Condemnation: The Calamity of Israel’s First Crown

By Debra George

MICHAL—She was supposed to be the official tie that bound Israel’s greatest warrior to its first king. But as no one can escape a clash of survival that pits the towering figures of her father, King Saul, against her husband, David, it is Michal who must come to grips with the fatal threat to her and her family as their nation edges toward civil war.

DAVID—As a keeper of sheep and slayer of Goliath, David was always at his happiest when serving the God he loved. He wins monumental battles to become Israel’s most celebrated military hero, but struggles with losing those who matter most to him in order to fulfill his destiny. Despair and emptiness are answered with God’s power to become one of the most famous Old Testament stories of all times.

SAUL—He had been given the historic highest honor as the Lord’s own selection to become the first king to lead the godly nation of Israel. King Saul was determined to bring Israel even greater glory while immortalizing his own name. But as self-preservation overcomes his judgment, Saul’s story becomes “Condemnation”—where deepening ego can only invite increasing torment from the God he had dedicated his life to serving.

Condemnation: The Calamity of Israel’s First Crown speaks to the world of today, one of political corruption, strange alliances, wars, passion, and betrayal—all of which are attached to the tremendous spiritual forces of good and evil. This epic Old Testament story prefigures biblical stories that were to follow while it mirrors the challenges of our present day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Jan 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480858282

Debra George

As an American descendant of a Nazarene from the Holy Land, Debra George was born and raised in the Orthodox Christian faith. Throughout her life, history in the making has moved her pen around as a freelance journalist to record changes going on across the globe along with the subsequent reactions from those most passionately affected here in America. In 1988, she worked on an African-American news magazine, The Heritage, during Jesse Jackson’s climactic but unsuccessful bid to become the first African-American major party candidate for president. That same year, the Palestinian “Intifada” (Uprising) made headlines and she obtained reaction through countless interviews with Palestinian-Americans and people from all walks of life for her local television show Evening Arabesque, which she produced and wrote for five years. In 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, she interviewed German-American reaction for a local radio station. During 1990-91’s Desert Storm, she broke down barriers to share Arab-American reaction on Evening Arabesque. Her interviews earned her an award from the Syracuse Chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) in 1994. Debra was the publicist for her parish’s Middle Eastern Festival for 30 years. She also worked public relations for PBS Celebrity Chef Julie Taboulie, America’s first TV Culinary Star with a lifestyle series about the Lebanese/Middle Eastern cuisine.

Book preview

Condemnation

The Calamity of Israel’s

First Crown

A destructive dance of destiny that set two families on a

bloody collision course that only one of them could survive,

while threatening an entire nation with civil war.

Debra George

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Copyright © 2020 Debra George.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

With the exception of historical figures and events as recorded in the bible, all other characters and events in this novel are fictitious.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Cover photography by: Elizabeth George

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-5827-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-5828-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018901315

Archway Publishing rev. date: 1/17/2020

Contents

Foreword From Author:   Fact, Fiction, & Filling in the Gaps

Credit Page

Prologue   One God, Two Families

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About the Author: Debra George

Foreword From Author:

Fact, Fiction, & Filling in the Gaps

While the book you are about to read is based on a true story sourced from both books of Samuel in the Old Testament, whereby the major events recorded mostly steer the main storyline, this unique adaptation connects the dots with my own embellished components of romance and the paranormal, which I blended in to reimagine the famous trials, tribulations, and tragedies of Israel’s first monarchy. Factual portions, contextual and foreshadowed elements are taken from the King James Bible and are noted throughout as citations for convenient referencing, with language modification for modern-day understanding and entertainment.

With King Saul’s torment being such a crucial yet vague catalyst in the scriptural version, my first adjustment was to augment this paranormal aspect, especially since the bible does not offer any specifics concerning exactly what took place as the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit of the Lord troubled him (1 SAMUEL 16:14). Just what did Saul see? What did he hear? Did he feel anything other than being troubled, and was he physically affected? I created the details in response to those questions, which included turning this evil spirit into an important character who echoes Prophet Samuel’s warnings and responds to King Saul’s choices through the multiplying manifestations of Condemnation. During much of this novel, this evil spirit is the force confronted for fateful temptations and tests, as even biblical heroes must struggle with being human. Moreover, while my title choice may be disquieting to some, the weight of its meaning within the scope of this cautionary narrative serves as a healthy reminder that, in fact, all of us have demons we must conquer in our quest to draw closer to God.

My other amendments included taking a Tudoresque approach to the ruling family, along with magnifying the romance between Princess Michal and David upon which I infuse a heavy dose of Wuthering Heights passionate haunting. This portrayal fittingly parallels Saul’s own haunting.

As anyone already familiar with this bible story might expect, my greatest challenge, which resulted in the need for exercising most of my dramatic license, came from taking the scarcely detectable Princess Michal and formulating an entire personality and story for her. I had to construct, virtually from scratch, her life along with capturing her soul, as the bible only makes mention of her a few times. One such biblical reference is when her own father describes her in 1 SAMUEL 18:21 as being a snare to David; this quote opened the door for me to extend its implication for use in character building in the angling of it as a justified criticism of Michal; it was this consideration that influenced my giving her the key personality trait of being a difficult person. I combined that, as an inborn trait, with the probability that she experienced some measure of frustration by living within the constrained, traditional role of women during those times—even for privileged women—especially given her extraordinary challenges. Beyond those two points, the rest of her character was otherwise open to the imagination. When addressing Michal’s status as a mother, I chose to answer the fascinating biblical contradiction of 2 SAMUEL 6:23 vs. 2 SAMUEL 21:3 through the entertainment of mystery and romance that are expressed through a lineup of reimagined yet plausible plot twists. And while I fabricated a God-given talent for her that not only graces her life with meaning and grants needed hope, this choice, more importantly, conveys the importance and value of the fundamental Christian teaching of helping others. I went on to design her dreams, expand upon challenges, expose heartbreaks, maturation, and development. Simply put, I took Michal from being a few scriptural seeds and harvested her into a living, breathing woman.

