“In the distance, beyond the gates, there is dust. Look.” Abigail pointed.
“Yes, you’re right.” Michal squinted in an attempt to see more clearly.
“Soldiers, perhaps?” Abigail’s voice quavered slightly. “Our men cannot be coming home so soon. But, who could be approaching?”
Michal’s mind raced. Could David’s army have taken Jerusalem so quickly? If not… No, she must not allow herself to think of the alternative.
Abigail and Michal stood with their eyes fixed on the moving cloud of dust. After what seemed a long time, mounted soldiers became visible. A lone horseman rode ahead of the column.
“David,” Abigail said, her hand at her throat.
Michal looked at the advancing soldiers. She could not see their faces at this distance, but they were not approaching at a gallop as if being pursued. No, they rode along at an easy trot. Men sat tall. They did not slump against their horses’ necks. They wore the unmistakable air of a victorious army.
“He has done it!” Michal shouted. “David has taken Israel!”
“How can you tell?” Abigail received no answer to her question. Michal was already racing down the steps.
The courtyard was quiet when Michal arrived. Eliab stood talking with a gardener. Little boys flung dried mud balls at each other from behind two lines of low hedges. A baker was putting fresh bread into the outdoor oven made of stones and mortar.
“Someone’s coming,” Michal said breathlessly.
Eliab looked briefly in her direction, and then continued his discussion on the pruning of bushes.
David burst into the courtyard. “God has given us victory!” he shouted.
It seemed that everyone in the household suddenly appeared in the courtyard, along with a few townspeople and merchants. David slid from the back of his horse and tossed the reins to the gardener. He clapped Eliab on the back and embraced him. Michal stood as if rooted to the earth. She could not take her eyes from her husband’s triumphant face. She wanted to run to him and fall into his arms. Such an open display of affection, even in this jubilant moment, was unthinkable. Only a harlot would lay hold of a man in public view. No decent wife could humiliate herself and her husband with such behavior.
As more and more people thronged into the courtyard, Michal retreated to her bedchamber’s balcony. She found Tirzah standing behind the trellis, taking in the spontaneous celebration in the courtyard below. The other wives were congregating on adjacent balconies. “This is a great day!” Tirzah said.
Seeing Joab and Abashai ride into the courtyard to an approving roar barely dampened Michal’s exultation. Shouts and cheers arose at random from the crowd. Armor bearers and stable attendants began to lead the horses away. Servants seemed to appear from nowhere with trays of food, hardly able to thread their way through the multitude that now packed the courtyard.
Sunset did not end the activities. Wine flowed, the food kept coming, and torches provided light. The women went inside, but the excitement in the courtyard was contagious. Bird put the princes to bed, although no one expected they would go to sleep.
The wives gravitated to Bird’s bedchamber. Abigail’s eyes glistened with tears. Little Tamar clung tightly to the tunic of her mother, Maachah. Even the deathly-pale Abital ventured from her bed, leaning on Haggith for support. “Eliab must have known the men were returning,” Abigail said to Bird, “I don’t know why he didn’t tell me.”
Jealousy, Michal thought. Eliab can now tell David how he alone obtained the wine and ordered food to be prepared. She knew that David’s elder brother would use any device to bolster his own importance. Could it be that Eliab still deluded himself that he deserved to be anointed instead of David?
“Let’s celebrate,” Bird said. Not surprisingly, she had some food tucked away in her bedchamber. Maachah remembered a skin of wine that somehow found its way into her possession. When each woman returned with her donation to the festivities, they sat cross-legged against the array of brightly colored cushions in Bird’s bedchamber, basking in the euphoria.
“How much territory does Israel possess?” Maachah asked.
“A great deal more than Judea,” Michal answered.
Maachah’s eyes shone. “Impressive. And taken in such a short time.”
“I doubt there was much of a fight. No, thank you,” Michal said, refusing the wine a servant offered. “The people of Israel love David. There has been talk of making him king for years, even when my father and brothers were alive.”
