A Captain in Israel

by Alex Chappell

  "You don’t want to be killed," she said, "but you ignored our express orders not to go anywhere near the battlefield. You broke your promises and there will be consequences for it."

  "I didn’t break my promises!" Tobiah exclaimed. "You made me agree not to go near the battle. I didn’t. Even when our army was routing the Philistines, I stayed away from the fighting. The Philistines were on their way to the Plain of Philistia when I went over to their camp. How was I supposed to know there would be one of them still hiding in a tent?"

  He realized his mistake when he saw the color draining from his mother’s face. His father stared at him, stunned.

  "You went into the Philistine camp?" Caleb’s voice was far too calm.

  "I didn’t think it would be dangerous. It looked abandoned. I never would have gone if I’d known I—"

  "Do you see?" Athaliah interrupted. "Do you see what I told you, Caleb? He isn’t responsible enough to be trusted! He puts himself in situations where he’s likely to get killed!"

  His mother’s comments were justified, but it didn’t stop Tobiah’s anger from welling up inside.

  "I want you to hand the sword over to your father!" Athaliah shouted, on the verge of hysteria. "Where is it? Where have you hidden it? I want the sword now!"

  "No."

  Athaliah stared at him, her mouth open. Anger now glinted in Caleb’s eyes.

  "I didn’t bring the sword home to anger or dishonor you," Tobiah tried to explain. "I brought it because—"

  "I don’t care why you brought it home," Athaliah interrupted. "There are no good reasons for you to possess a Philistine sword!"

  "Bring me the sword, Tobiah." Caleb’s voice was grave.

  "I can’t," Tobiah stubbornly repeated. "The sword is important to me. I paid a high price for it. I’m still paying a high price for it, but it’s part of my future."

  "You may feel like a man," Caleb said, "but you’re still our son. As long as you live in this household, you’ll be required to live by our rules."

  "Then maybe it’s time for me to leave."

  Athaliah stared at him in disbelief, and Caleb’s jaw tightened.

  "You’re not going to leave this house," Athaliah said. "This is more of your foolishness, and I won’t have any of it."

  "It’s not foolishness!" Tobiah’s stomach was knotted with tension, but his mind was firmly set. "I’m going to Gibeah. I’m leaving today."

  "You’re not going anywhere! You’re going to stay right here and do exactly what I tell you to do!"

  Tobiah shook his head. "I’m sorry, Mother. I hope you’ll one day forgive me, but I see this is what I have to do."

  He didn’t wait for a response. He turned and walked out of the house. He wasn’t sure what he’d do when he got to Gibeah. His leather shepherd’s scrip was filled with enough cheese and dried fruit to get him to his destination, but his plan didn’t extend much beyond that. He’d have to find some way to support himself. He hoped David would be there when he arrived and his cousin would be able to find him some occupation in the king’s service.

  "I’ll talk to him," he heard his father saying. "You stay here while I speak with him."

  He didn’t want to talk to either of his parents. He didn’t know what good it would do, but he grudgingly slowed his feet when Caleb called out to him.

  "Tobiah."

  Tobiah stopped but didn’t turn around.

  "The two of us need to talk," Caleb said. "Running away to Gibeah won’t solve your problems."

  "Neither will staying here."

  "I have a solution."

  Tobiah turned to listen despite himself.

  "You can give me the sword," his father said. "I’ll keep it until your mother’s emotions cool — until all of us calm down. Then we’ll talk about your future and the sword’s future."

  "I have no future," Tobiah said. He was surprised at how bitter his voice sounded. "As long as I stay here, I have no say in my life. I can’t live that way anymore. I know you and Mother mean what’s best for me. I know you just want me to be safe and to have a secure future. But have either of you ever stopped to consider what I want? To consider what will make me happy?"

  "A life of blood and death won’t make you happy," Caleb replied. "I know it won’t, Tobiah. I lived that life for a short time. I experienced it at Gilgal. Your brothers lived it at the Valley of Elah. Ask me. Ask them. It isn’t a life you’ll want."