While none of us can ever really know what Michal was truly like, what Saul’s torment really involved, or even what David’s own inner battles might have been, it is my hope that within the pages of this book you will find yourself drawing closer into a more intimate, spiritual bond with these main characters of Israel’s first monarchy for a kinship that inspires you to open this book’s chief source—the bible itself. May your faith be enhanced and your link to God grow in this story’s humble attempt to facilitate connecting you to the bible, which will always be the greatest book ever written.

—Debra George

Credit Page

BIBLE CITATIONS

Condemnation is sourced from a unique Pan-Christian prospective, with quotes taken from The Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible blended with the understanding of the Orthodox Study Bible (St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint, Copyright 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology). While the King James version holds the distinct honor of remaining the most widely used bible today, which makes it most convenient for all readers to refer to, the Orthodox Study Bible gives a fascinating, contemplative presentation of the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament, making it even more Gospel-infused by which the prophesies and events that foreshadow (prefigure) the coming of Jesus Christ are that much more magnified.

I gratefully acknowledge the insight shared by Mr. Paul Goetz of St. Athanasius Academy in my efforts to align or balance fictional creative content with biblical accounting, and to weigh the great responsibility of accuracy particularly relating to godly judgement (hence the direct relationship between the title and the subtitle choices, consistently linking the two throughout the story to emphasize the condemnation of Saul’s reign, not of Saul himself), as well as toward actual character deeds and misdeeds.

My loving thanks to my husband, Gary George, whose immense help and support made this book possible. I am also grateful to our children, Zakary, Elizabeth, and Grace for their patience and understanding with sharing their mother with a laptop as I wrote this book and through the many lengthy edits that followed.

COVER DESIGN

My loving and proud thanks goes to artist Elizabeth George who created the Cover Art for this book.

In loving memory of my parents

John Jack & Deanna (Young) Rezak

Prologue

One God, Two Families

Circa 400 years after Moses: Israel’s Royal Family

Like a wildcat fleeing repressive domestication for the untamed jungles, two scurrying bare feet escaped from the billowy, arched-beam entry out onto the open dirt street. They had succeeded in carrying their person past the obstacles of incarcerating commands while dodging overbearing righteous looks.

Who would think that being royalty could be so enslaving?

The restless preteen princess felt like she had been born into a cage display of an excessive formality, but to what end? For God? For country? For mere public consumption? The servants’ children were watched less, thereby able to get away with more!

For her own satisfaction, Princess Michal overdramatized rubbing at her throat to relieve a perceived strangling sensation brought on by a childhood filled with words and actions steered by fate’s tightly held leash. As her hand fell away, her sanity began its demand to leave behind, at least for this one evening, the immense yoke that her title bore on her.

Now panting in the delight of being so unprotected, not even bridled by a traditional head covering, and armed only with a sportive tambourine, Michal’s coiling, long strands of loose, thick, dark hair swung tempestuously in the breeze of the maturing hour. The exotic jewels of her atypical bright blue almond-shaped eyes were radiated by a blossoming face that now beamed as she soaked up the scene with outstretched arms more than ready to clasp it all in.

The outside air was heavily scented with varying aromas of food pits cooking away, provoking watering mouths and impatient stomachs. Multiple choruses of chattering royal servants and various residents rushed about—not really noticing but still trying to avoid bumping into the princess—in their blind obsession to prepare for the evening’s festivities. Their conversations described the upcoming agenda for the celebratory tribute to the completion of the king’s fort, which included an exciting bonfire, performances by some of the finest musicians in the land, scores of singing and dancing along with the great feast that promised to be talked about for years to come.

Michal tapped nervously at her tambourine, which kept the count of the seconds as she waited for the sun to disappear. Dusk was just starting to fall and the excitement was rising in Gibeah, a bustling hill town that enjoyed prominence over all other cities in Israel’s monarchy, with the bragging rights of being the royal hometown of King Saul and his family.

Saul and his queen, Ahinoam, had six children, counting Michal. Three of Michal’s brothers, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, were all soldiers in their father’s army. There was another brother, Ishbosheth, who was younger than the others and often overlooked. Michal had only one sister, Merab, who was older. Michal and Merab did not look nor act related and, despite Michal’s need to eclipse her sister, the two possessed the type of close bond that only they understood. Michal’s eldest brother, Jonathan, was in line to inherit their father’s throne and was a senior commanding officer in Israel’s army; he was considered the second most powerful person in the kingdom next to the king himself.

Jonathan’s standing could oftentimes be challenged, not by a brother in the possible vying for the crown but rather by the youngest sister who refused to accept her proper place in the royal pecking order. Princess Michal wanted to be the first noticed and the best loved. She sought to draw every eyeball and own the last word.

The center of attention was her natural environment and she thrived in it, unlike any sense of being at home in her residence which Michal now deliberately kept her back to. The princess did not want to think about the imposing two-story palace that dominated the area, but the shadow cast by its lofty presence covered her and the ground before her. The supersized dwelling was made from the best of hewn stone and boasted a large mortar balcony with low walls to allow the scenery of the active street on one side. On the other side was a spacious central courtyard with greenery that included palm and olive trees. The construct of the roof above it followed suit and served to often host tents and tables for outdoor dining. Though Michal closed her eyes, she could not clear her cluttered mind from the torchlit interior that kept the surveying eye too busy with its lavishly adorned décor. Stucco ceilings towered above stone walls and floors, which were stamped with dizzying multi-colored tapestries and rugs. Accents of loud, richly colored purple veils divided main areas. Dotting each room were the blinding precious metal and gem candle stands, buffed free from any evidence of handling. Tabletops could barely be seen through their overload of delicate trinkets and dainty serving vessels. Numerous stiffly uncomfortable cedar furniture chairs were always off by a degree in the perfect alignment of facing each other despite near constant correcting by servants. But none of the pieces dared rival the intimidatingly oversized silvery cedar-crafted throne placed in the back court where all walkthroughs led. Just one tour was enough to leave any visitor rubbing his or her throbbing temple with the attempt to blink it all off in an amazed reflection.

