The Book of King Solomon

A life of King Solomon, written byhiscourthistorian!
Such,apparently,werethecontentsof anoldHebrewmanuscript,handedon to Professor Solomon by an elderly relative. Its brittle pages were filled with the storyoftheking:hisyouth,hisrivals for the throne, his accomplishments as ruler, his wise judgments, his thousandwives,hisvisitstotheCave oftheAges,hismagicring,hisasso ciationwithAsmodeus,hisbuildingof the Temple, his speaking with birds, his encounter with Goliath, Jr., his meeting with the Queen of Sheba, hisexcursionsonayingcarpet,his wandering as a beggar, his final days. THE BOOK OF KING SOLOMONfact or fiction? An ancient chronicle or a latterday fabrication? A sensational find or a literaryhoax? Whateverthecase,itisanengagingbookhighlyrecommended toanyonewantingtolearnmoreaboutthewisestofmen,his placeinhistory,andhisrelevancetoday.
ProfessorSolomon istheauthorofHowto Find Lost Objects, Japan in a Nutshell, How to Make the Most of a Flying Saucer Experience,and ConeyIsland. Heresidesin Baltimore. www.professorsolomon.com
top hat press

printedintheu.s.a.
TheBookof KingSolomon
byAhimaaz,CourtHistorian
Discovered,Translated,andAnnotatedby
Copyright2005byTopHatPress Allrightsreserved
ProfessorSolomon
IllustratedbySteveSolomon
ISBN0912509090
http://www.professorsolomon.com
TopHatPress
baltimore
contents
26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60.
contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
TranslatorsNote .......................vi Bathsheba .............................1

Uriah ................................7
Messenger ............................14
Prophet ..............................21
Thou ArttheMan! ...................25
Psalm ...............................30
TavernTalk ...........................34
ASonIsBorn .........................37
Cave of theAges .......................42
Birthday .............................48
School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
DeathTakesaBreak ....................56
LieDetector ..........................63
Egg .................................68
JarofHoney ..........................71
Gad ................................76
AnAltarIsRaised ......................83
View fromtheRoof.....................87
Whoa! .............................92
Successor ............................96
OntheMount........................100
IneffableName .......................105
Absalom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Heat ...............................147
AKingIsCrowned.....................151
Deathbed............................157
Visitors .............................164
Gibeon .............................170
Tutmosa.............................175
StateoftheKingdom ...................183
Ring ...............................190
Manual .............................196
TryingItOut.........................201
Model ..............................210
Shamir..............................216
Asmodeus ...........................221
KingMeetsKing ......................231
Groundbreaking ......................239
Construction .........................242
Dream ..............................251
Dedication ..........................256
Donor ..............................263
Throne .............................270
DisputedInfant ......................277
DoubleTrouble .......................282
SuingtheWind.......................292
A Door Testies ......................297
Goliath,Jr. ..........................302
Wisdom .............................316
OttersComplaint .....................321
Queenof Sheba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
FlyingCarpet ........................340
MysteriousPalace .....................344
ChineseFood ........................350
Luz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Shlomo .............................366
Ahijah ..............................381
GlimpsesoftheFuture .................387
A Solution ..........................400
iii
iv
contents
61. 62. 63. 64.
ArcticVisit ..........................405 Menelik .............................414 Retirement ..........................429 Demise .............................436
TranslatorsNote
AuntRose Whenshepushedasideastackofnewspapersandopenedher breadbox,IassumedthatAuntRosewasabouttooffermeastale pastry.Instead,sheextractedabundleofbrittlesheetsofpaper, tiedwithstring.ThetopmostsheetwasinscribedwithHebrew lettering.Storedinherbreadboxhadbeensomesortofmanu script. Ivewonderedwhattodowiththis,shesaid,andthrustit intomyhands. ThisauntofminewhomIwasmeetingforthersttime wasactuallyagreataunt:thewidowofoneofmygrandfathers brothers.IwasvisitingLosAngeles;andmyfatherawareofmy interestinthefamilysEuropeanpasthadsuggestedthatIlook herup.HungarianbornRose,hehadpointedout,mighthave someloreoranecdotestorecount.Ihadbeenwarned,however, thatshewaskooky.Uponthedeathofherhusband,forexam ple,shehadshippedSamSolomonsclothing,dentures,Masonic ring,and taxidriverlicensetomyfather.Also,shehadaYiddish speakingparrot.WhenIheardabouttheparrot,IknewIhadto visitAuntRose. AuntRoselivedinVeniceBeach,amemberofitsdwindling communityofelderlyJews.Ihadtelephoned,explainingwhoI wasandaskingifImightdropby.Afteraninitialhesitation,she hadgivenmedirectionstoherapartment,afewblocksfromthe beach.Knockloudly,shehadinstructedme,soastobeheard overthetelevision. Thatafternoon I arrived and knocked.The doorwasopened by a short,grayhaired womaninajoggingsuit.Peeringatme throughthicklenses,sheremarked(withafaintaccent)uponmy resemblancetomyfather;decidedIwaswhoIclaimedtobe; and invited me in.ThetinyapartmentintowhichIsteppedwas clutteredwith clothing, magazines, shopping bagsand in disarray.Nonetheless,ithadacozyair.Iwastoldtositdownat thekitchentable.AsIsat,avoicecalledout: Nu? (So?) AuntRosegesturedtowardacageandintroducedmetoher Yiddishspeakingparrot.Turningoffthetelevision,shemademe a cupoftea(fromausedteabag);andacongenialconversation
vi
translators note
ensued. I lled her in on the doings of various relatives, and describedmyowneffortsasawriter.Andshebentmyearwith a litanyofcomplaintsaboutthehippieswhohadinvadedthe beach;theforcesofgentricationthatweredrivingoutlongtime residentslikeherself;thepersonalityofthenewrabbiathersyn agogue. ThenItoldherofmyinterestintheEuropeanpastoftheSolo mons,andaskedifshecouldtellmeanythingaboutChamalyev, themountainvillagefromwhichthefamilyhademigrated.Aunt Rosewaveddismissively,asifatafoolishquestion.Shehadbeen borninadifferentpartofHungary,shetoldme.Itwasntuntil comingtoAmericathatshehadmetSam. Wuisderzhlub? (Whereisthatjerk?)squawkedtheparrot atthementionofhisname. SuddenlyAuntRoserecalledsomething.Herlatehusband,she said,hadbroughtoverfromChamalyevsomeoldHebrewwrit ingspapersof somesortthathadbeenhandeddowninthe Solomon family. Sam had been determined to preserve these papers. Would I be interested in seeing them? When I said I would,shethoughtforamoment,seekingtorememberwhere shehadstoredthem.Thenshewentovertothebreadbox,pulled out the manuscript,andhandedittome.Ihadtimeforonlya quickglance. Stickthatinyourknapsack,shesaid.Itbelongstoyounow. We spokefor a whilelonger.Thenshehadmestandonachair
translators note
andchangethebulbinaceilingxture.FinallyIpromisedto conveyhergreetingstomyfatherandothers.AndIwasheading forthedoorwhentheparrotspokeagainthistimerepeatinga proverb: EsisshverzuseineinYid. ItshardtobeaJew,thebirdhadlamented. Manuscript A weeklater,inthequietofmystudy,Iturnedmyattention tothismanuscript. Thebundleconsistedof109 sheetsofpaper.Brittleanddis coloredwithage,theywerecrumblingattheedges.Thepaper waslowgraderag,withnowatermarktoindicateitsorigin. Eachsheet(exceptforthetitlepage)containedtwocolumnsof text.The textwasinHebrew,handwrittenwithstandardsquare letters.The inkhadfadedsomewhat.Asforthepenmanship,it wasmeticulousandseemedtohavebeenperformedwithaquill. Here and there,acorrectionoradditionhadbeeninterpolated inthe margin. Thetitlepageconsistedoftwolines:
[seferhamelekhshelomoh akhimaatzmazkirmalkhuti ] whichtranslates to
thebookofkingsolomon
by Ahimaaz,CourtHistorian Beneath these lines was the stylized image of a crown. And inscribedatthetopofthepageinadifferentinkandhand wasanameIrecognized.Itwasthatofmygreatgrandfather, Haskal Shlomovitz (the family name having yet to be Angli cized). Apparently, he had put his mark of ownership on the manuscript. Thetextwasdividedinto64 chapters,eachwithabrieftitle. ItwaswritteninclassicalHebrew(whichnarrowsthedateof
vii
viii
translators note
compositiontowithinthelastthreethousandyears).Andittold thestoryofourfamilysnamesake.Herewasanaccountofthe lifeofKingSolomon,inunprecedenteddetail. AsIreadthroughit,Iwasfascinatedbythisdocumentthathad woundupinabreadboxinLosAngeles.ButIwasalsopuzzled. Was it fact or ction, I wondered? Were its origins ancient or modern?Whatwerethesourcesofitsinformation? Andwho,Iwondered,wasitsauthor? Ahimaaz Authorshipofthebookofkingsolomon isexplicitlycred itedtoAhimaaz,CourtHistorian.Moreover,thissameAhi maazappearsinthestory.Heplaysapartinthestrugglewith Absalom;andonseveraloccasionshediscusseswithSolomonthe chronicleheiskeeping. TurningtotheBible,wedondanAhimaazinthecourtofKing Solomonbutthereisnoindicationofhisbeingahistorian.He is presented rather as the resourceful son of Zadok, the High Priest.TheBiblicalAhimaazhelpsdefeatAbsalom;eventually marries a daughter of Solomon; and is appointed governor of Naphtali. A certain Jehoshaphat, meanwhile, is mentioned as chroniclerduringthereignofSolomon. AsforpostBiblicalreferencestoAhimaaz,Ihavebeenableto nd onlyone.In1857 MariaT. Richardspublishedacollection ofsketchesentitled LifeinIsrael. Herbook(written,sheinsists, withacarefulregardtohistoricalandchronologicalaccuracy) containsthe followingaccount: AlargecompanyofdistinguishedIsraelitesweregathered[for the dedication of the Temple]inthecourtofAhimaaz,oneofthe mosteminentof thecitizensofJerusalem,achiefcounsellorin thecourtofSolomon,andthesonofZadok,thehighpriestof Israel.The houseof Ahimaazwassituatedneartheeasternbrow of MountZion,withinafurlongsdistanceofthecitywall,and affordedanextendedviewofJerusalemandherenvirons.Ahi maazconductedhisgueststothehousetop,andtheconversa tion immediately fell upon such subjects as dwelt that night upon every tongue throughout all Israel: the glory of their belovedJerusalem,themagnicenceoftheirnishedtemple,the unexampledprosperityandwealthoftheirnation,thewisdom and royalmajestyoftheirking,andthewonderfulguidanceand
translators note
blessingoftheAlmighty. Sowasthebookofkingsolomon infactwrittenbyAhi maaz,sonofZadokandcourthistorian?Wasitcomposedthree millenniaago? Strictlyspeaking,thatwouldbeimpossible.Thetextcontains toomanyanachronismstohavebeensetdownduringthetime ofSolomon.Ontheotherhand,itisconceivablethatthenarra tiveis basedon someoldhistorythatitpreserveselementsofa lostchronicle.Andthatchroniclecouldderivefromthetimeof Solomon. Indeed, the Biblical account of his reign concludes thus:AndtherestofthedeedsofSolomon,andallthathedid, andhiswisdom,aretheynotwrittenintheBookoftheDeeds ofSolomon?(1 Kings11:41) However,thereisalikelierexplanation.Andthatisthatthe bookofkingsolomonbyAhimaaz,CourtHistorianis a pseudepigraph. Pseudepigraph Whatdo thefollowingancientwritingshaveincommon:the VisionofEnoch,theTreatiseofShem,theTestamentofAbra ham,the Blessingof Joseph,theApocalypseofMoses,theWords of GadtheSeer,theWisdomofSolomon,andtheLetterofBaruch? Simplythatnonewaswrittenbythepurportedauthor.Rather, thesebooksare pseudepigrapha. It was once common for the author of a religious work to attribute it to some noted gure of the pasta patriarch or prophetorsage.Hisintentionwasnottomisleadhisreaders. Rather,hewasassuringthemoftheauthoritativecharacterofhis work.To gainitsacceptance,he waspresentingitasacontinua tion ofanexpansionupontraditionalteachings. Todayweareapttoviewthispracticeasfraudulent.Itseemsa deceptionashamelessploybytheanonymousauthorbehind EnochorAbrahamorGadtodrawattentiontohisbook. Butspuriousattributionwassimplyaconventiononethatwas understoodandacceptedbyreadersoftheday.Itshouldbenoted that a comparable practice exists today. Dictionaries are often presented as Webstersnotwithstanding the fact that their connectionwiththelexicographerisminimal.Publishersknow thatadictionarymustbedeemedauthoritative.OnlyWebsters willdo!
ix
translators note
Dozensofpseudepigraphawerewrittenandcirculatedoverthe centuries.ThebestknownistheZohar,orBookofSplendor thecentraltextofKabbalism.Supposedly,theZoharwascom posedinthesecondcenturybyRabbiSimeonbenYohai,while hewashidingoutfromtheRomansinacave.Infact,itwasthe creationofMosesdeLeon,athirteenthcenturymysticresiding inSpain.DeLeonclaimedtohavetranscribedtheoriginalman uscript,which,heexplained,hadbeendiscoveredinbenYohais caveandsenttoSpain. So thebookofkingsolomon maywellbeapseudepigraph. ButifitwasnotcomposedduringthetimeofSolomon(orbased onwritingsthathadcomedownfromthatperiod),whendidit originate?Andwhowroteit? Herearesomepossibilities: (1) ItwaswrittenduringtheGrcoRomanperiod(theheyday of pseudepigraphy).TheauthorwasaJewishresidentofJeru salemor Alexandria.Heinventedmostofhisepisodes. (2) ItwaswrittenduringtheMiddleAges(perhapsaroundthe same time that Moses de Leon was transcribing the Zohar). The authorlivedsomewhereintheDiaspora. (3) It was written during the nineteenth century in Eastern Europe. The unknown author was inuenced by traditional storytelling,popularnovels,and TheArabianNights. (4) MygreatgrandfatherHaskalwroteit.Hissignatureonthe manuscriptisamark ofauthorship,notownership. And it will no doubt be conjectured that I myself am the pseudepigrapherthatmytranslationisaliteraryhoax,acon temporary workofctionthattherewasnomanuscriptina bread box. But I can assure the reader (though my assurance couldbetakentobepart of the hoax)thatsuchisnot the case. Translation In translatingthebookofkingsolomon, I have soughtto renderitsclassicalHebrewintoaserviceableEnglish.Theprose styleof theoriginalissimpleanddirect,likethatofafolktale; andIhavesoughttoretainthatquality.OccasionallyAhimaaz (orAhimaaz)shiftsintoamoreformaldiction.Thosepassages I haverenderedinverse.Inthecaseofwordsandidiomswhose meaningisobscure,Ihavetakenthelibertyofhazardingaguess. And I have appendedanoteortwotoeachchapter.
translators note
Eventually, I plan to issue a facsimile of the original manu script.Fornow,IofferthisEnglishversionofthebookofking solomon. May it evoke the spirit of the celebrated monarch. Andmayheserve,withhispietyandwisdom,asabeaconin theseperplexingtimes.
professorsolomon
xi
xii
chapter1
Bathsheba
eaningonaparapet,kingdavidcontemplated his city. Dusk was settling upon ita bluish haze thatlentamelancholygleamtotherooftops,court yards,andnarrowlanes.SpreadbeneathhimwasJerusalem theancienthilltownhehadtakenfromtheJebusites; madethecapitalofhiskingdom;andrenamedIrDawid,or CityofDavid.* Davidwasstandingonarooftopofhispalace:aterrace outsidehisprivatechamber.Gazingatthecitybelow,he purredwithsatisfaction.Perchedonaridgeandgirtbya massivewall,Jerusalemwasvirtuallyimpregnableawor thy stronghold. He eyed the North Gate. It had not yet beenshut;and latecomerscouldbeseenhasteningintothe city. Adjoining the gate was the Fortress of Zionthe Jebusitecitadelinwhichhehadoriginallydwelt,andwhich hebeheldnowwithnostalgia.Andintheeasternsectionof thewall,hecouldseetheWaterGatethegatewaythrough whichheandhistroopshadpouredintoJerusalem. From hishighperch,KingDavidlistenedtothesounds
thatrosefromthecity:shoutsandlaughter,thebarking ofdogs,theclatteringofcarts.Andhewatchedtheshad owsdeepenaseveningcametoJerusalem.Windowswere lighting up as oil lamps were lit. Smoke was rising from ovensinthecourtyards.Likeashepherdwatchingover hisock,Davidlethisgazewanderoverthelabyrinthof houses. Butsuddenlyitcametoahalt. Onarooftopbelowthepalaceawomanwasbathing.She wasstandinginabasinandpouringwateronherself.Her nakedbodyglimmeredinthetwilight.
* TheoriginalnamewasUrushalem,orCityofShalem.Shalem (oftenmisreadasshalom) wasthe godassociated withtheplanet Venustowhomthecityhadbeendedicated. In lendinghisname toacapital,Davidwasemulatingthekings of Assyria(whoroutinelysohonoredthemselves),andpregur ingsuchnotablesasEmperorConstantine,PetertheGreat,and GeorgeWashington. The gatehadbeenopenedfromtheinsidebyasquadofcom mandos,ledbyhiscousinJoab.Inadaringploy,theyhadstolen intothe cityundetectedviathewaterworks.Overcomingthe guards,theyhadungopenthegate;andDavidandhisarmy hadstormedin.ThestunnedJebusiteshadsurrenderedwithout a ghtabloodlessvictorythathadpromptedDavidtospare theJebusitesandallowthosewhowishedtostayoninthecity.
bathsheba
Davidgrippedtheparapetandstared.Hewastransxed bythewomansbeauty;arousedbyhernakedness;fascinat edbytheglimpseintosoprivateamoment.Thesoundsof thecityreceded;andheheardonlyhisownbreathingand thefaintsplashofwater. Nowshesteppedfromthebasin,pickedupatowel,and begantodryherself.Davidwatchedasifhypnotized.He wasenthralledbythegraceofhermovementstheashof hereshhervoluptuouscurves. Finally, the woman wrapped herself in the towel and steppedontoaladderinthehatch.Sheclimbeddown.But justbeforedisappearingfromview,sheturnedherheadand seemedtolookinhisdirection. Davidstoodthereforawhile,leaningontheparapet. Thenhewentintohischamber,stuckhisheadoutthedoor, andsaidtoaservant:GetShavshaoverhere.Ineedtosee himimmediately. AfteramomentShavshaappeared.Sire? Loyalvizier,saidDavid,Ihaveataskforyou.Tobe performed discreetly. He led Shavsha out to the terrace and pointed.Do you seethathouse?Findoutwholives there. Shavshabowedanddeparted. Returning to the chamber, David plopped down on a couch.Hepickeduphislyreandwithanintense,pre occupiedlookbegantoplay.*
* KingDavidwasfamedasapoetandsingermostnotablyof psalmsinpraiseof god. NearlyhalfthepsalmsintheBookof Psalmsbearhisnameasauthor.(Biblicalscholarshaveexpressed doubtthatDavidactuallywrotethemthusplacinghimina curiouspantheon,alongsideHomerandShakespeare.Ourulti mateaccoladetoapoetisastrangeone:hispoetryisdeemedto besogreathecouldnotpossiblyhavewrittenit!) Likeanybard,Davidaccompaniedhimselfonalyre.Heused ).InventedbyJubal the Israeliteversion,calledthekinnor ( the grandson of Methuselahandfatherofallsuchashandle theharpandorgan(JubalshouldnotbeconfusedwithJabal,his brotherandfatherofsuchasdwellintentsandhavecattle)
He was still playinga slow, somber melodywhen Shavshareturned. It is the house of Uriah, Your Majesty, and his wife Bathsheba. UriahtheHittite?saidDavid,frowning.OftheMighty Men?* Thesame.Heiscurrentlyoffservingwithourforcesat RabbahAmmon. Atthesiege,ishe? Justso. Davidpluckedalengthyriffonhislyre.Thenhesaid: ThisBathshebasummonhertothepalace.Iwishtosee
thekinnorhadtwelvestringsandacypresssoundbox.Itwasa lyre,notaharp(ascommonlytranslated);andDavidmayhave helditinhislap, likeaguitar. He didmuchof hiscomposingatnight,whendistractionswere fewandapioussoulcouldcommunewith god. Toriseatthat hour, the rabbis tell us, he was provided with a unique alarm clock.At midnighttheNorthWindwouldwaftthroughhiswin dowandstirthestringsofhislyre.Thesoundwouldawaken him; and David would rise and work on songsoften until dawn. (In Psalm 57 he declares: Awake up, my glory; awake, psalteryandharp;Imyselfwillawakeearly.IwillpraiseThee, O LordIwillsinguntoThee.And inPsalm119: At midnight I willrisetogive thanksuntoThee.) * TheMightyMen( , gaborim) were37 notedwarriors. Ofdiverseorigins,theyhadbeenwithDavidsincehisdaysin the wilderness and formed the core of his army. Among them wereAdinotheEznite(inatallythatmayhavegrowninthetell ing,Adinoissaidtohaveliftuphisspearagainsteighthundred, whom he slewatonetime);ZelektheAmmonite;BanitheGad ite;NaharaitheBeerothite(noconnectionwiththebeverage BeerothwasatownnorthofJerusalem);Hiddaiofthebrooksof Gaash;EleazarsonofDodotheAhohite(withonlyDavidand two MightyMenathisside,thesonofDodotheAhohitehad smotethePhilistinesuntilhishandwasweary,andhishand claveuntothesword;andtheLordwroughtagreatvictorythat day);andElhanansonofDodoofBethlehem(thereweregiants intheearthinthosedaysandDodos).See2 Samuel23 forthe completeroster.
bathsheba her.Tonight. Shavshabowedanddeparted. David resumed playing. And he was soon lost in the music,asthecascadingnotesechoedfromthewallsofhis chamber.Abreezewasbillowingthecurtains.Nighthad fallen;andthesummerskywasablazewithstars. Davidwasdeepinamusicalreverie,whenawhiffofper fumedrewhimfromit.HelookedupandsawBathsheba standinginthedoorway.Sheworeacrimsongown.Her hairfelllooselyontobareshoulders.Braceletsglitteredon herarms. He gestured for her to enter. With a demure step, Bathshebaapproachedthecouchanklebellsjingling. Isawyoubathing,hesaid.Onyourroof. And I have heard you singing, Your Majesty, said Bathsheba.Atnightyoursongsdrifttomywindow. Havetheypleasedyou? Ashoneydoesthebear.Yetnotenough. Thenletmegiveyoumoreofmysweetstuff. More shallbetoomuch.Butletity. Ishall,milady, tillEnough!youcry. Strummingonthelyre,hebegantosingamelancholy songaboutashepherdroamingthehills.Bathshebastood beforehim,swayingwiththemusic. Asthesongended,Davidgaveherasoulfullook.Then hechangedtempotoadancebeat.Hisngersew;anda driving rhythmthe kind of music that enlivened the eshpotsof Philistiathrobbed from hislyre.Heslapped the soundboxandhootedasheplayed. Bathshebabegantodance.Sheundulatedowedwith the musichooted back.Tossingherhair,shegazedathim witheryeyes.Andlooseningastring,shelethergown slidetotheoor. Davidungthelyreaside.Andwithagutturalcry,he leapttohisfeet.He cameforwardandseizedher.Andlike a desertchieftainwithaspoilofwarlikethedesertchief tainthathewasheboreBathshebatothecouch. Hours later, a breeze wafted through the window and 5
stirredthestringsofhislyre.ButKingDavidasleepin Bathshebasarmsheardnot.Nordidherisethatnightto singuntotheLord.
chapter2
Uriah
riahrodethroughthe north gate,waving with one hand to soldiers he knew and holding ontohishorsewiththeother.Oneofthesoldiers shoutedagreetinginHittite;andUriahwhohadbeen ridingformanyhoursgaveatiredsmiletohiscountry man.* AtthepalaceUriahwasgreetedbymoresoldiers.Afew werefriends;othersknewtheMightyManbyreputation. Hedismountedandlefthishorsewithaguard. Whatbringsyoutothepalace?askedtheguard. Iknownot,saidUriahwithashrug,butDavidhim selfhassummonedme. Stridingupthe broadstairs,hesalutedtheguardsatthe doorandenteredthepalace.Hisswordandarmorjangled as he passed through the trophy hall. Uriah was a tall, barrelchestedman.Hispointedbeardanddistinctivegarb conicalhat,shortskirt,shoesthatturnedupwardatthe toesmarkedhimasaHittite. Outside the throne room he was told to wait. Finally Shavshaemerged,greetedhim,andescortedhimintothe hall.UriahtheHittite,Shavshaannouncedastheypassed throughathrongofcourtiers.
* The Hittites were an IndoEuropean people residing in Anatolia(modernTurkey).Atonetimetheyhadanextensive empire,threateningevenEgypt.ByDavidstimethatempirehad receded;butscatteredcoloniesremainedthroughouttheregion. Thus,Hittites constitutedoneofthegroupswhoinfortied townsthroughoutCanaanlivedinuneasycoexistencewiththe Israelites.(OtherswereCanaanites,Horites,Hivites,Amorites, Perizzites,Jebusites,Girgashites,Kenites,Kenizzites,Kadmon ites,andRephaimthelastreputedtobegiants.)Anumberof theseHittitesadoptedHebrewnames,spokethelanguage,and intermarried.
Bringthatrascaluphere!saidDavidinaheartyvoice. Andrisingfromthethrone,hecameforwardtoembrace Uriah.Thetwoexchangedamenities.ThenDavidexplained whyhehadsummonedthewarrior. IwantareportonRabbah,hesaid.Onhowthesiege isfaring.Thereportsfrommygeneralshavebeenambigu ous.SoitoccurredtomethatyouaMightyManwhohas beenwithmesincethewilderness,andwhomIknowtobe trustworthycouldprovidemewithacandidreport.So, howgoesthewarwiththeAmmonites?Iseverythinggoing smoothly? Uriahnoddedsolemnly.Icanassureyou,saidthewar rior,thatthesiegeisproceedingapace.Joabisanablecom mander; our morale is high; our supplies are more than ample.Wehavesurroundedthecitynoonepassesinor out,notevenadog!Andwevebeenbuildingsiegeengines andunderminingthewalls.HanunisshutupinRabbah likeabirdinacage.Moreover,wehavecutofftheirmain supplyofwater,sothecityisdependentnowonasingle well.It willnotbelongbeforewehavebreachedthewalls, and broughtHanuntotaskforhisinsult.* Excellent,excellent,saidDavid.Yourreporthasreas suredme.Youhaveconvincedmethattheresnocausefor concern in regards to Rabbah, and that I may direct my attentiontootheraffairsofstate.Mostgratifying. Nowthenyoumustbefatiguedfromyourjourney. Youhaveearnedarest,mygoodman.Iwantyoutoleave
* ThewarwiththeAmmoniteshadbeenprecipitatedbyadip lomaticoutrage.Nahash,theAmmoniteking,withwhomDavid hadbeenonfriendlyterms,haddiedandbeensucceededbyhis sonHanun.DavidhadsentenvoystoRabbah,thecapitalcity, toconveyhiscondolencesandtoexpresshopesforcontinued goodrelations.ButHanunsadvisershadinsistedthatitwasa trickthattheenvoyshadbeensenttospyoutweaknessesin Rabbahs defenses.Unwiselyheedingtheseadvisers,Hanunhad humiliatedtheenvoys:shavingoffhalftheirbeards,cuttingaway the lowerportionoftheirrobes,andexpellingthemfromthe city. Davids responsetothisgraveinsulthadbeentodeclarewar.
uriah here and go home. There you may wash, oil your limbs, dine,stretchoutanddoze.AndperhapsDavidnudged himandwinkedspendsometimewithyourwife,hey? Youknow,reunitewithheraftersolonganabsence.Imean tosay, gountoher, asisthenaturalcustomofmenespe cially after a lengthy separation. Go, go, enjoy yourself. Indulgeyourself!Youhaveearnedtheright.Takeaweekoff from the rigors of war, and partake of the comforts and solaceofhome. SoIwillkeepyounolongerfromawelldeservedrest. Go,getyourfeetwashed.Ridyourselfofthedustoftrav el.Andbecomereacquaintedwithyourwife. Ithasbeenbothmyhonorandmydutytoassistyou, Your Majesty, said Uriah. With a bow, he departed the throneroom. Davidgesturedtotheherald.Themanblewthreetimes onhistrumpetthesignalofdismissal;andeveryonebegan toleoutofthehall. DavidtookShavshaaside.Well?hewhispered.Our planseemstobeworking,doesitnot? Lets hopeso,saidShavsha.For a weekBathshebaand herhusbandwillenjoyconjugalrelations.Then,whenshe givesbirthnextspring,itwillappearthatnowwasthetime of conception,andthatUriah,herhusband,wasthefather. Thussparingyouamajorscandal. David hung his head and looked abashed. Getting involvedwithherwasunwise,Iadmitit.Iletpassiontri umphoversense.And now, good grief, shesendswordthat shespregnant!Butthingswillworkthemselvesout. And hailingaservant,heorderedthatroastedmeatsand otherdelicacies besenttothehouseofUriah.
