Michal

by Jill Eileen Smith

  “Is this for me?”

  “Yes, my lady. The king built it for you soon after he was crowned king over Judah. It is for your own private use.”

  Michal’s awe shifted to sudden emotion, making her throat ache to hold back the tears. “Do the other women have one?” She had to know.

  Hannah shrugged. “They all have something the king has chosen specifically for them. I can’t say what that is.”

  The answer didn’t satisfy her, but Michal held her tongue, afraid her words would come out in a choked whisper.

  “King David has said to make yourself comfortable,” Hannah said, walking toward the door. Keziah stepped out of her way and walked to Michal’s side. “He will call for you when he is ready.” She turned and strode out of the house.

  “The food is excellent, my lord,” Abner commented, lifting the silver chalice to his lips. “If you feed your enemies such exquisite fare, you will quickly turn them all into friends.”

  David chuckled. “So to avoid bloodshed I should either feed my enemies or marry their daughters? I suppose that would keep at least one of us happy. The question is, which one?”

  He smiled as Abner let out a loud laugh and slapped his palm on the table. Snickers and laughter moved around the large room, though David wondered if any of them realized how much his attempt at humor bespoke truth. He held up his hand for silence.

  “Nevertheless, let it be known today that we have no enemies here. I will make a covenant with Israel. Bring me the elders of the land, and I will rule them in peace.” David tore a loaf of bread, pinched a handful of salt between his fingers, and sprinkled it on each half.

  Abner sobered, reaching to take the torn piece of wheat bread David offered him. “I will go throughout the land from Dan to Beersheba to bring all Israel to you, fulfilling the Lord’s promise to my lord to give you the kingdom.”

  David took the other half of the torn loaf and bit a piece from it. He chewed slowly, watching Abner do the same. He looked at the general, who nodded in understanding. Eating with the man signified acceptance. Bread and salt between them meant a covenant of loyalty, despite their past differences.

  “Go in peace,” David said when the meal ended. He embraced Abner, kissing each cheek. Abner returned the affection, then bowed his face to the ground.

  “May God do so to me and more also if I do not keep my word.” He turned, followed by his men, and left David’s house.

  After a relaxing visit to the mikvah, Michal returned to her apartment, still amazed at the splendor surrounding her. The home of her youth could not compare to the beauty of the decorations in this spacious apartment. She glided over the plush carpets into the separate bedchamber. Her breath caught. The room looked exactly like the home she first shared with David in Gibeah.

  Unsteady feet carried her to a wooden table where she felt the smooth, oiled surface. Pots of kohl and rouge were placed exactly where they used to sit in her old home. Every detail remained the same, down to the bronze mirror and the golden-handled comb.

  Oh, David.

  Her eyes roamed the room. A window with white linen curtains stood along the same wall as the one in their old bedchamber where David had slipped from her life so many years before. She stood and walked to the window to peer out. The sight was not the same. This time her gaze took in the beautiful walled garden created just for her.

  “Do you like it?” The masculine voice startled her. But she would never forget its melodic timbre. “Is it what you expected, Michal?”

  His footsteps were muffled on the soft carpet, but she could feel his presence filling the room. She turned slowly, her heart beating with awareness. He stopped within arm’s length.

  “Much more,” she said, taking in every facet of his royal garb. His hair was still dark beneath the golden, jeweled crown, his eyes fathomless and unsearchable. His purple-gilded and embroidered robe fit him perfectly, his muscular body exuding authority and strength. Far different from the young husband who once feared for his life. “So, you are a king now.”

  “Yes.”

  David stood unmoving, his gaze sweeping over her.

  “With a harem.”

  “I have other wives and children, yes.”

  She looked away, trying to hide the stinging tears. Feelings conflicted in her spirit until she felt David’s fingers brush a tendril of her undone hair over one shoulder. His hand moved to her chin, and he coaxed her to look at him again. Heart leaping like a wild gazelle at his touch, she met his gaze and couldn’t turn away.

  His thumb moved in circles over her heated cheek, and before she could think of what to say, he drew her against his chest and bent his lips to hers. His kiss was tentative, uncertain. He pulled back, searching her face.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice husky.

  “I’ve often wondered about you.” She felt like a girl of fifteen again, enamored with this handsome man she now had trouble thinking of as her husband. It had been so long. And she felt like an unfaithful traitor.

  He stroked her cheek again and let his fingers filter through her hair. “You’re as beautiful as the day we met.”

  Every touch sent shivers of delight racing through her. “You’ve grown more distinguished and handsome.” She toyed with a soft smile.

  He responded with a wide smile of his own, then grew serious and drew closer, his mouth claiming hers again. This time all timidity fled, their lost passion remembered. Michal’s thoughts carried her away to their wedding week and the precious year she’d spent as David’s wife. Surely they could recapture their banished love and live in harmony once again. Surely, in time, he would make her his queen.