Princess Michal opened her eyes, which instantly became hyperactive as they darted about aimlessly. By the sheer accident of her frenzied flight’s direction, she now faced the town’s newest sight that her wandering mind dismissed registering, even though anyone else would have declared the visual to be as captivating to the eye as it was to the imagination. Gibeah’s latest attraction was the recently completed quadrangular fortress that had taken long, laborious years of painstaking construction. Any random initial viewing would find itself caught up in the enormity of the project, starting with the massive boulders that had been used for the impregnable exterior. As the eye traveled upward, it would encourage a body to back up for the visual appreciation of the four strategically placed rectangular corner-towers laced with pointed bronze fencing at each vertex. What the interior looked like was left to a gossipy mystery to most, as any further exploration was warded off by security forces visually evident in the above towers and behind sharp weaponry at the front entrance.

Although Michal’s father and his most prominent commanding officers had gone through a lengthy, multifaceted process to carefully screen and select an elite force whose sole assignment was to now safekeep the new stronghold, Michal’s curiosity knew no bounds and she had already used her assets of title and looks to sneak in and scout.

It had been at an ungodly hour the previous night when she had accessed the foreboding fort with the aid of a young admirer of hers who was nephew to one of the guards. With fleeting excitement, characteristic of her struggle with near-constant tedium, she had discovered that the inside was a whole other world, with the fort having been cleverly built over an underground spring-fed well of water. It was surrounded by a maze of multiple chambers, some of which were storage rooms stocked with grains, dried fruits and meats, as well as pickled vegetables, to fully equip occupants with the ability to survive for years.

The fort’s purpose had been deemed necessary by Michal’s father given that not only was Israel almost always at war with neighboring threats, but the ambitious king had made many personal enemies by having led so many assaults. The fort ensured that the House of Saul, as the royal family was referred to, would be effectively protected against any invasion.

It was easy to see that Gibeah’s residents were pleased with such an admirable construction that all had contributed to in the love of their nation and king as they now organized for the evening’s event.They felt prouder and happier as a country with having enjoyed the first monarchy to call their very own which matched the leadership integrity of neighboring nations. Saul had brought them true unified statehood. Before him, Israel had been more tribal and was ruled by priestly judges.

Michal’s mother had frequently reminded her children about how these judges, along with their sons who had expected to inherit their fathers’ positions, had taken their entrusted duty of enforcing God-given laws and exploited them for personal earthly gain. It had proven to be a gross miscalculation, having cost them the support of the public. The children of Israel devoutly regarded their legislation as sacrosanct. Referred to as Mosaic Law since it was delivered by God to Moses over 400 years ago, it was what set them apart as God’s chosen people so that they would know what was expected of them to live God-pleasing lives.

Michal’s father took pleasure in recounting how the people had demanded, and received, a king to put an end to the judicial tyranny.

Yet there did remain one judge whom everyone still revered. Samuel was old, but he had always been Israel’s trusted prophet who delivered messages that came straight from God Himself. It had been through Samuel’s oversight that Michal’s father had been chosen by God as Israel’s first king, and this leadership had been made official through the holy anointment that Samuel had administered to Saul. (1 SAMUEL 8:19-10:1)

Princess Michal had never needed to question why her father had been picked. He was the very vision of a great king. A man like no other in height and handsomeness, he physically towered over other men. Michal prided herself on having inherited his good looks, along with her mother’s unusual and beguiling blue eyes. The physical attributes, plus the inbred of Saul’s cunningness, were implements Michal was becoming skillful at using for her own edge. Not only had she been able to take a sneak peek at the forbidden interior of the fort with a little sweet-talking, she had also benefitted from using the flirting with the cook’s son to be smuggled an additional fig cake for dessert. And then a wink at a gems tradesman had paid off with the secret gift of a sapphire bracelet to add to her growing collection.

But Michal had also discovered that paternal heredity had equally bore serious hinderances, plaguing her with Saul’s excessive competitiveness and boisterousness. The bad traits, more times than not, would outweigh the positive inherited counterparts. Michal’s smugness over the gain of the extra fig cake to outrival Ishbosheth for her own entertainment had led to his tattling and their mother warning Michal about how a lady needed to maintain an agreeable figure. Michal had been sent to bed without supper, but the lesson had conveyed to Michal what she considered a more valuable education; that night, Michal had made sure that her secret new bracelet was well hidden as if it was covetous stolen merchandise. She had also put a hungry mouse in Ishbosheth’s bed to teach him a lesson.

Saul himself had not seemed to experience any such personal detriment, as he often used his size and loud bluster to effectively bully everyone around him, including his own family. When King Saul struck his children, which he would not hesitate to do in public when displeased, it was enough to make them see stars. Special locks had been placed on the doors of their bedchambers for the punishing option of extended detainment. Discipline was commanded, love was optional. The House of Saul was not a warm one. But all of it had taught the audacious Michal to become craftier and not get caught when she stepped out of line—which she often did.

Now, with both hands, Princess Michal held up as high as she could her goat-skin tambourine. Its rim of gold flashed the disappearing pinkish rays of the sun as it began to hide over the horizon.

It had started cooling, with dusk stepping aside to allow the dark’s approach. Blackening tones began submerging the royal hometown, signaling one small flame to become a blazing bonfire. No sooner was it flaring and its smell of burning wood carried into the air, when Princess Michal drew to it as she gave her tambourine ringing quivers to produce a sound reminiscent of a rattlesnake about to strike.

Mouths stopped talking and heads turned in response.