Butthenextmorningcamebizarrenews.Uriah,itwas reported, had not gone home after meeting with King David.Instead,hehadcampedoutsidetheentrancetothe palace.Andtherehehadpassedthenight,sleepingon 9
a goatskin. Takenabackbythenews,DavidsentforUriah. Whyhaveyounotgonehome?hecalledoutasthewar rior enteredthehall. I could not do so, Your Majesty, replied Uriah. It seemedwrongthat,whilemyfellowsoldierssleptuponthe groundatRabbah,farfromthecomfortandsafetyoftheir homes,Ishouldberestinginasoftbed.Thatwhilethey suffered the adversities of war, I should be enjoying my wife.Suchprivileges seemedtomeunconscionable.There fore,Iwentnot home.Anduponmylife,Ishallnotdo so! David exchanged looks with Shavsha. Then Shavsha leanedoverandwhisperedintohisear.Davidnodded,rose from thethrone,andcameforwardtoclaspUriahshand. GoodUriah,hesaidwithanindulgentsmile.Those areexcellentsentiments,andshowyoutobeatrueMighty Man.YouwishtoreturntoRabbahandreturnyoushall. Butrstacceptatokenofmygratitudeforyourservices: joinmeatdinnerthisevening. 10
uriah Iwouldbehonored,YourMajesty.
thebookofkingsolomon Withduerespect,Sire,Icannothonorablydoso. Davidreddenedwithangerandpoundedonthesideof thethrone.Out,out!hecried.Getoutofmysight,you stubbornman! Uriahbowedanddeparted. Thisrighteousmanwillbetheruinofme,Shavsha, said David. If my adultery with Bathsheba becomes known,Icouldlosethecrown.Why,Icouldbestoned! Onlythewomanisstoned,saidShavsha.Butyoudbe denouncedbytheprophets,whichcouldconceivablycost youthecrown.AndtheTribalConfederationwouldlose theonlymancapableofholdingittogether.Thisisaseri oussituationonethatcallsfordecisiveandunsentimen talaction.Isaygivethemanthatwhichhehasaskedfor. Davidfrownedinpuzzlement.Whathasheaskedfor? Shavshawenttohisdeskandpennedaletter.Hehanded ittoDavid,whoreaditaloud. FromDavid,KinginJerusalem,toJoab,Commander of the army at Rabbah. Greetings and salutations. The bearerof thisletter,UriahtheHittite,isknowntoyouasa MightyManand a brave soldier.Mywishesabsolutely condential!concerninghimareasfollows.Heistobe sentoutwithothersoldiersonahazardousattack,butthen abandonedbythemthathemayengagetheenemysingle handedly, athisownperilandcomewhatmay.Forsuch wouldseemtobehisdesire.Informmeastotheoutcome ofthismatter. Withagrave look,Davidponderedthemessage.Finally he noddedandreturnedtheletter.Shavsharolleditupand afxed theroyalseal. Illtellhimhe mayreturntoRabbah,saidShavsha. AndthatheistodeliverthislettertoJoab. David: Onwhatbleakerrandwethiswarriorsend Tobearthewarrantforhisownswiftend! Shavsha: Wemustdoilltoservethenationsgood. Onecutsdowntrees,ifinneedofwood. 12
AttheheadtableUriahsatatDavidsside.Thedining hall echoed with sounds of merriment. As course after coursewasserved,DavidkeptrellingUriahswineglass andurginghimtodrink.Uriahdidsoandseemedtobe enjoyinghimself. By the end of dinner the warrior was tipsy. He rose unsteadily and thanked David for having invited him. Daviddrapedanarmoverhisshoulderandescortedhim tothedoor. Now,mygoodman,homewithyou,saidDavid.Go, joinyourwife,whomustsurelyyearntoembraceherhus band. Conclude this day in the warmth of her embrace. Hey?Davidwinkedathim. Uriahnodded,grunted,andwobbledoff.
ButinthemorningitwasreportedthatonceagainUriah hadsleptoutsidethepalace.Davidgroanedandsentfor him.Afew minutes laterUriahcamemarchingin. Youstillrefusetogohome?saidDavid,asthewarrior stoodbeforethethrone. IwishonlytoreturntoRabbah. But conditionstherearemiserable.Therestheheat themosquitoesthetediumofasiegethatcoulddragon for months. And the dangerits dangerous there, man! Stayfor a whileand graceuswithyourpresence. Dangerdauntsmenot,saidUriah.Asasoldier,Iwelcome it.Indeed,Idgladlyengagetheenemysinglehandedly takeon anentire squadofthem,thedangerbedamned! Tolingerhereinluxuryandeaseiswhatwouldcauseme misery. Lookhere,Im ordering youtogohomeandenjoythe comfortsthereof. 11
uriah Thevizierbustledoff,leavingDavidaloneinthehall. Davidsatgrimfacedonthethrone,broodingandmur muringtohimself. Thenhecriedout:WhathaveIdone?*

* Whathehaddone,ofcourse,hadbeentosingrievously onceagain.ForsincehisrooftopglimpseofBathsheba,David hadviolatedthreecommandments(commandmentsthathe,as king,wassupposedtoenforce).Hehadcovetedhisneighbors wife;engagedinadulterousrelationswithher;andinsending Uriah to a probable deathcommitted murder. The chief of statehadbecomethechiefsinnerintheland. But rabbinical commentatorsseeking to preserve Davids reputationforpietyhavecomeupwithjustications,rational izations,andmitigatingcircumstancestoexplainthesemisdeeds. Theadultery,accordingtoonerabbi,wasnotadulteryatall.For inancientIsraelasoldier,upondepartingforwar,wouldgrant hiswifeaconditionaldivorceenablinghertoremarry,should he failtoreturn.Thus,Bathshebahadbeentechnicallyadivorced woman;andtheaffairhadqualiedasfornication,butnotas adultery. Asfor themurdercharge,anotherrabbihasarguedthatUriah, inrefusingtogotohishome,wasguiltyofdisobeyingtheorder of a kingacapitalcrime. Theverdictthen?WastheBiblessweetsingertheauthor ofpsalmsandthekingaftertheheartofgodagrievoussin ner?The answerwillcomefromDavidhimself,inchapter5. ItisinterestingtonotethatDavidstreatmentofUriahwasnot withoutprecedent.Hispredecessor,KingSauljealousofDavids successon the battleeld(Saulhathslainhisthousands, women hadchantedtoreturningtroops,butDavidhistenthousands! ) hadoffered himadaughterinmarriage,ifDavidand hismen wouldembarkuponacampaignagainstthePhilistines.Itwasa campaignfromwhichtheywerenotdeemedlikelytoreturn.
chapter3
Messenger
y friend, saidborak,shakinghisheadrue fully, tis a perilous trade we followa liveli hoodthatisfraughtwithdanger. Tisthat,agreedGorash.Asoldierleadsalifeofsafe ty,comparedtoamessenger. ThetwomenweredrinkingintherearofZukistavern. Bothworethedistinctivecapwidebrimmed,withafeath erstuckinitofamessenger.Ontheirbacksweresatchels. Wemustcontendwithwildbeasts,saidBorak,rugged roads,banditslyinginwait. Andmaidenswaitingtolie,saidGorashwithasmirk. Withrain,sandstorms,demonsinthedark. No demon inthe darklikeamaiden,chortledGorash. Withhorsesthatbolt,ordieonyou,orlosetheirway. Yettheresworse.ForneedImentionwhatismosttreach erousinourtrade? Whatsthat? The very messages we bear. For are we not blamed for theircontents?Do we not loseourheadsforhavingbrought illtidings? Aye.Killthemessenger,tiscalled.Anoutrageousprac tice,saidGorash,poundingthetable.Agraveinjustice!*
* The classic example of kill the messenger is Cleopatras reaction (asdescribed by Shakespeare)tothenewsthatherlover Anthony has married someone else. A messenger has arrived fromRome;andCleopatrahastoldhimthat,ifhebearsgood news,shewillawardhimwithgold.Butifhisnewsisbad,she willmeltthatgoldandpouritdownhisillutteringthroat. The messenger tries to soften the blow by starting out with goodnews.Anthonyiswell,hereports,andonexcellentterms with Caesar. But when he goes on to reveal the marriage, Cleopatracurseshimandknockshimtotheground. Horriblevillain!shecries,anddragshimabout.Illunhair
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messenger
mywayoutofthere,hoponmyhorse,andgallopeastward. Thearmyiscampedoutsidethecity,alongsideariver theyve diverted. Weary and covered with dust, I arrive, locateJoab,anddelivermymessage.JoabsummonsUriah andtellshimtondahorseandgoseetheKing.SoUriah issoongallopingoff. Imtoldtostickaround,incaseanymessagesneedto gobacktoJerusalem.SoaweeklaterImstillthereplay ingcheckerswithoneofthecookswhenacloudofdust appears on the plain. And Uriah comes riding back into campwith a sealed letter for Joab. Emerging from his tent,Joabopenstheletter.Hereadsit,frowns,andtells Uriahtoseehiminthemorning. In the morning theres a lot of coming and going at Joabstent.Andthenextthingwehear,theresamission afoot.Ateamofcommandosaregoingtorushthecitygate andtrytosetitonre!Canyoubeatthat?Thisschemeis whattheyvebeenhatchinginthetent.* So these men of valor girt themselves with armor, sword,andshield.Andtheysetout,trottinginloosefor mation toward the gate. There are ten of themled by Uriah.Theyrecarryingbucketsofpitchandatorch.The Ammonitesarewatchingfromatopthewall;andwereall watchingfromthecamp.Nobodycanbelievethis. Arrowsstartcomingatthemastheynearthegate.So thecommandosgointothiszigzagroutine.Theyreachthe
* Whatexactlytranspiredinthetent?AccordingtoJosephus (AntiquitiesoftheJews, vii, 7),JoabmetwithUriahandothersof hisbestsoldiers,andproposedadaringplan.Iftheycouldbreak downpartofthewall,hewouldcometotheirassistancewiththe wholearmyandenterthecity.AndJoabdesiredUriahtobeglad oftheopportunityofexposinghimselftosuchgreatpains,and nottobedispleasedatit,sincehewasavaliantsoldier,andhad a greatreputationforhisvalor,bothwiththekingandwithhis countrymen. Welcoming the assignment, Uriah went off to readyhimself.Atwhichpoint,Joabgaveprivateorderstothose who were to be Uriahs companions, that when they saw the enemymakeasally, theyshouldleavehim.
Hadabrushwithitmyselfrecently,saidBorak. Didyounow? Justlastmonth.Ahairraisingtale.Inconnectionwith thewaragainsttheAmmonites. Im allears,brother. Boraktook a sipof aleand beganhistale. Sincethewarbrokeout,Ivebeenshuttlingbetweenthe campatRabbahandthepalace.Constantlyontheroad a roadthatsmainlythroughdesert. Scorching desert. Any how, Im calledtothethroneroomonemorningandtold toheadforRabbah.ImtoinformJoabthattheKingwants toseeUriahtheHittite.Andseehim immediately. SoIbow
thyhead.Thoushaltbewhippdwithwire,andstewdinbrine. Graciousmadam,hegroans,Ithatdobringthenewsmade not thematch. Saytisnotso,aprovinceIwillgivethee. Hesmarried,madam. Rogue,thouhastlivdtoolong,saysCleopatra,drawinga knife. Themessengerscramblestohisfeetandees.
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messenger gateandbegintosmearitwithpitch.TheAmmonitesare shooting atthemfromaboveanddroppingrocksadeadly downpour.Butthecommandosareabletoprotectthem selves from it. How? By holding their shields over their heads, like umbrellas. Its like men working in the rain! Meanwhile, our cavalry has assembled and is poised to charge. Finally they nish covering the gate with pitch and applythetorch.Butthepitchjustsmokes.Theresnore. Theideadoesntseemtobeworking. Theneverybodyjumpsbackthegateisopening!And a scoreofAmmonitescomerushingout.Menofvalorinfull battlegear.Toughlookinggents. Sowhathappens?Doourownmenofvalordrawtheir swords and ght? No, they skedaddle. They start racing backtocamp.Allofthem,thatis,saveoneUriah!He stands rm and singlehandedly takes on the Ammonites. Canyouimagine?Andhesholdinghisown!Hesthrusting his sword, leaping this way and that, roaring like a lion. And hesdroppingthem,onebyone! Hiscompanionshave haltedintheirighttowatchthis spectacle.SuddenlytwoofthemracebacktojoinUriah. AndthethreemenbattletheAmmonites,slayingagoodly number.Buttheoddsareoverwhelming;andUriahandthe twostalwartsfallnallyandareslain.Whereupon,thesur vivingAmmonitesrushbackinside.Itsoverourraidon thegatehasfailed.Butavaliantattempt,wasitnot? Harebrained,saidGorash. So listen. That night Im summoned to Joabs tent. I come inand hesgotthisseriouslookonhisface.Hedis misses hisaides;and whenwerealone,hetellsmethathes gotamessageforKingDavid.Animportantmessage,he says. Then he stares at me and says: Messenger, do you valueyourhead? Aye,sir,Isay,itstheonlyoneIvegot. ThendopreciselyasIinstructyou.ReturntoJerusalem andtelltheKingwhattranspiredtoday.Tellhimofthedar ingassaultoursoldiersmade.Describehowtheycharged 17
thegate,heedlessofthedanger;soughttoigniteit,undera canopyofshields;andadroitlyescapedwheninterrupted bytheAmmonites.Andinformhimthat,alas,threeofour menperishedintheattempt.Threebravesoldierswhom wehavemournedwithdirges. RelatethisboldendeavortotheKing.Yetbeware.For informedofit,andofthecasualtiesincurred,KingDavid mayexplodeinanger.Deemingtheassaultafolly,hemay rail against it and denounce my judgment. Indeed, his wrathmaybesointensethatheshallseektoventit.Upon thenearestpersonage.Upon you, messenger.Outragedby the tidings you have brought, he may lift his handor worseyet,hisswordtostrikeyou.Suchistheprerogative ofpower. Therefore,youmusthastentoadd: Andamongstthe casualtieswasyourservantUriah. Saythosewordstothe King.Doyouunderstand?Younod.Well,heedmyinstruc tions,messenger,lestthyinstrumentofnoddingbeparted fromtherestofthee.Andonethingmore.Thismessageis strictlycondential.Now,away.Go.GettheetoJerusalem. So I ride by nightand by day,untiltherooftopsofthe capitalgleamonthehorizon.AndImsoonbeingushered intothethroneroom. IdescribetoDavidtheassaultonthegate,andinform himofthecasualties.Andsureenough,heiesintoarage. Whatastupidstunt!hecries,jumpingtohisfeet.What wasJoabthinking?Howcouldheallowthemtoapproach the wall? Has he forgotten the ignominious death of Abimelech,sonofJerubbesheth?Abimelech,uponwhom an old woman cast a millstone from the wall of Thebes. Whatfolly!How dare Joabattemptthisthing? Now Im trying to add that bit about Uriah. But DavidsgoingonwithhistiradeandIcantgetitin.I mean,howdoyouinterruptaking? Used theirshieldsas umbrellas? he says,glaringatme. Didtheyimaginethemselvesonapicnicandcaughtinthe rain?Goodmenlost!Yournewsisvexing.Andmostunwel come. 18
messenger Wait,Sire,theresmore. Buthestepsforwardandgrabsmebythecollar.Yetyou deliverit,hesays,insoblitheamanner.Asifreportingon somesportingevent.Areyouinsensible?Hownow,mes senger!Andheraiseshishand,asiftostrikeme.Itsnow ornever. Sire,Iburstout,thosethreecasualties?Amongstthem wasyourservantUriah. Hegetsthislookinhiseye,murmursUriah,andlets go of me. And returning to the throne, he sits there in silence.Thenhesaysinalowvoice:Ihadquiteforgotten thatletterIsent.Themindhidesfromitselfwhatitcannot countenance.Butthemischiefisdone.Anddonebyme. Then suddenly he claps his hands. But no! he says. TheAmmonitestookhislife,notI.Andtheyembodied thehazardsofwartherisksthatmustberunbysoldiers. Helooksatme.Messenger! Sire? Anothermessageforyoutobear.ReturntoRabbahand untoJoabsay:Thouhastdonewell.Letnotthismatter troublethee.For warisdangerous;andthesworddevoureth whomsoeeritmay.Gonow,anddeliverthesewordsunto Joab. Ibow andhastenoutofthere.AndtwodayslaterIm back in Joabs tent, standing before him. He listens to Davidsmessage,nodsgravely,anddismissesme.ButasI turntogo,hesays: Messenger. Sir? Twas well that the Kings reply was commendatory. Wellfor meand for you.ForItooamrousedtowrathby illtidings.Imighthaveknockedyouabout. Ishrug.Itswhatwerepaidfor,sir. Hewavesmeout.AndIheadforthemesshall,gladto bedonewiththisnonsense.Andthatsmytale,brother. Atalewithamoral,saidGorash.Thebringerofunwel comenewshathbutalosingofce. Buttellmewhatmake youofthatbusinesswithUriah? 19
Idnotventuretosay,saidBorak.Buthaveyouheard thenewsofhiswidow,Bathsheba? No,ImjustbackfromTyre.Whatofher? Withcopioustears,tissaid,shedidmournUriah.But nowshestowedagain. Sosoon?Towhom? KingDavid. No!saidGorash. Boraknoddedknowingly. Thetwomessengerssippedontheirales. Maidens,saidGorash.They are demons.
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chapter4
Prophet
he prophet nathan awoke in a cold sweat. From downstairs he could hear the sounds of his familyatbreakfast.Birdswerechirpingoutsidethe window. He rose from the bed, donned his tunic, and climbed down the ladder. His two sons were eating their gruel. Nathansatdownatthetable. IhavejusthadavisionfromtheLord,hesaidwitha dazedlook. The boys gazed at him in puzzlement. His wife came overandplacedabowlofgruelinfrontofhim. Anothervision?shesaid,aquiverofapprehensionin
hervoice. Iwasdreaming,saidNathan.SuddenlyIroseintothe skyoateduptoacloudoflight,adivineradiance.And I heardavoicefromthecloud.AndtheLordspokeunto me,saying, Behold!IamdispleasedwithmyservantDavid onaccountofhissins,thatarewhisperedofinthecity.And thoushaltstandbeforehimandwhispernot,butletthyvoice blare like a trumpet. And thou shalt denounce this king, andtellhimhehathangeredtheLord.Thoushaltsetthy faceagainsthimanddeclare: ThussaiththeLord,David mustanswerforhismisdeedsforadultery,andmurder,and outingthelaw.Arise,Oprophet,mouthpieceofMine,and betakethyselftotheking.AndsayuntohimasIhavebid thee. Thuscamethevoiceof god fromthecloud.AndI awoke. His wife looked at him in stunned silence. Then she asked:Whatwillyoudo? AmInotaprophet?WhatelsecanIdo?Ishallstand beforeKingDavidanddenouncehim. Husband,do notso!Soonerstandbeforealionandjab itwithastick. Wherearemysandals? Prithee,somebreakfastrst.Thenwithasettledmind mayyouponderthis. Nathanshookhishead.Imustnottarry,lestremem branceofthatvoicefade,andwithitmyresolve. Shebroughthimhissandals.Nathanslippedintothem, kissed hiswife,and waved tohissons.And murmuringa prayer,heheadedforthepalaceandaconfrontationwith the king.*
* A prophethadtobepreparedtospeaktruthuntopower torebukekingswhohadstrayedfromthepathofrighteousness. Suchwatchdogsarosewhenneeded.AmongthemwereHanani, whorebuked KingAsafor faithlessnessandwasimprisonedfor his pains; Jehu (Hananis son), who inveighed against King Baasha; and Micaiah, who also wound up issuing his rebukes from a dungeon. But the most dogged of the watchdogs was ElijahtheTishbite,whoemergedregularlyfromthewilderness
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prophet
todenounceKingAhab. PromptedbyhiswifeJezebel,Ahabwhodidmoretopro voketheLord god ofIsraelthanallofthekingsofIsraelthat werebeforehim(1 Kings,16:33)hadraisedanaltartoBaal.So god sentElijahtodecryAhabsiniquities.Hairy,wildeyed,clad insheepskin,theprophetburstintothethroneroomonemorn ing,glaredattheking,andannouncedadroughtsentaspun ishment,hedeclared,forAhabssins.Thenhehastenedfromthe palace and returned to the wilderness. There Elijah hid in a ravine,drinkingfromabrookandeatingmorselsoffoodbrought tohimbyravens. A droughtsoonbegan.AnditwasmurmuredthatAhabwasto blamethat the prophet had spoken true. Ahab ordered the arrestofElijah,butwasunabletondhim. TwoyearslatertheLordspokeagaintoElijah(whowashid ingout nowinthecoastaltownofZarephath),saying: Go, show thyselfuntoAhab. So Elijahtookuphisstaffandsetoutforthe capital.Onthehighwayheencounteredtheking,whowasout ridingahorse. Arent you he who aficts Israel with drought? said Ahab, gloweringathim. Not I whoafictsIsrael,retortedElijah,butyouandyour fathershouse,throughhavingforsakenthecommandmentsof theLordandworshipedBaal.AndElijahissuedachallengeto the king.AssembleyourpriestsofBaal,hesaid,foracontest todrawrefromheaven. ThecontesttookplaceonMountCarmelbeforeacrowdof onlookers.Thepriestswentrst,importuningBaaltoignitethe offeringontheiraltar.Whennothinghappened,Elijahmocked them.Praylouder,he said,foreitheryourgodistalking,or awayon a journey,orperhapshessleepingandmustbewoke. ThenElijahprayedoveranaltartogodanditsofferingburst into ames. Seeing this, the onlookers fell to the ground and chanted:TheLordisgod! The Lordisgod!And theyputto deaththepriestsofBaal. Jezebel was furious, and ordered that Elijah be arrested and executed.Soagainheedintothewilderness.Andhebeganto despairofhismissionasaprophetandhislifeasafugitive.At onepointElijahsatdownbeneathatreeandsaid:Enough,O Lord,takeawaymylife.Letmerestwithmyancestors. But hetrekkedonandcametoMountSinaianddweltthere
inacave.TheLordspoketohim,givinghimencouragementand instructions.Therefollowedaperiodofwanderingandproph esying. FinallycameashowdownwithKingAhab,whohadcommit tedhisfoulestcrimeyet.Ahabhadwishedtopurchaseaneigh borsvineyardandconvertittoagarden.Theneighbor,however, hadrefusedtosell.SoAhabhadhadhimfalselyaccusedofblas phemyandstonedtodeath.Bylaw,acriminalspropertypassed tothecrown.ButwhenAhabwenttotakepossession,awaiting himinthevineyardwasElijah. Hastthoumurdered,saidtheprophet,andnowwouldplay theheir? Elijahdecriedhiswickedness,andforetoldthedivinepunish mentsawaitingAhabandhisdescendants.Shamedbythedenun ciationandfrightenedbytheprophecy,thekingyieldedatlast donningsackcloth,fasting,andrepenting.Andfortherestofhis dayshe worshipedtheLordonly. Butaprophetsworkisneverdone.AfterthedeathofAhab,his son Ahaziahtook the throneandpromptlyrevertedtoBaalwor ship. Butonedayservantsofthekingwereaccostedbyamanon thehighway,whogavethemamessagetoconveytoAhaziah:Is there not a god inIsrael,thatyou mustresorttoBaal?Thou shaltdiefor this! Uponreceivingthemessage,Ahaziahaskedforadescriptionof the man. Informed that he was hairy and clad in sheepskin, Ahaziahpaled.ElijahtheTishbite!hecriedanddiedsoon thereafter.AhaziahhadinheritednotonlyAhabsthrone,buthis nemesis.
