like, well, like they’re protecting us.

And none of the men became aware of you?

The scouts all assured him they were neither seen nor heard.

Return to your flocks. Set up a watch schedule. Sound the trumpet if any of these men advance. But stay with your flocks and keep your men with you.

PART

ONE

1

Oh, stop squirming. I’m just trying to see how your leg is healing, he said as a sheep resisted him. Okay, you can go now. You’ll be good as new in no time. The sheep resumed its position on all four legs and trotted away with a slight limp.

As the youngest son, he was the overseer of his father’s small flock. It was a role he enjoyed. The sheep and goats grazed in a field surrounded by low, rocky hills. His own small hut extended from his very own cave, which he had discovered.

When he wasn’t busy milking or otherwise tending the animals, he looked across the field, imagining either a bear or lion had invaded the flock. Using his shepherd’s sling and rocks from the hills, he pelted the predator with stones until he was satisfied he had struck it squarely between the eyes.

At night, he loved to look at the stars and moon. He was familiar with their patterns and marveled for hours at the magnificence of the Creator, who set them all in place. He would make up songs and perform them on his lyre for the Lord.

As evening was approaching on this particular day, he heard someone calling him.

David! David!

He recognized his father’s neighbor, and trotted across the field to meet him.

You must come home now!

Why? What has happened? David asked, sensing alarm.

The prophet of the Lord has come to your father’s house. He is calling for you.

"The prophet is calling for me?" David asked.

Yes. You specifically are wanted. The prophet held a sacrifice in Bethlehem and will eat with your family, but not until you are there. I will stay here with the flocks until you return. Hurry!

David made the thirty-minute run to his father’s house, taking shortcuts through the crop fields. His brothers were gathered outside the house, and all conversation ceased abruptly when he reached them. He had hoped to clean up and dress appropriately before the prophet arrived, but he was among them already and eyeing him closely.

Yes, the prophet said. Yes, this is the one.

As his father and brothers stared, Samuel, the prophet, approached him and poured oil over his head. David blinked fiercely as it ran over his eyes, then he steadied his gaze at the elderly man.

What is your name? the prophet asked.

I am called David.

David, you are the Lord’s chosen one. You will be the king over all Israel.

2

David loaded milk jugs onto the small cart and harnessed the donkey. He walked beside the animal, holding the reins. The crop fields and homes of his brothers spanned the distance between David’s post and the home of his father. Soon, the low roofline came into view. Gentle smoke arose from ovens behind the house. He released the reins of the donkey and went inside. A long, narrow table to the right served as headquarters for family meals and celebrations. Two low couches faced each other on the left.

Hello? called David. Where is everybody? Milk’s here.

David walked into the kitchen area to prepare space for the jugs. Farmhands would later retrieve them and process the milk into cheese. As he began transporting the jugs, he encountered his father. They exchanged warm greetings, and soon their usual line of conversation ensued.

I know you want to join the battle, my son, but you are still too young. And there are the sheep and goats to tend.

But I’m not too young. I’ve killed both a bear and a lion. Real ones. I’m completely ready to become a soldier in the army of Israel, David replied.

It was true. Ever since the prophet had anointed him two years earlier, his father had witnessed a dramatic increase in his son’s stature and abilities. He was now taller and stronger than any of his brothers, and very accurate with his shepherd’s sling.

Perhaps just a visit to the battlefield will do him good. After all, the Lord is surely with him. There’s no harm that will come to him. And he is seventeen years old. Soon enough he will be a man.

I tell you what, his father said, why don’t you take some refreshments to the soldiers on the battlefield? Look for your brothers and ask how they are doing.

Excellent!

You’ll have to find someone to stay with your flocks.

I know, I know.

And then come right back. You will come right back, won’t you, my son? his father asked, looking at the handsome young man lovingly.

Yes, father. I will deliver the refreshments, see about my brothers, and come right back.

So early the next morning, David loaded up a donkey with loaves of bread, grains, and cheese, then left for the Valley of Elah.

3

The ground shook beneath David’s feet. The armies of Israel, now just a short distance ahead, began shouting furious war cries as they left their tents and ran to the battle line. David urged the donkey forward, trying to reach the battlefield quickly. But just as suddenly as the sounds had begun, they ceased. All was still.

Minutes later, he arrived at the Valley of Elah, a creek bed now dry because of the season. He approached the soldiers of Israel from behind. Glimpses of the Philistine army facing them across the valley could be seen through the men. He saw a supply tent a distance behind the battle line, and guided the donkey there. Leaving the refreshments with those on duty, David made his way among the soldiers, finally finding his brothers.

Father sent me with food for you. I left most of it at the supply tent, but I saved the best for you, David told his three brothers. What’s going on out here? Why isn’t anyone advancing?