Michal hit her tambourine and followed it with a silence that distracted and drew attention.

She rattled the bells of her instrument, struck her tambourine again, and allowed another silence that toyed with anticipation…

No sooner did the royal juvenile begin to drum her instrument in a rhythm that stole the scheduled commencement of the celebration then her out-of-breath mother entered the scene and yelled out in immediate response.

Michal, get back here! Queen Ahinoam bellowed in warning, Stop that this instance!

The queen hesitated under the torched lighting at the arch of the palace’s front entry, which faced the busy dirt street.

As was Michal’s custom, she didn’t listen. Instead, purposely facing away from her mother, the youngster continued to loudly play her tambourine. It echoed a tempting invitation through the thickening night air, with the musical allure metastasizing to the rest of Michal’s body which began to sway in response.

The queen stretched her hands upward in mock defeat and heaved an enormous sigh. The elder royal let her hands drop with such a conquered force that they bounced off the sides of her stiffly regal simlah dress.

Those who were passing froze and watched Michal.

A big grin crossed Michal’s face, and she unleashed a lively dance in front of the flaming bonfire, with light bouncing theatrically off the princess’s face and flashing her person against the shadows of the very fortress to be celebrated.

In contrast to the queen, and always at the ready to outdo all others, Michal was donning a flamboyantly embroidered tunic-like dress. As an expert seamstress, she had added extra fabric for a loose flow and raised the hem above her ankles so it would swing in every direction to accentuate her dance moves.

All that mattered to the princess was the sweet sensation she experienced as her unsandled feet, a scandalous appearance for those of importance, seemed to magically lift off the ground for airborne ascents to propel magnificent leaps that defied gravity. Michal embodied an eye-popping, colorful brilliance against the backdrops of the darkening sky, the ruddy earth of the surrounding area with its dully dressed occupants that blended in with the night, and various stone structures that comprised the neighborhood that included the palace itself.

The girl vaguely sensed that her mother was looking about to see if any palace servants were nearby to come to her aid, but this would prove to be useless. Michal had counted on them doing their best to steer clear of the scene; they had always complained that Michal was too much of a handful, tough to manage, and a source of great frustration to anyone who tried. Michal had once overheard one of her attendants complain to her mother that most of the palace servants would rather confront a disturbed hornet’s nest than attempt to handle the younger princess.

But Michal knew she was a sweet sight to the onlookers, who were now smiling at her in response. She personified the electric pulse of energy in the air, drawing in all those around as they began to clap. Their rhythmic hand claps supported her infectious celebration as they encouraged her on, to which she happily obliged.

She danced faster, attracting even more of a crowd, ushering in all of those within viewing to begin chanting her name, Michal! Michal!

Michal danced even faster and repeatedly slapped at her tambourine to sound like an excited heartbeat. Many voices yelled as one, Michal! Michal! There was joy, hope, a bright future ahead for all of them! Some of her adoring male onlookers even jumped in to dance alongside her, and drums from somewhere in the dark chimed in.

She began to twirl for them.

Michal! Michal! their chants grew.

Stop! Ahinoam yelled.

But Michal twirled faster, becoming a spinning blur.

The crowd drowned out all other noises: Michal, Michal! They began to applaud.

Stop! Ahinoam yelled again to no avail.

The bonfire’s legion of flaming limbs reached desperately upward as the unseen drumming somehow became unsynchronized and descended into a banging clamor.

Then the queen raised her voice, which somehow was able to penetrate like the thrust of a deadly spear, "Stop before I tell your father!"

Such words cut through any measure of chaos. The mere vision of Saul’s fiery red glare had the same effect as an explosion ripping through, enough to cause Michal to lose her balance.

Mich—! Voices and all drumming came to an abrupt halt.

Michal felt herself falling…

Michal! she heard her mother cry out.

Landing with a thud in a lying down position that kicked up the dry dirt around her, Michal felt something slice through her. She reached for the stabbing pain on her knee cap and felt wetness. She held up her hand to the light of the bonfire to see red smear on her fingers. Michal looked down to see a small dark pool that had formed on her knee, which she had scraped against a pointed rock where she had landed.

An uncomfortable silence established itself over the setting along with an army of blank stares that were illuminated by the robust crackling fire. Its emission now turned the air unpleasant.

The young girl was immediately covered by hands too countless to distinguish their owners, all offering to help her. Michal tried to sit up but their reaches buried her. Instead of smiling now, they were alarmed.

The juvenile was very embarrassed. I’m fine, she said ruefully, gently pushing them back as she finally managed an attempt to get up on her own. But the attempt was unfruitful, she fell back limp at the sight of her mother infiltrating the inside of their circle and glaring at Michal.

Queen Ahinoam, whose disapproving face flickered in the firelight, stuck her hands on her hips and said through frowning lips, The show is over, everyone.

The people dispersed like water leaking from multiple cracks in an urn, with Michal wishing she could blend in with them to exit the scene. Instead, she was left alone in the spotlight of her mother’s scowl.

It was familiar territory.

You should have listened to me! Ahinoam lectured.

Michal sighed in surrender but pleaded, Please don’t tell Father…

When I tell you to do something, or not to do something, I expect you to do exactly what it is that I’ve said. How many times…?

But the people enjoyed my dancing. Michal defended, clumsily rising to her feet. They wanted me to dance.

Her mother grabbed her by the arm and started to lead her back to the palace. In a low growl so as not to be overheard, Ahinoam said, As your mother, I am your authority—they aren’t. Her anger reverted to desperate appeal. Oh Michal, Michal, when will you learn? You must follow my instructions instead of doing whatever it is you feel like doing. When I want you to stop, you need to stop, regardless if it seems to make sense to you at the time or not. I’ve done my best to teach you how to conquer your impulsiveness and exercise restraint. You need to master this self-discipline so that you can conduct yourself properly—especially in the role of princess, as the daughter of the king himself. You need to be diligently constrained and integrate that into your everyday life because…always remember…, her voice became hoarse and crackled like the fire, "remember that there are many different ways to fall!"