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chapter5
ThouArttheMan
he guards in the lobby stood at attention. Thetrumpethadsignaleddismissal;andcourtiers wereemergingfromthethroneroom.Chattingand joking,theycrowdedthroughthedoorway.Amongthem were priests, bureaucrats, princes, military ofcers, mer chants,ambassadors,tribalelders,hangersonandDavids new wife, Bathsheba. Carrying her infant, she smiled at wellwishers. Asitpassedthroughthelobby,thecrowdignoredthe
slouchedgurewhowassittingonabench.Aneldernod dedtohimrespectfully.Butnoonestoppedtospeakwith Nathan.Andthelobbywassoonempty,saveforhimand theguards. Youmaygoinnow,sir,saidaguard.Sorryyouhadto waitsolong. Thewaithasprovenuseful,saidNathan,rising.Its given me time to come up with a better approachone thatsforcefulyetprudent.A parables thething,whereby IllspeakgodsworduntotheKing. Whatsa parable? A mode of truthtelling thats slightly less hazardous thanoutrightdenunciation,saidNathan.Andheentered thethroneroom. Thehallwaslong,narrow,anddim.Atthefarendwas thethrone;andonitsatDavid,conferringwithanadviser. Everyoneelsehadleft. Astheprophetcamein,Davidspottedhimandcalled out:Nathan,mygoodfellow.Greetings.Whatbringsyou here today?Noidolatrylooseintheland,Itrust.Approach and graceuswithyourpiety. Nathanapproachedthethroneandbowed.OKing,he said,youareafountainofjustice.Casescometoyoufrom throughouttheland;andyoujudgethem.Andyouhave beenpraisedbymyselfandothersforthesoundnessof yourjudgments.Butthesharpestofswordscanbenetfrom beinghoned.Soallowmetohoneyourfacultyofjudgment withahypotheticalcase.Anexerciseinlegalreasoning. Letshearit,saidDavid.Iwelcomesuchanexercise. My facultyof judgmentmayhavedulledfromoveruseand require sharpening. Decideformethenthiscase,saidNathan.Inatown dweltarichmanandapoorman.Therichmanowned herdsofcattleandocksofsheep,whichhegrazedinthe hills. Whereas, the poor man owned but a single lamb, whichheraisedalongwithhischildren.Thispetlivedin hishouse,ateanddrankwithhim,andlayinhisbosom. Indeed,thelambwaslikeadaughteruntohim,soexceed 26
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thouarttheman inglydidheloveit. One day a traveler came to the town. The rich man wishedtofeastthetraveler,accordingtocustom.Buthe wasloathtotakeasheepfromhisock.Sohewentinstead tothepoormanshouseandtookawaythelamb.Andhe slewandprepareditandfeastedthetraveler.Andthepoor manwasleftwithnoughtbuttears. OKing,wasthereacrimehere?Ifso,whatexactlywas it?Andhowwouldyourequiteit? Davidrosefromthethrone,lividwithanger.Wasthere a crime?hesaid.AstheLordliveth,therewasandtwas dastardly!Therichmanwaswickedtohavedonesucha thing.Hispunishment?Tobeginwith,hestole.Soheshall reimbursethepoormanasprescribedbylaw:fourtimesthe valueofthelamb.Butthatstheleastofhisforfeits. Forhe shallalsodie! Considerhisdeed.Therichmanhasanabun danceofsheep;hehasmorethanhecancount.Yethegoes andstealsonefromapoorman!Indoingso,hetakesall thatthepoormanownstakesthefellowsmostcherished possession.Nowthatis cruelty. And crueltyisacrimeagainst god. For the Lord abhors a heartwithoutpity;Hedespises a cruelman.Sothatsmyjudgment.Werethatmantostand hereinthishall,accusedofsuchacrime,Idsentencehim todeath.Hedeservesnoless. NathanpointedatDavidandsaid: Thouarttheman! Huh? Isay,thouarttheman. Whatdo you mean?saidDavid,puzzled. The Lord had given you everything, said Nathan, thrustinghisnger. Heanointedyouking,housedyouin a palace, chastened your enemies. He blessed you with wives,lledyourcofferswithgold,madestrongyourking dom.Andifthesefavorshadnotsufced,Hewouldglad lyhavegivenyoumore. Yet how did you thank Him? By scorning His com mandmentsanddoingevilinHissight! Foryoustolethewife ofUriah. Youhadanabundanceofwives.Yetyoudesired alsothewifeofUriahhisonlywife,whomhecherished. 27
Soyoutookherandarrangedhisdeath.Owhatasinner hasourkingbecome,whooncedidsinguntotheLord. As he listened to these words, David had grown pale. Nowhehunghisheadinshameandstoodinsilence.The adviserslippedaway,exitingthroughasidedoor. Finally, Davidraisedhisheadandgazedmournfullyat theprophet.Allthatyouhaveaccusedmeofistrue,he said.IhavesinnedagainsttheLord.Iamasinneran egregioussinner!Toillustratethewordindictionaries,they shouldputmypicturebesideit.MaytheLordupholdthat judgmentImadeajudgmentuponmyself.ForIdeserve todie. He sank to his knees and began to sob. The sounds echoedintheemptyhall. Your sins were grievous, said Nathan, and indeed meritdeath.ButtheLordismercifulandwillspareyou.For asHe wasangeredbyyoursins,soisHegladdenedbyyour repentance.Youshallnotdie.Yetyoushallbepunished. And Nathandepartedthethroneroom.*
* DavidsrepentanceisdescribedinaworkbytheGreekauthor PseudoCallisthenes:
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thouarttheman
And[David]repentedofhissin,withsorrowandtearsforthe restofhisdays.Andhelayfacedownwardsandprostrateonthe groundforfortydaysandfortynights,andheweptandliftednot uphishead.Andhemournedfortheevilwhichhehadwrought, forsolongthathishairgrewandcoveredhisheadandhisbody, whilstoodsofhistearsoweddownuponthesurfaceofthe earthbyreasonofhisexcessiveweeping.Andhepluckedoutthe hairofhishead,andhiseyesfailedbyreasonofthemultitudeof histears.Andtheangelswhowerestandingbyhisheadsaidunto him,Whomadetheecommitthissin?But godpraisedbe He!istheMercifulOne.Thus godsmercycametohimby reasonoftheafictioninwhichhewas.AndDavidhearkened unto[theangels],andhesanginapsalmofhowgod hadmade towitherallthehairwhichwasuponhishead,andhesaithO god, I myselfopenedthedoorforthissintoenterintomysoul; andbeholdthestoryofhisweepingandgroaningarewrittenin the Book of David. (from the Ethiopic version of Pseudo Callisthenes BookofAlexander, translatedbyE. A. WallisBudge) Thefactsarewildlyexaggerated;butthepoignancyoftheact ofrepentanceiscaptured. (PseudoCallisthenes,bytheway,isnottobeconfusedwith Callisthenes.CallistheneswasanephewofAristotles,afriendof Alexander the Greats, and the author of a history of Greece. PseudoCallisthenes,ontheotherhand,referstoanunknown author who ourished six centuries later, and who sought to enhance the authority of his book by attributing it to Callis thenes.Modernscholarshiphasunmaskedhimandtackedon theprex.)
chapter6
Psalm
hefollowingdaybathshebas infanttooksick. A physicianwassummoned.Heappliedhiscon coctionsandspells,butwasunabletoallaytheill ness.Thechildwasdying,hedeclared. Informedofthis,Davidshuthimselfupinhischamber. There he donned sackcloth and did penancepraying, fasting,sleepingontheoor.Theservantswaitedoutside thedoor,listeningtohimweep. A weekpassed;andstillhetooknofood.WhenShavsha pleadedwithhimtoeat,Davidstaredbackvacantly. NowagrimfacedShavshastoodinthedoorway. Enter, said David, who was slumped on the couch.
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psalm Whatnews? Thevizierremainedatthedoorandsaidnothing. Thechildisdeadthen? Shavshanodded. Davidroseandwenttoanalcove.Heremovedthesack cloth,washedhimself,donnedfreshclothes.Thenhetold Shavshatobringhimfood. Iampuzzled,saidShavsha.Myilltidingshavebrought youbacktolife. Puzzlenot,saidDavid.Whenthechildclungyetto life,Iweptandprayedanddidpenance.ForIhopedthat god wouldtakepityonmethatHewouldbegracious and allow it to recover. But now that the child is gone, whatsthepoint?Notapitcherfuloftears,norathousand prayers,norabedofthornsshallbringitback. Shavshabowedanddeparted. A trayoffoodwasbroughtin.AndDavidate,alonein thetorchlitchamber. Thenhepickeduphislyreandbegantosing: Havemercyonme,lovinggod
And washthesesinsaway
Thatstainthefabricofmysoul:
FromTheeIvegoneastray.
Ihave done evilinThysight,
Commandmentsdisobeyed;
LawandconsciencehaveIscorned
AndTheehaveIbetrayed.
Cleanseme withasprinkling Ofhyssopandofdew Andwashawaytheseshamefuldeeds ThatImaystart anew. Bathe my soulinmercy,
Dissolvethesintherefrom;
LetmebewhatonceIwas
NotwhatIhavebecome.
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thebookofkingsolomon Washawaythewickedness Andpurgemeoftheguilt AndThoushaltownthisheartagain; I promise,Lord,Thoushalt! AndbyexampleshallIteach

Toothersgoneastray
Thejoyfulnessthatcomestohe
Wholearnethtoobey.
AndIshallliftmyvoiceagain Inpraise,OLord,ofThee Andwakethetownwithsongatnight A rousingrhapsody! AndIshallbeg Theetoaccept
Anofferingfromme
And itshallbethatsacrice
Thatmostdelighteth Thee:
Not lamb norbullockslainbypriest
Upon some sacredheight;
Notemptyritual,butthis
A heartthatiscontrite. Havemercyonme,lovinggod
Andwashmysinsaway
AndIshalllivefor Theealone
Untomydyingday.*
HelookeduptoseeBathshebastandinginthedoor
* Foravariantoftheabove,seePsalm51 (superscribed APsalm ofDavid,whenNathantheprophetcameuntohim,afterhehad goneintoBathsheba)intheBookofPsalms. A major differenceliesintheending.Psalm51 concludeswith the promiseof a priestlysacrice,tobeofferedoncethewallsof Jerusalemhavebeenstrengthened.Thissentimentwhichcon tradicts the rest of the psalmis probably a scribal addition, inserted afterthe returnfrom exileinBabylonia.
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psalm way.Herfacewastautwithsorrow. Sheapproachedhim.Davidputdownhislyreandcame forwardtomeether.Theyembracedandwept. Weshallhaveanotherchild,saidDavid.TheLord hastakenourrst,aspunishmentformysins. Andthesecond?Shallitfareanybetter? MaytheLordallowittoprosperinacknowledgment ofmyreturntoHim.
chapter7
TavernTalk
t wasanoisyafternoonatzukis. at a reartable satBorakandGorash.YouvenotheardthatRabbah fell?saidBorak,lookingsurprised. HowwouldIhear?saidGorash.Justgotbackfrom Upper Egypta long and arduous journey. When did it fall? Aboutamonthago,saidBorak.Thesiegehadbrought the Ammonites to the brink of starvation; and Joab was preparingtostormthewalls.Buthewantedthehonorof victorytofalltoDavid.SohesenttheKingamessage, urginghimtocomeandleadtheassault.Imyselfdelivered the message. And how David cried out with enthusiasm upon receivingit.The gloryoftakingacity!Ithadbeena while. SohetraveledtoRabbahandledtheassault.Witha deafeningroarourtroopschargedthewalls,clamberedover them,andengagedtheenemy.Weakenedfromstarvation, the Ammonites could scarcely ght. They soon surren dered;and the citywasours.Wecollectedweapons,took slaves, plundered with abandon. Joab bagged himself a princess;whilethepriestscartedoffanaltar.ButtoDavid went the greatest prize of allHanuns crown. He made Hanunkneel,removedthevillainscrown,andclaimedit ashisown. Whatforasaspare? As a worthy headpiece for the king of Israel. Its cast frompuregoldandweighseightpounds.Anditssetwith a sardonyx.*
* Sardonyxisagemstonewithbandsofred(sard)andblack (onyx).It wasbelieved toprotectfromsorceryandevilspirits, andtoaidinthehealingofwounds.KnowntotheIsraelitesas odem ( ),itwasoneofthetwelvestonesinthebreastplateof the HighPriest.
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taverntalk
andgrabit. Thankyou,Lord,formakingmeamessenger, notaking. Illdrinktothat,saidBorak.Ourjobhasplentyof painsbutonedistinctadvantage.Nooneelsewantsit. Thetwomenclinkedgobletsanddrank.
Hoohah. This crown had been dedicated to Milcom, the Ammonitegod.DavidbroughtitbacktoJerusalem,hadit rededicatedtotheLord,andhaswornitsince. But so heavyeight pounds! Such a crown must be burdensometowear. Tellthattothosewhocovetit,saidBorak,loweringhis voice. To those whoin their daydreamsare already tryingiton. Hownow?saidGorash,hiseyeswidening.Speakest thou of treachery? Nay,ofrivalry.ForDavidhassixteensons,anyofwhom couldsucceedhim.AndBathshebaswithchildagain.Ifits a male,markmywords:shellbegroominghimtooforthat crown.Youregoingtohaveprinceagainstprince,vyingto beking.* Gorashshookhishead.Whointheirrightmindwould wantacrown?he said.Considerthe responsibilities.The perils.Thesheerdiscomfortofwearingthething!Notfor me,thankyou.Illstickwiththisfeatheredcap.Itslight, stylish,and practical. Andnoonescreepinguptostrangleme
* The sixteen sons (by seven wives) were Amnon, Daniel, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shimea, Shobab, Nathan,Ibhar, Elishua,Nepheg,Japhia,Elishama,Eliada,and Eliphalet. TwooftheseAbsalomandAdonijahwillbeseen tohave harboredjustsuchambitions.
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chapter8
A SonIsBorn
heheraldstoodonthebalcony,raisinghis trumpet and looking back at David in the bed chamber. Go ahead, said David. Proclaim the newsuntothepeople. Theheraldblewonthetrumpet,silencingthecrowdthat hadgatheredbeneathBathshebaswindow.Thenhecalled outinastentorianvoice: AsonisbornuntotheKing!Ason isbornuntotheKing! Thecrowdcheered,tossedhatsintotheair,andcalled for King David. Stepping out onto the balcony, David smiledproudlyandwaved. Going back inside, he approached the bed. Bathsheba wassittingup, holdinganinfantthatwasswaddled invel vet. Thepeoplearepleased,saidDavid.Theyshareinour joy. Ihavechosenanameforhim,saidBathsheba. Whatshallitbe?Whatshallwecallthislatestofmy progenythisyoungerbrothertoAmnon,Absalom,Adon ijah,andtherest? Solomon. Sayitagain. Solomon. But doesnt that mean belonging to Shalem? Youre naminghimafterthegodShalem? Im not naminghim after anyone.Ilikethe name,thats all. ButShalemisthegodoftheJebusites.Youwouldded icateoursontoShalem?ToagodotherthantheLord? Itsjustaname. Idontknow,saidDavid,frowning.Imstilltryingto restoremyreputation.WhatsNathangoingtosayand speakingoftheprophet,hereheisnow. 37
Nathan had appeared in the doorway. He bowed and said:Yousummonedme,OKing? Idid.Asyoumayhaveheard,Bathshebahasgivenbirth toason.Wewouldlikeyoutobestowuponhimyourbless ing. Mostwillingly.Forheisatokenofgodsgraceunto youasapenitent,anduntotheHouseofDavid.Haveyou namedhimyet? Actually,no. Good,saidNathan,enteringtheroomandapproach ingthebed.ForIwishtogivehimanameaswellasa blessing. DavidandBathshebaexchangedlooks. The prophet held his hands over the infant. Let thy namebeJedidiah,belovedofgod.Andmayyoulovethe
LordasHelovesthee. godsblessinguponthee,Jedidiah sonofDavid. Nathanbowedagainanddeparted. Bathshebaglaredatherhusband.Thechildalreadyhas a name. WhatswrongwithJedidiah?saidDavid.Ithasanice 38
a sonisborn ring.Anditcamewiththeblessing. Absolutelynot.ImcallinghimSolomon. Welldiscussthislater.Nowshouldbeatimeofjoyand celebration.Heturnedtotheherald.Getbackoutthere andannounceaholidayadayoffeasting.Makethattwo days.Letthepeoplerejoiceatthistokenofdivinefavor.As forme,Icouldusesomesleep. Davidlefttheroomand,stridingthroughthedimcor ridorsofthepalace,returnedtohisownchamber.Therehe removedhisrobe,ploppeddownonthebed,andfellasleep.*
A breezewasrustlingthecurtains.Davidmurmuredand slept. Heawokewithastart.Standingoverhimwasahugeg urewithwings. Whoare you?saidDavid. Thevisitorsmiled.Benotafraid.IamtheangelUriel, messengerofgod. I havecometoannouncethedestinyof the child that god has sent thee. Know that he shall be pious, longlived, and eloquent of speech. And he shall achieve great famefor his wisdom. Indeed, he shall be deemedthewisestofmen!AndheshallglorifytheNameof god. Thats wonderful, said David. But what about the problemwithhisownname? Whatproblemisthat? His mother wants to name him Solomonafter Shalem, the god of the Jebusites. But our prophet has dubbed himJedidiah,belovedof god. So whichisitto be? Youve heard of Scylla and Charybdis? Im caught
* A slightlydifferentversion ofthenamingisfoundintheBook ofSamuel: Andshebareason,andhe[David]gavehimthenameSolo mon.AndtheLordlovedhim. AndhesentforNathantheprophet,whogavehimthename Jedidiah,becauseoftheLord.(2 Samuel12:2425)
betweenawillfulwifeand a righteousprophet.WhatamI todo? The solution is simple, said Uriel. Give him both names. Both? Whynot?Youtell theprophetthatSolomonisanick namethatitderives from shalom, or peaceful. Andyou tellyourwifethatJedidiahisatheisticdesignationamere formality.Eachpartywillbesatised. Ingenious!Illdoit. Uriel smiledandclimbedaladderintoanopeninginthe ceiling.He drewtheladderupafterhim;andtheopening vanished. Davidfellbackasleep.*
* OnlyintheBookofEnoch(inwhichhewarnsNoahofthe comingood)andtheBookofKingSolomondowendUriel servingas godsmessenger.Elsewhere,itistheangelGabriel. (Gabrielcommunicateswithprophets,includingDaniel,whose
39
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a sonisborn
visionsheelucidates,andMuhammad,towhomhedictatesthe Quran.Healsoservesasanannunciatorofbirths,appearingto Zechariah,fatherofJohntheBaptist,andtoMary,motherof Jesus.) Urielisperhapsbetterknownforafatefulblunder.In Paradise Lost, heisapproachedbyadisguisedSatan,whoasksfordirec tionstotheGardenofEden.Urielblithelypointsouttheway.
chapter9
Caveofthe Ages
n eerielightfilledthecave.it arosefroma giantscreenthatwassetintothewall.Imagesick eredonthescreen,accompaniedbysounds. Gazingatthescreenwasanimposinggure.Talland erect,hewasseatedinathronelikechair.Hismaneofhair andbeardwerewhite.Hisfacewasascraggyasthewallsof thecave.Heworeatripletieredhat,surmountedwithan orb,andasilkenrobethatglimmeredinthelight.Inone handheheldagoblet;intheother,aremotecontrol.He wassippingfromthegoblet,watchingacomedyshow,and chuckling. It wasMelchizedek,loungingintheCaveoftheAges.*
* MelchizedekisasignicantgureintheBible,thoughhe makesbutasingle,briefappearance.InGenesis14 heapproach es Abraham,whohasjustreturnedfromabattle;presentsthe patriarchwithbreadandwine;andblesseshiminthenameof ElElyon.Melchizedekthenslipsaway(thoughnotbeforeelicit ingfromAbrahamatitheonhiswarspoils)andisheardfromno more. Who was this mystery man (whose name means my ruler [god] is righteous)? What was his purpose? Did he initiate Abraham?We are toldonlythathewasthekingofSalemanda ),orgod MostHigh.ElElyonis priestofElElyon( described asthe creator of heavenandearth.Hewasevidentlya localmanifestationaparticularbrandofEl,thechiefgod of theCanaanites. So wasMelchizedeksimplyapriestkingasacralmonarch worshipinggod MostHigh,and bestowinguponAbrahamHis blessing?Orwasheasupernaturalbeing? Anemissaryfromthe beyond?PhiloofAlexandriaseemstohavethoughtso,describ ingMelchizedekastheLogosi.e.,theDivineWord.TheBook ofHebrewsdeemshimtobewithoutfather,withoutmother, withoutancestors,havingneitherbeginningofdaysnorend of lifea priest abiding forever. And the Melchizedek Text
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42
caveoftheages A bellrang.Withagrowlofimpatience,hejabbedat theremote.Theshowclickedoffandafacethatofthe angelUrielappearedonthescreen. Yes?Whatisit?saidMelchizedek. Sorry to bother you, said Uriel, but a mixup has occurred; and wed like your advice on what to do. It involvesaclericalerror. Goon. Thisisunbelievable,really.IjustgotbackfromJeru salem,whereIwasinformingKingDavidofthedestinyof Solomon,hisnewbornson.YouknowaboutSolomon? Yes,yes. Anyhow,Igetbackandbumpintomycolleaguehere. WhotellsmehesabouttoleaveforJerusalem.To take Solo mon! A secondfaceobscuredbydarkglassesandahood movedintothepicture.Thenameisonmylist,saidthe AngelofDeath.IgowhereImsent. Butitsamistake!saidUriel,rollinghiseyes.Youwere senttothe palacelastyearforDavidspreviouschild
(oneoftheDeadSeaScrolls)hashimhobnobbingwithangels. Inshort,acelestialbeingasemidivinehierophantanother worldly gure whom Jacob Bryant, the eighteenthcentury mythographer,wentsofarastoidentifywithCronusandFather Time. ItwasspeculationlikethisthatledtoMelchizedekbecoming thefocusofashortlivedsect.EarlyChristianwriterstellofasect of hereticsthe Melchizedekiteswhohonoredhimasaheav enlypower. ThesesectarianscirculatedtheBookofAdamand Eve,whichchronicleshisearliestactivities(suchashelpingShem, the son of Noah,tobuildanaltar). The Book ofMormonmentionshim.InAlma13 we learnthat Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the ofceofthehighpriesthoodaccordingtotheholyorderofgod, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent. Andarabbiniccommentary(MidrashTehillim)creditsMel chizedekwithhavingtaughtAbrahamthepracticeofcharity thattitheonhiswarspoils.
andsomehowtheordergotrepeated.ThisisSolomon,who issupposedtobuildtheTemple.Hisnameshouldnotbe on yourlist. Perhapsnot.Butitsthere.

So justcrossitoff.
TheAngelofDeathshookhishead.Thatcantbedone.
Noyearshavebeenallottedtothechild.Withoutyears,he cannotremaininthetemporalplane.SoImustgoandtake himclericalerrorornot.Itsthelaw,andastrictone. Ridiculous!saidUriel.
Youreridiculous.
Dontyouunderstand?Ivealreadyannouncedhisdes
tiny! 44
43
caveoftheages Thetwoangelsglaredatoneanother. Gentlemen,gentlemen,saidMelchizedek.Look,theres obviouslybeenanerrorandsomethingneedstobedone aboutit.Ifthechildisnotallowedtolivetogrowupand becomeKingSolomonthenwhowillbuildtheTemple? WhowillraiseahouseforgodadwellingplaceforHis Presence?Death,letmeaskyouthis.IfIwereabletocome upwiththoseyears,wouldyourelent? Isupposeso. ThenletmeseewhatIcando.Illgetbacktoyou. Melchizedek clicked the remote and the screen went blank. Draining his goblet, he pondered for a moment. Thenhegotup,walkedtothefrontofthecave,andpassed throughaportal. HehadenteredtheTunnelofTime. Melchizedek strode along a corridor. From somewhere came the tinkling sounds of a xylophone. The corridor glimmeredwithabluishlight.Itwaslinedwithportalsinto furthercorridors.Overeachportalwasanumber. Arrivingatthe one hesought,Melchizedekduckedthrough it.He continued alonganarrowercorridor,whichendedin a smallcave.Passingthroughthecave,Melchizedekemerged intodaylight. He stood squinting at a cloudlled sky. Surrounding himwerewoodedhills.Athisfeetbeganapath.Hesetout uponit. Thepathwoundthroughthehills.Despitehisapparent age,Melchizedekhiked alongatarapidpace,hufngand pufng. Occasionally he stopped to mop his brow and catchhisbreath.Thehillsweresilent,saveforthetwitter of birdsand rustleof leaves. Afterawhile,thesoundofhammeringreachedhisears. Itgrewlouderashetrudgedupahill.Andarrivingatthe crestofthehill,Melchizedeklookeddownuponahome stead. Surroundedbyafencewereahutandagarden.Awoman kneltinthegarden.Shewasllingabasketandkeepingan eyeontwoboyswhoplayednearby.Outsidethefencewas 45
a chickencoop.Hammeringatitsroofwasamanonalad der.Hewastannedandmuscular.Likethewomanhewas cladinananimalskin. Chickens clucked and scattered as Melchizedek came waddling down the hill. Mr. Adam! he called out. A wordwithyou,please. Adam stopped hammering and watched the priest approach.Hiseyesnarrowedwithamixtureofsuspicion andcuriosity. Whateverhesselling,saidthewoman,wedontwant it. Whoareyou?askedAdam. IamMelchizedek,priestof god MostHigh.Thereis a matterIwishtodiscusswithyou. Adamclimbeddownfromtheroof,stoodfacinghim, andsaid:Imlistening. Thereisachild,saidMelchizedek,whoissupposed tobecomekingandraiseatempletogod. Butthatchildis abouttodieunlessadonorcanbefound. A donorofyears oflife. Someonewillingtotransfer,tothechild,aportion of hisowntemporalallotment.Nowyourlifespanhasbeen setatathousandyears.Thatsright,athousand!AndIhave cometoaskyoutodonateasmallportionofthoseyears thereby saving the child and allowing the temple to be built.Atemple,Ishouldpointout,thatwillprovideforthe atonementofsin. Howmanyyearsarewetalkingabout? Sixty. Whoa! Youllstilllivetobe940anenviablespan.And listen, theres somethinginthisforyou.Doyourecallwhyyou becamemortal? Adamhunghishead.Isinned,hesaidglumly.Idis obeyedgod. Indeed you didand brought sin into the world, sir! Heresyourchancetomakeamendsforthat.Byhelpingto bringaboutthistemple. Adampointedtothewoman.Whynotask her forthe 46
caveoftheages years?Shetoosinned. Imaskingyou,asheadofthehousehold. Idoneedtomakeamends,saidAdam.Allright,Ill donate.Whatsacoupleofyears? They shook hands on the deal. Melchizedek thanked himandreturnedalongthepath. AndthepriestwassoonbackintheCaveoftheAges settlingintohischair,rellinghisgoblet,andclickingthe remote. The screen lit up and showed a room in the palace. SittingonacouchwasBathsheba,withherinfant.Shewas surroundedbycourtierswhowerewishingherwell. Melchizedekraisedhisgoblettothescreen.Mayyou thrive,OSolomon,hesaid.Mayyourwisdombrighten theland.Andmayyoubuildthattempleasahousefor god MostHigh,praisedbeHisName!
chapter10
Birthday
olomon leaned over the cake, blew out the candles, and looked up at his parents. They were standingbehindhim,beamingwithpleasure. Bravo!saidDavid.Withasinglebreathyouveanni hilatedvesoldiersreducedthemtosmokingwax. Youhaveyourfathersbreath,saidBathsheba,which varieslikethewindnowablastthatmakeshisminions shake,nowazephyrbearingsugaredwords. Aproperbreath,saidDavid,foronewhosbothwar riorandpoet. Yourfathersversatile,saidBathsheba.Yetyourmoth er, too,hasarangeofskillsoneofwhichisembroidery. Heres a presentIhavefashionedforyou.Shehandedhim
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birthday anornatecap. Acap!criedSolomon,donningit. You are old enough now to cover your head, said Bathsheba. AsFatherdoes,saidSolomon.HepointedatDavids crown.ThatsFatherscap. Just so, said Bathsheba with an indulgent smile. A fanciertypeofcapwhichwillsomedaybeyours. Oh?saidDavid,givingheradarklook. Youpromised! IsaidIdthinkaboutit. ButwhobetterthanSolomontosucceedyou?Topre serveyourachievementsandcarryonyourlegacy?Hesa bright and talented boynot a lout like Amnon, nor a dullardlikeDaniel. Assuredly.Yetwhoisitthatcravesthiscrownofmine he or his mother? Lets ask him. Son, do you wish to be king?Doyouwantacrown,andathrone,andcoffersof gold?Orsomethingelsealtogether?Telluswhatyouwant. Solomonponderedforamoment.Thenhesaid: Iwantwhateerthedaydothbring A cake,atoy,apieceofstring. Weshallbegivenwhatweneed. Whohungereth,theLorddothfeed. Hisparentsexchangedlooks.Didyouhearthat?said David.Fiveyearsoldandhecomesupwithacomment likethat.Inversenoless!Truly,Ihavesiredasageasthe angel foretold.Imustrememberthoselinesandhavethem enteredinthechronicle. And speaking of hunger, said Solomon, how about slicingthe cake? Davidlaughedandcalledforaservant.*
* TheaboveepisodeisfoundonlyinAhimaaz,nootherauthor ancientormodernalludingtoit.ItdoesechoaFrenchleg end (retold in Seymours Tales of King Solomon), in which the threeyearoldSolomonweighshismothersheaddressagainsta
scalefulofwoodshavings.Whenheseesthattheheaddressis lighterlesssubstantialthantheshavings,Solomonlaughsat thevanityitrepresents.
