A Captain in Israel

by Alex Chappell

  Eliab was jealous. David deserved none of the anger his eldest brother was directing at him, but David handled Eliab’s angry words much better than Tobiah would have.

  "Have a safe and peaceful journey," David said, placing a friendly hand on his brother’s shoulder. "Things should soon be back to normal, and maybe Saul won’t be opposed to me leaving Gibeah. I know it’s an extra burden on you to provide for your own family and take care of Mother and Father as well. I’ll do my best to get home and help with it."

  Eliab looked at David, a scowl still etched across his face. Tobiah could tell he was trying to think of some other negative thing to say, but it was difficult when David was being so gracious.

  "Bring me all Bethlehem’s news when you get back here for the armor," David said, turning back to Tobiah. "Shalom, everybody. Send my greetings to your wives and children and our parents."

  Shammah and Abinadab shared farewell embraces with David before turning their feet toward home. Eliab still glowered, but the rest of the group was cheerful. All of them but Tobiah hadn’t seen either their families or their homes for forty days. Tobiah knew they were eager for a happy reunion.

  Tobiah hung back behind the others, staring at the dented shield slung over Joel’s shoulder – listening to the cheerful tune Abinadab had begun to whistle. He had thoughts of his own, but he was certain his thoughts were much darker than those of his brothers and cousins.

  Israel would fight other battles. If not with the Philistines, it would be with the Edomites or the Moabites or the Amalekites or some other enemy. In the past Tobiah had always been ready to volunteer himself for these battles, but now he wasn’t so sure. He would have dwelt on it longer, but Joel shortened his stride to fall back and walk with him. Joel’s unexpected comment made heat spread up Tobiah’s neck and over his face.

  "Her name is Mara."

  "What?"

  "I said her name is Mara. I just thought you’d like to know since you’ll be coming back for Goliath’s armor. She’s a cousin to Saul and serves as Michal’s maidservant."

  Tobiah adjusted his sleeve.

  "Mara?" he asked, trying to speak with casual interest. "How did you find out?"

  "One of the soldiers I fought with at Elah danced with her sister at last night’s celebration. Her sister’s name is Ayalah. She’s Merab’s maidservant."

  Tobiah nodded, trying to hide just how interested he actually was, but Joel wasn’t fooled.

  "Josiah knows Ayalah quite well and intends to marry her. I was able to find out a great deal from him. For instance, Mara isn’t betrothed to anyone. I thought you’d like to know that, too."

  Tobiah shrugged. "This is all very interesting, but I don’t even know the girl. To be totally honest, the odds are probably very slim I’ll ever glimpse her again."

  "You’re right," Joel said, waving his hand in a dismissive way. "I don’t even know why I gathered this information for you. But you never know. Maybe you will run across her again. Maybe it will happen the next time you make a trip to Saul’s fortress. It won’t hurt to be armed with a little information if David happens to introduce you."

  Tobiah opened and closed his mouth. Joel’s satisfied laugh only served to confirm what Tobiah had already guessed.

  "You told David I was interested in her."

  "Convenient, isn’t it," Joel said. "David was about to ask you to come back for the armor, but you volunteered before he had a chance. He approves of your choice by the way."

  "My choice? I don’t even know her, Joel! I thought she was pretty and wondered who she was but…" Tobiah stopped and shook his head, embarrassed by this surprising turn of events. He was also strangely pleased.

  "I won’t even know what to say when he introduces me to her," he finally said. "You’re going to make me look like a fool in front of her."

  "Only you can manage that. But you have one great advantage she won’t have."

  "What is it?"

  "You know David is going to make an introduction. You’ll have time to think about what you’re going to say. She won’t."

  Tobiah tried to put an angry look on his face, but it was difficult. A grin was struggling to break through.

  "Don’t think I’m happy about this," he said. "You really had no business saying anything to David."

  "Of course not. But that’s what brothers are for. Sticking their noses into business that isn’t their own."