  "I already know this," Tobiah said. "I knew it the moment I stared into a dying Philistine’s eyes. I don’t intend to be a soldier. I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know I was never meant to spend the rest of my life as a shepherd."

  His father said nothing. He just waited while Tobiah struggled with his emotions.

  "That’s what’s going to happen to me if I stay here," Tobiah said. "I’ll be an unhappy shepherd for the rest of my life. Me and my sons after me. You know it’s what will happen. That’s why I have to go. I have to go and see if there’s something for me."

  "We can’t all live David’s life," Caleb said. "In the end you may find yourself grateful it’s not what the Lord intended for you."

  "This isn’t about David!" His father was missing the point. "This is about me! It’s about my life!"

  "And you think you’ll find your answers in Gibeah?"

  "I don’t know. But I definitely won’t find them here."

  "You’re old enough to make your own decisions. If going to Gibeah is what your heart is set on, I won’t stop you from leaving."

  Now it was Tobiah’s turn to be shocked.

  Just remember your family and the good we’ve tried to do for you. Remember we’re always here for you and we love you. Keep it in mind while you’re deciding who you are and what you intend to become."

  A sudden rush of unexpected emotions flooded Tobiah.

  "The sheep," he mumbled after a few moments. "What will you do about the sheep?"

  "The same thing Jesse is doing without David here to watch his flocks. I’ll hire a man to do it. Or I’ll have your brothers take extra turns. We’ll find a way to manage."

  "I won’t be coming back," Tobiah said. "At least not to stay."

  Caleb nodded. "If that’s your decision."

  "Shalom, Father."

  "Shalom."

  He felt his father’s eyes follow him as he walked away. He wasn’t sure if he was making the right decision or the biggest mistake of his life, but he was finally following the path he’d always known his feet would eventually take.

  —

  The sun’s rays seemed finally to have penetrated the dark clouds of depression which had been hanging over Michal. Now that David had received a reward which apparently did not include Merab, Michal’s usual energetic personality was showing itself again. Mara was relieved. Hopefully this would mean an end to Michal’s weeping and moping. More importantly, hopefully it would end the ceaseless errands around the citadel to gather information about David.

  "It’s a wonderful day, isn’t it," Michal said as Mara entered her room. Michal was dancing around the bedchamber with a dreamy look in her eyes. "Don’t you think it’s a wonderful day, Mara?"

  "Yes," Mara agreed, doing her best not to look amused.

  "Do you think David has reviewed his new troops yet?" Michal asked. "Do you think he’ll be out on the training field working with them today?"

  "I don’t know," Mara said. "Abner will probably have to instruct him in his duties before he’s able to do much with his troops."

  "Maybe Abner will take him to the training field today."

  "That’s a possibility."

  Michal twisted and untwisted a lock of her long, dark hair, and Mara guessed what was coming next.

  "Maybe you could stop by the barracks on your way to fetch water from the well. Maybe you can find a soldier who knows David’s schedule."

  Mara stifled a sigh.

  "I’ll see what I can do."

  Michal eagerly pressed an empty pitcher into
Mara’s hands before practically pushing her out the door.

  "Hurry back," she said. "If you find David’s out with his soldiers today, we’ll both go watch them practice. Maybe he’ll notice us standing there. Maybe he’ll come over and talk to me."

  "We can only hope," Mara said, forcing a smile.

  But the moment Michal could no longer see her, she shook her head in despair. She’d been wrong. The errands were never going to end. Michal was going to drive her crazy with them!

  The courtyard looked emptier than usual as she crossed it, and she realized, with some relief, it was because Goliath’s head and armor had been removed from their place of honor. Saul must have allowed David to take them to the barracks. Better there than here.

  "Mara! Wait a moment! I need to have a few words with you."

  Mara turned with a start toward her father’s voice. He wasn’t usually at the citadel this early, so he was the last person she’d expected to meet.

  He was also the last person she wanted to meet. The business with Ayalah had left him in a particularly foul mood, and she’d been avoiding him as much as possible.

