A Captain in Israel

by Alex Chappell

  "So…so Merab agreed to send her to Gibeah?"

  "Yes," Ayalah answered, "and that’s the most mystifying part of all. Merab detests Michal. She refused to return to Gibeah to attend Michal’s wedding. Since you’re the closest thing Michal has to a best friend, Merab always detested you as well. But now… Well, for some inexplicable reason, her heart seems to have softened toward you. Strange, isn’t it? The Lord must be watching over you. It’s the only explanation."

  Mara nodded. The Lord was watching over her. Of that she had no doubt. But she thought she knew how He had softened the elder princess’s feelings toward her.

  "You can’t begin to imagine," Ayalah said, "how hard it must have been for Merab to acknowledge Michal’s marriage even in as small a way as sending a servant to represent her. Believe me, miracles have been happening over the past few days."

  "I believe you," Mara replied, "and if ever I see Merab again, I will certainly give her my thanks. I thank you and Josiah as well. Thank you for coming to Gibeah to rescue me. Thank you for making this tiring journey in my and Tobiah’s behalf."

  "It’s what sisters do," Ayalah said, putting an arm around Mara. "If ever I needed your help, you would do the same for me."

  It was true. Mara would have done it in an instant, but that didn’t diminish the magnitude of what Ayalah and Josiah had done.

  Their journey continued for several more grueling hours with only a few brief stops to rest. Conversation made the monotony of the journey seem less burdensome, but Mara was glad when the oaks lining their path thinned, bringing a pleasant green vale into sight.

  Hebron. Quaint stone houses sprinkled a landscape of orderly green fields and terraced, gray hills. Josiah led the way to one of these houses – the home of a Hebrew farmer, a modest yet cozy place. It was the type of home Mara imagined one day living in with Tobiah.

  Ayalah and Josiah’s house rested beneath a terraced vineyard. On one side of the house was a small garden, on the other a pomegranate tree, two date palms, and a small olive orchard. There was something warm and welcoming about it.

  "It might not look like much," Ayalah said self-consciously, "but it’s a comfortable home. Josiah and his father built it. All it lacks is children playing in the courtyard."

  "And it won’t be many months before that happens," Josiah added.

  Mara looked with wide eyes at her older sister who had now placed a hand against her abdomen.

  "You’re with child?"

  Ayalah nodded.

  "This is wonderful! I’m so happy for you!" Mara exclaimed.

  But then her countenance darkened, and her smile became a frown.

  "Ayalah… You walked all the way to Gibeah and back. You shouldn’t have done it. Not even to rescue me."

  "It’s still early enough," Ayalah replied. "The baby isn’t due for several more months. I couldn’t stay here. Not when you needed our help."

  "When it’s safe to stay here with you," Mara whispered, feeling suddenly emotional, "I’ll make it up to you. I promise. I won’t give you cause to regret taking me into your house."

  "We won’t regret it," Ayalah answered. "But come. We both need to rest while we can. Josiah will go to Baruch ben Elihu’s house and bring him here to introduce you. Before the sun sets, we have to get you out of Hebron."

  Weariness washed over Mara. She was free of Saul. She was free of her father. But she and Tobiah would obviously be separated from each other for many days to come. She hoped she had the strength to endure.

  —

  "I don’t know how you were involved, but I know you were!"

  Tobiah stared at Gideon. He’d expected a confrontation like this, but he hadn’t realized how much he would enjoy it.

  "Involved? Involved in what? What exactly are you accusing me of?"

  "Don’t pretend not to know!" Gideon exclaimed, fuming. "I know you’re involved with Mara’s disappearance, and I promise you’ll come to regret it."

  Gideon’s face was as red as a ripe pomegranate’s juicy flesh. It would have seemed comical except Tobiah knew how dangerous this man – with his political and familial ties to Saul – could be. It would be wise to remain beyond the angry bear’s reach until all possibility of injury had passed.

  "Mara was at the wedding last night," Tobiah said. "I saw her there as clearly as you did. You might have also noticed I was posted, with three other guards, at David’s front doors. You have nothing to accuse me with."

