“Well, that must have made my husband happy,” I said.
“He’s a nice man.” She blushed becomingly. “He only touched me once. And after that, he told me I was too young and has left me alone. He doesn’t beat me like my father beat my mother, and he gives me lots of goodies to eat. He even gave me a white bird. Would you like to see?”
“Sure.” I put my harp down. Joshua ran by chasing Absalom.
“Joshua.” I called and ran after him. “Joshua.”
Absalom tackled his mother’s legs and squirted around her so fast that Joshua ran into her. Maacah, Absalom’s mother, grabbed Joshua by the hair and threw him to the floor. “You little bastard.”
Joshua started to cry. I gathered him in my arms. Maacah tossed her hair over her shoulders and curled her lip in a contemptuous sneer.
After I dried Joshua’s tears, he ran off with Beraiah. I marched to Maacah’s side of the courtyard and stood in front of her. She shot a seething glare at me.
I glared right back. “Whatever you have against me, do not take it out on my son. He’s a child.”
She leaned back on the stone bench and crossed her arms. “How dare you bring five bastard sons into David’s family.” She kept her voice even, almost as if reciting lines from a book.
“I’m the queen,” I snapped. “And if I were you, I’d be careful what you say around here.”
“Not for long, my dear. David will tire of you. He needed your Uncle Abner’s help to get all of Israel behind him. Being seen with you was part of the deal.” She flicked her fingernails and regarded me under half-closed eyelids.
“It doesn’t matter what you think. But touch my children, you’ll answer to me.”
She feigned a yawn. “I have my own children, David’s heirs, to worry about.” She patted her belly. “In fact, he impregnated me shortly after your arrival.”
Abital bustled back into the courtyard. “O Queen!” she chirped, gaily. “Here’s my little Beulah.”
A giant white bird perched on her shoulder. A pale yellow crest on the bird’s head extended and contracted like a unicorn’s horn.
“My, she’s cute,” I exclaimed loudly and turned my back to Maacah. I held out my hand and Beulah peered at me. Rolling her eyes, big and round, a black dot completely surrounded by the whites, she put one foot out tentatively, and upon Abital’s urging, she stepped onto my hand, her feathery crest raising and lowering.
“Helll…oooo?” she said.
I glanced at Abital. “Did she just say hello?”
Abital nodded. “Yes, she talks. Say ‘King David.’”
Beulah said, “King Daaa-vieee.”
We both laughed. Abigail and Ahinoam wandered over to our side.
“Hi, Beulah.”
“Oh, you pretty bird.”
All the bird talk must have sickened Maacah. She put her hand over her mouth and walked back to her chamber.
“She likes to have her head scratched,” Abital said. “Fluff her feathers like this, backward.” Beulah bent her head at Abital, and she fluffed her feathers up.
“Up? Not down?” I said. “Wow, she likes this. Look, she’s scratching the air with one foot while you’re tickling her.”
“Isn’t she sweet?”
“May I?”
I handed Beulah to Abigail and thanked Abital. Maacah’s words had upset me, although I didn’t want to show it. I glanced at the other women. Ahinoam sported a tiny bump on her otherwise slim frame. Haggith was as big as a boat and ready for delivery at any moment. Only Abigail remained frail and slender. But she, too, had a son of David to her claim. While it was true I hadn’t bled, I had just weaned Anna and couldn’t expect to be pregnant so soon.
I sauntered back to my room and tortured myself by recalling the times David spent with his other wives. What if it were true that David put on an act with me to win the hearts of Israel? If he truly loved me, would he visit them so often?
* * *
Day by day, Maacah continued to aggravate me. I appeared calm and collected, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. My nerves upset my stomach, and I became nauseous whenever I spied her.
Ittai met me on the way to pick up my sons from their tutor. “What’s wrong? You look so pale.”
He held his arm for me, but I refused to take it. Out of the corner of my eye, Maacah studied me, one eyebrow arched, the other one tilted. One hand rubbed her chin and the other one hung over her flat belly.