  "I see you’re on your way to fetch water," he said, gesturing toward the pitcher in her hands.

  "Yes. It’s for Michal. She’s feeling a little better, and I think she wants to clean up so she can go out for some sunshine and fresh air."

  "Good," Gideon said. "I was beginning to worry about her being cooped up in that room all the time. I’m sure her parents were worried as well."

  Mara nodded as if agreeing; but, secretly, she wondered if Michal’s royal parents cared about her at all. If they really were worried about their daughter, why had neither of them bothered to check on her when she barricaded herself in her room? There was something wrong with Saul’s family. Of course, all wasn’t perfect in her family; but the troubles in Saul’s household seemed to run particularly deep.

  "You mentioned a while ago Michal has an interest in David," Gideon said. "The princess must be quite interested in recent days’ events."

  "Yes." Mara eyed her father cautiously. "The entire city is interested in it. People wonder what prompted the king’s decision."

  "Of course." Gideon’s head bobbed up and down. "It’s only natural for people to wonder. But the king has his wise purposes. It’s not for any of us to question him."

  He paused a moment, as if thinking carefully about the next few words he would choose. Finally, he smiled and said, "You’re in a position to do Michal and the king a great favor. You realize this, don’t you?"

  "A great favor?" It was difficult not to sound suspicious. "What kind of great favor?"

  "It seemed for a while Merab would be given to David as his wife, but now it appears otherwise. Is Michal still interested in David?"

  "I…I haven’t bothered asking her lately."

  Gideon looked disappointed.

  "Well, if she is still interested, she’ll probably seek out opportunities to speak with him. Keep your eyes and ears open. Listen to what David says. Let me know if you hear anything interesting."

  Mara stared at her father. Was he now asking her to spy on David? Why did he care what David said to Michal? He had ulterior motives, and Mara sensed he intended to use her to accomplish his secret purposes.

  "I’ll talk with you again soon," Gideon said. "Let me know what you hear."

  Mara nodded – she didn’t know what else to do – and she stiffened as her father patted her shoulder.

  "Shalom, Mara."

  "Shalom," she repeated back to him.

  She watched silently as Gideon exited the courtyard. Only when she was certain he was gone did she dare venture out the gate herself. Strange things were afoot in Gibeah, and she was trapped in all of it.

  Chapter Fifteen

  טו

  But all Israel and Judah loved David,

  because he went out and came in before them.

  1 Samuel 18:17

  The warm aroma of baked bread wafted to his nose as Tobiah trudged up one of Gibeah’s streets. Merchants were already setting out their wares for the day, and he wished he had money to purchase some of the delicious-smelling bread.

  He had no money, but at least he was here. Now he needed to find David. Everything hinged on it. But Tobiah was distracted from his worries when he spotted the city well. Suddenly he remembered how thirsty he was.

  An old olive tree spread its branches and shade over the well. It also hid the girl from sight until she stepped around it, nearly colliding with Tobiah.

  "Oh!" she said.

  "Oh!" he repeated.

  He found he was staring into the loveliest dark brown eyes he had ever seen.

  "Shalom," he said, nervously rubbing his neck.

  "Shalom," the girl shyly answered.

  Mara. She was even more beautiful up close than she had been when Tobiah first saw her from a distance. Her voice was soft – much like Tobiah had imagined it would be. He’d been preparing himself for the introduction David was supposed to make. But he was totally unprepared for a chance meeting like this.

  "You’ve come to get water from the well," he said, glancing down at the small earthenware pitcher in her hands.

  "Yes," Mara replied. "I’ve come to get water."

  He didn’t know if the slight smile on her lips was because she was embarrassed about nearly walking into him or because she was amused by the stupidity of his remark. He winced. It was never difficult to talk to people, so why was he tongue-tied now?

  "Here," he said, still at a loss for intelligent words. "Let me draw the water for you."

  Quickly, he lifted the wooden lid from the well and grabbed a bucket and rope that hung from the tree’s limb. He was keenly aware Mara’s eyes rested on him while he lowered the bucket and hauled it up again. They both stood in awkward silence as he filled her earthenware container.