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chapter11
School
olomonandhisfriend josephwereseatedata table.Onthetablewerewritingtablets,ascroll,and a jarofhoney.Standingbeforetheunsmilingseven yearoldswasNathan. Goodmorning,gentlemen,saidtheprophet.Weare here today to commence your education. I shall be your teacher;thispalacerooftopshallbeyourclassroom.Youare to reportheredaily,asIendeavortoteachyoutheThree Rs.HaveyouheardoftheThreeRs? Theboyslookedathimblankly. Theyareto read,revere,andrelish thewordof god, saidNathan.Arewereadytobegin? Theynodded. Nathanpickedupthescrollandunrolledit.Thisisa scroll,hesaid,containingaportionofthebookthatis holytoourpeople.ThatbookwecalltheTorah,orteach ing.YouwilllearntoreadtheTorah.Why?Becauseyour fatherswishyoutobecomelearnedandpiousIsraelites.To that end they have placed you in my charge. Now your father,Solomon,iskingofIsrael.Yours,Joseph,isacook hereinthepalace.Anointedking,greasesplatteredcook menofdifferentstationsinlife.Yetbothofthemareequal ingodseyes.Likewiseshallthetwoofyoubeequalsinthis classroomsubject to the same expectations of diligence andobedience.Ishallbrooknononsensefromeitherofyou. Is thatunderstood? SolomonandJosephnodded. Let us begin then, said Nathan. He pointed to the Hebrewscriptonthescroll.Thesearewords,embodiedin lettersthelettersofthealphabet.Thereare22 lettersand theyareholy.FortheygiveformtoourholyTorah.Now wheredidtheTorahcomefrom?Whogaveittous?Solo mon,doyouknow? 51
MosesgaveustheTorah. Correct.AndwhogaveittoMoses? god. Andwheredidthattakeplace? OnMountMoriah? No,no.Joseph,doyouknowwhere? OnMountSinai,saidJoseph. Thatscorrect.MoseswasgiventheTorahonMount Sinai. It was revealed to him there. A momentous event, which established the covenant between god and Israel. LetmedescribetoyouwhathappenedonMountSinai onthatlonelypeakinthemiddleofadesert. Theboyslistenedwithraptattention. Summoned by god, said Nathan in a solemn tone, Moseshadascendedthemountain.Ashehadclimbed,the sky had darkened. Lightning had ashed, thunder had rolled.Andthemountainhadbellowedforthsmokeand re. Mosesarrivedatthesummit.Whereupon,adarkcloud descendedfromtheskyandopened.Hesteppedintoit. And the cloudbore himuptoHeaven. Emergingfromthecloud,Mosesapproachedtherst gateofHeaven.GuardingitwastheangelKeniel.What are youdoinghere,mortal?saidKeniel.Returntoyour realm! But Moses uttered the Secret Name of god revealedtohimattheBurningBushandKenielmoved aside. Moses passed through the gate and continued on throughamist,untilarrivingatthesecondgate.Thisone was guarded by Hadarniel, an enormous, rebreathing angel.Hadarniel,too,challenged him;andsoterriedwas MosesbyHadarnielsappearancethathecouldnotspeak couldnotpronouncetheSecretNameofgod. Butthevoice of god soundedandorderedthathebeallowedtopass. And hecametothethirdgate,guardedbySandalfon anangelwithaerysword.Sandalfonraisedhisswordina threateningmanner.Butgod orderedthatMosesbeadmit tedtoHeaven.SoSandalfonledhimthroughthegate, 52
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possess the Torahgods gift to Israel and to mankind. Youhaveaquestion,Solomon? DidMosescopytheentireTorah? Indeedhedid. Howlongdidthattakehim? Fortydays. Hewasupthereforfortydays? Thatsright. Wheredidhegetfoodandpaperandstuff ? Hehadaknapsackwithhim,containingeverythinghe needed.* Solomonnoddedthoughtfully. So thats how the Torah came to us, said Nathan. Nowbacktothealphabettothelettersthatgiveformto thewordsoftheTorah.Pickupyourtablets.Andlookat themarksinthewax.Thosearethelettersofthealphabet. Eachhasaname,suchasalephorbeth.ButbeforeIintro ducethem,wehaveaceremonytoenactthepurposeof whichistoinaugurateyourstudies.Toinitiateyouintothe worldoflearning. Nathanpickedupthejarofhoney.Withaspoonheput a dabofhoneyoneachtablet. Taste the honey with your nger, he said. And describethetaste. Likeconnoisseursthe boystastedthehoney. Sweet,saidSolomon. Quitesweet,saidJoseph. Nathanbowedhisheadandsaid: HowsweetThywordsuponmytongue Likehoneyofthebee. Howsweetthewordsofgod MostHigh; O Lord,mythankstoThee.
* Prophets,visionaries,andothervisitorstotheOtherWorld mustnotneglectthepracticalexigenciesoftheirexperience.In my HowtoMaketheMostofaFlyingSaucerExperience (TopHat Press,1998),IlistthecontentsofasuggestedEncounterKit.
carriedhimovertheRiverofFire,andlefthimoutsidethe Palace. Moses wentinside and stoodbeforetheThroneofGlory orrather,beforethecurtainthatveilsit.Andtheangel Jephephiel appeared, with a dazzling object in his arms. The Torah!The celestial Torah,withlettersofrewritona ery scroll. Jephephielopenedthescroll.AndMosesbegantocopy itscontents.Drivenbytheholinessofhismission,hewrote swiftlyyetaccurately.Whenhehadnished,hereturned toMountSinaiwiththecopy.Andthatishowwecameto 53
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His pupils barely heard him. They were savoring the honeyandmurmuringwithpleasure. Asyoulearntoreadthem,saidNathan,godswords willbelikehoneyonyourtongues.Sobeforewegetto work,aretheyanyquestionsorconcerns? Solomonraisedhishand.
Yes,Solomon?
Willwegetsomehoneyeachday?
Youwontneedit.ThewordsoftheTorahwillbesweet
nessenough. Theboysexchangeddubiouslooks.*
* TheritualwithhoneyisstillenactedbyOrthodoxJews.On hisrstdayatreligiousschool,anewpupilisgivenhisprimer and a tasteofhoneythathemayassociatelearning(however rigorous)withsweetness.
chapter12
DeathTakesaBreak
mokeandraucoussoundsfilledthediminterior ofZukistavern.Attheirtableintherear,thetwomes sengersclinkedgoblets. Welcomeback,saidBorak.HowwasBabylon? Hotandcrowded,saidGorash. YoumissedsomeexcitementhereatZukis.Thursday night.Anunexpectedvisitor. Whowasthat? TheAngelofDeath. Whoa!Notlookingforme,Ihope? Notlookingforanyone.Juststoppedinforabeer. Stoppedinforabeer? Boraknodded.Andtakingasipfromhisgoblet,herelat edwhathadhappened. Itwasearlyintheevening,hebegan.Theplacewas packedtheusualnoisycrowd.Imsittinghere,shooting thebreezewithYakobandBani.Wevejustorderedanother round,whenhoofbeatssoundoutsideahorsepullsup a dogstartshowling. Andsuddenlyeveryonefallssilent.Forthereheis,stand ing in the doorwaythe Angel of Death. In his hooded shroud and dark glasses. He gives the room a onceover, enters,andheadsforthebar. Jaredthecarpenterissittingthereonastool.AsDeath approaches,Jaredjumpsupandcries:No,notme!Please, not me! Relax,saysDeath,inadeep,mournfulvoice.Imjust hereforabeer.Justtakingabreak. Canyoubelieveit?TheAngelofDeath,takingabreak andatZukis!Gaveusallascare.Anyhow,hetakesaseat atthebarandordersabeer.Zukislidesoneinfrontofhim. Hedownsitinasinglegulpandordersanother.Itsbeena long day, apparently. Meanwhile, Jared has slunk away, 56
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deathtakesabreak leavingDeathaloneatthebar. Thenoveltyofhispresencesoonwearsoff;andevery onegoesbacktodrinkingandtalking.ButImgazingatour visitorinawe.Anditdawnsonmethatthisisaunique opportunity.SoIsaytoYakobandBani,Guys,haveyou ever wondered: where does the Angel of Death take the soulshegathers?Towhatsortofplace?Isitakingdom?A vacationland?Awarehouse?Willtheearthlypleasuresto whichwereaccustomedstillbeavailable?Arerewardsand punishmentsmetedout?Doweregainouryouth?Isany workrequired?Look,heresourchancetondout. Wecan askhim. AskwhatitslikeintheWorldtoCome. Idoubthedtellus,saysYakob. Why wouldnt he? We have a right to know! I say, poundingonthetable.Thesubjectconcernsusintimate ly.IlltellyouwhatImgoingtostrolloverthereandask him. SoIstarttogetup.ButYakobandBanigrabmeand warnmetostayawayfromhim.DontmesswithDeath, saysYakob. Hemightgetannoyedanddecidetotakeyou. He cant do that,Iexplain.Youhavetobeonhislist. SoIbreakawayandsaunterovertothebar.AndIplop downonastoolrightbesidetheAngelofDeath!Imfeel inglooseandrelaxed,fromthebeersIveimbibed.Death issittingthereslouchedoverhisgoblet.Heturnsandlooks atme;andIseemyselfreectedinhisglasses.Ismileand givehimanod.Actually,hesnotsoscaryupclosejust this big dude in a hood. Hes got a grim expression and ghostlycomplexionbutmainlyhejustlookstired.Over worked.Likeyouandme. So I say, CanIbuyyou a beer, sir? Heshrugsandsays,Whynot? IgesturetoZuki,whobringsusapair.Andwestart drinkingtogethermeandtheAngelofDeath!Andcon versing,aboutnothinginparticular.Theroad,theweather, horses.Idescribesomeofthefrustrationsofbeingames senger.Andhecomplainsabouttheendlessnatureofhis job. Theres another born, he laments, for every one I 57
fetch.Thejobneverends.Keepsmegoingroundtheclock. Nightandday. Itmustbeexhausting. Hey,youdoyourwork. WereonoursecondbeerwhenIputthequestionto him.Mr.Death,Isay,rubbingmychininathoughtful manner.Aquestionforyou,ifImay. Goon. Whenapersondies,youshowuptocollecthissoul. Youtossitoveryourshoulderandrideoffwithit.Ifyou dontmindmeasking:whereexactlydoyoutakethatsoul? Hefrownsandstaresatme.Hasmyquestionannoyed him?Wasitoutofline?HaveIgonetoofar?Butthenhe
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deathtakesabreak says:Depends. Onwhat? Onwhereitsbeenconsigned. Hereachesintoapocket,pullsoutthatlistofhis,and shows it to me. I peer at a long column of names and addresses.Theyrepennedinafancyscript.AndIseethat someofthenamesareinredandothersinblue. Hereshowitworks,saysDeath.Thislistiscompiled daily,byaheavenlytribunal,andsenttome.Istartatthe top.Gallopingabout,Ivisitthemmyclients,asIcall themandcollecttheirsouls.EachsoulIthendeliveras designated.Ifthenamesinred,Igotoasmokingpitcalled Gehenna.Irideuptoitsedgeandtossthesoulin.Butif thenamesinblue,IridetoMountGerizim.Nearthesum mitistheCaveofRadiantMist.Ihaltoutsidethiscaveand whistle. Out of the mist steps an angel. He gives me a receipt,takesthesoul,anddisappearswithitintothecave allthewhilesingingahymnofjoy.AndIcontinueon myrounds. Letme getthisstraight,Isay. Youtakethesouleither to a smokingpitor tothe Cave of RadiantMist.Okay butthenwhat?What happens tothesoul?Whatfateawaits it? Deathshrugs.Noidea,hesays.Imjustadeliveryper son.Iconveysoulstotheirnalabode.Thenatureofthat abodeisnoneofmybusiness. Butarentyoucurious? Not really. And he takes a swigof hisbeer. Canyouimagine?Hesgotnoideawhathappenstothe soulsand doesntcare!Hesjustaunky,likeyouandme. We delivermessageshedeliverssouls.ButIminterested nowinthemechanicsofhisjob.SoIaskhimhowmany pickupshemakesinatypicalday. Ahundredorso,hesays. How fardoyourange?DoyouoperateoutsideIsrael? Presently, no. I gather only Israelites. Other nations havetheirownpsychopomps. Psychopomps? 59
Thatswhatwecallourselves.Skilledprofessionalswho conductsoulstoarealmofthedead.TheGreeks,forexam ple,haveCharontheFerrymangoodfriendofmine,by theway.Butallnationswilleventuallyworshipgod andfall undermyjurisdiction.Whichisgoingtocauseaproblem. Howso? Iwontbeabletohandlethejobalone.AlreadyIcan barely keep up. Ill need deputiesdozens of them. Yet therearenoplanstotrainsuchpersonnelnodiscussion even of the problem. But its going to catch up with us. There will be a critical shortage of collectors. And youll havemortalsexceedingtheirallottedspan.Andlaughingat melaughingatDeath! Heshakeshisheadandnishesoffthebeer.Iaskhim ifhedlikeanother. No,Ishouldbemovingon.Butitsbeengoodchatting withyou,Borak. Likewise. He gets upa bit wobblyand heads for the door. Everyoneintheplaceiswatchinghimleave. Atthedoorhe stopsand turnstofaceus. MynextpickupsinHebron,hesays.SoImriding southanyoneneedalift? Deathlooksabouttheroom.Buttherearenotakers justanervoussilence. Goodnightthen,hesayswithawave,andexits. Thatdogstartshowlingagain.WehearDeathshoutto hishorseand gallopoff. And thatwasourvisitfrom the Angel ofDeath. Incredible,saidGorash. OnlyatZukis. Sowhatelsehasbeenhappening?Anynewsfromthe palace? KingDavidandJoabhadatensemoment,saidBorak. ConcerningthatcensusDavidhasordered.Joabtriedto dissuadehimfromdoingit,pointingoutthatthelawpro hibitsanumberingofthepeople.Davidgotincensedand said,EitheryouarekingandIamthegeneral,orIamking 60
deathtakesabreak and you are the general. Joab yielded, of course, and is organizingthecensus.Plus,theresbeentheusualpalace intrigue.Whisperingsaboutthesuccessionandsuch. Whosthecurrentfavorite? PrinceAbsalom,tobesure.Hestheeldest,andawar riorlikehisfather. Andavaliantone,saidGorash.YetDavidssuccessor willneedmorethanvalor.Wisdom,too,ifthekingdomis tobeheldtogether. PrinceSolomon,yourethinkingof? Whynot?Hesjustthirteen,yetalreadyshowingde nitesignsofwisdom. Letsdrinktothelad,saidBorak. Theyclinkedtheirgobletsanddrank. Youknow,saidGorash,IwishDeathhadbeenable to tell you moreabout the World to Come. Id like to knowwhatliesbeyondthatCaveofRadiantMist. Orawaitsusinthepit,saidBorakwithashudder.*
* TheJewishconceptionofanafterlifehasevolvedoverthe millennia. Originally, the dead were thought to descend into Sheol,adarkandgloomyunderworld.Theretheycontinuedon as refaim ( ),orshades:listlessbeingswhowerebarelycon scious.SheolwasarepositoryofsoulsaRealmoftheDeadthat wasbleakandmonotonous.TheBookofJobcomparesasoul enteringSheol toacloudfadingaway. But astheJewsfellunderforeignrule,theycameintocon tact with new ideasand selectively adopted them. From the Persianscame the conceptofresurrection:abeliefthatthebody wouldbereconstitutedattheendoftime,risingfromthegrave toitsreward or punishment.And fromtheGreekscametheidea of animmortalsoul:aspiritualessencethatwasindependentof the body. Jewish thinkers combined these ideas and added a monotheistic perspective. On a Day of Judgment, it was now believed, god would raise the dead; reunite them with their souls; and judge them. As the prophet Daniel declared: And manyofthemthatsleepinthedustoftheearthshallawake,some toeverlastinglife,andsometoshameandeverlastingcontempt. In this new scheme of things, the dead wound up in either ParadiseorGehenna.(Sheolnolongerneededhadbeenshut
down.)ParadisewasenvisionedasacelestialGardenofEden.Its residentsatefromtheTreeofLifeandbaskedinthegloryofgod. Gehenna,ontheotherhand,wasaerypit.Somerabbisdeemed itaplaceofannihilation,wherethesoulsofsinnerswerecon sumedbyre.Others,suchasRabbiAkiba,weremoresanguine. TheysawGehennaasaplaceofpunishment:miscreantswould bepurgedoftheirsinsbyitsre,thenadmittedtoParadise. Fortwothousandyearsthisviewoftheafterliferemainedcen traltoJudaism.Maimonides,themedievalphilosopher,listedit asoneofhisthirteenArticlesofFaith.Andtothisday,Orthodox Jews believe in a World to Comea glorious destination that awaitstherighteous. But other Jewsof a more rationalistic benthave rejected theidea.Ourpresentdifculty,writesRabbiEugeneBorowitz in ReformJudaism Today, isthatthenotionofsuchasubstance as a soul is no longer intellectually tenable for most modern thinkers. While paying lip service to a belief in immortality, manyrabbishavefeltobligedtoredeneit.Wesurvivedeath, they allow, but in some plausible fashion. We live on in our descendants.Orinouraccomplishmentstheramicationsof ourdeedsourinuenceonothers.(Insofarasthegoodwedo whilewe live bearsfruitafterwearegone,writesRabbiMorde caiKaplan,thefounderofReconstructionistJudaism,wehave a shareintheworldtocome.)Orinthememoryofthosewho knew us.Or asapart ofNature,towhichwereturn.(Theenergy andchemicalelementsfromourbodiesgointothesoil,writes RabbiRolandGittelsohn,wheretheyhelpmakeowersgrow.) Confrontedwiththesenewbrandsofimmortality,aconsumer might justiably complain. The product would seem to have been denatured and rendered innocuous. Thats it? Thats our reward intheendthatwellberemembered?Thatourmole culeswillberecycled? Thatwellbecomepartofaower? Tosuch a fate,evenSheol wouldseempreferable.True,theinhabitants of thatunderworldwerelistlesszombiesmereshadowsoftheir former selvesresidents of the bleakest of rest homes. But at leasttheywerestillaround!
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chapter13
LieDetector
ingdavidwasplayinghislyreonenight,when Urielenteredthroughthewindow.Ihavesome thingforyou,saidtheangel.Itsadevicetoaid youindispensingjustice.* HehandedDavidanironrodandagoldenbell. Placetheseinyourjudgmenthall,saidUriel.Aspeo pletestify,havethemholdtherod.Wheneveralieistold, thebellwillring. Davidexaminedthedevice.Illgiveitatry,hesaid.
Wordspreadofthisgiftfromheaven;andonthedayof itsinauguraluse,spectatorscrowdedintothethroneroom. Onatablehadbeenplacedtherod.Thebellhungonthe wall,nearacelebrated trophy:Goliathssword. Davidnodded;andtherstlitigantsofthedaywereled in.Shavshapresentedthem. YourHighness,saidthevizier,wehavehereadispute over some pearls. While away on business, the plaintiff entrustedhispearlstothecareofthedefendant.Thedefend ant, he insists, subsequently failed to return them. The defendant,however,claimstohavereturnedthepearls. I see, said David. Now then, gentlemen. You have beentoldabout ournewdevice.Weregoingtotryitout this morningwith your mutual consent. We may pro ceed?Allright,listencarefully.Eachofyouistograspthe rodrmly,raiseitintotheair,andstateyourcase.Ifyoulie
* Likemanymonarchsoftheancientworld,KingDavidalso servedasajudge.Litigantswouldappearbeforehim,givetheir testimony, presenttheirwitnessesorevidence;andDavidpray ingfordivineguidancewoulddecidethecase.
departfromthetruthsomuchas misspeak yourselfthe bellwillring. The plaintiffa middleaged man in a silk robe approachedthetable.Graspingtherodwithbothhands, heraisedit.Idosolemnlyafrm,hesaid,thatIentrust edmypearlstothismantemporarily!andthathehas failedtoreturnthem. Thebellremainedsilent. Nowthedefendantanelderlymanwhowalkedwith a staffandwasgrumblingwithimpatienceapproached thetable.Holdthisforme,hesaid,handinghisstaffto theplaintiff.Thenhegraspedtherodandraisedit.Ido swearthatIhavereturnedtothisfellowhispearls. Thebellwassilent. Davidlookedpuzzled.Bothofyouseemtobetelling thetruth.Howcanthatbe?Haveweimproperlyusedthe device? Or perhaps your testimony was ambiguous. Lets runthroughitagain.Repeatyourstatements,gentlemen. Theplaintiffgraspedtherodandraisedit.Idohereby
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liedetector afrmthatIentrustedmypearlstothisman,andthathe has Whoa,whoa,saidDavid.Whichmanexactly? Why,him!Therascalstandingbesideme.Igavehim mypearlsforsafekeeping.Andhehasfailedtoreturnthem as agreedupon.Itsanoutrageouscaseof Holdon,saidDavid.Yousayfailedtoreturnthem as agreedupon.Butwhatexactlywasagreedupon?Forall weknow,heagreedtoreturnthemayearfromnow.Or uponfulllmentofsomecondition.Youvegottobemore precise. Therewerenoconditions!saidtheplaintiff,exasper ated.HewastoreturnthemwhenIgotbackfrommy businesstrip.Andhehasntdoneso. Thebellremainedsilent. Nowyou,sir,saidDavid. Again the defendant handed his staff to the plaintiff, graspedtherod,andraisedit.IdosolemnlystatethatI havegivenhimbackhispearls.Themanhasthem,Itell you! The bellwassilent. The device doesnt seem to be working, said David, scratchinghisheadinperplexity.Imstartingtothinkits a dud. AmongthosewhohadcrowdedintothehallwasSolo mon.Theyouthhadbeenobservingtheproceedingswith interest.Nowheapproachedthethroneandwhisperedinto hisfathers ear. David looked startled and turned to the defendant. Takeholdoftherodandrepeatyourtestimony,sir.But thistime, retainyourstaff. Do not give ittothe plaintiffto hold. Thedefendantbegantosquirm.Seehere,YourMajesty, I haveestablishedmyveracity.Iseenoneedforanyfur ther DoasIsay. Holdinghisstaffwithonehand,thedefendantliftedthe rodwiththeother.Idoafrm,hesaidinafalteringvoice, 65
thatIhavegivenhimbackhispearls.Hehasthem. Ding!ding!ding! Letmeseethatstaffofyours,saidDavid. Reluctantly,thedefendanthandeditover. Davidexaminedthestaffclosely,thengaveitashake. Aha!hecried,andpulledoffthehandle.Outspilledthe pearls.Theyhadbeenhiddeninacavityinthehandle. Indeedyougavehimbackthepearls,saidDavid. Histrickeryexposed,thedefendanthunghishead. Forthisfraud,saidDavid,glaringattheman,your headdeservestobelopped,notlowered!ButtheLordis merciful,andIamHisservant.Slinkoutofhereinshame, youscoundrel.Begone! Davidwatchedasthedefendanthastenedfromthehall. ThenheturnedtoSolomonandasked:Howdidyoug urethatout? Solomonshruggedmodestly.Thedevicecouldnothave failedasyousupposed,Father,hesaid.Afterall,itwasof divineorigin,havingbeengiventoyoubyanangel.Soboth menwere evidentlytellingthetruth.Therefore,Ireasoned, one of themmustsomehowbe manipulating the truth.The answerthenbecameobvious. DavidturnedtoShavshaandsaid:Leaveittomyson Solomontohavesolvedthispuzzle.Iampleasedwiththe lad. Hes showing real intelligence, is he not? And piety. Heddowellonthethrone,wouldhenot? Shavshagruntednoncommittally. And I ampleased too withthisdevice,saidDavid.Its a marveloustooltoaidmeinjudgingcases.
ButthatnightUrielreturnedandaskedfortherodand bellback. Why?saidDavid. Becauseyoudoubteditspower,thedeviceistobetaken fromyou. ButIdoubtedonlymomentarily! 66
liedetector
Theangelwaggedhisngerlikeaschoolmasterandsaid: Whengiftsfromheaventousfall Ourfaithmustfalternot,withal. Fortisthefaithasmuchthegift Thatdothmentowardperfectionlift. Butitsonlyhumantodoubt,saidDavid. True enough. And you shall have to make do with humanjudgment. And Urieldepartedwiththerodandbell.
chapter14
Egg
ingdavidsignaledthatcourtwasinsession; andtherstlitigantsofthedaywerebroughtbefore him.Theplaintiffwasclutchingascrollandscowl ingatthedefendant. Youmayproceed,gentlemen,saidDavid. YourMajesty,begantheplaintiff,fouryearsago,this manandIweretravelingtogether.Duringthetriphebor rowedaneggfromme,andneverpaiditback.Iamnow demandingrepaymentofthedebtwhichhasburgeoned. Hecurrentlyowesme 19,999 chickens. Thosechickensrep resenttheeggspotentialthewealththatmightconceiv ably have resulted from it, had the egg remained in my possession. Howdidyouarriveatthatgure,sir?askedDavid. Bysimplearithmetic. Theplaintiffunrolledhisscrollanddisplayedit.Onit wasanelaboratediagramapyramidofthousandsof X s. Hepointedtothe X atthetop. This X represents the original eggthe one I loaned him.Nowthateggcouldhavehatchedintoahen.Andthe henwouldhavelaideggstypically,eighteeninayear.So afterayearyoudhaveeighteenmorechickensthese X s inthenextrowdown.Andhalfofthosechickenswouldbe hens. Duringthesecondyearthehenslay180 eggs.Thus,by the start of the third year, youvegot199 chickens.During thatyeartheywouldlayatotalof1800 eggs.Andsoon.By the end of the fourth year, 19,999 chickens would have arisenfromthesingleeggwebeganwith.19,999, YourMaj esty!SuchwasthetruevalueoftheeggIloanedhim. Thedefendantgroaned.Iadmittohavingborrowedthe egg,hesaid,andtohavingneglectedtorepayit.ButIam preparednowtodischargethedebtbyhandingoveran 68
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egg egg.Indeed,Ihaveonehereinmypocket.Todemandany thingmorefrommewouldbeabsurd. Davidexaminedthediagram.Heranhisngeralongthe pyramidof X s.Withafurrowedbrowhedeliberated. Finallyhesaidtotheplaintiff:Imnomathematician. Buttheresnoarguingwiththisdiagram.Youareindeed owed 19,999 chickens.Andturningtothedefendant,he said:Youwillpayhim,sir. ButYourMajesty,Imamanoflimitedmeans.Idont haveevenninechickens.Icantpaythat! Findaway,elsehemayclaimyouashisslave. Stunned,thedefendantslouchedtowardtheexit. NowamongthosepresentinthehallwasSolomon.Fas cinatedbythevarietyofcasesthatcamebeforehisfather, and intellectually stimulated by their complexities, the youthhadbeenattendingthesessionsdaily.Thiscasehe hadobservedwithparticularinterest;andwhenitwasover, hecaughtupwiththedefendantinthelobby. Sir,saidSolomon,aquestionforyou,ifImay. Yes? Solomon whisperedintohisear.Thedefendantnodded. Ithoughtso,saidSolomon.Thenyoushouldappeal myfathersruling.Hereswhattodo.TomorrowheandI shallbeoutridingourhorses.Boilapotofbeansandbring themtotheeldbytheNorthGate.Aswerideby,start scatteringthebeans.Whenaskedwhy,explainthatyouare sowingthem. Puzzled but desperate,the managreed todo so.
Whatareyoudoing?askedDavid. Sowingboiledbeans,YourMajesty. Sowingthem?Butthatsridiculous.Haveyourlegalwoes drivenyoumad?Nothingwillgrowfromaboiledbean. Nomorethanachickenwillhatchfromaboiledegg, said Solomon. Davidstaredathisson.Boiled?Youmeanthateggwas boiled? Yes,Father. Noonetoldmethat! Youshouldhaveguessed.Afterall,thetwomenwere traveling together. Travelers carry boiled eggs, not fresh ones. Thenalloftheplaintiff sarithmetichisdiagramhis multiplyingchickens? Irrelevant.Hiseggbeingboiledhadnovaluebeyond itself. Youknow,saidDavid,pattingSolomononthehead, youvegotaheadonthoseshoulders.Andtothedefend anthesaid:Sir,youneedpaybackonlyanegg.*
* Solomonwouldseemtohavemisledhisfatherhere.True,the originalboiledegghadnovaluebeyonditselfnopotential. Buttheplaintiffwouldhavehadtoreplaceitbyboilinganother egg; and that eggwhich otherwise might have hatched and givenrisetothousandsofchickenstherebylostitspotential. ProbablySolomonunderstoodthis,butwishedtosavethedefend antfromslavery.