“Let’s get the boys and have lunch.” I looked away from Ittai, my voice clipped and brisk.
“Why so cold?” Ittai asked.
“You’re David’s servant. Is he asking after me?”
“He’ll be back in two days. I’m riding out to meet him. I’d like to know what to tell him if he asks.” He tried to catch my eye, but I turned my face.
“Tell him I’m fine. There’s nothing to worry about.” My voice barely edged out through my clenched lips.
“Knowing you, there’s precisely much to worry about. What’s wrong?”.
We walked side by side. I held my face straight ahead and my hands folded over my chest, walking with as much stiffness and formality as I could muster.
“It is not your concern. I can no longer be friends with you.”
Ittai’s steps fell back. “So long, Princess.”
* * *
David returned with hundreds of new recruits. He devoted his time to their training. All around the palace, men hastened to polish their new iron weapons and set their houses in order.
Waves of queasiness engulfed me. I missed Ittai, but the break was inevitable. I could not devote myself to David if I allowed Ittai to flirt with me. The trouble with Maacah had taken a toll. My back ached constantly, and I felt drained and miserable.
Ittai bowed low before me. “The king requests your presence.”
A pang tripped my heart at the coldness of his tone. I straightened my shoulders and turned away from him. After I put on my jewelry and picked up my sandalwood box, I followed him to David’s tower.
David opened his arms and hugged me tightly. “Isha, I missed you so much.” He swung me on the couch, showering me with kisses. “Are you happy to see me?”
A flush of warmth embraced my vindicated heart. “Yes, yes. I’ve missed you, too.”
David put his hand in his robe and took out a present wrapped in a piece of silk brocade. “I hope you like it.”
I leaned over and kissed him full on the lips. “David, I like everything about you.”
“Go ahead. Open it.”
I pulled out an exquisitely tooled silver box. Engraved filigrees and curlicues spun around a sunflower’s flowing rays. Leaves curled in spirals and waves, surrounded by a border of silver dots and rectangles. The box curved elegantly, with not a single straight side, almost like an animal with four graceful feet.
“I love it.” For the first time in weeks, a smile tickled my cheeks.
“Put it next to your sandalwood box. I noticed you’re always looking at it. This one is shinier, and I hope you’ll love it too.”
“It’s perfect.” I closed my eyes to shut out images of Ittai’s sad face. A tremor of uneasiness rumbled my stomach, and I stiffened myself to hide it.
David removed my hair ornaments, letting my hair fall down over my shoulders. I laid back as a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I swallowed to keep my stomach settled.
“Isha,” David said, grazing my cheek with his fingers. “You look pale. Are you feeling ill?”
A cold sweat broke over my forehead. “Phalti, the bowl.” I muttered and put my hands over my mouth. David handed me a bowl. I put my head between my knees and threw up.
He helped me to the bed and slammed the bowl, splattering the table. “You are ill. I’m calling the doctor.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Are you pregnant? When was the last time you were unclean?”
“I-I don’t know. I don’t remember.” A flood of dread chil
led the back of my head as pinpricks crawled over my scalp.
“What kind of answer is that? A woman always knows. In fact, I know. You haven’t had it the entire time I’ve been with you. Michal, look me in the eye.”
I buried my face in the bed covers, and he yanked them off. “When did you last bleed? Was it at Phalti’s house?”
“I was nursing. I didn’t know you were coming to take me.” My voice quavered and dried to a rustle.
David froze as if stunned. Only the rapid blinking of his eyes and the slight flaring of his nostrils showed his inner turmoil.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked.
“I’ll need time. I should have stayed away from you, kept the rules concerning war captives. Then there’d be no confusion.” His voice was soft. He closed his eyes and exhaled.
“So, I’m a war captive now?”
David thinned his lips and went slowly for the door. His head down, he shut the door with a dull thud.