“True enough,” Bird said as she reached for a plump fig. “Even when we were at Ziklag, I heard rumors among the women.”
“Did you?” Abigail seemed genuinely surprised.
“You have to talk about something when everybody’s at the well drawing water,” Bird replied with a shrug.
Maachah took a long drink of wine and motioned for a refill. “Our sons will now ride through the streets with their father in his chariot, while the conquered slaves walk behind them in chains.”
Abigail looked stunned, while Michal and Bird broke out laughing. Abital suppressed a grin. Haggith did her best to disguise her giggle as a cough.
“What’s so amusing?” Maachah demanded.
“The people of God have not become slaves,” Abigail said.
Michal added, “When my father rode through the streets of Jerusalem, he was mounted on the royal donkey. I would expect David to follow that tradition.”
“A donkey? The king on a donkey? That’s ridiculous.” Maachah waved a hand dismissively. “My father rides a great Arabian stallion through Geshur. And rest assured, his enemies put their faces on the ground when he approaches, not daring to move until after he has passed by.”
“Israelis and Judeans are not enemies.” Michal was tired of hearing about Geshur. “We are one nation. God is our master, and the king is the servant of both God and the people.”
“Servant!” Maachah spat the word. “That’s not how kings behave.”
“Yes.” Michal refused to give ground. “That is precisely the nature of our kings.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
“SO DAVID DWELT IN THE FORT, AND CALLED IT THE CITY OF DAVID. AND DAVID BUILT ROUND ABOUT FROM MILLO AND INWARD.” II SAMUEL 5:9
“The house I’m having built will sit in a high meadow above my new capital,” David said as he ate the evening meal with his family.
“We’re moving from Hebron?” Michal welcomed this news. As soon as David spoke, she realized that this small Judean city could not serve as the unified capital. Naturally, they would move to her homeland. Why did she not realize this before?
“Yes, as soon as possible,” David replied. Turning to Abigail, he added, “I want my family in Israel for Passover.” David arched an eyebrow and smiled at Abigail. “Do you think it’s possible to have the household packed and ready to move in two weeks?”
“Yes, my lord,” Abigail beamed. “Most certainly. We will begin making preparations at once. But if plans are just now being made for construction of a house…”
“We’ll stay in tents while the house is being built,” David said. “I’m having King Saul’s old place torn down. The builders will reuse the materials, although I’ll order new timbers from Tyre as well. I know Abigail will have the household move organized perfectly.” His eyes rested on Maachah. “And that everyone will cooperate by doing what she asks. Eliab will conduct you safely to me.”
“You will not travel with us, my lord?” Abigail was clearly disappointed.
David smiled. “No, my dear. Joab and I will leave tomorrow morning. I have urgent business in our new capital city.”
After making the announcement that would change their lives, David took his leave of the women. A stunned silence followed the king’s brisk departure. Then everyone spoke at once.
“Will we take everything with us, or just a few necessities?”
“What about our animals?”
“I need a new tunic.”
Michal was excited to realize she would again live in the land of her birth. When she had a son, she would take him to the places she knew as a child. Perhaps she would help him explore the little caves beyond the cool mountain stream, where Merab used to wet her feet. Michal was disappointed that David did not give her advance warning her girlhood home was to be destroyed. Perhaps he did not realize that razing the old house was, for her, symbolic of the continuing destruction of her family and everything reminiscent of King Saul’s reign.
“What is this new country like, this Israel?” Maachah asked.
“You’ve never been to Jerusalem for Passover?” Bird looked almost amused.
“Of course not. Have you?”
“My father took us there when we were children,” Bird replied.
“It is the most beautiful place on earth,” Michal cut in. “The city of Jerusalem sits on a high plateau ringed by mountains. You’ll love it.”
The next day, Abigail set to work organizing the wives. “Let’s stop all planting in the gardens. Then we’ll see what seeds, cuttings, and plants we can take with us to our new home. Bird, would you figure out how many carts will be needed for the children, their clothes and bedding, and any other of their belongings we will take?”