  This wasn’t what brothers were for. But Joel had intervened twice now where Tobiah wasn’t capable of helping himself, and he was secretly grateful for it.

  "She might not be around when I show up. She might be away from the fortress."

  "Maybe. But you’ll be glad if she’s there."

  True enough. But he wasn’t about to give Joel the satisfaction of hearing it from him.

  —

  Mara took the far way around the courtyard, avoiding the gruesome collection at its center. It was customary for a conquering army to display the body and armor of its enemy’s slain king or champion. The fallen warrior’s body or dismembered head might be hung upon the city walls or – if taken by the Philistines – proudly displayed in one of their pagan gods’ temples. Saul had decided on showing the giant’s severed head and oversized armor. A curious decision since David’s fame grew with each new pair of eyes that came to see it. It was as if Saul wanted to feed his growing jealousy’s flames.

  Gentle harp music wafted to Mara’s ears, reminding her of the covert mission she was on. Careful not to look at Goliath’s dismembered head, Mara crossed a moonlit patch and entered the hallway leading to Saul’s room. Her job was to listen at his door. Michal wanted to know exactly when Merab’s marriage to David would take place.

  She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do about the guards; but, strangely, none were there tonight. Mara wondered about this as she apprehensively approached the tapestry hanging over Saul’s doorway.

  There didn’t seem to be much going on in Saul’s room. All she could hear was the harp’s calm strumming and David’s clear, warm voice as he sang. Saul was probably already asleep, and nothing worthy of report would be mentioned. Mara contemplated going back to Michal to explain she’d arrived too late, but a sudden sharp clatter silenced the harp.

  "You think to make yourself king and take all my glory!"

  Mara froze in fear.

  "I know what’s in your heart, David! You already have the people’s love and praise! Now you want my kingdom!"

  "No," David said. His voice was strained. "I would never betray you. You’re the Lord’s anointed. Who am I to turn against the Lord’s chosen king?"

  "Liar! I’ll have your life for your treacherous plans!"

  Mara parted the heavy door hanging and peeked inside. She did this just in time to see a sharpened javelin bounce off the wall a hand’s breadth from David’s face. He dodged it like he must have dodged the first javelin which lay on the floor a few steps away. He was about to dash from the room when Saul slumped unexpectedly to the floor.

  "Forgive me," Saul whispered, weeping. "Forgive an old man for his jealous heart and false suspicions."

  Mara felt her heart hammer against her ribs. She wanted to cry out to David to run – to save himself while he still had the chance – but the warning froze in her throat as David, with a look of compassion, moved slowly to the king.

  He knelt beside Saul. He placed a comforting hand on the weeping monarch’s hunched shoulder. Mara didn’t wait to see what happened next. In a panic, she whirled and hurried down the corridor. Somehow she managed to make it back to Michal’s bedchamber where she stood, outside the door, gasping for breath.

  "Mara? Is that you? Why are you back so soon? Come inside."

  Mara tried to steady her shaking hands and slow her rapid, agitated breathing. Michal would ask her what she’d overheard at Saul’s room, but how could she safely explain the murderous event she had just witnessed?

  She thought about slipping back into the courtyard but d
ismissed this idea as quickly as it came to her. If she didn’t go into the room, Michal would grow impatient and wander to Saul’s room looking for her. If Saul found out someone else knew what had just happened, neither Mara nor David would live long enough to tell about it.

  "I thought I heard you out here." Michal opened the door and motioned impatiently for Mara to enter. "What were you doing? Why didn’t you answer when I called you?"

  "I…I was …resting." It probably sounded as stupid to Michal as it did to Mara, but Michal had more important things on her mind.

  "Well?" she demanded, pulling Mara into the bedchamber. "What did you hear? Did my father say anything about Merab? Does it sound like he’s changed his mind?"

  Mara thought hard about what she should say. If she told the truth, Michal would rush to her crazed father’s room to make sure he hadn’t skewered David with a third javelin. Mara never liked being dishonest; but, in this case, it seemed the only wise choice.