  "I’ve underestimated you," Gideon said, his cold eyes narrowed. "You may be reckless, but you aren’t as stupid as I supposed. No matter. I have my own ways of getting to the truth. Sooner or later, I’ll find a way to make you regret your part in this."

  "Perhaps you underestimate your daughter," Tobiah replied. "Mara is no fool, and she can decide for herself what she wants in life. Maybe she took matters into her own hands and has chosen a course of her own."

  Gideon glared at Tobiah, his eyes burning like red-hot coals. When he spoke again, it was in a low growl.

  "Marriages can be broken as easily as they’re made. Remember that when you and Mara decide it’s safe to marry without my consent."

  "Neither you nor Saul has the right or authority to undo a marriage Mara, when she’s of age, decides to make." Tobiah balled his fists at his sides and took a threatening step toward Gideon. "When Mara is eighteen years old, the man she chooses will have claim over her and she’ll have claim over him. At that time, any right you think you have to control her will immediately cease."

  Gideon smiled. It was an evil smile, and Tobiah suddenly realized what he had just done. In his anger, he had confirmed everything Mara’s father already suspected.

  "You feel safe hiding under David’s protective wing, don’t you?" Gideon said. "But don’t become too comfortable. David isn’t nearly as influential as you think. When I collect enough evidence to link you to my daughter’s disappearance – and don’t think I won’t – David won’t be able to save you. One day you’ll be at my mercy, and mercy is the last thing you’ll receive."

  Gideon turned now and strode away, but the chill of his hatred lingered. Tobiah turned and walked the other direction – back into the barracks. He was angry – angry with Gideon – but mostly with himself.

  Saul’s soldiers hadn’t apprehended him yet. The best Tobiah could figure was he remained free so Saul’s spies could follow him to Mara. Let them try. He would lead them somewhere, but it was the last place they would have ever thought to look.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  לא

  Deliver me from mine enemies, O my

  God: defend me from them that rise up against

  me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,

  and save me from bloody men.

  Psalm 59:1-2

  Nearly three weeks had passed since Michal’s marriage. Three weeks since Mara’s harrowing escape from Gibeah. It seemed like three eternities, though.

  Mara had been back in Hebron with Ayalah for one of those weeks now, and every day she watched for Tobiah.

  He might have run into complications. He might be delaying his coming to keep both of them safe, but this didn’t make the long wait any easier. Doubts kept creeping into Mara’s mind. Fears gripped her heart. Had Tobiah ultimately decided she wasn’t worth the terrible risk of Saul’s wrath?

  Mara’s eyes were straying more to the road than to the weeds she was supposed to be helping Ayalah remove from the garden. She was staring up the road, lost in her thoughts, when Ayalah’s voice pulled her back.

  "He’ll come. He’ll be here as soon as it’s safe. Don’t worry. Everything will turn out all right."

  Mara turned toward Ayalah, who was stooped beside a long row of chickpeas. Ayalah had an uncanny way of discerning Mara’s thoughts, and, usually, she could pull Mara out of her gloom. Today, however, it would take more than a few positive words to dispel her unhappiness. She was tired of waiting for things to work out. She was tired of worrying. She just wanted the obs
tacles to finally be removed.

  "You should let me weed the garden alone," she said. "You shouldn’t be doing this kind of work in your condition."

  "In my ‘condition’? Do I seem that old and feeble? Or are you bored with my company?"

  "You know what I mean." Mara stared pointedly at Ayalah’s swelling abdomen. "You already did much more than you should have when you walked to Gibeah and back. Now that I’m here, you should let me do this work while you rest."

  Ayalah straightened, rubbed her back.

  "Being active will do no harm to the baby. The sickness in the morning is the worst of it, but I can’t spend half of every day on my bed. I’d rather stay busy. It keeps me from dwelling on my discomfort."