“I’m on my way.” Bird was already moving toward the children’s bedchamber.
“What will we wear when we enter the city?” Maachah asked.
“We’ll dress the children in their best garments. The same for us, I suppose. There’s no time to worry about clothing.”
“Something modest,” Michal said, remembering Maachah’s dance clothes. “I plan to wear a plain tunic and headdress. Then a shorter wrap, with a contrasting border.” In truth, she already knew she wanted to wear the blue-green tunic the color of her eyes in the sunlight, along with a headdress of that same fabric. Her wrap would be her favorite—deep green with fine embroidery embellishments around its wide border.
Maachah cocked an eyebrow. “And your best jewelry?”
“Yes,” Michal said. “The people will want to be proud of the way we look.”
“Abital, do you feel strong enough to oversee packing in the kitchen?”
“I think so, my lady.” Abital glanced toward Maachah as if to pick up a hint as to what she should do.
“Good,” Abigail continued. “See what we need to take, and how many carts will be required. Remember, the cooks must have access to the things they need for our meals along the way.” She paused and chewed her bottom lip. “I’m guessing we will leave early in the morning and arrive in the late afternoon or evening. We could be delayed along the way, so let’s be prepared. “Haggith, my dear, please inventory the store rooms and household goods. Bird, you can use bedding to cushion carts for the babies. Michal and I will pack the workroom tools, our fabrics, dyes and pots, twine and yarn. Maachah, would you mind helping Abital in the kitchen? Oh, my! There’s so much to be done.”
The days passed quickly with the women busy from daybreak until well after dark every day except the Sabbath. Everyone seemed relieved when the household move was planned, packed, provisioned, and ready to make the journey to their new home.
Abital, still weak from her long illness, occupied space in a narrow cart with her baby. The other women and children who were old enough would walk most of the way. Anyone who grew tired could ride in one of the family carts, provided there was room. However, nursing mothers would have priority.
Eliab told Abigail to gather David’s wives together the night before the move was to begin. “We will leave Hebron at tomorrow’s first light,” he said. “When we reach the vicinity of our destination, we will stop and make camp. I will send word to my lord the king that we are nearby. When he sends permission, we will enter the city of Jerusalem.”
Permission? Michal wondered. How formal.
“At that time, I will announce the order in which the family will proceed into the city.” Eliab pursed his lips and folded both hands over his rounded belly.
A brief murmur of surprise rippled among the women. Eliab droned on, reminding mothers to make sure their children did not fall behind the caravan, warning about the presence of wild animals that might attack stragglers, and cautioning them that any belongings lost along the way or left behind in Hebron would never be recovered.
“Good evening,” he said finally.
“About the order of entering the city—” Maachah began.
“I’ll discuss that when we make our final camp.” Eliab’s smug grin suggested he was enjoying exclusive possession of information.
Maachah continued boldly, “Would not the proper family order be sons first, followed by wives, daughters and finally household servants?”
“We all know what’s proper,” Eliab answered shortly. “We will be entering Jerusalem in a line two abreast, because of some narrow passages. When we are permitted to go in, I’ll tell each of you who your partner will be, and who you will follow. There is no need for anyone to know that information in advance. Since I am sure there are no further questions, I’ll bid you good evening. At daybreak. Be on time.”
Michal and Tirzah went to Michal’s bedchamber. In the morning, they would roll up their temporary sleeping mats and stow them in the designated cart.
Stretching out on her bedding, Tirzah whispered, “Your brother-in-law is impressed with his new station in life, is he not?”
“Eliab is just being Eliab,” Michal sighed. “Always out to prove he deserves to be ranked above his little brother, David.”
“Why is he making such a fuss about who walks in front of whom?” Tirzah continued.