  "He…he didn’t say a word," she stammered. "He didn’t say a word about either Merab or the reward. I think he was asleep. No one was talking. David was playing his harp."

  "My father is trying to kill us all with suspense," Michal bitterly complained, biting her lower lip as she pouted. "That’s what this is! He’s probably already told David when the wedding will take place and is waiting until the last possible moment to tell everyone else!"

  "I don’t think so."

  "What?"

  "I don’t think your father has discussed anything with David," Mara said. "I think David knows just as little about his plans as everyone else. I’m not sure the king even knows his own plans."

  "Why do you think that? Has somebody said something?"

  "No. It’s nothing like that. I just…I just don’t think anything has been said to David. And he’s not the kind of person who will ask. I think he’s waiting to hear like the rest of us."

  "Well, I think you’re wrong," Michal stubbornly replied. "But since my father won’t talk, there’s no way we’ll ever know. Unless…" She paused and thoughtfully tapped an index finger against her lower lip.

  Mara knew what Michal was thinking even before she said it.

  "Maybe I’ve been going about this the wrong way," Michal muttered. "If there’s anyone other than my father who knows what’s going to happen, it has to be David. Mara, I have a new assignment for you. It will have to wait until tomorrow, of course, but it’s the only way to find out. Tomorrow I want you to watch for David and catch him when he’s alone. Find out if my father has talked with him about Merab. But don’t let him know I’m the one who wants to know! Be discreet about it."

  "Your father might be angry if he discovers we’re questioning David."

  "Don’t be ridiculous! He’ll never find out about it."

  "I-I don’t know about this. I—"

  "What are you so worried about?" Michal interrupted. "It’s not like you’ll be put to death for asking a few questions. Honestly, Mara, sometimes you don’t care about anyone about yourself. Think of my pain for once."

  "I’ll see what I can find out," Mara mumbled, avoiding Michal’s eyes.

  "Good. And make sure you come straight back to me just as soon as you find out what he’s been told."

  Mara nodded. She needed to learn how to say no to Michal. One day Michal’s demands really were going to be the death of her.

  "At least one thing good has come of this," Michal said, laughing bitterly to herself. "Merab knows just as little as I do. It must be driving her mad. It’s the least she deserves for trying to steal the man I love."

  Mara looked at Michal and tried not to shake her head. Stolen David away? Merab had nothing more to do with this than David did. It was Saul who offered the reward. Michal, in her jealousy, gave Merab more credit than Merab could possibly deserve.

  If nothing else, there was one thing Mara was absolutely sure of. Whoever it was David ended up marrying, it needed to happen quickly so Michal could stop obsessing about him. There was a limit to how much a maidservant or even a cousin could take. Mara had already passed that point.

  Chapter Twelve

  יב

  …And the wounded of the Philistines

  fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto

  Gath, and unto Ekron.

  1 Samuel 17:52

  "Mara! Come this way! I have something to tell you. Something important!"

  Ayalah stood, half-hidden, around the building’s corner, and she gesticulated excitedly with one hand. Curious, and more than a little grateful for a distraction, Mara walked to the edge of the women’s quarters where Ayalah waited for her.

  "He asked me!" Ayalah exclaimed. She threw her arms around Mara and danced with her in a circle. "He asked me last night! I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were asleep when I came to find you. Can you believe it? He asked me! He finally asked me!"

  "Asked you?" Mara felt bewildered. "Who? Who asked you what?"

  "Josiah! He asked me to be his wife!"

  Mara stared uncomprehendingly for several moments then a grin spread across her face.

  "Ayalah!" she said, embracing her sister. "I’m so happy for you! This is everything you ever dreamed of! Has Josiah spoken with Father about it? Have they agreed upon a dowry and a betrothal contract?"

  "No." A little of Ayalah’s fervor faded. "He plans to speak to Father today. I’m worried about how Father will react."