If mother and daughter could agree on nothing else, at that very moment they were in unison on hoping that this moment in time would be forever forgotten, albeit for dissimilar reasons.

Michal frowned and looked away as she said automatically, I’m sorry.

They stopped, and Ahinoam stared at her. But Michal refused to meet her gaze, like countless times before. The queen sighed and said, The only apology that can be accepted is one that comes from a truly repentant heart. Her voice lowered for added graveness, Otherwise, you are only sorry that you got caught; you are not sincerely sorry for what you did.

Princess Michal raised her head in indignation, closing off any attempt at constructive conversation, and limped past her mother toward their royal home as her untreated wound continued to bleed, stain, and ruin her royal clothing…

Several Months Later: A Shepherd’s Family

Dusk was settling around the hillside community of Kirjath-Jearim, which was only a few miles away from Gibeah. Yet, with the unassuming remote village being on the other side of a mountain that walled it off from the royal hometown, there was the impression that Kirjath-Jearim was much farther away.

Within the area of the village, there stood one residence, the House of Abinadab, which held such a special distinction that it elevated the unlikely village in its standing to make it central to all of Israel—upon this house’s grounds sat the grand tent tabernacle that housed Israel’s greatest gem, the legendary Ark of the Covenant. The holy Ark was a chest of gold, decorated with golden angels on top, that contained Mosaic Law’s famous Ten Commandments written by the hand of God Himself on slates of stone. These had been delivered by Moses to the people and were God’s ten most crucial laws to be obeyed.

The story of how the Ark had arrived to be stationed at such an odd location was a favorite subject with the men of Kirjath-Jearim, who liked to share how they had courageously recovered the divinely temperamental Ark after it had been stolen by one of Israel’s greatest enemies, the Philistines. The enemy had suffered several plagues sent by God while the Ark had been with them—causing them to become deathly afraid of it and relieved when they no longer possessed it. While the men of Kirjath-Jearim had risked their lives to recover the Ark, they knew it was best not to press their luck by moving it far. God had imposed such strict rules on how to handle an item so sacred that, even before it had been stolen, the chest had been marked as hands-off by the Israelites themselves for fear of inviting God’s own destruction. So there, at the House of Abinadab, the famous Ark stayed; no man in all of Israel would risk trying to move it again to a location that made more sense. (1 SAMUEL 7:1)

Out of national concern that the precious piece not be stolen again, the House of Abinadab had been tasked with overseeing the Ark’s round-the-clock armed protection, which King Saul had always allocated. But of late, as Saul’s reign matured, the guise of the guards began changing.

And now, as a new lineup of evening guards reported for duty, they displayed unhardened faces that helmets could not cover and were atop less than strongly toned bodies that full armor itself could not hide.

They were greeted by dusk’s replacement of a thick cover of darkness that fell from the sky, blotting out the moon and stars above. The later hour brought abrupt gusts of wind, their sustained intensity kept blowing out torches on the ground and even candles inside village homes. So absolute was the darkness that it had a disorienting effect on both the recruits and the residents.

People closed their shutters and turned in for the evening.

The guards gave up on trying to keep all the torches lit and released themselves to the weight of the evening by dropping to sit near the tabernacle while others even laid back. As the dense night wore on, each one eventually nodded off. When the last closed his eyes, the repeated gusts ceased as suddenly as they had begun.

Then came a mighty breeze resembling a great inhalation that swept through, followed by a greater gust that blew in the opposite direction. It carried a glowing, blueish fog that blanketed the entire area. All mortals present were left completely unaware. The whole village of Kirjath-Jearim and the House of Abinadab, along with all servants and guards, were in a state of sleep so deep they seemed dead.

An azure glow began to silently emit from the Ark. As if pushed by some giant invisible hand, its lid began to inaudibly open and a blinding, bright blue-white heat shot out through the tabernacle to pierce upward, cutting right through the overcast.

In its light, an image began to form. It shifted and gradually materialized into a soaring angel. Then a second one sprung up within the glow. Another arrived, and more kept coming until there was a whole squadron of them within the mystical beam. Without sound, they moved down toward the Ark and up into the sky within the great light. All the while, each one of them faced the direction of Bethlehem…

Miles away, with staff in hand, a shepherd boy of thirteen years of age was still wide awake with a small fire for warmth and light as he tended his father’s sheep in the open field just outside their hometown of Bethlehem. He casually glanced toward the distant horizon. But, to his shock, instead of seeing the expected darkness of the sky, his ruddy eyes beheld the spectacular sight of an unbelievably great celestial light beaming from the ground to the sky.

He dropped his staff and stared in awe for several moments. Were those angels ascending and descending in that distant light?

Papa! he screamed.

He jumped to run up a grassy hill toward an encampment of tents, with his keffiyeh head covering loosely flapping about, yelling, Papa! Papa! Eliab! Shammah, Nethaneel… and on he called for the rest of his brothers…and, in fact, anyone that would listen.

Moments later, the men all came rushing down toward him. They were barefoot, equipped with weapons and torches in hand, wearing only the hagor apron-like undergarments they had worn for sleepwear—fully expecting to find their herd under attack.

But after a quick study to find their sheep were fine, they turned in surprise to the boy for an explanation. They converged all their torches to point at him for a good look.

Did you see it?! he burst. He whipped a pointed finger in the direction of what he had witnessed.

But it had passed, and only darkness could be seen.

Papa, it was this amazing light, the boy declared, jumping with every word, like no other! I saw it over there. On that horizon and into the sky. And there were angels in that light!

Perplexed, the boy’s family turned to look again. There was still nothing but empty blackness.

After a moment, his father gave a laugh and patted him on the head playfully.

David, my boy, you have a great imagination.

His older brothers joined in their father’s laughter.

