David: The Lion's Cubs

By Polly McBee Hutchison

In this fifth novel of the story of David, since his heir is much too young to rule in case of David's death, his army continues to ban him from fighting with his troops. He is already battling depression as a result of the death of his beloved wife, Maacah. In this frame of mind, estranged from all who would bring him confort or counsel, David falls into the sin that still blackens his name to this day. Cut off from their father's dicipline and guidance, David's children run wild. Growing further from family ties; resentment, jealousy, anger and lust for power lead to rape and murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663233318

Polly McBee Hutchison

Polly McBee Hutchison was an Army Brat. She attended jr high in Junction City, Kansas and at the Army School in Ft. Levenworth, Kansas. She attended High School in the Army school in Sendai, Japan and graduated at East Point, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia for two years, and graduated from Eastern Montana College. She taught history and English at the jr high and high school levels, and authored the world history textbook STREAMS OF CIVILIZATION used in schools and in home schooling. She was the winner of the Evangelical Press Association national bi-centennial writing contest. She has lived in Wyoming, Colorado, California, Florida and Hawaii. She now resides in Chandler, Arizona. Her website is www.pollymcbee.com.

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Copyright © 2022 Polly McBee Hutchison.

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.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-3330-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-3331-8 (e)

iUniverse rev. date:  12/14/2021

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 1

David couldn’t sleep. He had lain in his bed tossing and turning, feeling terribly depressed. In the darkness of night, he found it most difficult to hide from the loss of his beloved wife, Maacah. He couldn’t escape the knowledge that his willful sin had led to her death; as she had died in the plague following his having the people of Israel numbered. Even as this guilty knowledge almost overpowered him, he pushed it back. His anger at God replaced his guilt. Even as he acknowledged his guilt, he believed God had dealt with him more harshly than he deserved.

With Maacah gone, he didn’t seem to get any enjoyment from administering his kingdom. He was no longer permitted to lead his armies to battle. He was almost killed the last time he went to war. As none of his sons was old enough to rule, it was decided the Kingdom could not survive his death. Life stretched out before him, not offering one glimmer of interest or hope; just a daily plodding through administrative details and rendering judgments that should have been handled by village elders and never referred to the king.

He considered sending for one of his wives, another duty he felt obligated to perform. Lying there, he realized he didn’t want a woman he wanted companionship. The easiest thing would have been to send for his friend, Hushai. However, now that he was married and had a son, David hated to disturb him at night.

He really wanted Abishai, his nephew and closest friend who had been at his side since he was fourteen, guarding his back and sharing his troubles. Abishai had found someone else to head his bodyguard and had left to join his brother, Joab, in besieging the city of Rabbah. The Army had now been there for several months, and still the city held out. David supposed they were afraid to surrender because of their harsh treatment of his envoys. David winced realizing they would probably hang on until there was merely the choice of surrendering or dying of starvation.

Sighing, David rose from the bed. There was no point in staying there if he couldn’t sleep. He groped his way to a table. Finding a flint, he struck a light in the olive oil dish. By the flickering light, David looked around his luxurious apartment and felt stifled. He often felt he was a prisoner in his palace; and tonight, the feeling was stronger than usual.

Throwing on a simple tunic, David decided to go up on the roof. At least he could breathe fresh air. As he exited his apartment the two guards by his door snapped to attention. The guards at the ends of the hall came hurrying up, and their commander asked,

Is anything the matter, My Lord King?

David, finding himself annoyed by all this attention, snapped, Nothing is wrong, I merely wished to go to the roof for some fresh air.

As he started down the hall, the guards assigned to his personal safety fell in step, two behind him and two going before.

Surely I do not need a guard to go to the roof at this time of night? David growled.

The captain, if he felt any annoyance at his king’s bad temper, didn’t show it, as he merely shrugged replying,

You never know when you’ll need your guard, My Lord King. Who would have guessed an assassin would have reached the interior of your bedchamber?

David didn’t respond, even though he knew his guard was right. Instead, he went to the stairs leading to the roof. Two of his guards went up ahead of him. He supposed he should feel grateful that they were willing to risk their lives for his sake. All he felt was a deep, black depression that weighed on his soul. Sometimes he wondered how much longer he could continue like this.

He knew he had no choice. For the very reason he could no longer accompany the Army, he couldn’t consider doing away with himself. Amnon, considered to be his eldest son, had been given his own set of rooms when he turned thirteen. The reports of his drunken behavior had resulted in his being sent to Jezreel to learn to administer his grandfather’s estates. Absalom was only approaching thirteen, and Adonijah ten. He could not leave the people who trusted him to the problems of a child ruler.

With a sigh he came out on the roof. The air seemed fragrant with the smell of flowers in bloom. He began pacing the roof, and again grew annoyed at the guards.

Why don’t you sit down and give me some privacy? David snarled. You’ve checked the roof. I don’t need you walking on my heels.

David continued his pacing, then went to the edge of the roof that overlooked the city. Sometimes looking out over the homes of his people gave him a sense of satisfaction. He could imagine them sleeping peacefully, because they realized their king provided for their security.

Suddenly a light flickered, drawing his attention to the roof of a house directly below him. A woman had come out onto the roof, carrying an oil lamp which she set on a low table. Then she proceeded to pull one of the small sit-basins, used for bathing, to the center of the roof. A stool was placed alongside. The serving girl, for that was what David judged her to be, re-entered the house.

Curious, David remained immobile, hidden in the shadows of the palace roof. A few minutes later the serving girl reappeared, her arms filled with jars that David assumed were filled with cleansing oils. The girl returned to the house. When next she appeared, carrying a bucket of water and some towels, she was accompanied by another woman.