  Mara nodded. She understood Ayalah’s worry. Gideon had never spoken about finding husbands for his daughters. His plans had always focused on them being in service to Saul’s family. Mara got the impression husbands and children were the last things Gideon wanted for his daughters.

  "We’ve already decided what we’ll do if Father is opposed to this," Ayalah said, seeming to read Mara’s mind. "Josiah and I are both of age. With or without Father’s permission, the two of us will be married."

  "Father has influence with Saul. He might try to have Josiah removed from his position. He might be dismissed from the royal guard."

  "We’ve thought of that," Ayalah said. "But we’ve made up our minds. We’re willing to face the consequences – to face them together – if it comes to that."

  There was grim determination on her face, but Mara also saw a hint of fear in her eyes.

  "I’ll pray for you," Mara said. "Whatever stand Father decides to take, I wish you and Josiah the greatest happiness."

  "Thank you." Ayalah grinned. "We will be happy. I know we will."

  Both sisters fell silent. It gave Mara time to think about the uncomfortable new assignment Michal had given her.

  "Do you know if David is still at the citadel?"

  "I saw him there just a few minutes ago. He was in the courtyard speaking with Jonathan. Why? Where else do you think he would be?"

  "I don’t know," Mara said. "I just need to find him and talk to him. Michal has something she wants me to ask."

  "About the reward? Let me know if you find anything out. Merab is so anxious to hear she’s actually losing sleep over it. The only regret I have about leaving to marry Josiah is abandoning Merab during this difficult time."

  "Merab’s happiness is important," Mara said, "but so is yours. You can’t abandon your own just because Merab’s life isn’t going well."

  "I know, but I can’t seem to stop myself from feeling guilty. Merab only has Keren and me for support. Her own mother and father are never there for her. And Michal… Well, you know how much they hate each other."

  "Even if you leave, she’ll still have Keren. She’ll survive without you. She’s strong enough to make it through this."

  Ayalah nodded. She glanced at the sun’s position, and a frown creased her face.

  "I have to go. I promised Josiah I’d meet him before he speaks with Father. He’s off duty by now, and he’ll be waiting for me by the well."

  "May God’s blessings be with you and Josiah," Mara said, giving her sister another hug. "The two of you will be happy together. Everythi
ng will work out."

  Ayalah gave Mara an apologetic look, and hurried around the building’s corner. Alone again, Mara leaned against the cool stone wall, closed her eyes, and tried to think of a way to get out of talking to David.

  Why couldn’t Michal just be patient? Why couldn’t she wait like everybody else until Saul announced his plans?

  The answer was simple. It was because she was Michal, and Michal never waited for anything.

  Sighing in resignation, Mara pushed herself away from the wall and set her feet toward the citadel.

  As Ayalah had said, David was in the courtyard, conversing with Jonathan. Mara stared at him, wondering how he could be in such a good mood when the man he faithfully served had attempted to kill him.

  This wasn’t as simple as Michal seemed to think it was. Mara couldn’t just walk up to David and blatantly begin to interrogate him. But she also couldn’t return to Michal without something to satiate her. Mara hated how Michal always put her in these kinds of situations. She hated how she always caved in to Michal’s demands.

  "Shalom, Mara. Are you waiting for someone?"

  Mara looked up, surprised. She must have arrived just as David’s conversation with Jonathan came to its end. She’d been so engrossed in her troubled thoughts she hadn’t noticed David coming her way.

  "Shalom," she quickly replied, trying not to look or sound too flustered. "No. I’m not waiting for anyone. I’m just on my way to see Michal."

  "Where is Michal?" David asked. "And how is she? I haven’t seen a trace of her since I got back."

  "Michal hasn’t been feeling well," Mara said. "But I’m sure she’ll appreciate your concern."

  David nodded, and Mara took advantage of the moment to inhale a quick steadying breath. She needed to ask Michal’s question before she lost her nerve. David, however, got in the next word first.

  "Some of my relatives were here in Gibeah the other day. Did you get a chance to meet any of them?"