The nextdayDavidandSolomonwereoutriding,and cameuponthedefendantintheeld. Why,isntthatthefellowIruledagainstyesterday? Ibelieveso,Father. Whateverishedoing? Askhim. Theydismountedandapproachedthedefendant. 69 70
chapter15
JarofHoney
olomonwasfourteenwhenhejudgedhisfirst case.Thematterinvolvedawidow,hersavings,anda jarofhoney. ThewidowresidedinJerusalem.Butshehaddecided to leave the city for the summer and visit a son in the north.Herhouseandhersavingsingoldwouldbeleft unguarded. This worried her, until she came up with a stratagem. Depositing the gold pieces in a jar, she covered them withhoney.Toallappearances,thejarwaslledwithhoney. Thewidowthentookittoaneighbor,whomsheaskedto safeguardthejaruntilherreturn.Theneighborwhohad no idea thatgoldpieceswerehiddeninitagreed;andthe widowdepartedforthenorth. One day the neighbor decided to bake cakes. Finding herselfoutofhoney,sherecalledthewidowsjar.Whynot borrow some of that honey? she said to herself. I can replaceitlater. So she took downthejar,openedit,andstartedtoladle outhoney.Theladlestrucksomething.Andtheneighbor discoveredthegold. Foramomentshewaveredthensuccumbedtotemp tation. She emptied the jar of its contents. Washing the gold pieces,shehidtheminhercupboard.Thenshewentto the market,boughtaquantityof honey, and relledthejar withit. AttheendofthesummerthewidowreturnedtoJeru salem.Reclaimingthejarfromherneighbor,shethanked thewomanforsafeguardingitandcarriedithome. Butwhensheopenedthejaranddelvedintothehoney, thewidowshrieked.Hergoldwasgone!Shestormedback and confronted the neighbor, demanding its return. The 71
neighborclaimedtoknownothingaboutthegold. Youhaverobbedme!shoutedthewidow.Andseething withanger,sherushedtothepalaceandledacomplaint withKingDavid. NowyoungSolomonwasaloverofhoney.Tohimitwas thefoodoffoodsthesupremecomestible.Whethersavored indessertsorsimplydevouredbythenakedspoonful,honey wasoneofhispassions.Sowhenheheardthatacaseinvolv ingitwasscheduledtobeheard,heaskedhisfatherifhe mightpreside.Davidchuckledandagreed. Wordspreadofhisdebutasjudge;andonthedayofthe trialthehallwaspackedwithspectators.Therstcaseon the docket involved a dispute between coowners of a camel.Davidsettleditquickly,thenrosefromthethrone and announced that his son would preside over the next case.Anexpectanthumrosefromthecrowd,asSolomon ploppeddownonthethrone. Thewidowandherneighborwereledintothehall.They were accompanied by a court ofcial, carrying the jar of honey. Heplaceditonatablenearthethrone. Solomon bade the litigants approach the throne. You maycomecloser,hesaid.Imnoogre.Butletmeempha sizethe relevant commandment this morning is Thou shaltnotbearfalsewitness.Isthatclear?Okay,letspro ceed. Thetwowomentestied,eachinsistingonherversion ofthefacts.Whentheyhadnished,Solomonwentoverto the jarand gazed at it. Removingthelid,hedippedhisngerinandtastedthe honey. Severaltimeshedippedandtasted.Initially,alook of pure pleasure spreadacrosshisface.Butitgavewaytoa contemplative airas if the youth were pondering some deepquestion.Thespectatorswatchedwithpuzzlement. Finallyheturnedtowardsthewomen.Tothewidowhe said:Do yousolemnlyafrmthatyouplacedyourgoldin thisjar,coveringitwithhoney?Andthatuponreclaiming thejarfromyourneighbor,youdiscoveredthegoldtobe gone? 72
jarofhoney Idosoafrm. Totheneighborhesaid:Doyousolemnlyafrmthat thejarcontainednothingbuthoney?Andthatyouremoved nogoldfromittherebeingnogoldtoremove? Idosoafrm. Hmm. Solomonreturnedhisattentiontothejar.Hepickedit upandexamineditthoughtfully,likeaconnoisseurinspect ingaworkofart.Thenheliftedthejarabovehishead.And withawildglintinhiseye,heungittotheoor.Thejar smashedtopieces. Honeyoozedamongthepieces.Hebentdownandsift edthroughthem. Aha! Solomonheldupthebottomofthejar.Clingingtoitwas a pieceofgold.Theneighborgasped. Youmissedone,hesaidtoher.
Stunnedbythedramaticrevelation,theneighborfellto herknees.Weeping,sheconfessedhermisdeedandbegged forgiveness. Solomonreturnedtothethroneanddeliberatedfrown ingjudiciouslyandclutchinghischin.Finallyhegavethe neighborasternlookandsaid:Well,you were doinghera favor in safeguarding the jarthats a mitigating factor. Youveneverbeenintroublebefore.AndtheLordenjoins ustobemerciful.Isupposewecanletthisgo.Butapolo gizetoher.Andreturnthegold. Bothwomenthankedhimtheneighbor,forhismercy; thewidow,forhisrecoveryofthegold.Astheywereledout, Solomonbeamedwithsatisfaction. Thatnightatdinner,Davidcongratulatedtheboyfor hisinspirationtosmashthejar,andforthemercyhehad shown. Butonethingpuzzlesme,saidDavid.Firstyoutast edthehoneyrepeatedly.Andyouseemedtobedeepin thought.Whatwasthatallabout?Diditrelatetosolving the case? Not atall,saidSolomon.Ijustcouldntresistasnack. AndIwasponderingacuriousfact. Whatwasthat? Thatmenprizegoldoverhoney.Afterall,whatgoodis gold?Ithasnoaestheticvaluebeyondavulgarglitter.Itpos sessesnomedicinalquality.Anditattractsthieves!Honey, ontheotherhand,offersthesweetestofpleasuresafore taste of Paradise. It alleviates a score of ailments. And it comestousfromthebeesoftheeldnotfromslavesin ghastlypits.Agiftfrom god! Hadthatbeen my goldshe took, I would have thanked the womanfor leaving me withhoneyinstead. Illbetyouwouldhave,saidDavid,rollinghiseyes andwonderingifhehadasageorafoolforason.*
* Psalm19, superscribed A PsalmofDavid,offersthefollow ingwisdom: ThelawoftheLordisperfect,convertingthesoul;thetesti monyof theLordissure,makingwisethesimple.
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The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandmentoftheLordispure,enlighteningtheeyes. ThefearoftheLordisclean,enduringforever;thejudgments oftheLordaretrueandrighteousaltogether. Moretobedesiredaretheythangold,yea,thanmuchne gold:sweeteralsothanhoneyandthehoneycomb. AndPsalm119 echoesthatsentiment: OhowloveIThylaw!itismymeditationalltheday.How sweetareThywordsuntomytaste!yea,sweeterthanhoneyto mymouth! CouldDavidhavebeenrespondingtohissonsdiscoursewhen hewrotetheselines?
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Gad
ne morning, during a break between cases, ShavshaapproachedKingDavidandsaidinalow voice: Theres a prophet outside, demanding to seeyou. Aprophetwithalawsuit?saidDavid.Arewealiti gioussocietyorwhat? Hewontdivulgewhathewants.Wildlookingfellow. SayshisnameisGad. Gad?Youdontsay!Itsabouttimethatrascalpaidmea visit.Showhimin.DavidturnedtoSolomon,whowas perchedonastoolbesidethethrone.Heressomeonefrom mypast.FromwhenIwashidingoutintheCaveofAdul lam.Have I toldyouaboutthosedays? Notreally,Father. Davidleanedbackinthethroneandsighednostalgically. Iwasonceanoutlaw,youknow.Theheadofabandof rebels.Priortothat,IhadbeenoneofKingSaulsgenerals. I hadbeenavanquisherofPhilistinesandapopularhero. But thenSauland I hadafallingouttheloonimagined I wasafterhisthroneandIwasforcedtoeethecapital formylife.ThecapitalwasGibeahbackthendidyou knowthat?Good,youvekeptupwithyourhistorylessons. Anyhow,Iedintothewildernessintothebadlands.At rstIwasalone.Butmyreputationattractedotherfugitives andmalcontents;andbeforelongtherewere400 ofus camped there inthe wilds,armed and angry. Weweremen of every tribe, plus a smattering of Hittites, Amorites, Philistinesyounameit.Abandofoutlaws,undermyable command. We established our headquarters in a cavern, whichwasknownastheCaveofAdullam;anditbecame thebaseforguerrillaoperationsagainstSaul. Nowinthevicinitywereanumberofsmallercaves;and inoneofthemdweltaprophetan ishelohimamanof 76
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god. Gadwashisname;andhewasawildman,arealchar acter.ThemenandIgrewfondofhimandlookedforward tohisvisits.HedstopbytofulminateagainstKingSaul,or totellourfortunes,ortodescribeavisionthathadcometo him.Wefedthefellowandtreatedhimasoneofourown. Thenonedayheshowedupwithanurgentwarning. InadreamhehadseenKingSaul,ridingourwayatthe headofanarmy.Saulhadlearnedourlocation,saidGad, and was on his way to get us. Flee! cried the prophet, poundinghisstaff.Andeewedid,respectinghisabilities as a seer. Bynightfallwewereonthemarch,headedforthe Forest of Hareth. And sure enough, the next day Saul descended on our abandoned hideout. We had escaped thankstoGad.TohimandhisoracularpowersIowemy life. Andtogod,saidSolomon,whosurelysenthimthe dream. Andtogod, agreedDavid. Is GadaprophetlikemyteacherNathan?Imeantosay, learnedaswellasoracular? Davidlaughed.Aye,wonderfullylearnedintheways of a hermit! Gad could teach you a dozen ways to cook grasshoppers.Otherwise,themansilliterate,illmannered, andnarrowminded.Nottomentionirascible.Andherehe comes now. Gadwasushered intothe hall.Courtiersdrewbackin alarm as he approached the thronescowling, growling, stampinghisstaff.Tall,lean,andhaggard,theprophetwas a forbiddinggure.Heworeagoatskinvestandaloincloth. Hishairandbeardwereanunkempttangle.Therewasa ercelookinhiseye. Davidroseandcameforthtogreethim.Gad,youold galoot!Howlonghasitbeen?Goodtoseeyou.Stillliving inthatcave?Whatbringsyouhere,myfriend?Andhelaid a welcomingarmontheprophetsshoulder. Touchmenot,villain. How now?saidDavid,drawingbackinsurprise.Vil lain,doIhear?Isthismyoldneighbor?Orsomedemonin
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hisguise,cometoabuseme? Reprobate! spat the prophet. Apostate! You have sinned,Okingof Israel.Grievouslyso. Whathave I done?saidDavidwithabewilderedlook. IndeanceofthelawofMosesof godscommand mentsuntousyouhave numberedthepeople. Numberedthepeople?Youmeanthecensus? Nay,thesinsus,asIcallthisabominationofyours!O howIragedwhenIrstlearnedofit.Notaweekago,Im sittinginmycave havingbreakfast.Sittingthere inthemid dle of the wildernesswhen from outside theres a Hello? Anybodyhome?Whatthedevil?Imutter.AndIgoout andndasoldierstandingthere.Hesacensustaker,he tellsme,andwantstoknowhowmanyIsraelitesareliving inthe cave.Noneofyourbusiness,Isay.Goawayand leave me be. Im the Kings agent, he says, you must respondtothequestion.AndIam godsagent!Isayto 78
gad him.Knowyounotthatits forbidden toenumerateIsrael? ThatonlytheLordmayknowthenumberofHisservants? Illrespondtoyourquestionallrightwiththis.Offwith you!Andbrandishingmystaff,Ichasehimaway. ThatnighttheLordspoketome.Hisvoicethundered inadream.AndHetoldmetocomehereanddenounceyou. Todecryyourwickednessthisnumberingofthepeople. This counting, counting, counting! said Gad, jabbing a ngerasifcounting.ODavid,areyounobetterthanSaul, your predecessor? In the matter of the Amalekites, Saul ignoredthewordofgodanactofdisobediencethatled tohisreplacementasking.AndnowyouhaverivaledSaul indisobedience. Butknowingthosenumbersiscriticaltoourdefense, protestedDavid.Toour survival. I needtoconscriptsol diersandcollecttaxes.Thesearepracticalmatters.Asking, amInotboundtodealwiththem?AmInotresponsiblefor thedefenseofIsrael? god isourdefense!AndyouhavedisdainedHislaw have disavowed Him! Gad jabbed an accusing nger at David. You have put your trust in practical matters, ratherthaningod. AndHiswrathisuponyou. Davidhunghisheadandsaidinaweakvoice:Iwas aware thatnumberingwasforbidden.ButIthought,fora goodreasonforaworthwhilegoal Spareusyourthoughts.Andhearthis.god hasbidme declareapunishmentforyoursin.Forthefaithlessnessof herking, Israelshallbedealtadisaster. And herkingmust selectthedisaster.Whichshallitbe?Threeyearsoffamine? Three months of invasion? Or three days of pestilence? Choose,ODavid,from amongsttheseevils. With a moan David sank to his knees and bowed his head.OLord,hesaid,punishnotIsraelformischiefthat wasmine.MayYourwrathfallinsteaduponmeandmy House. Gad shook his head. All of Israel is your House, and must share the bitter fruit of your misdeed. Select that fruit! 79
HowcanI?Iamconfounded.Tisagrievoustaskto choose amongst evils. Who will advise me here? David lookedaboutathisadvisers,whostoodinstunnedsilence. Shavsha,counselme.Tellmewhattodo,myastutevizier. A shrugofhelplessness?Ipayyoutoshrug?Joab,mygen eral,whatsayyou?Olook,thescourgeoftheAmmonites hides behind his hand. Am I alone then in this terrible choice?ButwaitSolomon!Wheresmyson? Here,Father. Comeforth,beardlesssage,andlendmeyourunder standing. Solomoncamedownfromthedaisandstoodbesidehis kneelingfather.Myunripewitsareatyourservice,Father. Whichisittobe?saidDavid.Threeyearsoffamine, three months of invasion, or three days of pestilence? WhichcalamityamItocallfor? Furrowinghisbrowandclutchinghischin,theyouth pondered.TheonlysoundinthehallcamefromGad,who wasimpatientlytappinghisstaff.FinallySolomonspoke. Dontmaketheobviousblunder,hesaid,andchoose pestilencefor the briefnessofitsduration.Muchwoecan titselfintoaday.Ontheotherhand,pestilenceisyour bestchoice,frombothamoralandapoliticalperspective. Howso? Ifyouselectfamine,thepeoplewillresentyouand rightly so. For they know that wealthy men like yourself havesilosfullofgrainandwillbeunaffectedbyfamine. The same withinvasionyou and yourtroopswillretreat tostrongholds,whilethepeopleareexposedtotheravages of war. Butpestilenceissomethingtowhichallaresubject richand poor, kingand commoner.Nooneisimmune. Hence,choosingitwouldbepoliticaswellasjust. SoImustcallforpestilenceupontheland? Soitwouldseem.Andyetitstrikesme,Father,that thisquandaryofyoursresemblesariddle.Andoftenthe solution to a riddle must be sought in some unexpected direction. One must think outside the box. So why not replytotheprophet:NoneofthosepunishmentswouldI 80
gad choose.Instead,Iaskforforgiveness. I beg godsmercy. Mercy,saidDavid,noddinggravely.Itsworthatry. For god MostHighaboundsinmercy,doesHenot? Sowearetaught. DavidpeeredupatGadandsaid:Oprophet,Iplead formercy.MaytheLordlookintomyheartandseethecon tritionthatisthere.ForIamdeeplyremorsefulformysin. Gadglaredatthekneelinggurebeforehim.Thenhe said:TheLordisindeedmerciful.AndHiswrath can beaverted.ButwhatswaysHimwhatbendsHiswill isnotcontrition.No,whatgod cravesis sacrice. Allright then!Hereiswhatyoumustdo.BuildaspecialaltarinHis name and sanctify it with burnt offerings. As the smoke rises,mayitsfragrancepleasetheLordandmoveHimto mercy. Illdoso!WhereshallIraisethisaltar? OnahighplacethatIshallshowyou. Is itfar? A short walk.Come,Ishallleadyouthere.*
* Boththe Book of SamuelandtheBookofChroniclesdescribe this encounter between David and Gad. Josephus, too, in his Antiquities, relatestheepisode(thoughmisidentifyingtheproph et involved as Nathan). But only Ahimaaz provides a detailed account,andgivesusasenseofGadspersonality. Gadisatransitionalgure,combiningtheofceofa khozeh ( ),or seer, withthatofa nabi ( ),or prophetofgod. (In this he resembles the prophet Samuel, who both located lost donkeys with his clairvoyant powers, and anointed kings in gods name.) A khozeh was an oldstyle, professional seera soothsayerwhochargedafeeforhisservices.Hewouldsitunder a tree,receivingthosewhowished toconsulthim.Amasterof trances,dreams,andomens,thekhozehconductedabusiness. Helocatedlostobjects,communicatedwithghosts,madepre dictions(about mundanematterssuchasrain),answeredques tions.Hewaslikeafortunetellerinacarnivalboothbutwith genuineabilities.Anentrepreneurialshaman. A nabi,ontheotherhand,wasaseerwhoreceivedrevelations fromgodaprophet.Bymeansoffastingandothertechniques, he entered an ecstatic state. Therein he experienced visions,
heardvoices,spokewithangels,andwasgivenmessagestopro claimtoIsrael.Thus,thenabiservedasamouthpieceofgod anagentoftheDivineWill. Theearlynabiimdidnotgoaboutpreaching.(NotuntilElijah wouldaprophetdoso.)Nordidtheyproduceanywrittenworks. (Amoswouldbetherstliteraryprophet.)Theysimplyrecounted ineryphraseswhattheyhadseenorheardwhilethespirit wasuponthem.Andtheirlistenersknewitforthewordofgod.
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AnAltarIsRaised
y sons,comeandsee, araunahthejebusite calledtohisfoursons.Astheyjoinedhimatthe edge of the threshingoor, he pointed toward thecitybelow.Weareabouttohaveavisitor.TheKing himself. A royalprocessionhademergedfromtheNorthGate.It wasledbysoldierswithabanner.BehindthemcameKing David,youngSolomon,theprophetGad,andagroupof priests.Theprocessionwasclimbingthepaththatledto thetopofMountMoriah.* ThesonsofAraunahwereapprehensiveandsuggesteda rapiddeparture.ButAraunahshookhisheadandtoldthem tolaydowntheirthreshingailsandpreparetogreetthe king. Theprocessionreachedthehilltopandhalted.Araunah andhissonskneltandbowed.KingDavidcameforward. Arise,AraunahtheJebusite,hesaid.Thisairyheight belongstoyou,Ibelieve. It does, Sire, said Araunah. For generations it has beeninmyfamily,servingasathreshingoor.Uponcon queringthecity,youallowedmetoretainpossession.SoI
* MountMoriahwasthenorthernmostheightofthenarrow ridgeuponwhichJerusalemwassituated.Todayitisthesiteof theOldCityofJerusalem;duringDavidslifetimeitwasawind swepthillabarrencrestoverlookingtheoriginalwalledsettle ment. Threshingisanagriculturalprocesswherebythekernelsofa grainareseparatedfromthechaffandstraw.Inancienttimesthis wasdonebybeatingthedriedgrainwithails,orbydragging sledsoverit.Thecrushedmaterialwasthentossedintotheair; andthewindblewawaythechaffandstraw.Anidealsitefor threshing was an open space on a windy hilltophence the threshingooronMountMoriah.
continuetobringmygraintothishighandwindyplace. I wish now to purchase your threshingoor. For our god has commanded us to raise an altar here and make offerings. Purchaseit?saidAraunahinanindignanttone.Nay, thatyoushallnot,OmightyKing!Notforachestfulof goldshallthisland bepasseduntoyou.Rather,youshall haveitasagift.ForwereyounotgraciouswithusJebusites conqueringourcity,yetallowingthosewhowishedto remainasresidents?Thethreshingoorisyours.Andtake mycarts,toodismantled,theyshallproviderewoodfor thealtar.Andtakemyoxenaswell,tosacriceuntoyour god. AndmayHebegraciousuntousall. 84
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Yourgenerosityisnoble.ButIinsistuponpaying.For a sacrice without cost is no sacrice. You shall have 50 shekels from each of our tribes. There are twelve tribes. ThatsatotalofWithablanklookheturnedtoSolo mon. 600 shekels,Father. 600 shekels,andthegratitudeofIsrael.Davidturned nowtoGad.Prophet,howshallweproceed? Have the priests gather large stones, said Gad, and arrangetheminarectangularpile. Atanyparticularplace? Gadgazedaboutthehilltop.Hiseyecametorestona hugeatrockanoutcroppingoflimestone.Hepointed andsaid:Buildthealtarbythatrock.Foritisarockof power. Itisindeed,saidAraunah.Mypeopleholditinrever ence,asdidthosewhoprecededushere.Sinceancienttimes thatrockhasbeenrevered.TheSacredRock,wecallit. Thepriestssettowork,gatheringstonesandpilingthem up. And theyhadsoonraisedanaltar. Theydismantled a cart and stackeditswoodonthealtar. Anoxwasledforward. Oneofthepriestsblessedtheswordofsacrice.Another fumbledwithaint. Atthatmomentabluelightcameswirlingoutofthesky. Itengulfedthewoodwhichburstintoames.Thepriests gaspedandfelltotheirknees. The Lord Himself has inaugurated this shrine! said Gad.MayitsofferingsndfavorwithHim.AndmayHe show mercyuntoIsrael.*
* Accordingtoarabbinictradition,itwasKingSolomonwho acquiredthethreshingoor. Thethreshingoorwasowned,thestorygoes,bytwobroth ers:apoor manwithnochildren,andarichmanwithmany children.SolomonhadbeendebatingwheretobuildtheTemple whenaheavenlyvoicespoketohim.Ittoldhimtogothat nighttothetopofMountMoriahandhidehimselfbesidethe threshingoor.Hedidso,andpeekedoutasthepoorbrother
arrived.Lookingabouttomakesurenoonewaswatching,the poorbrothercrepttowheretheharvesthadbeendividedinto twoportions.Andhetransferredgrainfromhisownpiletothat of his brother. My brother has a large family, he said, and needsmoretofeedthem. Solomonremainedhiddenasthepoorbrotherdeparted.After a whiletherichbrotherarrivedanddidthesamething.Trans ferringgrainfromhisownpiletothatofhisbrother,hesaid:My brotherisimpoverished,andneedsitmorethanIdo. Seeinghowthethreshingoorhadcalledforththismanifes tationofbrotherlylove,Solomondecideditwastheidealsitefor theTemple,andsubsequentlypurchasedit.
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ViewfromtheRoof
avid led his visitors onto the palace roof. DuskhadsettleduponJerusalem;andtherooftops below glimmered in a blue haze. Shadows were deepening in the surrounding hills. The moon had risen overthehuddledhousesandnarrowlanesofthetown. Quiteaview,isitnot?hesaidtoNathanandZadok, as theyfollowedhimacrosstheroof.Truly,weareblessed withajewelofacapital.AndIhavebeenblessedwiththis view,whichdrawsmehereatnighttoprayandtoliftmy voiceinsong.ButletmeexplainwhyIhavesummonedyou. Comeoverhere. Davidhadreachedtheparapetatthesouthernendofthe roof. Lookdownthere,hesaid.BeholdtheTabernacle thetentthataccompaniedusinourwanderings,andin which the Holy Ark is kept. That tent is your domain, Zadok.AsHighPriest,youofciatethere.Youleadyour priestsinthesacrices,chants,andotherritualsthatcon nectuswithgod. NowtheTabernacleisnottheonlyshrine in the landthere are altars at Gibeah, Bethel, Mizpah, andelsewhere.Butitis the shrine.ForintheTabernacle alonereststheHolyArkgodsthrone!AndintheTaber nacle alone does He reside. Is such not the case, gentle men? ZadokandNathanmurmuredtheirassent. Forsometimenow,continuedDavid,somethinghas troubled me. Namely, that I should be living in a fancy housea palace of fragrant cedar and chiseled stone whiletheLordresidesyetinatent.Agoatskintent!Isthat a properstateofaffairs?IaskyouisitnottimeHehad a residence worthy of His might and dignity? When the Israeliteswerewanderers,atentmadesense.Butwearea settledpeoplenowandapoweramongnationsyetour god residesstillinatent.IsntitourdutytoprovideHim 87
withasuitableresidence?TobuildHimahouse?Toraisea templewhereinHisGlorymaydwell?Ihaveaskedmyself this,whenlookingdownuponthattent.Indeed,theques tionhasweigheduponmyspirits.Nowthen,followme. David led them to the opposite end of the roof. And standingattheparapet,hepointedtoMountMoriah. Beholdthehillthatloomsoverourcity.Atgodscom mandwehavecrowneditwithan altar.Andbeholdthe smoke,risingfromtonightsoffering.Foramonthnowthat altarhasbeeninoperation.Andlastnight,asIwatchedthe smoke rise, a thought occurred to me. Nay, a revelation. Canyouguesswhatitwas? Bothmenshooktheirheads. I realized that Mount Moriah was the ideal site, for gods house! Is it not a high placeone of those mystic peakswhereheavenandearthmeet?Isitnotgracedwitha rockofpower?Andisitnotalreadysanctiedwithanaltar? Whatbetterplaceforatemple!Somyquestiontoyou thereasonIhavebroughtyouherethiseveningisthis. Shouldwe buildahousefortheLord?WoulditpleaseHim? I wantyourviews,gentlemen. For a while neither man spoke. Then Zadok nodded gravely. Assuredly,hesaid,theLordwouldbepleasedwitha house.AndisHenotworthyofone?Othergodshavehouses. Yetoursgod MostHigh!isconnedtoatent.Isthat proper?Nay,letHimbeprovidedwithahouseatemple of cedarand stone.ThatHispriestsmayhonorHimamid duesplendor. My very sentiments,saidDavid.AndNathan,how sayyou?Adviseme asaprophet. Nathanwassilentforamoment.Thenhesaid:Go,do allthatisinthineheart,fortheLordiswiththee. AndmyheartiswiththeLord!saidDavid,clapping hishands.IshallbuildHimahouse.Anditshallrisethere uponMountMoriah. Thethreemenstoodgazingatthehilltop.Smokefrom thealtarwasstillvisible,driftingupintotheeveningsky. 88
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curtainssurroundedthetent,formingacourtyardinwhichrams weresacricedonabronzealtar.Allofthiscouldbedismantled andloadedontocarts,astheIsraelitestrekkedthroughthewil derness. Like most sanctuaries in the ancient world, the Tabernacle couldbeenteredonlybypriests.Itwasdividedintotwosections, separatedbyacurtain.Theoutersectioncontainedritualfur nishings:analtaronwhichfrankincensewasburnt;atablefor thedailyofferingofbread;andacandelabrumwithsevenlamps (oneforeachplanet,accordingtoJosephus).Theselampsthe sole source of light in the windowless tentburned day and night. OntheothersideofthecurtainwastheHolyofHolies.This wasaninnersanctumthatonlyMosesandtheHighPriestcould enter.ForintheHolyofHolieswaskepttheArkoftheCov enant.The Ark wasachestcontainingthetabletsoftheLaw.It wassurmountedbyapairofsculptedcherubim.(Formoreon thecherubim,seenoteinchapter35.)Rabbinictraditionhasit thatthe wingsof the cherubimweregods throne;the Arkofthe Covenant,Hisfootstool. Moses came often to the Holy of Holies, to commune with god and receive instructions. It was said to be dimly lit by a glow,emanatingfrombetweenthewingsofthecherubim.This mysteriouslightwasthe Shekinah ( ),orPresenceofgod. In his BiblicalAntiquities (1849),theologianJohnNevintellsus thattheHolyofHolieswasclothedwiththesolemnityofanother world,andwaslledwithunearthlygrandeur.ThewholeTaber naclewasthe sanctuary of god, but here wastheawfulresidence ofhispresencethespecialdwellingplaceofhisvisibleglory. Whilethe Israelites wandered,asacredtentwassuitedtotheir needs.It couldreadilybedisassembledandreassembledasthey movedfromoasistooasis.Amobiletemple!Butoncetheyhad settled inCanaan,apermanentsitebecame possible;and a suc cession of townsGilgal, Shiloh (for nearly three centuries), NodservedasthehomeoftheTabernacle.Itsnallocationhas beendebatedbyscholars.SomebelieveitwoundupinGibeon, a hilltownnotfarfromJerusalem;others(towhomAhimaazs accountlendssupport),nextdoortoDavidspalace. WhentheTemplewasbuilt,theTabernaclewasdismantledfor good.Itsfurnishings,alongwiththeArk,weretransferredto the newsanctuary;whilethetentitselfdeemedasacredrelic
It willbeglorious,saidDavid. Nodoubt,saidNathaninasubduedvoiceasifnot whollyconvinced. Gloriousindeed!saidZadok.ButyouknowtheTab ernaclehasbeenwithussincethetimeofMoses.Thoseare theoriginalcoverings,wovenatSinai.Thattenthasserved uswell.Ishallmissit.*

* MosesbroughtdownfromMountSinaithetabletsoftheLaw ),or andadetailedplanforasanctuary.This mishkan ( Tabernacle,wastoserve asbotharepositoryforthetabletsand a dwellingplaceforgod, whohadsaidtoMoses:Andletthem makeMeasanctuary,thatImaydwellamongthem. The peoplerespondedenthusiastically,donatinggold,silver, andothermaterialsthatwereneeded.Bezaleel,amastercrafts man,wasput inchargeof the project.Andasanctuarybeganto riseatthe footofthemountain.Whenitwascompleted,Moses consecrateditwithaspecialoil.(Theformulahadbeenamong the detailsrevealedtohimonSinai.)Andforthenext300 years, theTabernacletransportedfromlocationtolocationwould serveasthecentralshrineoftheIsraelites. The Tabernacle was a tenta portable pavilion, expressly designed for a wandering people. Its framework consisted of boards of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. Draped over this frameworkwerecoveringsoflinenandofgoathair.Afenceof
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waspreservedinaTemplestoreroom.AndtheShekinahglowed thereafterinahouseofcedarandstone. Thusdidgod travelfromHisoriginalhomethelonelysum mitofMountSinaitoMountMoriah.