  Ayalah turned her attention back to the weeding. For a moment it appeared the conversation had ended. Then, without looking up, she said, "Give him time. I know it’s difficult to be away from the man you love. I don’t know if I could stand it if I had to be away from Josiah. But Saul will be having Tobiah watched. If he comes too soon, Saul’s men will follow him right to you. How much time do you think the two of you will have together?"

  Mara closed her eyes and shook her head. She already knew this. Did Ayalah not realize she’d tried to tell herself this a thousand times?

  "I miss hearing his voice," she quietly said. "I miss seeing his face. I miss being near him. For so much of the time we’ve known each other, we’ve been forced to be apart. Sometimes I worry God will never let us be together."

  "You mustn’t think that way."

  Ayalah abandoned the chickpeas and moved closer to put an arm around Mara.

  "Your faith is being tested, but God still expects you to exercise it. Look at the progress that has already been made. Things are happening to bring you and Tobiah the happiness you both deserve. You’ve escaped from Father and Saul. Saul’s men have come to Hebron and gone without finding you. There might be obstacles in the path, but the Lord is still providing you with ways around them."

  "I wish I were as optimistic about this as you," Mara mumbled, "but sometimes I grow so tired of my problems. Sometimes I wonder if my life will ever get any easier."

  "If it was too easy, it would make you weak. God wouldn’t be doing you any favors."

  "Maybe you’re right, but I still wish the path could be a little less dark and a little less tangled."

  "From everything you’ve told me about Tobiah," Ayalah said, "he sounds as if he’s bright and resourceful. I don’t think it matters how dark and tangled your path is. He’ll find a way to cut through the obstacles to see you again. Have faith in God. Have faith in Tobiah."

  Mara cast her eyes longingly toward the road to Gibeah. Maybe if she hoped hard enough – maybe if she believed strongly enough – Tobiah would suddenly appear. As usual, however, the unbearable wait continued.

  She hoped it didn’t last forever.

  —

  The moon was momentarily hidden behind a cloud, shrouding the Kidron Valley in darkness. Tobiah cast a nervous glance upwards – toward Jebus’s looming walls – and turned his head a second time to peer into the heavy darkness behind him. He strained his ears to pick up any sound of his pursuers. For the moment, all was silent.

  Saul’s cronies, the group of four armed men who had shadowed him since his departure from Gibeah, seemed to have disappeared without a trace; but the Jebusite sentries who patrolled the walls above him posed an even greater threat. Tobiah began to wonder if this had been such a good idea after all.

  The city-fortress of Jebus, known anciently as Salem, was a thorn in Israel’s side. Attempts to root the Jebusites out of the land had met time and time again with failure. If Tobiah could convince Saul Mara was here – that she and Tobiah had found a place amidst these people – Saul and Gideon would be forced to bring their search to an end.

  Tobiah allowed a smug smile to creep across his face, but it was still too early for celebration. One false step could bring an arrow from the walls. The Jebusites had no love for their Hebrew neighbors and wouldn’t care that Tobiah had a good reason for being here.

  He had to be swift. He had to be silent. He had to pass close enough to the city to make Saul’s spies think he’d entered it but not close enough to attract its occupants’ attention. The darkness and partial cloud cover helped, but Tobiah was so close to the city’s walls he could hear the sentries’ shuffling footsteps above him. He wouldn’t breathe easily until he’d reached the valley’s southernmost end and gotten himself far away from danger.

  "Filthy Hebrew dogs!"

  The words came out of the darkness directly ahead. Tobiah froze.

  "Haven’t they learned our fortress is impenetrable? Let’s gut them and send their heads back to their king in a basket!"

  He saw their silhouettes, dark shadows against night’s backdrop, and Tobiah felt his mouth go dry.

  "How many did you see, Gilgash? Enough to mount an attack? Or just a few sneaky spies?"

  "Only four or five," the first voice replied. "But it was difficult to tell in the darkness. Spread out, you lot. If you see one, shout out to the rest of us. We’ll teach them what happens to Hebrew scum who slink around our walls at night."