David felt himself blush, and he looked away. He did not like to look like a fool in front of all the men in his family. He knew what he had seen, even if the others hadn’t and didn’t believe.

David decided he would not let their disbelief bother him.

After they left, he went back to his campfire and took out his lyre to pluck at it. David had never been educated in music, but he had become so naturally talented with it by both voice and instrument that he was often asked at celebrations to perform. He played so well that his music could raise the most grieving of spirits and bring even the very shy to their feet to join his melody in dance. David had even begun to compose his own music to the delight of all who listened, which he enjoyed working on to pass the time while tending the flock.

Now his music came to life as it helped him process what he had just experienced. He began inventing a tune and spent the rest of the evening making up lyrics that described his amazing vision.

His lyrics began to take on an explanation for the evening. Maybe the others had not seen because they weren’t meant to? Maybe that moment had been for David’s eyes only?

It wasn’t long before he mastered his tune, turning it into an inspirational psalm of testimony. Any remaining overcast dissolved, and the stars appeared to dance in their twinkling in response to the music from this shepherd boy. Even the sheep, who were usually asleep well before now, faced him as they seemed to give him their full attention.

Would David ever see such a sight again? And what did it mean? Would he ever find out?

David would never forget the experience. Though he couldn’t figure out its exact significance, he realized that the vision had appeared to him from the direction of Kirjath-Jearim where the Ark of the Covenant was. That had to be more than a coincidence! He believed the miraculous view had been a direct sign from God and that David had been uniquely selected to have witnessed it.

Days then weeks passed. They collected and became months. During this time, David would reflect upon the special experience and wonder about it. The adolescent, however, did not let his thoughts interfere with his duty toward his father’s flock, a job he eventually came to do without any family supervision available nearby on that range outside of Bethlehem.

Yet, that vision had marked David’s soul and left him feeling like there was more of a world waiting that God intended for him than could be found within those fields. The unsatisfied ambition would sometimes creep into David’s attempts to compose a psalm, leaving him frustrated with being unable to musically express his maturing connection to God.

On one such day, as David steered the sheep toward greener pastures, he coaxed, Come on, stay on this path I have made for you so that you will not starve. He found his creativity responding as he recited aloud, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He looked around his environment and continued, He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me besides still waters… (PSALM 23)

One of his animals went too far astray. The boy sighed as he scurried over to it and used his staff to lead it back onto the path with the others.

Suddenly, from behind the brush about twenty feet away, a mammoth brown bear sprung out at him.

Jolted, David managed to reach into a sack he was carrying and pulled out a sling he had made. He frantically grabbed a stone from the same sack, placed it in the sling and began swinging it.

The bear charged at him then stood up on its hind legs like a lethal monster approaching, with fangs and claws on display.

David released the stone in aim. It landed and bored itself into the bear’s forehead, leaving a fleshy hole where blood began to pour from. The beast rocked then tumbled with a heavy thud. It slowly closed its eyes and heaved a last breath.

David breathed heavily as his hand covered his madly thumping heart, panic now settling in to make his whole body shake. He closed his eyes to give thanks to God for his life and opened them to see three small bear cubs running away from the scene. The boy felt sorry for them, but it had been an unavoidable accident. He hadn’t meant to cross paths with a mother ferociously protecting her babies.

He returned to his own parental role of protecting his sheep. The near-death experience had drained him of creativity. Now at a loss for further composing, the young shepherd would have to wait for inspiration to reemerge in order to finish that psalm he had started. He wanted this new psalm to be about more than merely describing how God accompanied him there in the field. David wanted his lyrics to speak to something more deeply resonating on a spiritual level than all obvious things on the surface could offer in testifying to God’s grace. Yet, with his own lack of such understanding, he would have to wait until he was delivered better insight on such things.

The endowment of wisdom grew side by side with mortal strength.

David had been allowed to become independent from his family’s oversight mostly because he had proven he could defend the flock against hungry predators all by himself. When he faced these dangers, as the case had been with the mother bear, not only would the sheep be at risk but his own life would be on the line. David was a light sleeper and would instantly awaken to any nightly threat. What his small size could not thwart bodily, his ingenuity would compensate for by constructing unique gadgets like his slingshot to be used as weapons to overcome.

David began to find that he even relished these campaigns to innovatively overpower the wild opponents. And this thrill only grew as David’s physical growth was catching up.

On one bright moonlit evening, David was relaxing as he took in the awe of the land’s beauty in the stillness of night’s glow. The sheep near him became agitated. Before David could investigate, the ambiance transmuted into one of horror at the sound of a deafening roar.

A great beast leapt before him and captured in its jaws one of the prized sheep, which cried out in anguish.

David didn’t have time to find a weapon. He dove to the sheep’s rescue, pulling the clawing lion off the sheep then cranking the predator’s neck to snap it. Its enormous body partially fell on the juvenile. Only then, with realization, did he panic and shove it off him. (1 SAMUEL 17:34-35)

David was shocked by his own success. He stared at his bare hands, his bodily tools that had killed the creature, and saw a deep cut from its claws oozing blood on his right forearm. David shook his head in disbelief.

He rose and returned to his campsite, found fresh pieces of linen and, along with his jug of water, slowly went to work to clean and wrap the wound. He was putting his jug of water aside when he casually looked up.

He froze at the sight of that amazing glow in the sky again!

David dropped the jug of water, which spilled about in several splashy streams, but he never noticed the accident as his eyes remained glued upward. As the young shepherd more closely studied the unearthly spectacle, he began to recognize what became a more focused outline of a golden man, dressed in a breastplate and having gigantic wings. He carried a golden sword and shield, and his face glowed. He was even smiling at David!

Filling David’s ears were a thousand voices unified in a praiseful hum.

He gasped at the sight of the angel, breaking out in goosebumps as he dropped to his knees.

The sight and sound disappeared in an instant.

David remained kneeling, staring in the anomaly’s direction for several moments afterward.