chapter19
Whoa!
isfamilylookedupfromthebreakfasttable, astheprophetNathanblearyeyedandunkempt climbeddowntheladder. Ihavehadavision,heannounced,andmustgoreport ittotheKing. Firsteatyourgruel,saidhiswife. Nathanshookhishead.Themattercannotwait.Fora weeknow Ihaveprayedforguidance,concerningthisdeci siontobuildatemple.FinallytheLordhasspoken.Imust deliverHismessage. Nathandonnedhissandals.Andignoringtheprotestsof hiswife,he steppedoutthedoorandheadedtowardsthe palace. Withapurposefulstridehemadehiswaythroughthe narrowlanesofthecapital.Evenatthisearlyhourtheywere bustlingcrowded with soldiers, priests, traders, slaves, hawkers,beggars.Porterstrudgedalong,bentbeneaththeir
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whoa! loads.Womencarriedjugsontheirheads.Farmersleddon keysladenwithproduce.Steadfast,Nathanpressedforward untilhereachedthepalace. Therehewasusheredintothethroneroom. Thecourtarchitectwasseatedatatable,completing a sketch. Looking over his shoulder was King David, alongwithShavshaandseveralotheradvisers.AsNathan approached, David glanced up and greeted him with a nod. OKing,saidNathan,Ihavehadavision,concerning the Avision?saidDavid.Itoohavehadavision!Joinus, Nathan,andtakealookatthisdrawing.Foritdepictswhat I wasshowninmysleeplastnight.TheangelUrielappeared andshowedmeablueprintaplanfortheTemple.What a wonderitsgoingtobe!Anelaboratestructure,withpil larsandporticoesbutseeforyourself.Ihavedescribed theplantoAbhiram,whohasrendereditinpenandink. Hereis godsowndesign,forthehouseIshallbuildfor Him.AhousethatwillproclaimHisGlory.Thatwillbea dwellingplacefor HisPresence.Thatwill Whoa!criedNathan. Davidfrozeandstaredathim. Woe?saidDavid.Woe,thoucriest?Oprophet,what haveIdone?Whatmisdeedhaveyoucometolayatmy doorstep?Andwhatwoeistobemypunishment? Youhavemistakenmyutterance.ThatwasWhoa! holdyourhorsesstop. For I too have hadavision,con cerningtheTemple.Thatsameangelcametomelastnight and toldme thatindeedgod desiresahouse. Butthatyou are nottobuildit. Notme?Whynot? Becauseyouhavebeenawarrior.Youhaveshedblood, thusdelingyourhands.Andsuchhandsmaynotbuildthe Temple.Sospaketheangel. Thenwhoistobuildit?Didhesay? Yoursuccessorasonofunsulliedhands.Tohimmust youbequeaththisplan. 93
Didtheangelnamethatson? No,hedidnot. Davidshookhisheadindismay,satdownonthethrone, andpondered.Finally,headdressedhisadvisers. Gentlemen,IthinkIseewhatishappeninghere.The Lordispromptingmetomakeadecision. Hewantsmeto designatemysuccessor. Youyourselveshavelongurgedmeto doso;andIhaveprocrastinated.Forthechoicehasbeen difcult. I have seventeen sonsany of whom could sit hereinmystead.ForIhaveraisedthemtoberoyal!Yet frankly,onlytwoofthemhaveIseriouslyconsidered.One isPrinceAbsalom,theeldestofmysons.Hisqualications? Foronething,heistheeldest,therstinline.Moreover, heisawarriorlikehisfather.Onthebattleeldhehas shownhimselftobebrave,manly,andstrong.Andheis popular with the people. Surely, Absalom would make a neking.Andyou,Shavshawithyourpoliticalsavvy haveurgedmetonamehimasmysuccessor. Shavshabowedrespectfully. Yetitisno secret,continuedDavid,thatIhavedeemed anotherof mysonstobehighlyqualied.Ispeak,ofcourse, of Prince Solomon. True, he is youngbarely a year has passedsincewecarousedathisbarmitzvah.Andtrue,he isno warriorascholar,rather,bookishandpious.Yetthese shortcomingsarecountervailed,asShavshawouldsay,by theexcellenceofhismind.Forheissharpanddiscerning wiseeven!Andifthekingdomistoendure,mustnotawise manoccupyitsthrone? So I havedebatedbetweenthesetwosonseachwor thyinhisway, eachbelovedofhisfather.AndIhavebeen unabletochoose.But I seethatits timeforadecision. Davidrosefromthethroneandpacedaboutonthedais. Finallyhemurmuredtohimself:Itsanobrainer.My son withunsulliedhands istobuildtheTemple.AndAbsa lom isnotsuchason. Heturnedtohisadvisersandspokeinaforcefultone. Ihavedecided.MysuccessorshallbeSolomon.Untouched bytheviciousnessofwar,heisclearly godschoiceand 94
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therefore,mineaswell.Sendforthelad.Iwanthimtohear thenewsfromme.*
* Kingshipwasanewandproblematicalinstitutionwith theIsraelites.Originally,thetwelvetribeshadbeenjoinedina looseconfederation,presidedoverbyanassemblyofelders.In timesofcrisis,theelderswouldelecta shofet ( ),orwarchief (oftentranslatedasjudge).Butashofetspowerswerelimited. Whenoneofthem,Gideon,wasofferedacrown,herefusedit. Only god, declaredGideon,shouldruleoverIsrael.For god wasseenasthe divinekingofthenation,withprophetsasHis spokesmen. Buttheeldersbecamedissatisedwiththisarrangement.They desiredanearthlyking,andaskedtheprophetSamueltoanoint one.Samuelconsultedwithgod, whotoldhimtodissuadethe elders.SoSamuelwarnedthemthattheywouldregretsucha movethatakingwouldtax,conscript,andotherwiseoppress hissubjects. Thewarningfellondeafears.Wewillhaveakingoverus, insisted the elders,thatwemaybelikeallthenations;andthat ourkingmayjudgeus,andgooutbeforeus,andghtourbat tles.(1 Samuel8:1920) Samuelrelayedthesesentimentstogod; and likeaparentgiv inguponastubbornchild,Hereluctantlyassented.Harken untotheirvoice,god instructedtheprophet,andmakethem a king.And HespeciedwhomHewantedonthethrone:Saul, thetallestmaninIsrael. Saulwasdulyanointed.Butheprovedanunsatisfactoryking disobedientto godsword.And god, regrettingthechoice, replacedhimwithayoungshepherdnamedDavid. TheselectionofSolomonwasalsodivinelysanctioned.Butit mustbestressedthatgod only tolerated a monarchy.Whilethe institutionwouldendureforcenturies,itwasnotsupposedtobe. AndprophetafterprophetwouldseektoremindtheIsraelites thattheirtruekingwasgod.
chapter20
Successor
olomonhaltedinthedoorwayandpeeredinto thethroneroom.Itwasempty,saveforKingDavid, seateduponthethrone. Comein,son,saidDavid.Whythehesitation? Iamsurprisedtondyoualone,Father,saidSolomon. Thingsareusuallybustlingatthishour. IhavedismissedeveryonethatyouandImightmeet inprivate.Come,approachthethroneandletustalk. Withapuzzledlook,Solomonenteredthehallandjoined hisfatheronthedais. Takealookatthis,saidDavid,handinghimthearchi tectssketch,andtellmewhatitrepresents. Solomonlookedatit.AplanfortheTemple? Yes. An angel revealed it to me last night. This plan shallguideusintheconstructionoftheTempleanunder takingofsupremeimportance.Now,anotherquestionfor you.Whatareyourplansforthefuture?Yourcareerplans? Tobeascholar,Father.Tobecomelearnedinourown literary heritage,and thatof otherlandstoo. Anobleaspiration.Butyoushallhavetoputitaside.I have decided to name you as my successor. Upon my demise,youshallsucceedmeonthethrone. Solomonlookedathiminastonishment.I,sir?Succeed you?Butwhatofmybrothers,allofwhomareolderthan I?AmInotlastinlineforthehonorandtheburdens of a crown? Whatofit?Itoowasayoungestson,whenthekingship wasthrustuponme. ButIknownothingofpracticalaffairs.NorhaveIan aptitudeforthem. Youllpickitupjustsurroundyourselfwithablemen. Butlisten,Ididntchooseyouforyourworldlyexperience. Just the opposite. For Nathan has made a startling pro 96
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successor nouncement.Iamnottheone,itseems,whoistobuildthe Temple.Rather,mysuccessoristodosomysonofunsul liedhands.Andyouareclearlythatson. Solomonhelduphishandsandlookedpuzzled.Mineare inkstained,hesaid.PerhapsweretalkingaboutShobab? Heisfastidiousabout TheLordhaschosen you. Youaretoinheritthecrown andbuildtheTemple. Amonumentaltask,Father.AmIcapableofit?AmI worthy? Takeheednow;fortheLordhaschosenyoutobuilda houseforthesanctuary.Bestrong,anddoit.Bestrongand ofgoodcourage.Fearnot,norbedismayed;fortheLord god, evenmygod, willbewithyou.Hewillnotfailyou, norforsakeyou,untilyouhavenishedalltheworkforthe serviceofthehouseoftheLord.* IwillprayforHisguidance. Look,relax.Weretalkingaboutthefuture.Ihaveno
* ReadersfamiliarwiththeBiblewillrecognizethelinesinthis paragraph.FortheyarealsofoundintheBookofChronicles (1 Chronicles28:10,20).DidAhimaazliftthemfromthatwork? Ifso,hehasgivenhimselfawayasapseudepigrapher.Thehis toricalAhimaazcouldnothaveusedChroniclesasasourceit waswrittenvecenturiesafterhisdeath. Orwasitthe otherwayaround?WasittheauthorofChron icles who did the lifting? Did he have before him an antique scrollthe Book of KingSolomonfromwhichhecopiedthese lines? Speculationofthissortcanleadintoalabyrinthofconfusion. The JewishEncyclopedia,initsentry forChronicles,hasthe followingpassage: ItisclearthatChroniclescontainsmattertakeneitherdirect lyor indirectlyfromKings,becauseitincludesversesinsertedby theeditorofKings(compareIIChron.xiv. 1, 2 andIKingsxv. 8, 11).EitherChroniclesusedKingsandTheBookoftheKings, bothofwhichworksusedtheolderChroniclesorChronicles usedTheBookoftheKings,whichhadusedbothKingsand theolderChronicles,orworksbasedonthem. Saywhat?
thebookofkingsolomon immediateplanstovacatethisthrone. Mayyoulivelong,Fatherbecauseyourpeoplelove youandneedyou,andyoursonlovesyou.Moreover,that sonisyetunripefortheofce. David laughed. And would like a few more years of leisure, to pursue his studies. No problem there. For my part,IshallcontinuetoinvolvemyselfintheTemplepro ject.Granted,Iamnottobuildit.Butnothingwassaid againstaidinginthepreparationsworkingoutthedetails, assemblingthematerialsthatwillbeneeded.Togetheryou andIshalllaythegroundworkforthishistoricendeavor. Andtobeginwithhowaboutanexcursion?Letsgoover to Mount Moriah and inspect the future site of the Temple. Iwouldenjoythat. Risingfromthethrone,Davidthrewanarmabouthis son;andtogethertheydepartedthehall.Theguardssaluted themastheypassedthroughthelobby. Whentheyweregone,agureemergedfromtheshad
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owsofthelobbyatallmanwithowinglocksofhair.He approachedoneoftheguards. Isittruewhatisbeingwhispered?heasked.Thatmy fatherhaschosenSolomonassuccessor? Aye,PrinceAbsalom,saidtheguard. Absalomwenttoawindowandpeeredoutsideathis fatherandbrother,whowerecrossingthecourtyard. Andclutchinghissword,heglaredatthemdarkly.
chapter21
OntheMount
ccompaniedbyapalaceguard,kingdavidand SolomonascendedMountMoriah.Itwasabreezy day,withaskyfulofeecyclouds.Aneagleglided overhead. TheyarrivedatthesummitandstoodbeforetheSacred Rock. Beside it were an altar and a pile of wood. And slumpedonhisstoolwasapriest.Astoutmanwithafull graybeard,hewasdozing. Awake,thousluggard!saidDavid,clappinghishands.
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onthemount Thepriestawokeandblinkedgroggily.David! Abiathar! Thepriestwobbledtohisfeet.HeandDavidembraced. Tooseldomnowadaysdoourpathscross,saidDavid. Solomon, meet an old friend of mine. This is Abiathar, priestoftheLordandformerchaplaintomybandofout laws.Whenwewerefugitivesinthewilderness,Abiathar casthislotwithus.HewasourlinkwiththeLord,and a sourceofstrengthandfaith.Withouthim,wemight nothavepersevered.Abiathar,meetSolomon,myyoungest son. Apleasure,saidAbiathar. IheardthatyouhadbeenmadeKeeperoftheAltar, saidDavid.Butabusyschedulehaskeptmefromvisiting untilnow.Howgoesitwithyou? Im quite content. Or at least I shall bewhen my acolytesgetherewithbreakfast.Theyrealsobringingthe sheep.Buthassomepurposebroughtyouhitherthismorn ing? My son and I thoughttotakeatourofthemount. Thenletme show you about,saidthepriest.Hepointed tohisstool.Tobeginwith,thisistheseatuponwhichthe KeeperoftheAltarperchesformuchoftheday,enjoying the view and contemplating the glory of god. And over thereisthealtarthathekeeps.Glowingstillaretheembers fromlastnightsoffering.Twiceadaywepileonwood,kin dleare,andsacriceasheep.Thesmokedriftsheaven ward,bearingourprayersinbehalfof Israel.The hope,of course,isthatprayerfromupherewillbeparticularlyeffec tive.For thisisahighplaceoneofthosemysticlocales where heavenand earthmeet.Moreover,theSacredRock ishere.Come,takealookatit. Heledthemovertotherock.Ahugeoutcroppingof limestone,itwassetlikeacrownonthemountaintop. Some Jebusites still come to worship here, said Abi athar.Iallowit.ButIremindthemthatthemountbelongs nowtogod MostHigh.TheseJebusiteshavesharedwith metheirloreabouttheSacredRock.Theyrevereitasarock 101
ofpower,andasthehomeoftheirgodShalem.Forgetabout Shalem.Butavitalforceamysteriousenergydoesseem toemanatefromthisrock.* Andwhatagloriousviewfromuphere!saidAbiathar, gesturingatthesurroundinghills.Areminderofthewon derofCreation.ThismountaintopisalivewiththePres ence of god. Surely it is a gateway to the Other World. Especiallyatnightwhenthestarsandmooncomeout haveIfeltthat. Youstayuphereatnight?saidDavid. Thepriestnodded.Ivechosentoresidefulltimeonthe mount.TheresacaveinwhichIhavebeenstaying.Come, letmeshowyoumyabode. Abiatharledthemtothesoutheasterncorneroftherock. Therehepointedtoacleftinthestone.Followme,he said, and watch your step. There are some stairs going down.Andhedisappearedthroughtheopening. Instructingtheguardtoremainoutside,Davidentered thecave.Solomonfollowedafterhim. They found themselves in a dim chambera natural
* In ancienttimes,certainrocksofanunusualshape,size,or locationweredeemedsacred.Agodorspiritwasbelievedto resideintheserocks,endowingthemwithasupernaturalpower. Prayersandritualswereconductedattheirbase. Sacred rockswere (andstillare)foundthroughouttheworld. In AustraliaisUluru,orAyersRock,perhapsthemostfamous and largestof suchrocks.In EastAfrica isthe Kabubooni,to whichthe AKamba(whoseancestralspiritresidedintherock) came to pray for prosperity. In America numerous tribes had sacred rocks.The Dakota,for example,sacriceddogsondeco rated boulders;whilethe BlackfootveneratedaMovingBoulder, deemedtobealive.(Duetotherestlessnessofitsresidentspirit [alongwithsoilerosion],theboulderwasgraduallymovingdown a hillside.)AndintheNearEastrockswereespeciallyrevered a primeexamplebeingtheBlackStoneofMecca. EvenmodernAmericahashaditssacredrock.Duringthe 1950s and 1960s, UFO enthusiasts gathered regularly in the MojaveDesert,atthebaseofGiantRock.Thishugeboulderwas believedtopossessenergiesthatattractedUFOs.
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onthemount cavitywithintherock.Itwasemptysaveforamattress,a table,andanoillamp.Davidwasmovingabouttentative ly,whenhestoppedshortandpointedtotheoor. Abiathar,theresaholeoverhereapit.Ialmostfellin! Oh,that,saidthepriest.Itsanuisance.Ijusthop overit.Butyouknow,theressomeinterestingloreassoci atedwiththathole.AccordingtotheJebusites,itleadsinto a vast cavern. And the cavern contains an opening into Tehom. Tehom? The Deep. The place of the subterranean waters. Its referredtointheannals. TellusabouttheDeep. Certainly,saidAbiathar.Inthebeginning,god divided thewatersintoupperandlower.Theupperwererelegated to the heavens; the lower, to the earths interior. But the lowerwaterskeptrisingandoodingtheearth.Sotokeep thematbay,god pluggedthemupwithajewelfromHis throne. And sotheyremained,untilthetimeofNoah.Thats whengod grew wrothand unleashedtheDeluge.Waters rainedfromtheheavens;andwatersrosefromtheDeep for god had removed that jewel. And they engulfed the cities ofman. Thengod relentedandendedtheDeluge.Thewaters seepedbackintotheDeep;andHepluggedthemupagain. Andtothisdaythejewelrestrainsthem.Orsoitiswrit. Davidkneltand peered intothe hole.Thisleadstothat cavern? Supposedly,saidAbiathar.Theredoesseemtobea tunnel downthere. Guard! Thepalaceguardstuckhisheadintothecave.Sire? Go to the altar and fashion us a torch, said David. Weregoingtoexploreatunnel.*
* TherockonMountMoriahisenshrinedtodayintheDome oftheRock,whereitrisesoutoftheoor.Beneathitisacave, into which visitors may peer. According to Islamic tradition,
Muhammad prayed in this cave with the spirits of Abraham, David,Solomon,andotherprophets. Setintheoorofthecaveisamarbleslab.Itissaidtosealup theWelloftheSoulsanabysswhereinthesoulsofthedead awaitjudgment,andfromwhichmaybeheardtheirsighs.
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chapter22
IneffableName
orchinhand,thepalaceguardledtheway through the tunnel. King David, Solomon, and Abiatharfollowedafterhim,treadingcautiouslyon theroughstone.Thetunnelanaturalchannelinthelime stonedescendedatasharpangle,thenleveledoff.Insin gleletheyadvancedalongit. Finally they emerged into a caverna subterranean chamber dimly revealed by the torchlight. Craggy walls rosetoahighceiling,fromwhichhungthousandsofsta lactites.Thecavernwasaprodigyofnatureamasterwork ofstonesculptedbytheages.Theystoodmarvelingatthe sight. The Jebusites spoketrue,saidAbiathar,hisvoiceecho ing.Acavernwithinthemount! IwishIhadmylyrewithme,saidDavid.Theseacous ticsaregreat.Andhesangout: OLord,Thywondroushandiwork
Ineveryrealmisfound:
Leviathansthatride the waves,
Cathedralsunderground.
The guard led thewayfurtherin.Shadowsshiftedashe advanced withthe torch.Suddenlyhestoppedandpointed. Justahead,somethingwasglintingwithagreenishlight. Warily,theyapproachedit. And they found themselves looking down at a huge emerald,setinthe cavernoor.Theemeraldashedand sparkled. It wasasifthetorchlighthadawakeneditfroma slumber. Youspokeofajewelfromgods throne,saidDavid.A jewelwithwhichHepluggedupthewatersoftheDeep. Couldthisbethatjewel? 105
Apparentlyso,saidAbiathar. Davidknelttoinspecttheemerald.Murmuringsoftly, heranhishandsoverit.Andastrangelookcameintohis eye. Idliketoliftthisjewel,hesaid,andpeerintothe Deep. Iwouldntdothat,saidAbiathar.Theplugshouldnt bedisturbed. Butignoringthewarning,Davidtuggedontheemerald. Itpoppedloose;andheliftedit,revealingthemouthofa shaft.* Imagine! said David, peering into the shaft. Down therearethewatersoftheDeep.Thelowerwatersthatsurge inutterdarkness.god unleashedthemonceinwrath! upon amankindthathadrejectedHim.Nowtheyarecon tainedbyHismercybyajewelfromHisthrone. Hereisaconduitintothelowerwaters.Locatedabove it,theTemplewillbeaptlysituated.For godshousewill serveasacapstone,tokeepthosewatersinplace.Watersof chaosand destruction.Watersthat Suddenlyhe frowned andputhiseartotheshaft.Hallo? Whatsthat?Iheararushingsound. Hiscompanionsbenttolisten.Awindrisingfromthe shaftrufedtheirhair. Soundslikerushingwater,saidAbiathar. Itsgettinglouder,saidSolomon. Ifeelaspray,saidtheguard. Abiathar looked at David in horror. What have you done? Didnt I warn you to leave the jewel alone? Youve
* WhywouldDavidremovetheplug,despitetheobviousdan ger?It couldhave beensimplecuriosity. Or perhapstheimpof theperversethecompulsiontodopreciselywhatshouldnotbe donewasatworkhere.IamremindedofthecartoonKoKos Earth Control (Inkwell Studios, 1928), in which KoKo the Klownisconfrontedwithalever.Beneathitisasignreading DontPullWorldWillEnd.KoKobeginstodanceaboutin anagitatedfashionuntilnally,unabletoresisttheurge,he pullsthelever!
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ineffablename unplugged the waters of the Deeptheyre rising again! Theentirecountrywillbeooded! Jerusalem,atleast,saidSolomon. Attheveryleast,thiscavern,saidtheguard.Perhaps weshouldbeexiting. Calmyourselves,saidDavid.Illputthejewelback inplace. He tried to reinsert the emerald in the mouth of the shaft.Butthewindrisingnowwithforcekeptpopping itloose.Therushingsoundhadbecomearoar. What are we to do? said David. The waters of the Deeparerisingwatersofchaosanddestruction!Howcan theybestopped? Onethingalonemightstopthem,saidAbiathar. The IneffableNameof god. TheNameisextremelypowerful. Confrontedwithit,thewatersmightreturntotheDeep.
Thenpronounceit! Abiatharshookhishead.Icantdothat.TheIneffable NamemaynotbespokenexceptbytheHighPriest.And evenhemayutteritbutonceayear,ontheDayofAtone ment.* Butthisisanemergency.Wereonthevergeofaood! Imsorry.Itsforbidden. Woulditbepermissible,askedSolomon,to write the IneffableName? Abiatharshrugged.Isupposeso. Andwouldthewrittenformbeaseffective?askedSol omon. Quitepossibly. Then write it! said David. And swiftlythe waters arerising! Ihavenopenorpaper,saidthepriest. Davidletoutamoanofdespair. HowdoyouspelltheName?askedSolomon,picking uparock. Yod,hay,vov,hay,saidAbiathar. Guard,letme have yourdagger,saidSolomon. The guard handed it to him. And Solomon began to engravethelettersintotherock. Hurry!saidDavid. Justthenaplumeofsprayeruptedfromtheshaft.With a cry David ung himself onto the opening, covering it withhisbody. And he was hurled into the airas the waters of the Deepburstfromtheearth! Witharoartheyshotupinageyserawaterspoutthat rosehighintothe cavern.AtopitwasDavid,bobbinglike a ball. TheName!heshouted.TossmetheName! Solomonwasstillengraving,aswaterpoureddownon
* Ahimaaz would seem guilty of an anachronism here. The stricturesconcerningtheshemhameforeshtheIneffableName arebelievednottohavearisenuntilthedaysoftheSecond Temple.