Chapter 26
Psalm 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
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David and his men stood on a cliff overlooking the Philistine host spread from one end of the valley to the other. The enemy stood shoulder to shoulder, their weapons glinting in the sunlight, their voices rumbling like a earthquake. The heavy breathing and whispers of the men behind him quickened his heartbeat. How could so few go up against so many?
His hand sweaty over his sword, David lowered to his knees and prayed, “Dear LORD, my God. Deliver me from the hand of the Philistines and let me drive them from your land. Let me take back Gibeah where your Holy Ark lies. Let not my hand be slack. In your name, LORD.”
His nephews eyed him, waiting for his command.
“The LORD is with us, do not worry.” David strengthened his voice and puffed out his chest despite the rumbling in his stomach. “We now have iron, too.”
He took a stick of kohl and rubbed black patches under his eyes to keep the glare of the sun from blinding him. The acrid sweat of nervous men mixed with the charred odor left by the brushfires the Philistines had set to clear the valley of obstacles for their chariots and horsemen.
David reviewed the battle plans while praying nonstop in his heart. With Joab in command of the highly trained archers and spearmen, Abishai would lead the experienced light infantry to outflank the enemy. David planned to hold the center with the raw recruits and fend off the brunt of the Philistine charge. The key was to lure the Philistines into the rocky hills.
Abiathar, David’s priest, led the morning prayers and asked for the blessing. The Israelites lined up on the north end where the terrain was rough and uneven. The priests blew the shofar, and the men beat their shields and cheered.
David’s men stood their ground, refusing to charge into the valley. At first the Philistines jeered and bellowed. After a quarter hour of standing down, they marched forward. Their horses reared and bucked, unused to traversing around the large piles of rocks studded with burnt thorn bushes.
“Shields up.” The first volley of arrows whizzed over their heads. David glanced at the line. The Philistine host had seemingly grown larger as they advanced. Sweat stung his eyes and he gulped, mouthing another prayer.
The first clash resounded above the battlefield. Angry grunts met the clang of iron on iron. David raised his weapon and pushed with his shield. The howls of the dying met a volley of curses as each man struggled to survive.
David yelled, “Hold the line. Hold them. You. Step back up. Hold them.”
Another line of arrows whistled above. Several men hollered and fell, breaking the line. David charged into the gap, slashing his sword. Blood sprayed his face as he sliced the Philistines who broke through the ranks. Grunts and screams alternated with the clanking of weapons. Joab’s troop emerged from the canyon walls. They shot at the Philistine flank with a barrage of arrows.
Breathing hard, David pushed the men forward, even as they fell and died.
“Hold them. Do not retreat. Hold them. God will deliver.” His voice hoarse and his throat raw, he coughed as sweat burned his eyes. Cries and screams surrounded him. The line crumbled. The Philistines roared and surged forward.
David ran to meet them. He dispatched one Philistine, then another, and another. Covered with blood, he screamed, “The battle is the LORD’s. He shall repay.”
The Israelites responded with a loud clamoring shout and the blowing of the shofar. From the left, Abishai and the mighty men, experienced fighters, cut through the Philistine flank. Joab’s group blocked the Philistine retreat while David rallied the men with renewed vigor. “Kill them. Kill all of them. Leave none alive.”
David swung right, then left, then up, and down, spearheading the attack through the broken line. He stared a Philistine in the eye and howled at the top of his voice before slicing his throat. He charged the next man in a burst of fury, his sword gutting him. The next man dropped his sword and turned. David cut his back open, and he fell into the row behind.
The remaining Philistines stared at him wide-eyed. David waved his bloody sword above his head. “For the Glory of the LORD. Charge! For Israel! Charge!”
The Philistines cried with confusion. A hot, blasting wind blew from the east and whipped dust and grit in their faces. Panic broke the Philistine host. They crowded their ranks to flee. Joab cut them off, and David’s recruits pushed through the opening. Hollering with the taste of victory, they mowed down every man in their path.