What kind of sign was this?! What could it mean?

David’s face fell to the ground. He passionately prayed to God to give him understanding…

As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind: for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

—1 Chronicles 28:9

1

His hands and breastplate were stained with blood that was not his own. With flowing, light-brown hair and beard that contained their first hint of gray to prove his years stored neatly inside his metal helmet, the famous monarch looked forward to showing off his wear of enemy blood later to his men for their anticipated response of cheers.

King Saul remembered the Judge and Prophet Samuel’s directions from God to completely wipe out Israel’s enemy, the Amalekites, along with all that belonged to them. (1 SAMUEL 15:3) While Saul had slaughtered a good share of these criminal pagans during the first battle in their city of Amalek, the fighting against the Amalekite soldiers had been particularly fierce and long; this had allowed enough time for the enemy king and his people to escape with all their belongings. Finally, after Saul had defeated what was left of the Amalekite forces there, he had his own men burn every one of the buildings to the ground before pursuing the fleeing survivors. While all of the escapees had not remained together, Saul had been able to track where the majority had gone. A long chase had ensued that took Saul and his army to another land called Shur, which was a strip of wilderness territory that was east of Egypt in the direction of Assyria. Saul had directed his men to encircle the enemy encampment. There would be no escape this time.

Now in the middle of an ambush that was filled with screams, outcries, and desperate shouts, a young Amalekite face looked up at Saul. Saul’s hand did not hesitate to slice into him with the Hebrew king’s royal sword.

The body of the fledgling soldier quivered its last movements, slid off the weapon, and dropped. The king held up his dripping weapon, then splattered red droplets as he wheeled about for more targets.

It was a land that had quickly filled with countless dead, blood-soaked bodies of the enemy—men, women, and children—some of who laid alongside their slaughtered cattle. Saul’s men were starting to set fire to each of the tents that had been planted there in Shur for what was almost a complete erasure of the Amalekite presence. (1 SAMUEL 15:7)

Almost…

There were the finer specimens of bulky oxen and plump sheep that Saul’s army could not pass up as a boastful exhibit for a grand sacrifice to God to express gratitude for their triumphant battle. Such a ritual was always performed in accordance with the Law of Moses and had to be carried out as the law instructed, but it was also a public ceremony that all in Israel could celebrate with Saul and his men. This event would take place in Gilgal once the king returned home to Israel with his army.

Saul proudly claimed for himself a human prize. His trophy was his defeated Amalekite counterpart, King Agag, who had been taken alive and was now being treated as if he was a captured rare creature Saul and his men could have fun gawking at and ridiculing. (1 SAMUEL 15:9)

As the smoke in the air began to thicken and the stench of death grew, Saul grinned ear to ear as he watched his men’s excited fascination over the value of each spared animal.

He looked a distance away where the apprehended Agag sat bound, and Saul felt the thrill of victory. He raised his freshly red-glazed signature sword up high and released a champion’s outcry.

His sweaty soldiers stopped jabbering and joined in their leader’s triumphant howl.

Saul’s mind was already going to work on how he would not only hold the ceremony of sacrifice in Gilgal, but he would further organize it into an entertaining jubilee to celebrate his monarchy.

Such festivities would put to rest the unpleasant memory of the last time Saul had made such an offering. It had been back in Gilgal when Saul and his men had gone up against a different enemy, the Philistines. As he had been instructed by Samuel, Saul had gathered his army there to wait for the prophet who was to meet them at that location to give needed instruction from God before they could proceed into battle. Samuel had specifically directed Saul not to make a move of any kind until Samuel himself arrived there to address them.

But there had been a big problem. Saul and his men had witnessed the overwhelming size of that enemy’s army and, over the next seven long days, their fear continually mounted as they impatiently waited for Prophet Samuel. But with no Samuel in sight to reassure them by God’s word that they would be victorious, panic began to boil over.

Saul had watched in desperation as his soldiers began to desert in fear.

Finally feeling that he had no choice, King Saul had made the critical decision to give up on waiting for the prophet and take matters into his own hands.

In the monarch’s effort to draw his men back, he had proceeded with making a whole burnt offering and a peace offering to convince his men that God was with them. While Saul had succeeded in putting a halt to the desertions, Prophet Samuel had arrived at long last only to furiously discover that Saul had not followed his instructions to wait for God’s message. The prophet had declared the offerings as rejected and had even gone so far as to condemn Saul’s reign. (1 SAMUEL 13:5-14)

But despite Samuel’s discontent, Saul, with his son Jonathan’s help, had gone on to lead Israel’s army to victory over the Philistines. Saul had subsequently shrugged off Judge Samuel’s condemnation; the monarch had to assume that if God had not been with him, they would have never won that battle. Emboldened, Saul had become certain that the judge had overreacted.

Saul had become even more positive of his assessment when Samuel had come back to Saul for the next battle directive from God—this time against the Amalekites.

Now, there in Shur, as Saul proudly looked over the aftermath of his latest triumphant battle against these Amalekites, the king was completely self-assured in his own management over all affairs and felt no need to wait for any further instructions from Samuel.

Some of the men happily gathered around Saul as his armor bearer began assisting him in the removal of his breastplate. An attendant approached with a goblet full of sweet wine. Only half undressed from gear but anxious to celebrate his current achievement, Saul used his free hand to grab the serving and sink a big gulp into his mouth. He rolled the special blend around on his tongue as the rest of his armaments were removed, savoring the drink’s taste as it complemented the enormous pride he was feeling. After the wine touched the taste buds on the back of the king’s tongue, he pushed the beverage down his throat.

God had chosen him to be their king for a reason, after all! Was it not Samuel’s own adult sons who, as judges themselves, had fallen out of favor with both God and the people by being self-indulgent? Had not their corruption sealed their own condemned fates of being cut off from ruling the House of Israel? (1 SAMUEL 8:3-5)

King Saul and his own lineage were different; Saul was convinced that his family’s success as rulers was tied to staying popular with the people to secure their devotion and allegiance while also honoring God.