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ineffablename hishead.Itsnotcomplete,hesaid.Ihaventaddedthe vowelsigns.* Youdontneedthem,saidAbiathar.ThrowtheName toyourfather. Solomon peered up at David, bobbing on the water spout,andlookeddoubtful.IdontknowthatIcan Theguardpluckedtherockfromhishand,tookaim, andtossed. Davidcaughtit.Likeanexorcistwithanamulet,hewaved theinscribedrockatthegeyserbeneathhim. Thewaterlostitsforceandsubsided.Itdisappearedinto theshaftdepositingDavidontheground. Heleapttohisfeet,ungtherockintotheshaft,and declared:MaytheNamerestrainthee,Owatersofdestruc tion!Andheslammedtheemeraldbackintoplace. Foramomentnoonespoke.ThenDavidturnedtohis companions. Ihavecommittedilldeedsinmytime,hesaid.But thiswouldhavetakentheprize.Unpluggingthewatersof the Deep!Causinganotherood!ButtheIneffableName saved us from disaster. As always, our salvation comes fromgod. Thankyou,Lord,forThymercifulbenevolence. And you, Solomon, for your quick thinking. And you, guard,forthataccuratetossyouwouldnthavehadasec ondtry. Theguardshruggedmodestly.Iampracticedattoss ing,hesaid.Itspartofourtraining. Yourname? Benaiah,Sire. Remind me to promote you, Benaiah. You shall be made Captain of the Guard! But comelets get out of here and never return. This jewel must remain undis turbed,thatthelowerwatersbeconnedtotheDeep.Let usreturntothelightofday,andgivethankstogod forthe
* Anotheranachronism.UntiltheearlyMiddleAges,written Hebrew had no vowelsthe reader supplied them mentally. Eventodaytheyarefoundonlyinelementarytextsanddiction aries.
powerofHisholyName.*
* WhatwastheIneffableNameandwhencediditcome? TheWesternSemiteshadapantheonofgods,attheheadof whichwasEl(thePowerfulOne),fatherofthegodsandcre atorofheavenandearth.ButElplayedaminorroleinthereli giouslifeofmostSemites.Farmoreimportanttoatribeorcity wasitspatrondeitysomelessergodwhoinhabiteditsshrine andtookapersonalinterestinitsaffairs.TosuchgodsBaal, Marduk, Milcom, and the restdid the Semites sacrice and pray.Elremainedadistantandunimportantgure,responsible forthecosmosbutirrelevanttotheirfortunes. Anexceptionwerethosetribesknownasthe habiru orwan dererstheHebrews.Seminomadswhooccupiedtheeconomic fringesofcivilizationsubsistingasherdsmen,caravaneers,and mercenariestheHebrewshadtakenonElastheirpatrondeity. (Perhapsthecreatorofheavenandearthhadbeentooloftyto reside inaparticularplaceahilltopor sacredgroveandthus beenideallysuitedfornomads.)Elhadrstrevealedhimselfto Abraham, a chieftain who had roamed with his kinsmen and ocks.(Whatwasitabout the footlooseHebrewsthatsuitedEls purpose?Hadhesoughtoutapeopleaccustomedtowandering inanticipationofafatehehadinstoreforthem?)Inreturn for theirsacrices,ElprotectedtheHebrewsandallowedthemto prosper.Therelationshipcontinuedaswearyofwandering theybegantosettleinthehillsofCanaan.ThechieftainJacobis described (in Genesis 33) as purchasing a parcel of land near Shechem;pitchinghistentthere;anderectinganaltartoEl,the godofIsrael. Thus, the Hebrews were bound to Ela patron deity who happenedtohavecreatedthecosmosinthestandardfashion of the ancientworld.Buttherecameamomentwhenthatrela tionshipdeepened. IthappenedinthefoothillsofMountHoreb.Onaquietafter noonMoseswastendinghisock,whenavoicespoketohim. Issuing from a ery bush, the voice was that of El. The god announcedhisplantoliberatetheHebrews(mypeoplethechil drenofIsrael);spelledoutMosesroleintheplan;and revealed ). hispersonalname. ThatnamewasYahweh( What did it signify? Biblical scholars have long debated the matter.ThenamewouldseemtobeaformoftheHebrewverb
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to be, meaning I amor I am with youor I create. AccordingtoProfessorCrossofHarvard,itderivesfromliturgi calepithetsofEl: Elyahwehshalom (Elcreatorofpeace), El yahwehrukhot (Elcreatorofwinds),etc.Othershavedeemed itthenameofalocalgod:the geniusloci ofMountHoreb.And somehavesimplybowedbeforethemysteryofthename. Buttheimportanceofthenamelieslessinitsmeaning,than inthefactthatElchosetorevealit.Indoingso,hewasinitiat inganewrelationshipwiththeHebrewtribes.Theyweretobe hisservantstheinstrumentofhiswillhisdesignatedpeople. Theywoulddedicatethemselvestohim,inreturnforhisspecial attention.TheHebrewsweretobeintimatelyassociatedwith theirgodandforthat,theyneededtoknowhispersonalname. Eventually the name became a kind of sacred artifact enshrinedinScripture;andataboowasattachedtoit.Inthe daysof the SecondTemple,onlythehighpriestcouldutterthe divine name (andthenonlyontheDayofAtonement).Itspro nunciation was passed down from priest to priest. With the destruction of theTempleanddissolutionofthepriesthood,the exactpronunciationbecameforgottenbutnotthetaboo.The namecouldbewritten,butnotutteredaloud.Instead,oneused adonai (lord)asasubstitute. Thusdidgods namebecometheIneffableNameanditslet tersseemtopulsatewithpower.
chapter23
Absalom
orakandgorashweresittinginzukis,sipping ongobletsofale.Thetavernwascrowdedandnoisy. Bearingatrayfulofdrinks,thebarmaidwendedher wayamongthetables. Somethingsafootatthepalace,saidBorak.Foraweek now,IvebeenbackandforthbetweenthereandHebron withsealedmessages. TheKingfearsperhapsaMoabiteincursion? TheKingsnotinvolved.TisPrinceAbsalomwhosends andreceivesthesemessages. Indeed?saidGorash.Andwhatmightsuchurgency portend? Whoknows?ButIlltellyouwhatsstruckmelately. Borakleanedclosertohiscompanionandloweredhisvoice. Theprincehasbeencurryingfavorwiththepopulace zealouslyso.EachdayhesattheNorthGate,chattingwith petitionerswhoareintowntoseetheKing.Heconsoles thosewhohavelosttheirpleaorbeenturnedawayunheard, tellingthemthattheircaseisjustand thatwere he the judge,theydndsatisfaction.Andhegraspstheirhandand embracesthem,gainingtheirfavorwiththatwellknown charmof his.Truly,hisfathersson!Andtheresmore.In highstylehetravelsaboutnowadays,inachariotanked byhorsemenandprecededbyrunnershisdistinctivehair streaminginthewind.Itsalmostasifhewerecampaign ingfor ofce. Mighthestillharborhopesofinheritingthecrown,in lieuofSolomon? Perhaps. Or it could be simple vanity. Yet mark my wordssomethingsafoot. Meaning more work for us messengers, said Gorash ruefully,towhomthefootworkwillfall. No doubt, said Borak. Let us savor, then, these 112
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absalom momentsofleisure. Theydrainedtheirgobletsandcalledformoreale.
thebookofkingsolomon Thatforperfectionwantethbutacrown)?
Byrightsthischairismine,asifwerecarved
IntoitsstonethenameofAbsalom.
YetbookishSolomonistoinheritit.
A beardlessboyachildayoungestson
Getsthroneandscepter,crownandkingdomall!
Andwhy?Whereforedoeshemerittobeking?
Becausehes peaceable, myfathersays,
Andthereforettoraiseahouseforgod,
A templewhereourdeitymaydwell.
O wastefultemple,whichwouldsquandergold
Thatmightbebetterspentonchariots
Andswordsandarmorforourgallantknights.
A kingthatspeaceable?Absurdity!
A monarchmustbemartial,thatshisjob!
Butmostofall,successionhasitsrules.
Whatclaimmybrotheronthisroyalchair?
None,Isay!Hestealsitfromme.
Nordoesthesoftlingevenlookthepart;
WhilstAbsalom,therightfulheircompare.
Regard myform,mylocks,myroyalmien.
Nowheresamonarch,grandfromtiptotoe.
AndmonarchshallIbe,justdaysfromnow. ForifwhatsduemeDavidwillnotgive,
ThenmustItakeitandtakeitnow,byforce
Whilecircumstancesaugurforacoup.
Butsoft,whodothapproach?Ahitophel?
The same.
The counselor had entered by a side door. He looked
aboutthehallwarily,thencameoverandshookhands. Whatnews,myfriend?saidAbsalom. Allisready,saidAhitophelinalowvoice.Manyin thenortharepoisedtojoinus.Whatyoumustdoisthis: Tomorrow, prepare to travel to Hebron. Tell your father thatyougothereasapilgrimthatyouwishtosacriceat itsaltar,infulllmentofavow.Hellsuspectnothingand letyougo.InHebronrallyyoursupporterstheeldersof 114
Absalom stood in the deserted hall and gazed at the throne. It was nighttime; and a solitary torch cast a pale lightuponhim.Hegesturedatthethroneandbeganto speak. Absalom: Tisbutachair,yethowitbeckonsme
Drawsmehereeachevening,likethesong
Thesirensingsuponherseagirtrock
Enslavesmysoulandbendsmetoitswill.
Tisbutathingofstone,amarbleseat
Thatsome rude artisandidchisel forth;
Yethowitholdsmehelplessinitsthrall.
O whatayearninghaveIforthischair!
On itscushion wouldIpropmyself
Withpompandgravity,andbeaking.
InitscoldembraceIdsitandwield
Thefearsomescepterofasovereign.
Butno,thisstrumpet,havingledmeon,
Rejectsme withacruel,mockinglaugh
Informsme thatitssongwasnotforme
Butformybrother,youthfulSolomon.
O perdy!Oblatant,grievouswrong!
IsnotthethroneofDavidminebyright?
AmInot theeldest,rstinline
(Atleast,sinceAmnondied,myoldersib
WhomIdispatchedtoSheol,forhiscrime
Of lustuponoursister,Tamara)?
AmInot lsprimogenitus,
ThemostmaturdfruitofDavidsloins?
AmInot,whatsmore,hisverymirror:
Likemyfather,fairtolookupon,
Valiantinwar,lionlikeinstrength
(Andwithalionsmanethesegorgeouslocks
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Judahandtheirghtingmen.Assembleanarmyandmarch onJerusalem.ItsinhabitantshavegrownwearyofDavid, and fond of you; and I foresee little resistance. Within a weekyoullbeking.Youshallsituponthisthrone;andI shallstandbesideyou,asyourloyaladviser. Ishallneedyouthere,Ahitophel.AndIhavenodoubts astoyourloyalty.Buttellme:whathasestrangedyoufrom myfather,whomyouhaveservedthesemanyyears? AndwhomIdgladlycontinuetoserve.Butyourfather ignoresmenowadays.Ioffersageadvice;andhenodsand murmursthen turns his ear to others. The man listens nottome,buttoapackoffools.SoIdecided:whywaste mybreath?Butyou,goodprince,aremoreastute.Youve recognized my talents and chosen to employ themto bothyourownadvantageandthatofthekingdom. YourdefectionishislossandIsraelsgain.Allright,lets doit!Illgopackmyarmorandweapons.Ishallhidethem amongtheofferingsthat,aspilgrim,ItaketoHebron.But theyshallsoonemerge,alongwithmymartialmanners. Absalom grippedthehandleofhissword. Absalom: And I shallleadanarmytoJerusalem; Ridethroughitsgatetocheersandtrumpeting; Andmountthisthrone,asismyrightfuldue. Ahitophel: Excellent.To businessthen.Adieu. By differentdoorstheyexitedthehall.
thebookofkingsolomon Joab: Illnews,YourMajesty,ofsuchimport

ThatIbegleavetorudelyinterrupt
Thedreamypleasuresofyourafternoon.
David: Speakon,goodJoab.Whatunwelcomenews
Becloudsthycountenancethissunnyday?
Joab: Rebellion, Sire!Othewordssofoul
My lipsrebukemeforpronouncingit.
YetthosethesyllablesthatImustspit
TovoicethetidingsthatfromHebroncome.
ForJudahsmendogatherintheirtents
Dontheirarmor,trottheirhorsesout,
Sharpenswordsandshinetheirbattleshields
Astheypreparetomarch,inteemingranks,
UponJerusalemwithinadayortwo.
Thehornofwartheyblow,inrousingblasts,
Whileshoutingslogansandpracticingtheirthrusts,
And cheertheirchosenleaderashe rides
Fromtenttotent,exhortingthemtowar.
Davidhadthrustasidehislyreandrisen,hisfaceushed withanger. David: Leader,yousay?Theyhaveachampion
Whodarestoraisehimselfagainstmyrule?
Whowouldunseatadulyanointedking?
Whothisvillain?Give me hisfamilyname
ThatImaylayacurseuponhishead
Andontheblackguardthatdidsirehim.
O I shallshortenthischampions career!
FacetofaceIllmeethimintheeld,
Clashswordswithhiminclamoricfray,
Dispatchhimwithoneswiftanddeadlythrust,
Andposthisheaduponthecitywall
Aswarningtothe rebelsinmyrealm
Thatthusfortreasonshallyourwagesbe.
So tellme,Joab,whodothchallengeme?
Whostheleaderofthisrebelforce?
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InacourtyardofthepalaceDavidwasplayinghislyre. BesidehimsatBathsheba,listeningtothemusicandsip pingonalemonade.Acatdozedattheirfeet,luxuriating inthe sun. SuddenlyJoabburstintothecourtyardandapproached theroyalpair. 115
absalom Joab: Suchaoneaswouldusurpathrone Hesmostfamiliarwith.Whosbowedbeforeit Sincehewasachild.Whosehandsomehead Hasgracedthispalaceanditsenvirons. Whosemotherinyourharemmaybefound: MaacahtheGeshurite,averywifeofthine. Therebelisnoneotherthanthyson, Thyeldestoffspring,nobleAbsalom. Davidinched,staredatJoab,turnedpale.Howsthis? he said.Myson,yousay?FairAbsalom? Thesame,YourMajesty. HewhomItaughtthemanlyartscoachedinlife moldedintoaprince?ThesonwhomIhave loved? My son namedAbsalomwouldtoppleme?Saytisnotso. Yettis. ThenpityDavidandruethisillstarredday.Andyet notimetorue.Forwemustacttoforestallhispurpose. Whatshallwedo,Joab?Givemeyourcounsel. We must buy time in which to assemble our forces. Moreover, toremaininJerusalemwouldbefolly:thecityis rifewithhissupporters.Oneknowsnotwhomtotrust onlythePalaceGuardisofcertainloyalty.Therefore,my counselisasfollows.Withthe600 soldiersofthePalace Guard,weeebeyondtherivertothelandofGilead.There wesummonfriends,fromeverytribeandally.Weamassan army,withwhichtotrouncetheserenegades! Thisrevolt isasmuchagainstourson Solomonasagainst you,saidBathsheba.Foryoudeclaredhimyoursucces sor;and Absalomwouldcountermandthatchoice.Owhat a paradox canchildrenbeourchiefjoy,ourgreatestgrief. SoAbsalomhasbroughttheebothhighandlow. Davidnoddedsomberly.Hesbroughtmegladness,now hebringsmewoe. IllsendwordtoGileadthatwearecoming,saidJoab. Andnowletshasten,oursadleavetotakefromoutthis town,thattoillnewsshallwake.Andtoanemptythrone. May god forgivemysins,saidDavid,andbringno 117
further punishments upon me. For this ones enough: to haveatreacherousson.
A lengthyprocessionwasowingouttheNorthGate, crossingtheBrookofKidron,andascendingtheMount of Olives.ItwasDavidandhiscourt,eeingJerusalemat sunset. LeadingtheexoduswerethesoldiersofthePalaceGuard someonhorseback,therestmarchinginlooseformation. AttheirheadwasBenaiah,CaptainoftheGuard.Thesol dierswerefollowedbyscoresofdonkeys,ladenwithprovi sions.Thencamemembersofthecourtandtheirfamilies. Finally came David and his householdwives, sons and daughters,servants.Amongthe servantswasasinger, who chantedmournfully.Hisdirgemingledwiththeshouting ofsoldiers,thebrayingofdonkeys,theweepingofwomen. Davidwaswalkingbarefootandcarryingastaff.Hewore a hoodedcloak,pulledupoverhiscrown.Ashenearedthe summit of the Mount of Olives, he stopped and looked backatthecitybelow. Farewell,Jerusalem,hesaid.god willdecideifImto returnor not.Ifdeemedunworthyandcondemnedtoexile, I shallrememberyou asseenthismoment:yourrooftops, walls,andbattlementsgoldeninthedusk. Joabcameridingup.ThelatestreportfromHebron, hesaid.Theirarmyisassembledandwillmarchatdawn. And thisnewstoo:Ahitophel,yourtrustedadviser Aye, wheres Ahitophel? I havent seen him yet. His counselwouldbeusefulinthiscrisis. You shallnot have hiscounsel.Ahitophelhasgoneover totherebels.HestandsatAbsalomsside,advisingnowthe sonandnotthefather. Otreachery!criedDavid,poundingthegroundwith hisstaff.Istherenoendtoit?BetrayedbyAhitophel.And yetgoodriddance!LethiswisdomgotoAbsalom.And mayitturntofoolishnessandruintheserebels.Butlook whatcomes.The HolyArk! 118
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Coming up the road were a group of priests. Led by ZadokandAbiathar,theywerecarryingtheArk.Asthey approached,Davidsignaledthemtohalt. Nay,goodpriests,hesaid.Iwouldwelcomeitsaid; buttheArkmustremaininJerusalem.Itmustabideinits holytent.AndZadokandAbiathar,youtoomustremain. ForIneedyouhere,toserveasmyears.OnceAbsalomand hisforceshaveoccupiedthecity,dothis:Minglewiththem. Findouttheirintentionsandtheextentoftheirsupport, thencommunicatethatintelligencetome.Ishalltarryon theedgeofthewildernesstillIhearfromyou.Nowturn aboutandgoback.Butwhocomesnow?Whatsomberg urethis?Hownow,tisHushai,themostelderlyandtrusted ofmyadvisers. Hushaicametrudginguptheroad.Likeamourner,he hadrenthisclothesandscatteredashesonhishead. O worthyDavid,hesaid,breathlessfromtheclimb. Theseancientbonesshalljoinyouinexile. No,loyalHushai.Youtoomuststaybehind.Joiningus, youdbeaburden.ButremaininginJerusalem,youcould beof greathelptome.Returnanddothis:WhenAbsalom arrives,poseashisfriend.Explainthatyouwishtoserve himasyouservedhisfatherthatyourloyaltywastothe throne,nottoDavid.Appeartojoinhisparty.Thenferret outhissecretplansandimpartthatinformationtoZadok andAbiathar,whoshallconveyittome.Andtheressome thingelseyoucanyoudo.Ahitophelisashrewdman,and will be offering sound advice to my son. Neutralize that advicewith misleading counsel of your own. Go now, Hushai,and god bewithyou. Hushainodded hisassentand headedbacktowardthe city.ThepriestsfollowedafterhimwiththeArk. Davidsigheddeeply,bowedhishead,andsaid: OLord,howlegionaremyfoe.
Inmultitudestheyrise
Andseektorobmeofmycrown
Anddomynamedespise.
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thebookofkingsolomon Theymarchuponme,likeahost Ofhuntersthatwouldslay, Withhoundsandspears,whattheyhavedeemed A frightened,helplessprey. ButThou,OLord,sustainestme, MyrefugeartThoustill. Andasthehoundscomeboundingforth, Thygraceprotectmeshall. Andthoughtenthousandseekmylife, I shallnotbeafraid. Serenityofsoulhashe WhototheLordhasprayed.* Andtakingalastlookathiscapital,goldeninthedusk, Davidrejoinedtheprocessionofrefugees.
At the head of the army rode Absalom. He wore a plumedhelmet,fromwhichtumbledhisluxuriouslocks. WithhimwereAhitophel,hisgenerals,andtheeldersof Judah.AllbouncedintheirsaddlesastheyapproachedJeru salem. Bannersappingandweaponsglinting,thearmyswarmed up to the city and halted opposite the North Gate. And threethousand menfoot soldiers,horsemen,charioteers awaited wordtoattack. No sentries on thewalls,saidonegeneral.Thereport wouldseemtruethatDavidhased. Ihopehehas,saidanother,forhissake. Suddenlythegatesswungopen.AndsupportersofAbsa lomcheering, chanting his name, waving kerchiefs
* ItisinterestingtocomparethisspeechofDavidswithPsalm3, superscribedAPsalmofDavid,whenheedfromAbsalomhis son.Ahimaazclearlywrotewiththepsalminfrontofhim;for hehasliftedseveralofitskeyimages.
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absalom pouredfromthecity.WithabroadsmileAbsalomacknowl edged their welcome. And gesturing to his generals, he spurredhishorseforward. WithhisentouragePrinceAbsalomenteredJerusalemand rodetowardsthepalace.Thestreetwaslinedwithonlook ers.Manycheeredhim;otherswatchedinsullensilence. AtthepalaceAbsalomdismounted,wavedtothecrowd, andpassedinside.FollowedbyAhitophel,thegenerals,and theelders,heswaggeredintothethroneroom.Itwasdesert ed. Mountingthedais,Absalomremovedhisswordandhel metandgavehishairaproudtoss.Thenheeasedhimself ontothethroneandsettledintoit. Absalom: Look,gentlemen,ittsmetoaT. CantherebeanydoubtthatImtheone
MeanttosucceeddodderingDavid
Uponthisroyalseat?Oranyquestion
Thepeopleapplaudmyreadinesstorule?
I propmyselfhereon,theeldestson
OfDavid,histrueheir,nowIsraelsking.
AndtoyouallIpledgemyfealty
Asyoupledgedyourstomethissolemnday.
NolongerDavid,buttheHouseofDavidnow
A dynastywhosegloryIshallserve.
Norfearthatinthetumultofthetimes
Ourcraftyvassalsslipfromofftheirleash
OrEdomitesencroachourborderlands.
I shallrulerm,andlikealionbe:
Sedatewhennotprovoked,ofregalmien,
GracefulasIprowlmyvastdomain
Yetready,shouldmyangerbearoused,
Topouncewithsuddenercenessonafoe!
ThusdoIseatmeinthismarbleden.
Butsay,whosthis,yongraybeardshufingin?
Why, isitnot myfatherscounselor,
The sageand trusted Hushai?Aye,tishe.
Comeforward,sir,andbowbeforeyourking.
Hushai approached the throne and bowed. god save theking,hesaid. Whatkindoffriendareyoutomyfather?saidAbsa lom.Whyhaveyounotgonewithhim?Wheresyourloy altytothe man? He shallIserve whom the Lordhaschosentobeking, saidHushai.AsIservedthefather,shouldInotservethe son? TheLordhaschosenme,yousay?Indeed,theLord? No manmayoccupythethronewithoutHisapproval. Wellsaid,goodHushai.Iacceptyourservice.Anadviser ofyourexperienceanddiscernmentwouldbeinvaluableto me.Welcometoourparty.*
* Absalom has failed to detect the sly ambiguity of Hushis remarks.
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absalom Hushaiacknowledgedtheaccoladewithabow. And now, gentlemen, to business, said Absalom. A council of war! We must decide upon our strategy. My fatherhased,yetremainsathreat.Whatarewetodo? How should we proceed? Thus far this coup has been easybutnowwhat?Adviseme,Ahitophel.Whatisyour counsel? Wemustmoveswiftly,saidAhitophel.Davidmustbe pursuedandattackedwithoutdelay.Wemustcrushhim whilehesstillreelingbeforehecangathersupportand mountacounterthrust.Themomentisnow!Tohesitateis toinvitedisaster.Myproposalisthis:Letmetakeourforces andpursuehimthisverynight.Davidisdemoralizedand weary,andwillbeeasytoovertake.Uponourapproach,his menwilltrembleanddeserthim.Andyoushallhavepre vailed,withoutaght. Andthefateofmyfather? Alas,youmustbemercilessashewouldbe,wereheto vanquishyou.WhileDavidlives,yourthroneandlifeare not secure.Hecannotbeleftalive. Absalom grimaced.Iwouldnothavehimdie.Yetthis clashishisfault,notmine.Twasbroughtonbyhisfolly! Inanycase,heisoldandattheendofhisdays.Andper hapssomethinglessdrasticcanbeworkedout.Ahitophel, your plan would seem to me a good one. Generals and elderswhatdoyouthink? Theymurmuredatentativeassent. And Hushai,how sayyou?You are a manofinsight.Do youconcurwithAhitophel?Orhaveyouabetterplan? Hushaitugged thoughtfullyonhisbeard.Ahitophelis a wiseman,he said,and usuallycorrectinhisthinking. But in this instance his counsel is not good. To go after David now would be a mistakea risky thing to do. I wouldargueinsteadforcaution.Lookhere,Davidandhis menare seasonedwarriors.Theywillresistyouercely,like a bearguardinghercubs.Moreover,theyareexpertatguer rillawarfareremembertheirstrugglewithSaul?Theywill ee into the wilderness and be difcult to nd. Already 123
theyareprobablyhidingthemselves,insomecaveorravine. Likejackalstheywillemergeatnight,attackourfringes, andscamperoff.Withtheirrstvictoriesyoursupportwill begintomeltaway.ForIsraelwillberemindedthatDavid isavaliantman,atopplerofgiants.Goafterhimnowand hewilleludeyouharassyouwearyoudown. SowhatdoIdo? Youwait.Sendoutacalltoyoursupporters,fromDan toBeersheba;andassembleahugeandunbeatablearmy. Thengoafterhimwiththoseforceswhich youpersonally shalllead.Withsuchnumbersyoulleasilytrackhimdown inhishideaway.Or,shouldheholdupinafortiedtown, youllhavethemanpowerforasiege.Andallofthisshall provetothepeopleyourabilityasaleader. Ahugeandunbeatablearmy,saidAbsalom.Gathered fromthroughoutIsrael,withmeatitshead.Youknow,I believeyoureright.Aquickthrustislikelytofailandget us bogged down. Instead, we wait till we are invincible, then strike.Generalsandelders,howsayyou?HasHushai spokenwisely? Theynodded and murmuredtheirassent. Excellent!Thenitsdecidedwewait.Sendoutacall toeverytribe,forarmedmenandprovisions.Butuntil theyarrive,gentlemen,letsmakeourselvesathome.Food andwineshallbeforthcoming.Youmayentertainorrest yourselves. As for me Absalom snapped his ngers. WherearemyNubians?Thoseduskymaidenswhogroom myhair?Ishallsummon themand have themcomb these tressesofmine.Anointtheselovelylockswithmyrrhand cinnamon.Moldthismaneintoowingwaves.Andpow der it with gold dustthat it may glitter like the night sky! Leaningbackinthethrone,heranhishandsthroughhis hair. Absalom: For tillthe crownIpluckfromDavidshead, Thisregalmaneshallservemeinitsstead. Thegeneralsandelderschuckledathisvanity.Everyone 124
absalom seemedpleasedexceptAhitophel,whowasstaringgrimly attheprince.
a curtaineddoorwayandcalledout:Borak! Borak poked his head through the curtains. He was munchingonanapricot.SalutingHushaiandthepriests, hesteppedintotheroom. ThisisBorak,saidZadok.Hesatrustedmessenger andamostresourcefulfellow.Borakassuresushecanslip pastthesoldiersanddeliveramessagetooursons. ThatIcan,sir,saidBorak.ElseIbenotmyfathersson afatherwhoservedaschiefmessengertoKingSaul,and whoseaudacity,tenacity,andotherqualitiesIdidinherit. Trustonit,Illdeliveryourmessage. Go then, Borak, said Hushai, handing him a sealed note.ConveythistoAhimaazandJonathan,thattheymay ridewithitattopspeedtoDavid.And god bewithyou onthisdangerousmission. Ileaveatonce,saidBorak,salutingandslippingout thedoor.