Well, it’s like this, began Shammah, grabbing cheese and bread greedily and stuffing them into his mouth. The Philistines have brought in this really big guy. They’re waiting for somebody to take him on.

Oh, okay, replied David, thinking his brother was kidding. A really big guy, huh?

It’s no joke, said Abinadab. "He’s so big, King Saul has promised treasures and tax exemption for life to whoever can kill him. And his daughter in marriage."

Shh, said Eliab. Here he comes now!

From where David stood, he had a clear view of the Philistine under discussion as he stepped a short distance into the valley. A shield bearer walked before him, looking like a clumsy child in comparison to the massive Philistine.

Well, how about now? Ready to take me on? Or have you Israelis not gotten through to your God yet, like He can save you anyway, the giant called out from across the valley. Come on. Send somebody over. We’re ready to feed you guys to the birds and get on with our lives.

He waited a moment, and then turned around with a shrug and disappeared among the Philistines. His shield bearer ran along behind him.

Who is this guy who suggests our God doesn’t hear us or answer our prayers? I’ll be the one to face off with him. He’ll be dead in less than a minute. The Lord will enable me.

Oh, shut up, David! said Eliab. Like you can do anything about it. Shouldn’t you be heading home to that measly little sheep farm of yours?

What did I do? David asked as Eliab stormed away.

Shammah put his arm across David’s shoulders. It’s not you. It’s just that everybody’s frustrated. But be quiet before you get yourself in trouble. Father will never forgive us if we let you get yourself killed.

But a group of soldiers nearby had heard him, and word quickly reached Israel’s king that finally someone was willing to face off with the giant.

4

I don’t know what to do with him, King Saul whispered to Abner, his army commander. He’s such a young and handsome thing. Clearly no match for Goliath. I hate to see him sacrificed. But if he at least distracts the giant, the army can advance and finally have a chance of defeating the Philistines.

Step forward, young man, said King Saul. David approached and bowed.

Abner and all in the king’s circle were stunned as they surveyed David. He was taller than average, as was King Saul, and had an air of indescribable excellence about him. He appeared completely confident, but not in a brash way.

It’s truly admirable that you are willing to face such a mighty opponent. But come now, you are little more than a boy, and this man is an experienced fighter. Why do you make such claims that you can overtake him?

Your servant has been enabled by the Lord, our God, to face and defeat both a lion and a bear that threatened my father’s sheep. How much more so will He enable me to face this heathen who insults our army and our Lord? Those who defy our God have chosen their own demise.

All looked around with astonishment and then back at David.

You have spoken wisely, said the king. Place my armor on this young man.

David was helped into the armor of the king. He tested it by walking around briefly.

No, O king. I can’t move around well. I will go without it, David said as the armor bearers of the king took it away.

Very well, replied the king, as David stood again before him. The Lord be with you.

Among those who watched in wonder as David turned and left for the battle line was Jonathan, the son of the king.

5

David walked back toward the valley and silently made his way through the men. All talking ceased abruptly as he stepped beyond the battle line and up to the creek bed. The entire army of Israel, from one end of the battle line to the other, now watched him intently. He stooped and picked up five smooth stones from the creek bed, and placed them in a small pouch that hung from his belt. He then withdrew his weapon, his simple shepherd’s sling, and held it by his side. The sudden stillness of the Israelis drew the attention of the Philistines, who now stared at David as well. He stood upright, squaring his shoulders, and waited.

The voice of the giant was heard before he could make his way through the line of Philistine soldiers. Have you finally sent someone out to fight me? It’s about time!

When Goliath reached the front line, David moved to his left to face him directly. For a moment, Goliath eyed him with puzzlement. Then fury overtook him.

"What is this? he snarled. You’ve sent me a kid? A little pretty boy? Holding a stick, like I’m some kind of animal? How dare you insult me by playing a game with me. You and your entire army will be food for the birds and jackals before this day is over!"

The sound of the Philistines drawing their swords repeated across the entire length of the battle line.

Go ahead and draw your swords, David said. My weapon is the name of my God! It is He who will defeat you. You are who will be food for the beasts, if they’ll even have you. But not before you see for yourselves there is a God in Israel.

At this, Goliath moved toward David, who quickly took one of the stones from his pouch. Loading it in his sling, he ran toward Goliath, circling his arm. Focusing his eyes on the center of Goliath’s forehead, he released the stone from the sling.

The sound was little more than a pop, but Goliath stopped suddenly. With a dazed look on his face, he slowly fell forward, unconscious from the blow to his head. David ran toward him, took the giant’s own sword, and killed him.

All gazed in stunned silence. Then an Israeli unit commander uttered a battle cry. At once, the army of Israel sprang across the valley, dodging David and the body of Goliath as they ran forward. The Philistine army fled.

When all cleared the valley, only David was