As the woman allowed her maid to remove her garment and stepped into the small, sit-basin, David was transfixed. Not because he was looking at a beautiful woman at her bath, but because the woman reminded him so much of Maacah. She had the same abundant wealth of hair, but that was not all. There was a similarity in the way she carried herself, the small gestures she made, that tore open the wound David had tried so hard to protect.

He couldn’t take his eyes from her. Could it be possible that there were two women as beautiful as Maacah in the world? He had felt his beloved could not be matched, and yet, there on that roof was a woman who could easily have been Maacah’s sister. Who was she? Surely if she had been at court, I would have noticed her. Maybe she is someone’s unmarried daughter.

David wasn’t aware that his depression was gone. All he was aware of was the graceful scene on the neighboring roof, where the serving girl was now rubbing scented oils into her mistress’ skin. How long he stood there David had no idea, but the spell was broken when the lady returned to the house, leaving the serving girl to clean up the clutter.

Slowly David walked back to his apartment. How could he discover who she was without betraying his interest? Back in his room, he still had trouble sleeping, but it was now due to thoughts of the woman he had seen.

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The next morning, David returned to his roof. The serving girl had cleared away every trace of the nocturnal bath. He waited a while to see if the mistress would come out. Then returning to his apartments he prepared for another day of work.

While he was sitting in judgment, a messenger came before his throne. My Lord King, I have been sent to inform you that Joram, son of the King of Toi, is one day’s journey from your city. He is coming in peace and hopes you will receive him.

David nodded graciously, When you have refreshed yourself, return to your master and tell him he is welcome.

The messenger left, and David cut short his audience. Leaving the throne room, and accompanied by his chief advisor, Ahithophel; and his friend, Hushai, he went to the palace roof.

Who is this King of Toi? David asked.

Ahithophel replied in his scholarly tones, Hamath is the large country north of Zobah. I would imagine they have felt Hadadezer’s greedy inroads on their kingdom.

David nodded. Three times Hadadezer had invaded Israel with overwhelming forces. It was only with the help of God that David’s tiny army had prevailed. Thoughtfully, he replied, If we can negotiate a treaty with them, we would have Hadadezer pinned down. He wouldn’t be able to attack either of us without fearing that the other would strike at his unprotected rear. I will have to show Joram every courtesy.

The encounter of the previous night still very much on his mind, David led his companions to the parapet overlooking Jerusalem. Looking down, David said casually,

I’m surprised anyone was allowed to build so close to the palace. If they were hostile to me, they would be in a position to cause harm.

Ahithophel laughed, Well you don’t need to worry about the inhabitants of that house, he pointed to where David had seen the woman. That’s the house I bought for my granddaughter, Bath-sheba, when she married your captain, Uriah, the Hittite.

Although he felt acute disappointment that the lady was married, David smiled warmly, I wasn’t aware your granddaughter was here in Jerusalem. Why don’t you invite the couple to attend the feast I will be giving for Joram?

Uriah is with the army at Rabbah,

David mused, The army has been gone for some time now, I would imagine your granddaughter would welcome some diversion. Why don’t you bring her to the banquet, I would enjoy meeting her.

Ahithopel apparently very proud of his granddaughter, was swift to agree.

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Looking forward to the banquet, David felt a surge of anticipation and excitement that he had never thought to experience again. He tried to convince himself he was foolish. This woman would be nothing like Maacah. He had been fooled by the darkness and the magical quality of the scene. The more he looked forward to seeing her, the more disappointed he would be.

No expense had been spared for the banquet honoring Prince Joram. Smokeless torches burned in their sconces along the wall. The table was set with gold plates and goblets. Every delicacy his cooks could prepare was on the table. Joram was seated on his right, and Ahithophel on his left.

Not wishing to appear too eager, David searched the faces of the women’s table to see if he recognized Bath-sheba. He thought he saw her, seated between two of his wives, Haggith and Eglah. It was difficult to concentrate on what the young prince had to say, when all he wanted to do was to rush to the woman’s table and see if Bath-sheba really closely resembled Maacah. He nodded and responded graciously to Joram’s comments, but his attention was on the other table.

Ahithophel spoke, So your father wishes to make a treaty with us?

Yes, My Lord. We have had to fight Hadadezer’s troops year after year. Until your stunning victories no one else has been able to stand up to him.

David pointed to the golden shields lining the walls, That is some of the payment we exacted when he tried to invade the first time. He had men standing on a hill and they used those shields to reflect the sun into our eyes just as he attacked.

Would you be willing to form an alliance with us? Joram asked.

Of course. It would be a good thing for both our kingdoms. Ahithophel negotiates all my treaties. If you have the authority to sign for your father, the two of you can work out the details tomorrow.

Finally, the interminable affair was over. David felt his pulses rush as he casually asked Ahithopel, Did your granddaughter attend the banquet?

Ahithophel’s eyes showed his pride as he replied, Yes, My Lord King. She was most grateful for a chance to leave her house. As you said, it has been a long time since her husband left for war.

Seeing the King’s attention focused on the women’s table he asked, Would you care to meet her, My Lord King? Speaking to the King would be something she would remember all her life.

David agreed, and slowly they made their way to the women’s table. David nodding graciously to the people who thronged around him, hoping to gain his attention so they could boast of having spoken to the King, thus improving their positions at court.

It seemed like forever, but David finally found himself standing before a young girl who couldn’t be more than seventeen or eighteen years old. Yet, being in the King’s presence did not break her quiet poise. As he knew, she had an abundance of dark, slightly curling hair, but her eyes, instead of lavender, were hazel. In a way he