The birds of carrion circled overhead as the sun lowered in the west, the sky as crimson as the surrounding soil. David wiped his sticky, sweaty face. His lungs screamed for mercy, and every muscle ached as he staggered to the top of a rock.
“Blow the horn. We have victory.” David held up his fist and fell on his face to thank the LORD of Israel.
That night the Israelites celebrated and praised the LORD. Boys from the villages looted the enemy camps and stacked up piles of armor, iron weapons, helmets, shields and clothes. David ordered all the images and idols of the Philistines destroyed in a huge bonfire.
David raised his hands and thanked the LORD God above.
“The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. To God be the glory. Great things he has done. Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Let the earth hear his voice. Let the people rejoice. Tomorrow, we retake the villages of Benjamin for the LORD. For Israel.”
* * *
The wagons circled with the bodies of the fallen. David wiped his brow and grunted. Men and boys lay stiff legged, each with a linen tag tied to his wrist. Swarms of flies buzzed amidst the sour, pungent stench of death. Tears seeped into David’s eyes, and he turned away from his generals.
“How many were lost?” David asked.
“Nine hundred sixty-five. We still haven’t combed the woods and separated all the Philistine dead.”
“See that they are identified and taken to their hometowns. List them for me so they can be honored.” How many widows, mothers, sisters, and daughters must he comfort? The price was so high. Yet they had died in full glory, liberating the land of Israel from the Philistine overlords.
The stalwart faces of his new recruits flashed through his mind. Young boys, some who held the sword for the first time. Had he pushed them too far? Should he have trained them more? Rekem from Hebron, Naam from Ziklag, Uzzi from Gilead, Jerimoth from Mt. Ephraim.
David hiked to the top of a cliff. His shoulders sagged. A boy lay broken over the jagged cleft, his sun-bright curls gelled with dried blood. David bent over him. “My son, who’s your father?”
The boy’s ashen face quivered, and he struggled to open his eyes. David brushed the dirt from his downy cheek.
“My king.” His breath uneven, the boy cried, “’Tis an honor to die for you. For I am dying, am I?”
“Yes,” David grasped his hand. “God has you in His hand
.” His tears dripped on the boy’s lips.
“My father is…” the boy choked. The last ray of sunlight reflected over his stilled eye.
David lowered the young warrior’s eyelids. You could have been a mighty man. You could have had many sons and daughters. You died too young.
* * *
A dull cloud settled over me with David’s departure. My heart churned and my stomach roiled with nausea. I busied myself with my sons. They remained the only blessings God allowed me to keep.
Ittai appeared at the door with a deliberate blank face to escort me to my sons. He said nothing and I said nothing. When we entered the women’s courtyard, he bowed and left. After I breakfasted with my boys, Ittai walked them to their tutor.
I settled under a large tree to read a scroll David had left on his desk. Maacah walked by with Haggith. She stopped two cubits in front of me and cast me a disdainful glance. “Haggith, I say. When is your babe due to be born?”
“Any day now. I know it’ll be a boy.”
“Of that I’m sure. Our husband has so many sons. I can’t see why he’d let five sons of Saul move into our family and contend for our husband’s throne.” Maacah’s voice rose with emphasis on the last word.
“I agree,” Haggith replied, twirling her hair with a finger. “Joab said to kill them. I don’t know why our husband is so stubborn. He usually listens to anything Joab has to say.”
I gritted my teeth but would not give them the satisfaction of removing myself. With studied nonchalance, I rolled and unrolled the scroll to the next section. Interesting, why would Haggith have such intimate knowledge of Joab’s thoughts?
“That’s what my father would have done. You know my father is King of Geshur. My father helped David squeeze out the sons of Saul. Her father.” Maacah stopped and sneered. “Her father was mad King Saul. And she’s just as crazy as he was.”
Haggith fluttered her idle hand over her breast. “How do you know?”
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