  With renewed purpose, Michal lifted the crown from David’s head, an action reminiscent of their first night together. The action made David tighten his hold around her and laughter bubble from his lips. Hope sprang anew in Michal’s heart, and she returned his kiss.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Incessant pounding against the oak door made her jump and stopped David’s fingers from sifting through her hair. He kissed her one more time as if unwilling to pull away, then disentangled himself from her embrace, scowling.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  “David!”

  David looked toward the door and moved in that direction, then seemed to think better of it and clasped his hand in hers, pulling her with him. He released his hold in the sitting room near the door and gave her an impassioned smile. “A king’s life is not his own.”

  His look suggested that she of all people should understand such a thing, and she didn’t miss his increased annoyance with each brisk step to the clattering door. She crept behind him, her interest piqued. How would he handle such an intrusion? His bearing exuded an authority she’d never seen in him before, thrilling her.

  He grasped the handle and pulled back, ducking to the side of Joab’s slamming fist. “You better have a good reason for interrupting my privacy, Joab. What are you doing back here so soon anyway? I thought you were on a raid.”

  “We finished early,” Joab said. His turbaned head dipped from side to side in an obvious attempt to peer past David, who was blocking the view of the room and of her. She slipped farther behind David but close enough to hear. David stepped forward, pushing Joab back a pace, and pulled the door shut behind him. Michal pressed her ear to the door to hear their heated words.

  “What have you done?” Joab’s disrespectful tone surprised her. Didn’t David have control of his nephew? “Why did you send Abner away already? Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”

  Michal strained to listen, her heart beating hard against her chest. “Abner came in peace, Joab, with proof of his sincerity.”

  “Just because the son of Ner brought the daughter of Saul back to you does not mean he proved his sincerity. It only shows the extent of his power and his clawing desire for more.”

  “Abn
er used his influence to obey my orders,” David said, his tone low yet strained. “Something you would do well to learn, Nephew.”

  Good. Let David put his opinionated nephew in his place where he belonged.

  Joab cursed loudly enough for her to hear before his footsteps pounded on the stones of the court and faded into the distance. Silence met her ears, and she stepped away from the door. Would David return to her now?

  “Do you want me to have him followed, my lord?” Benaiah’s clear voice caught her attention, and she leaned against the closed door again. Benaiah’s words held wisdom, but would David listen to him? David would do well to appoint Abner in Joab’s place and send his nephew back to Bethlehem where he belonged.

  “He just needs time to cool off,” David said. The latch on the door turned, and she stepped back, stunned that David had not acted on Benaiah’s obvious wisdom. “See that I am not disturbed again.”

  Before she could think of what to do or say, the door opened and David stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He looked at her, clearly distracted, then shook his head as though to clear it and smiled.

  “Your nephew has grown powerful,” Michal said as he shortened the distance between them and took her hand in his. “I remember when he was a scrawny guard chasing your heels under my father’s command.”

  David smoothed the folds of his robe with his free hand, then looked at her, his expression unreadable. “Joab is my army commander. He has proven a competent captain and has a good military mind.”

  “Not the most respectful servant though.” Michal toyed with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. She was grateful for the vulnerable half smile he gave her in return, reminding her of the mere boy she had married. “Will you give Abner that chief position when the kingdom is united? You must admit, he is older and more experienced than Joab.”

  David tilted his head back and chuckled. He pulled her to him then and began running his forefinger over the sheer fabric of her pale blue robe. “Such matters should not concern you, my love. Leave the political affairs to me.” He bent to kiss her again, but she stiffened and pulled away. She walked across the spacious room and looked toward the garden, where even the fresh colors could not bring joy to her sagging soul. Why did his attitude irritate her?

  David stood in the spot she’d vacated. Silence fell like humid air between them. The oppression nearly suffocated her, and she strained to take a breath. How dare he treat her like some common woman! She was a king’s daughter and a princess in Israel. Surely she should have some say in matters like this— especially if he was going to make her his queen.

  The distant sound of children bickering floated on the oppressive air—an atmosphere she had created—reminding Michal of Merab’s children and her home for the past seven years since Merab’s death. Why had David asked for her? What did he want from her that one of his wives hadn’t already given him?

  A soft hand on her shoulder made her jump, and she lowered her head, fighting the emotions his gentle caress brought. When he turned her to face him, she swallowed hard.

  “I haven’t decided who will be my commander yet,” David admitted. “But I didn’t come here to discuss those things with you, Michal. I’ve been looking forward to this moment for too long to interrupt it with kingdom affairs.” He searched her eyes, and she read in him the longing she recognized from years ago.

  Heat crept into her face, and she lowered her lashes against his scrutiny. She felt his possessive arms wrap around her waist and his tender lips press against her cheek, then move down to her parted lips. All irritation with his political views melted with the remembered passion of their youth, and Michal allowed David to carry her away into the intimacy of his arms.

  Evening shadows fell outside the window in Michal’s bedchamber, accompanied by the shrill laughter of children clamoring about the family courtyard. David stood across the room, expertly tying his purple sash about his waist and replacing the band of gold along his forehead. He smiled down at Michal still lying on the raised bed, the white sheet drawn under her chin.