And nothing gave this king greater joy than his people’s cheers at all his victories on the battlefield. Even when God did not call on the Israelite king for purposeful warfare, Saul’s enthusiasm for victory drove him to lead offenses against others for triumphs that delivered additional glory to himself and the children of Israel. He was the reason for making them an even greater nation, and they loved him for it.

Vessels of wine kept coming while King Saul bragged to his men how he could see his name living on forever, recorded next to such greats as Moses and Joshua. His legacy would be remembered for all generations to come!

The men drank to Saul and his name’s immortality.

The atmosphere seemed to alter. It was as if the cumulative smoke of burning tents tampered with the clouds above. What had started as clear weather for the day began to change with the wind picking up. But Saul never noticed as he and his men continued to exchange pats on the back, drink, and express enthusiasm for the next military campaign.

Their partying lasted well into the evening while the gusts continued to grow.

At first, they were all amused and joked about how the wind packed more of a punch than the enemy they had just defeated. But as Saul started to feel the drops, he looked down to see the ground becoming moist. He finally realized a storm was about to unload.

A misty rain began but briskly became a torrential downpour.

All of them, though thoroughly saturated and at least now rinsed off, staggered laughingly into their encampment. Safely inside his tent, Saul dried off and changed into a fresh robe. He was brought another goblet of wine; he insisted his attendant join him in a drink as the monarch raised his vessel to toast himself, and they both drank down greedily.

Saul laughed a lot that evening, enjoying the camaraderie of his commanders and servants as the wine kept coming. The men laughed at each of Saul’s jokes. They raised their drinks in agreement to his every word.

The only time Israel’s king paid attention to the storm outside the tent was when he cracked, Guess who we left outside and is now getting waterlogged?! The men laughed hard, but Saul waved his hand to silence them. No matter, his majesty, King Agag, is headed toward execution anyway…, Saul raised his goblet, but here’s to nature saving us the trouble of soiling an Israelite sword. God-given pneumonia will just as easily and more cleanly finish off the fiend.

Saul’s men burst out laughing and raised their goblets.

The evening wore on. Saul laughed so much that he spilt a little wine on his royal attire, which only made him laugh harder. There goes my attempt to be dressed as white as that artifact Samuel! All his white hair, his clothing, even his skin…he probably gets drunk off milk!

Saul’s officers snickered.

An offbeat frown appeared as Saul’s eyes became a detached stare. He looked over at the leading commander of his army and asked, Tell me, Abner, have we even one prophet in all of Israel who can do more than merely see into the future? How about one who possesses valuable premonitions on how to prevent good wine from going bad? Saul’s grin returned. "Now that would really impress Israel’s king!"

Abner, who also happened to be Saul’s cousin, as well as Saul’s most loyal servant and confidant, shook his head and broke into laughter along with the rest of Saul’s commanders and captains. They raised their cups in humored agreement.

Fierce thunder suddenly shook the land as if there was a minor earthquake occurring. The commanders looked nervous as they lowered their drinks.

Saul, on the other hand, was caught up in an oblivion and never saw the magnitude of nature’s theater other than the few drops of beverage that had splashed over the side of his goblet. He swiped up the drops with his fingertip and brought the sweet taste to his tongue. Then, as he raised his goblet again in his highest reach upward to deliver his next joke, Israel’s monarch had no perception that above him there was far more raging than a storm.

2

Back within the boundary of Israel in the outskirts of Gilgal, Saul and his men staked their encampment and corralled their haul of seized animals toward the grazing on Hebrew fields. Saul had partied each night of the days it took to travel back to Israel. He remained feeling festive and in the mood for some entertainment. With a new wineskin in hand, Saul trudged up a hill where they presently kept his sole-surviving prisoner.

Agag looked up from the tree he was tied to. The defeated king had the traditional Amalekite look of a shaved head, but his robe was torn, his crown was stolen, and his face remained a combination of dried mud and blood. Yet his black, evil-looking eyes flashed defiantly and pierced through Saul with hatred.

Saul laughed, How does it feel to be lord and king over nothing? In contrast to his captive, Saul was dressed in his kingly array of a richly ornamented robe, which was further set off by his prestigious purple me’il cloak and polished crown bedazzled by rare jewels along with his royal bracelet of gold. But Agag was unmoved; he was unimpressed and unafraid.

Saul detested him for it, but Israel’s king continued to entertain himself through continued taunting. Your fearless army, your people’s encampment from Jerim all the way to Shur, all wiped out. And your name, the almighty A-gag, has been stamped out!

Saul stamped his foot down hard and almost fell over. He laughed uproariously.

With a crooked-but-proud grin, Saul drew closer to Agag and said, And I, King Saul of Israel, am the reason for your defeat. Wherever your pathetic soul ends up, you’ll be haunted by my face. You can tell your false gods all about me! Saul laughed again, almost bringing himself to hysterics.

With an icy, evil-eye look that could cut, Agag said in a hoarse voice, It is you who should take a good look at my face. Go ahead, memorize it. You will never forget my face no matter how hard you try. I will be back for you! I will see to it that no matter how many years pass, you will never know peace. My face will follow you for the rest of your days.

Saul rolled his eyes.

Agag leaned in for greater emphasis and growled, I will haunt you right up to the very day of your death!

Israel’s king stared at his prisoner momentarily. Then, fixing a steely grin on his face, Saul shouted, Ha! How could someone who is no one haunt me?

Agag railed against his roped captivity in a way that threatened to undo the bonds, screeching, I will return for you! I’ll make sure that the sword you used to slay my people will swing the other way in your own direction. He smiled viciously to reveal rotting teeth, his eyes now slicing right through Saul. "Like me, you will someday lay witness to the day of your fatal defeat with your men and even your own family cut down before your