  "Thank you."

  "You’re welcome."

  Awkward silence again until Tobiah thought of something intelligent to say.

  "I’ve come here looking for David. I’m his cousin. Do you know him?"

  "Everybody knows David. He’s quite famous these days."

  Tobiah grinned. "Yes. I suppose you’re right. Does that mean you know where I can find him?"

  Mara nodded. "Your best chance is to ask at the king’s barracks. He’s left the citadel now to stay with his troops."

  "With his troops? At the barracks?"

  Mara quickly explained.

  "Perhaps you haven’t heard. The king has made David captain over a thousand. David took command of his new troops yesterday."

  "Captain? Over a thousand?"

  Tobiah mulled this over until Mara cautiously said, "You’re Tobiah, aren’t you?"

  "Yes. You know my name?"

  Mara blushed, and Tobiah was pleased to see he wasn’t the only one who felt flustered by this unexpected meeting.

  "David told me a little about you," she admitted. "I…I’m Mara. Michal’s maidservant. I know David from the king’s court."

  "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mara."

  Another shy smile flitted across Mara’s lips. Then she said, "The royal barracks aren’t far from here. I can lead you there if you don’t know the way."

  Tobiah was about to blurt out he’d already been there before but quickly thought better of it.

  "Todah," he said instead. "Thank you. I would appreciate it."

  Mara lifted her pitcher from the well’s edge, waited for Tobiah to replace the well cover, and they started up the street.

  "I can carry that for you," Tobiah said, nodding toward her filled pitcher.

  "Thank you."

  Tobiah took the pitcher, and they walked in awkward silence.

  "We don’t get much news in Bethlehem," he said when the silence grew unbearable, "and I’ve been wondering, has the king done anything about David’s reward for defeating Goliath?"

  A strange look passed over Mara’s face. She hesitated before answering his quest
ion.

  "David’s reward is his promotion to the rank of sar alef."

  "No marriage to Merab?"

  Mara shook her head.

  "Maybe it’s a good thing," Tobiah thought aloud. "David probably would have declined anyway. It’s Michal he’s interested in. Not Merab."

  Tobiah halted in mid-stride when he realized what he had said. Here he was, walking with Michal’s personal maidservant, and he’d just revealed David’s secret feelings.

  "That’s…that’s probably not something David would want Michal to hear," he said. "You won’t tell her, will you? Not until he’s decided to tell her himself?"

  "It will go no farther than you and me," Mara promised. "But, just between you and me, it’s not something Michal would be unhappy to hear. She’s greatly interested in David as well."

  Tobiah inhaled, relieved, and they walked on in more uncomfortable silence. Despite the awkwardness, they arrived at the barracks far too soon for Tobiah. Mara led him to the front entrance where a guard sleepily stood watch at his post. The soldier straightened, took one look at the Philistine sword dangling from Tobiah’s belt, and immediately scowled.

  "We’re looking for David," Mara said, ignoring the intimidating look on the soldier’s face. "This is his cousin, just arrived from Bethlehem. Could you tell us where we can find the captain?"

  "The king’s new captain isn’t here," the soldier scornfully replied. "He’s taken his ‘troops’ to the practice field. You’ll have to go there if you want to speak with him."

  "Thank you," Mara replied. She turned, rolled her eyes so only Tobiah could see, and motioned for him to follow.

  "He doesn’t seem too happy about David’s appointment," Tobiah whispered. "Are there many here who feel that way?"

  "David enjoys great popularity with the public," Mara answered, "but there are a few who resent him for it."

  It seemed she wanted to say more, but she pressed her lips tightly together and lapsed again into silence.

  "Is the practice field far from here? Will it be very hard for me to find it?"

  "No," Mara answered. "It’s just outside the city. If you follow this street down the hill and stay on it until you reach Gibeah’s outskirts, it will take you right to David. I would lead you there myself, but Michal is waiting for me at the palace."