  “Must you go, my lord?” But she already knew the answer. Why should her marriage to David this time be any different than before? If anything, he would only be more distant, and their marriage would have less chance of the commitment she’d longed for.

  David knelt beside her and stroked her face with his finger. “You know how busy palace life can be, my love. A king’s time is rarely his own.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m only grateful I could snatch this afternoon to get reacquainted. If you’ll dress for dinner, I’ll seat you nearest me at the women’s table. Then afterward I’ll give you a tour of the place. How’s that?” His lips tasted hers again, and Michal allowed a shimmer of hope to replace her lapse into melancholy.

  “I’ll be there, my lord.”

  “Good,” he said, then turned on his heel and walked out of the apartment.

  31

  The spacious banquet hall bore little resemblance to the stone structure where Michal’s father often entertained dignitaries and heads of tribes. Limestone walls were whitewashed, and brightly colored oriental tapestries added a rich yet homey flavor to the decor. Windows gracing opposite ends of the hall allowed orange hues of the fading spring night to mingle with newly lit torches placed about the room.

  Michal took in the beauty of the hall with growing appreciation for David’s creative flare. He’d certainly changed from the homespun shepherd she’d loved in her youth. How long ago that had been. So much had changed.

  At the head of the room an extended table spread with fruit and goblets of wine stood out as separate from the others. Covering the wood was a white cloth with an embroidered pattern of gold and purple fig leaves fanning away from the Judahite insignia of a fierce, golden lion. Obviously the king’s table.

  To the left and facing the king was a rectangular table with a few women and children already seated. Michal followed the guard Elias to the spot David had reserved for her, her heart thumping wildly. Where once she carried some semblance of leverage and control in her royal home, here she felt like an outcast, as one tossed about in a storm. Would the winds of change never cease?

  With uncertain steps, she approached the table and lowered her shaking legs to the gilded couch Elias pointed to.

  “Who’s that, Mama?” A toddler with curly, dark hair and eyes lifted a chubby finger in Michal’s direction. “Why is she sitting on Aunt Ahinoam’s couch?”

  Michal studied the bold child before looking at his mother, who was a foreigner. Though her dress followed the royal pattern of the other Hebrew wives of the king, the darker hues of her skin and her facial features spoke of Syrian or Aramean heritage. She met Michal’s gaze with a bold one of her own until at last she turned her attention to the boy who had spoken.

  Michal looked away, listening to the chattering voices of the other women drifting across the hall, as one by one they took their places at the table. A fairer-haired woman with a slender, shy boy tagging at her heels gave Michal a look of disdain before taking the seat beside her. Apparently Michal had been given the place of first wife, which rightfully belonged to her. She lifted her chin, ignoring the perusing gazes of David’s six other wives.

  A trumpet sounded, jolting her attention. All eyes traveled to the door of the banquet hall, where David followed the trumpeter, flag bearers, and armed guards to the place reserved for him.

  Michal watched the fanfare with interest. Would he speak to her here? Would he single her out and place her at his side as queen? The thought sent tingling warmth through her. After all, he had spent the afternoon with her despite other obvious demands on his time. And he’d prepared her apartment to match their first home together. Surely he loved her better than these other young beauties.

  As David leaned back on the ornate couch, the servants began offering silver trays of roasted lamb, purple grapes, pistachios, almonds, dates, and figs first to the king, then to the men seated with him at his table. A
short, thin servant in a white tunic lowered a wineskin toward Michal’s carved chalice before moving down the line to fill each cup belonging to David’s wives. The women began placing food on the plates of their children, chattering again among themselves. Michal’s stomach turned over. How was she ever going to survive in a harem where she wasn’t wanted—perhaps was even hated? At least with Paltiel her home had been her own.

  She studied the delicacy-laden silver plate overflowing with some of her favorite foods. Had David ordered them prepared in her honor? She cast a discreet glance at him again, but he was preoccupied, talking with a man she didn’t recognize seated at his side.

  She slowly chewed on a grape. The children reminded her of Jacob and Joel. An ache lodged in her heart at every childish word spoken.

  Oh, David, why did you bring me back?

  The intense temptation to run from the hall all the way back to Mahanaim nearly choked her. The action would surely not endear her to David.

  “We’ve just got to get David to take us back to En Gedi. Don’t you think so, Abigail?”

  Michal leaned forward on pretense of reaching for a raisin cake, listening.

  “I would love to go back there, Ahinoam.” The woman called Abigail cut a piece of meat for a frail-looking child. “The waters might do Chileab a world of good.” She lifted dark lashes to glance at Ahinoam, and as she did, Michal caught her look of interest.

  Michal averted her gaze. En Gedi was a beautiful garden atmosphere with thirst-quenching waterfalls and a pool as clear as polished stones. She’d gone there once as a child. Never with David, as these women obviously had done.

  The sound of running feet across the tile floor pulled Michal’s attention away from David’s wives. A young man dressed in military garb flung himself at David’s feet, panting.

  “May my lord, King David, live forever!”

  David sat straighter and nodded at the messenger. “Speak.”