  Tobiah saw them moving toward him, and his blood ran cold. Something told him this Jebusite patrol wasn’t interested in taking captives. Somewhere behind him, he remembered passing a dark cavity in the rocks. Not knowing where else to hide, he dropped into a low crouch and doubled back.

  His heart was hammering so loudly he was certain the Jebusites would hear it, but it took only a minute to reach the cavity in the rocks. A vaulted opening beneath the city walls sheltered a small stone basin where a bubbling spring’s cool waters collected. The spring’s noise covered the sound of his footsteps and drowned out his panicked breathing. Tobiah ducked into the cavity just as the moon peeked out from behind a concealing veil of clouds. The valley was suddenly flooded with the moon’s stark, revealing light.

  He had only a few moments to push himself into the cavity’s darkest shadows before the Jebusite patrol reached its entrance. Over the spring’s bubbling, Tobiah heard two words of a whispered conversation.

  "…Hebrew…Gihon…"

  The Jebusites moved into the cavity, and their words became audible.

  "Go back there. Look in those shadows."

  "Why? So I can be spitted on a Hebrew sword? You go back and look for yourself!"

  "No need to. Gilgash said there were four or five. That’s too many to hide in here."

  The men exited to rejoin their comrades, and Tobiah breathed a relieved sigh. He would give the Jebusites time to move further up the valley, then he would leave this place, putting as much distance between himself and Jebus’s fortified walls as his shaking legs could manage. While he waited, however, Tobiah’s eyes wandered. As they grew accustomed to the darkness, he noticed how much thicker the shadows were in the high, vaulted space above him. One spot in particular seemed to be a deeper pocket of blackness, and he eventually realized it was a shaft cutting perpendicularly into the city above him.

  An interesting discovery, but one Tobiah had little time to ponder. Cautiously, he crept from his hiding place, and, keeping to the shadows as much as possible, he slipped away from the Kidron Valley.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  לב

  I sought the Lord, and he heard me,

  and delivered me from all my fears.

  Psalm 34:4

  She was doing it again, staring at a road that held no trace of Tobiah, wondering if she would ever see his face again.

  Mara bit her trembling lip. Almost four weeks had passed – nearly a full month – and she still hadn’t received word from Tobiah. She knew he had to be careful. She knew he couldn’t risk anything that would reveal her location, but wasn’t there some way to at least contact her?

  Disappointed like she had been every evening for the past month, Mara turned, head down, toward the house. As she did this, she nearly bumped into the tall, si
lent figure who had quietly crept up behind her.

  Mara cried out and staggered backward, and the tall young man grasped both her arms so she wouldn’t fall.

  "Not so loud! You’re going to attract unwanted attention!"

  Looking up into a familiar face, she let her mouth drop open in astonishment.

  "You didn’t think I would come here by the main road, did you?"

  Tobiah smiled down at her and laughed.

  "If Saul is still looking for me – though I doubt he’s still wasting his time – that’s exactly where his soldiers would be waiting for me."

  "Tobiah?"

  "Why so surprised? I told you I would come as soon as I could."

  Tears filled Mara’s eyes and quickly traced salty paths down her cheeks. She hesitated only a moment before unabashedly flinging herself into Tobiah’s strong arms.

  "Why are you crying? I thought you wanted to see me again."

  "I…I thought you were never going to come!" Mara sobbed. "These are tears of relief! I’m just so happy to see you again!"

  Tobiah held her tightly, and they stood this way, for several minutes, in silence. She didn’t care whether they spoke or not. She was perfectly satisfied to stay like this, forever, in the safety of his arms.

  "Saul was having me watched," Tobiah said, "like we knew he would. I had to take a few risks to throw him off my trail. I’m fairly sure the biggest risk was worth it in the end."

  "Risk?" Mara narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by ‘risks,’ Tobiah?"

  "What I mean is Saul and your father think we’re happily married, living safely in Jebus."

  "Something tells me," Mara replied, "I don’t want to know what this ‘risk’ involved. But you’re here. And you’re alive."

  "Was it worth it?" Tobiah asked. "Was it worth it to defy your father?"