“I cannot say. In truth, there is no decision to be made. The two eldest sons have to be first, the wives must go in rank order, and there’s only one daughter. Eliab has a way of making something from nothing.” Michal planned to walk all the way to the city. Riding in a cart was dusty, noisy, and reminded her of the long ride out of Gallim. She wished her five nephews could enter Jerusalem as royal sons, but she knew that was impossible. They would bring up the rear, in the vanguard of the household servants’ group, accompanied by Rizpah.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
“AND DAVID PERCEIVED THAT THE LORD HAD ESTABLISHED HIM KING OVER ISRAEL, AND THAT HE HAD EXALTED HIS KINGDOM FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL’S SAKE.” II SAMUEL 5:12
Michal found walking through the countryside most enjoyable. Although sometimes the road to Jerusalem seemed to go straight up, the cool weather and slow pace of the caravan made the walk easy for her. Her habit of taking long strolls proved to be good preparation for the journey. Her senses feasted on the sights and sounds of the birds, butterflies and wildflowers, while her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of home.
She thought of the wonderful events that happened to and around her in the past year. Against all odds, she was rescued from the bitterness of Gallim, and her husband welcomed her back to his house. Her nephews were safe in her care. She would live once again in the nation of her birth, and David would rule all of Israel. The land she loved to the very core of her being would now be her home for the rest of her days.
Just one more miracle, Lord, she prayed. A healthy son is all I need. Two or three would be better, but I only ask for one.
Michal’s times of bleeding came and went while David was taking Israel. That was just as well. How fitting it would be to have her son born in her native land. She wondered how long it would take for the cedars and other building materials to arrive. If her son was born in a tent instead of a palace, so be it.
Several hours into the final day of their journey, the caravan stopped briefly at a cold pool of water to refresh the animals. The little boys begged to get into the water, but could not convince any of the adults to accept the delay they proposed.
“I’m worn out,” Bird declared. She dipped the end of her scarf into the water and dabbed at her forehead. “My feet hurt, my back aches, and I have to rid
e a while in one of the carts.”
“You can take my place with Abital,” Abigail said. “I’m ready to stretch my legs again. Is everyone else doing all right?”
“I’m fine,” Michal replied.
After Maachah nodded in agreement, Haggith and Eglah did the same.
Michal’s excitement grew as time wore on. Tirzah brought her food and drink at regular intervals, but Michal resisted her handmaid’s attempts at conversation. She maintained a brisk pace that left the other women unable to keep up with her. She wanted to capture every moment along the way to lock away in her memory. When I’m an old woman, she thought, I can tell my grandchildren about this great homecoming journey.
The countryside began to look more and more familiar. Michal thought a peak visible in the distance was sure to be the Holy Mountain, and her heart soared. They passed landmarks with names Michal recognized. When Eliab directed his horse to a watering place, Michal learned the well bore the name of one of her ancestors. At last, her weary feet were walking on ground once ruled by her father. Her happiness overflowed.
“The children are slowing us down,” Eliab addressed the group of wives as they drew fresh water. “Put them in the carts.”
Michal drank from a hollowed-out gourd and watched Eliab ride away. She did not especially like her husband’s eldest brother, but she felt some sympathy for him. How demeaning it was for him to be in charge of the women, servants, and baggage while David reigned as king. If others had compassion for Eliab, Michal did not hear them express it. The wives grumbled about his high-handed attitude. They complied with his demands, but slowly enough to show as much resentment as they could afford to display for their arrogant brother-in-law.
Michal helped get four of her nephews settled among a load of copper cauldrons. However, they could not locate enough additional space for Rizpah and Joel. “If you can keep up the pace by yourself, I’ll carry the baby,” Michal said.
“Thank you, my lady,” Rizpah said gratefully.
Michal nestled her youngest nephew into a sling she made by tying together the ends of her long scarf. She briefly considered putting her bag of emergency supplies into a cart, but decided to keep it with her. Slinging the bag over her free shoulder, she made her way back to the wives’ group. Eliab rode by and gave her a critical look. Michal smiled and walked faster. Eliab looked in the other direction and rode on.
Daughter of the King Page 19