A cloaked gure crept up to the rear entrance of the house,glancedaboutwarily,andknocked.Thedooropened a crack. Whosthere?askedaservant. Hushai. The elderly adviser was ushered inside. There he was embracedbyZadokandAbiathar.Thepriestsbeggedhim fornews. Iwasabletogaintheprincescondence,saidHushai, andforthemoment,atleasttofrustrateAhitophels plan.The scoundrel wantedtopursueDavidtonighta soundcourseofaction.ButIpersuadedAbsalomtowait until a larger army could be assembled. David must be apprised ofthis. Heshallbe,saidZadok. ButtheressomethingDavidmustdoimmediately.Ahit ophelhasntgivenup,andistryingtogetthegeneralsto change their minds and march now. Should they do so, Davidisdoomed.Hemustthereforeeetheplainwith out delay!and crosstheriverintoGilead.Therehecan takerefugewithourallies.Ahitophelhasanabletongue and may persuade the generals. So we must get word to David. Calm yourself, said Zadok. Everything has been arranged.Oursons,AhimaazandJonathan,arestationed justoutsidethecitywall,inahousenearthespringof Enrogel.Theyawaitourtidings,whichtheyshallbearto Davidonhorsesswiftaslightning. Hushaifrowned.Ihavefaithinyoursonsabilitytodo so. Butitwillbedifcultnay,impossibletogetwordto them. Absalom has sealed off the cityno one comes or goes,savehisownmen.Soldiersarepostedatthegatesand alongthewalls.Theyarevigilantandallownoonetopass. We are aware ofthat,saidZadok.Heturnedtowards 125
Borakpeeredoutfrombehindashed.TherestheWater Gate, he whispered to himself. Often have I bantered therewithmaidservants,whowerecarryingtheirjarstothe spring.NowhaveIbecomesuchamaid.Ostrangeworld. Bearded Borak,adaughterofthetown! Hewasreferringtohismodeofdress.Sincesettingout forEnrogel,Borakhadchangedclothes.Hewasdressed nowasawomanwearingafemalerobe,veil,andhead dress.Onhisheadhecarriedawaterjar. Asexpected,thegateisguarded.Butonlybyasingle soldier.Ihopethisworks.Itsaboldployyetboldnessis needed ifIm togetoutside the walls.AsIexplainedtothe barmaidwholentmetheseclothes.AndasImstillexplain ingtomyself !Owell,heregoes. Holdingontothejar,Borakemergedfrombehindthe shed.Andaffectingafemalewalk,heapproachedthesol dier. The man was standing in front of the Water Gate, spearinhand. Hello,handsome,saidBorakinafalsettovoice.Anice 126
absalom day,isitnot?Thoughsuchcommotioninthetown!Illjust begoingdowntothespringtollmyjarwithwaterand gossipwiththegals. No,youwont,miss,saidthesoldier.Thegatesclosed. Nooneleavesorentersthecity.Haventyouheardtheproc lamation? IndeedIdid,saidBorakwithasigh.ButIwashop ing that, in this particular case, an exception might be made.Yousee,weverunoutofwaterbackatthehouse ourcisternhasaleakandisempty.Andmymasterhascome downwithafever.Hesuffersadreadfulthirstcriesout Water,water!Wontsomeonebringmewater?Itsheart rendingtohearthepoorman.IfIcouldreturnwithajar ful,howgratefulhewouldbe. Sorry,saidthesoldier,noexceptions.Thegatesclosed untilfurthernotice.Nowmoveon,please. Isee.Thankyouanyhow. Steadyingthejaronhishead,Borakwalkedaway. Confoundit,hewhisperedtohimself.Thiswontbe as easy as I had hoped. Fortunately, though, the fellows been drinkingI smelled ale on his breath. Which will makehimpliableandlesslikelytopenetratemydisguise. Butwhatnow?Imusttrysomethingmoredrastic. AgainBorakapproachedthesoldier.Resuminghisfal settovoice,hesaid:Yourenewintown,Itakeit? Aye,miss.ImfromHebron,servingwiththeprince. A word of warning then. We have numerous diseases here inthe capitalsome quiterare.Icouldgoonandon, listing the maladies that plague us. Why, theres pyrexia, deliria, phrenesia, tonsillitis, sheep rot, dropsy, beriberi, ague, dengue, dandy fever, scrofula, cow pox, tarantism, Persian u, whooping cough, greensickness, mal de mer, nettle rash, epizootic, catarrhs and rhumes. And then theresthisnewailmentthatsbeengoingaround.Thishair blight,astheycallit.Nastything! Hairblight? Yes,itsakindoffungus.Growsonyourhairandeats awayatit.Andbeforeyouknowit,yourebald. 127
No! It aficts only young, vigorous malespersons like yourself.Mycousinhadit.Lefthimbaldasanegg. Personslikemyself,yousay?Icouldcontractthisfun gus? Youmayalreadyhave. Dang! Ifyoudlike,Illexamineyourhair.Iknowwhatitlooks like. Ifyouwould,miss. TakeoffyourhelmetandIllcheckyouout. Thesoldierremovedhishelmet. Nowloweryourhead,soIcangetalook. Heloweredhishead.AndBorakdidlikewiseconking him with the water jar. The soldier sank to the ground, unconscious. Yourene,saidBorak,steppingoverhimandpassing throughthegate.*
Ahimaaz and Jonathan were eating supper when the knocksounded.Theyjumpedupanddrewtheirswords. Whosthere?saidAhimaaz. Borak the messenger, seeking the sons of Zadok and Abiathar. Ahimaazopened the doorrevealingBorak,stilldressed asamaidservant.Startledbythesight,Ahimaazstaredat him.Wearewhomyouseek.Whatnews? Thismessage,sir,saidBorak,handinghimthenote. And pardontheoutt.Ihadtosneakoutofthecity.
* Thisaccountofsmugglingamessageoutofthecityisunique tothe BookofKingSolomon.TheBookofSamuelstatesonly thatJonathanandAhimaazstayedbyEnrogel;fortheymight notbeseentocomeintothecity:andawenchwentandtold them;whileJosephushastheirfathersdispatchatrustymaid servantto carry the news of Absaloms counsels. Only Ahi maazgivesthefullstoryofthatsupposedmaidservant.
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Ahimaaz read the message, then turned to Jonathan. WemustgetthistoKingDavidatonce. Thepairgrabbedtheircloaks.AndbrushingpastBorak, theydashedfromthehouseandmountedtheirhorses. Theroadwillbecloselywatched,saidBorak.Ifyou takeit,youwontgetfar. Whatchoicehavewe? Iamamessengerfamiliarwithbackroadsanddesert trails.IcouldgetyousafelytoDavidsencampment. Thencomewithus. AhimaazhoistedBorakupbehindhim.Andthethree mengallopedoff. Night was falling as they rode eastward. Avoiding the highway,theyfollowedafootpaththroughthehills.Then theydescendedintoawadiadryriverbedandtrotted along.Theyhadenteredthewilderness. Suddenlytheyheardshoutsandhoof beats.Andaband ofmencameridingtowardsthem. Soldiers?saidJonathan. No,bandits,saidBorak.Alongwithsnakesandjack als,theyare one of the vexationsofdeserttravel.Actually,I happentoknowthesegentlemen.Ihavesatattheircamp reandjoinedtheminribaldry.Theyarenotdangerous. Thinkof themasentrepreneursindependentoperatorsof a tollbooth. Outrageous,saidAhimaaz. Whoopingandwavingswords,thebanditscameriding up. Theysurrounded the travelers.Giveusyourgoldand silver,ifyouwishtolive,calledouttheirleader. We have nogoldorsilver,saidAhimaaz.Iamtheson of Zadok, High Priest of Israel. We ride on a mission of urgencytotheKing.Howdareyoudelayus?Wouldyou interferewithstatebusiness,inthistimeofcrisis? Thebanditlookeddisappointed.Nogoldorsilver?No jewelry?Nothingofvalue? Nothing. Thebanditspatindisgust.Allright,forgetaboutit.But wedontliketoleaveemptyhanded.Giveusthewoman. 129
thebookofkingsolomon Thewoman?Dontberidiculous.Thisisnota Letthemtakeme,whisperedBorak.Twillbearare jest! Keep following the wadi till it crosses the highway. ThenstraightontoDavid. Asyouwish,whisperedAhimaaz.Hecalledouttothe bandits:Shesyours. Borakstraightenedhisveilanddismounted.Okay,fel las,letshittheroad,hesaidinhisfalsettovoice.Thisis exciting! OneofthebanditshoistedBorakontohishorse.And theygallopedoffwiththeirprize. AhimaazandJonathancontinuedonalongthewadi.*
Rousedfromsleep,Davidemergedfromhistent. An urgent message, said Shavsha, handing him the note.DeliveredbythesonsofZadokandAbiathar. Davidreadthemessagebytorchlightandnoddedgrave ly.Theymaybecomingafterus,hesaid.Rouseevery one andpreparetodecamp.Wemustgetbeyondtheriver assoonaspossible. Sleeperswerewokententsweredismantleddonkeys wereloaded.Andwithinanhourtherefugeeswereonthe move. Under a full moon they trekked across the plain. Leading them was David, his cloak drawn up over his crown. Still barefoot, he trudged along with his walking stick. Itwasmorningwhentheyreachedtheriver.Withouta pausetheywadedthroughit.Soldiers,ofcials,royalwives,
* In the BookofSamuel,AhimaazandJonathantravelalong thehighway,notawadi.Spottedbysoldiers,theytakerefugein the villageof Bahurim,whereapeasanthidestheminhiswell. ThereisnomentionofeitherBorakorbandits. TheauthoroftheBookofKingSolomonmakesnomentionof thatepisode,rejectingitperhapsasunhistorical.(Itisofatype knowntofolkloristsasawelltale.)Instead,hegivesusthis accountofbandits,derivedfromsomeunknownsource.
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servants, childrenthe court of King David forded the Jordanlikeaherdofcattle.Wheneveryonehadcrossed, DavidturnedtoShavsha.WehavearrivedinGilead,he said. Yesandalreadywehavevisitors.Shavshapointedto threehorsemenwhowereapproachingfromtheeast. Davidwalkedouttomeetthehorsemen.Theytrotted uptohimandhalted.Hedrewhimselfuptohisfullheight. IamDavid,kingofIsrael. Greetings,YourHighness,saidthersthorseman.I amBarzillai,notableofGilead.Iamheretopledgetoyou myfealtyandaid. AndIamShobi,saidthesecondhorseman,kingof Ammonandyourloyalvassal.Itoohavecometopledge myself. AndIamMachirofLodebar,saidthethird,alsoyour servant.Weareboundtoyoubytreaties.Andtogetherwe wishtoofferyousaferefuge.Comewithus,alongwithyour people, to the stronghold of Mahanaim. From there you canmarshalsupportandghttoregainyourthrone. David: And ghtIshall.Ithankyouforyourhelp.
Youseebeforeyouasorryspectacle:
A barefootrulerandhistinyrealm
A roamingmonarchandthefaithfulfew
Whotravelwithhim,weepingastheygo
A homelessshepherdandhisbleatingsheep.
My scepterhave I traded forastaff.
LastweekIsatinsplendor, on Israelsthrone;
Andfromthewavekissedbordersofthesea
AsfarastoEuphratesintheeast
Didmenbothfearandreverencemyname.
NowdoIseemdespised,acastoffking.
A namethatbynextyearshallbeforgot
Savebysomeurchin,playinginthestreet
Whostrutsandbellows,pretendingtobeme.
Isthisafatethatsovereignsmustbear?
BearitIcould,withsolacefrommyprayers,
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thebookofkingsolomon Andthesemyfriendsandfamilyroundmestill
Wereitnotforoneheartrendingfact:
Mysondidbringmedown!Myowndearson! Thefruitandgloryoftheseroyalloins,
Theveryimageofhisdotingsire,
Beingdiscontenttopracticeasaprince
Didturntoplottingandtotreachery
Andfrommythronedidchaseme,likesomecat
That,loungingthere,isrudelywhiskedaway.
Isthisnotsad?Ataletosummontears?
Andyetenough!Illpitymenomore.
Forthankstoyouandyourmostwelcomeaid
AmInowreadytoregainmythrone.
Goodlords,youhavemylastinggratitude.
Youfoundmeindespairandraisedmeup.
Nowtoyourtowntogetherletusmarch
Andgatherthereanarmyofbravemen
WhomIshalllead,asmartialtrumpetsring,
Andshowmysonhisfathersstillaking.
Barzillai: Followus,goodking,untothetown Whereyoumaytakethatcloakfromoffyourcrown.
Dailyournumbersswell,saidAmasa,withrecruits arriving from the north. It shall not be long before were readytomarch. Untoaswiftvictory,general,saidAbsalom. Thepairhadhaltedtheirhorsesandwerelookingdown intoavalley.Itwaslledwithtents,soldiers,horses,and supplydonkeys. Our latest intelligence is that David, too, grows in strength,saidAmasa.Nonetheless,weshallsignicantly outnumberhim. Ofcourseweshall,saidAbsalom.Havenotthetribes rallied toourcause?KeepmepostedIdliketogetstart ed.Bytheway,whereisAhitophel?Ihaventseenhimin 132
absalom a while. NorI. He must be absorbed in the details of governance. Anyhow,Illtalkwithyoulater.RightnowImduebackat thepalaceformydailycoiffure. Suchattentiontogrooming!saidAmasa.Isitmanly, goodprince? Absalom: A rulerwhohasnotaregallook Whocaresnottoimpressshallbeforsook Bythosewhomheshoulddazzle,likethesun. Amasa: Yetnotbysoldierslooksarebattleswon Butbytheirskillandbraverywithal. Absalom: Wellsaid,Amasa.Butmybarberscall! Andwithaproudtossofhishair,herodeofftowardthe city.
thebookofkingsolomon peredwordsAhitophelembracedthem. Withastoicair,hewenttohisstudyandputhisaffairs inorder. Thenhetookacurtaincord,suspendeditfromabeam, andhunghimself. Gorash! Borak! OnthemainstreetofMahanaim,thetwomessengers embraced.Townsfolk,soldiers,anddonkeysstreamedby. Whatareyoudoinghere?askedBorak. Ijustarrived,saidGorash,withamessageforthemil itary.Butwherehaveyoubeen? Dontask.Ifellinwithsomeoldacquaintancesapack of banditsand hungoutwiththemforawhile.Drinking, singing,tellingtales.Butthenitoccurredtomethatthe country was in turmoilmajor events were unfolding King David was in danger! And what was Borak doing? Carousing with lowlifes! My conscience pricked me and bade me do otherwise.SoIborrowedsomemaleclothing dont ask;hopped onahorse;andwentlookingfortheroyal party,tooffermyservices.ThushereIaminMahanaim. AndwhomdoIbumpinto?Yourblessedself !Butwhere are youheaded? Todelivermymessage,ofcourse. Butafterwardslets youandIgondatavern. Absolutely!
InthehillssouthofJerusalem,alonegurewasriding alongonadonkey.ItwasAhitophel,followingtheroadto Giloh. At dusk he arrived at his estate there. Greeted by ser vants,herestedandtookrefreshments.Thenheassembled hishouseholdandaddressedthem. Mydearones,Iamundone,saidAhitophel.Afool caughtthe earofAbsalom,withbadadvice.Wefailedtogo afterDavidwhenhewasweakandvulnerable.Nowitstoo late.Thebattlethatapproachesisoneweshalllose.Our troopsarefreshrecruits,inexperiencedandundisciplined; whileDavidsareseasonedwarriors.Thoughoutnumbered, hewillprevail.Hewillregainhisthroneandpunishthose whobetrayedhim.Mynamewillbeatthetopofhislist. SoIhavecomehometosayfarewell.Andtoescapehis retributionwithanactofhonor. Hishouseholdweptasonebyone,withafewwhis 133
In the headquarters at Mahanaim, David was strum mingonhislyre,whenJoabcamebustlingin. The day of reckoning is at hand, said Joab. Weve received word that Absalom and his forces have set out. Theyaredueheretomorrow.Ivealertedtheofcerstopre pareforbattle. Atlastweshallsettlethis,saidDavid.Ilookforward toleadingourmenintothefray. 134
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Joabgavehimapainedlook.Listentome,David.That issomethingyoumustnotdo.Yourpresenceintheeld would be foolhardy. The enemy would target you! For if theyslaytheking,itsovertheyvewon.Youarethesole causeforwhichweght. David sighed. Youre right, of course. I shall remain here,whileyoucommandthearmy.Butwhatshallbeour strategy? A simple one: to engage the enemy at a place of our choosingandon our terms.Ifwegooutandmeetthemon a battleeld,thatswhattheywantfortheiradvantageis innumbers.ButamilefromhereistheForestofEphraim; and thats whereweshouldght.Ourmenhaveexperience inroughterrain.IfwecandrawAbsalomintotheforest, theadvantagefallstous. Youreright.Deploythemenintotheforest.Iknowmy sonhe will recklessly come in after us. And one thing more,Joab.BemercifultoAbsalom.Thoughhedeservesit not,sparehislife.SpreadwordthatAbsalomisnottobe harmed.He ismyson!Doyouhear? It shallbeso,saidJoab. He bowedanddeparted. A momentlaterSolomonpeekedin. Yousentforme,Father? Idid.Comeinandhearsomefatherlywords.Thisbat tlewereabouttoght?ItshalldetermineIsraelsfuture not to mention mine and thine. If we win, I regain my throne.Ifwelose,Ishallhavetondanewlineofwork. Perhapsasamusicianinsome distantcourt.Thats how I got started,youknowasamusicianforKingSaul. Now youretooyoungtoght.Fifteen,Ibelieve?Nor were you meanttobeawarrior.TheLordhasgivenyoua contemplative nature. Why? Because He wants someone with wisdom tosucceedmeasking.Andsucceedmeyou shall!Doyouhear?Youshallwearthiscrownoneday.So you mustgetready.Youmustprepareyourselffortheking ship. As you can see, its not an easy job. Is it a job you want? Iwishonlytodogodswill,Father.Whichshouldbe 135
thebookofkingsolomon onessoleaiminlifeasyouhavetaughtme. David: Wellsaid,myson.Nowgoandgetsomesleep. Tomorrowweveadatewithdestinytokeep.
On a prancing horse Absalom led his army across the river.Theirweaponsandhelmetsglintedinthesun.When the soldiershadcrossed,Absalomaddressedthem. Absalom: O tisafearsomething,whenarmiesclash: Twojuggernautscollidingwithacrash. Fathergainstson.Thisdayshouldnothavebeen. Butsinceitis,letclamorouswarbegin. ToMahanaim!
Davidstoodatthegateandaddressedhisarmy,which hadassembled outsidethewallsofMahanaim. David: Blessyou,soldiers,andmaytheLordgiveaid TowewhohaveuntoHimdulyprayed. Theapproachingfoehasnumbersonhisside; Butwewithgod andjusticeareallied. Totheforest,andbebrave!
Asthebattlebegan,itwasbeingviewedbyMelchiz edek,inthe Cave of the Ages. On hisscreenwasasereneforest.Leaveswererustlingin a breezebirdsweretwitteringabutteryittedabout. ThescenechangedtoacloseupofAbsalom.Inhiseye was a ery look. He threw his head back and shouted: Charge! NextcameabirdseyeviewofAbsalomsarmy.Assem 136
absalom bledattheedgeoftheforest,itbegantosurgeforward. Melchizedek watched with grim fascination. And he begantospeak,hiswordsresoundinginthecave. Melchizedek: O seethefury,hearthewhoopsofwar.
Withwhataviditymenrushuntotheirdeaths!
Notevenlemmingsrodentswhoinswarms
Goleapingfromhighcliffsintothesea
Withgreaterzealdothrowtheirlivesaway.
Menlookatlemmingsanddeclarethemweird
Andcluckatsuchafreakyetrushlikethis!
Theverymanwhowillprocrastinate,
Delaysomeminorchore,putoffatask,
Waittillnextyear,orsometimeafterthat
Whenwars the theme,hecannotwaittodie!
O howthesehaplessmenofAbsalom,
Onwardbysomeprimalimpulseurged
(Or by compulsion,thepoorconscriptedlads!)
Dohurlthemselvesintoahopelessfray.
ForDavidsmenawaittheminthewoods
Withpracticedswordsandlethalstratagems
Witharchershiddenintheboughsoftrees
And deadlymantrapsplantedinthegrass
Withdiscipline and martialmastery.
IntotheforestAbsalomssoldiersgo
Andbytheforestsoonshallbedevoured.
Nowlookthebattlesjoinedthetwosidesmeet!
Theygrapple,shout,clangswords,doercelyght
Andallismayheminthefragrantwoods.
Andyetthisbattleshallnotlengthybe.
For raw recruitsagainstaseasoned foe
Arelikeawavethatbreaksuponarock:
Poundsagainstit,foams,andseepsaway.
Already,looksomemenofAbsalom,
Unnerved,throwdowntheirarmsandeethescene,
CedingavictoryontoDavidsmen.
(TherealvictorshallofcoursebeDeath
Whoreapsfrom battleeldshisrichestcrop
137
Warawindfallforhisghastlytrade.) O hearthesoldiersgroaningastheydie; Andseebutno,Icannotbeartowatch. Melchizedek clicked the remote and the screen went blank.
Absalom staggered through the woods. Gone were his horseandhelmetandproudbearing.Allabouthimsoldiers wereeeing,ashisarmydissolvedinarout. Thebattleslost,helamented.Mymeneeintothe depthsoftheforest. Whatagrievousendtomyhopes!How briefmystayuponthatbeckoningthrone.Andwhatshall bemypunishment,forhavingdaredtositthere?Itoohad betteree. Spottingaloosedonkey,Absalomunghimselfonitand rodeoff. Withthesoundsofwarallabout,thedonkeyborehim alongaforestpath. Overhangingthe pathweretheboughsofanoak.Ashe neared them, Absalom ducked. But his hair caught on a boughbecoming entangled and yanking him from the donkey. And hewasleftdanglingfromthetree,asthedonkey trottedonwithouthim. Stunnedandhelpless,Absalomhungbyhishair,afew feetabovetheground. One of Davids soldiershappened along.Hestoppedand staredatAbsalom.Whosthishanginghere?hesaid.Like a bodyon the gallows.IsitnotPrinceAbsalom? Aye,tisme,saidAbsalom.Snaredlikearabbit. Dumbfounded,thesoldierdashedoff. Whatabizarreend,saidAbsalom.Ihangherelikea piece of fruit, ripe for the picking. Suspended between heavenand earth,IknownottowhichIambound. For a while he hung there alone. Then the soldier returned,withJoabandothersoldiers.Theytoostaredin 138
absalom astonishmentatthedanglingprince. ItisindeedPrinceAbsalom,saidJoab. Havepityonme,Joab,saidAbsalom.Loosemefrom thisbough. I do pity thee, said Joab. And coming closer, he unsheathedhisdagger. Youdrawyourblade,saidAbsalom.Toslaymethen? Butno,youwouldfreemefromthissnareandtakemepris oner.ForsuchakindnessIshallthankyou.YetIimplore you,Joabcutnotthesegorgeouslocksofmine.Theyare theonlycrownIshalleverknow.Cutthemnot.Rather,dis entanglethem. Fearnot,vainprince.Ishallnottouchyourhair. Joabstabbedhiminthechest.Thricehestabbedhim. AndAbsalomdied. Take him down and bury him, said Joab. Yes, my orders were to spare his life. But Davids command was utterfolly.Ihavedonewhathadtobedone.Thiswasarebel a traitora wouldbe parricide. Alive, he would have remainedathreat.SpreadthewordthatAbsalomisdead and ourvictory complete.Andblowthehorntosignalbat tlesend.Letsceasetoght,andtoourwoundedtend.
toDavid,informinghimofourvictoryherethisday.And also OfthedeathofAbsalom.Hisbelovedson. Idbeloathetocarrysuchamessage. Metoo,saidGorash. Yetoneofusshallbedispatchedwithit. Aye. Thoughifwelingeredhereawhiletorestandregain ourstrengththeydndsomeoneelsetodeliverit. Indeedtheywould. Thetwomessengerslingeredinthegrove.
Standingoutsidehistent,Joabaddressedtheassembled ofcers. Thevictoryisours,hesaid.Absalomsmenprefer ringtofacestarvation ratherthanourswordshaveed intotheforest.Theirleaderisslain.Wehavetriumphed and regained the throne for David. Now must he be apprised oftheoutcomeheretoday.Whereisamessenger, tobearhimthetidings?Nomessengerpresent?Thenwho amongyouwillbearthesetidingstoDavid? Twomensteppedforward:Ahimaaz,sonofZadok,and Cushi,anEthiopianofcer. Ishallbearthe tidings,saidAhimaaz. AsshallI,saidCushi. Setout,then,bothof you,saidJoab. ThetwomenrantowardsMahanaim,vyingtoberst withthenews.
Borakand Gorashwererestinginasecludedgrove. Im exhausted,saidGorash.Whatadayithasbeen. Ive beencarryingmessagesbetweenthethreecommanders Joab,hisbrotherAbishai,andIthaitheGittite.Running to and fro just behind the front lines. Exhaustingand dangeroustoo! Ive been similarly employed, said Borak. But now what?Wherearewesupposedtogo,nowthatthebattles over? The ofcers are assembling at Joabs tent. We should headoverthere,Isuppose.Fortherewillstillbemessages tobedelivered.Oneinparticular. Aye,saidBorak,noddingknowingly.Acommuniqu 139
SittingonastoolbythecitygatewasDavid.Withhim, peeringintothedistance,wasthewatchman. Two runnersapproaching,saidthewatchman. Surelytheybearnews,saidDavid. Oneisdarkskinned.AnEthiopian.Andtheother why,Irecognizehim.ItisAhimaaz,sonofZadok. 140
absalom Ahimaazisagoodman.Surelyhebringsgoodnews. Letushopeso,saidthewatchman. Theywaitedastherunnersdrewnear. Ahimaazwasthersttoarrive.Breathless,hefelltohis kneesbeforeDavid. Whatnews,Ahimaaz?askedDavid. Agreatvictory,YourHighness.Theenemywasrouted. WiththeLordshelp,wehavewontheday. Good,good.Andmyson?WhatwasthefateofPrince Absalom?Ishesafe? IIknownot,stammeredAhimaaz.AsIdeparted, therewassomecommotion.ButIknownotthecausethere of. NowCushicamerunningup.Exhausted,hesanktothe ground. Whatnews?askedDavid. Agloriousvictory,saidCushi.TheLordhasavenged youthisdayagainstthosewhoroseagainstyou. Andmyson?Absalom? Cushilookedhimintheeye.Mayallyourenemiesmeet withthe same fateasthatman. Thenheis? Cushinodded. Davidletoutasob.Knockingasidethestool,heclimbed a stairwayandstaggeredintothewatchtower.Therehefell tohiskneesandsaid: OAbsalom,myson,myson.
WouldthatIhadbeenthe one
Todiethisday,andtakethyplace
InthedarkofDeathsembrace.
Aloneinthetowerhesobbed.
nishingoffhisale.AndstilltheKingisinconsolable,they say.Hestaysuplate,playingmelancholystrainsonhislyre. Androamsthecorridorsofthepalace,asiflost. Alas,saidBorak,itwasaterribletime,forbothhim andthenation.Butonegoodthinghascomeofallthis. Whenthedayarrives,youngSolomonwillsucceedtothe throneinanorderlyfashion. Willhe?Imnotsosure.Adonijahcouldstartgetting ideasnow.Afterall,hesbecometheeldestson. But hes a buma neerdowell, said Borak. Lives onlyforwineandwomen.Hedbeadisasterasking. Indeedhewould.Letshopehestooinebriatedtoenter tainsuchanotion.Speakingofwhich Theycalledformoreale.
Zukis wascrowdedandnoisy.
How long has it beena month now? said Gorash,
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Map
n onebreath solomonblewoutthecandleson thecake.Therewereeighteenofthem;andasthesmoke curledupward,acheerrosefromthesmallgroupthat hadgatheredinthedininghalltocelebratehisbirthday. Heopenedthegiftstheyhadbrought.FromBathsheba therewasatalisman;fromNathan,aninkhorn;fromBenai ah,adagger;fromJoseph,ascrollwithaluridtale. Thankyouall,saidSolomon.Butwhereismyfather? Ishenottoattendthisparty? Hesbeenill,saidBathsheba.Buthesaidhewould come. AndIhave, rangoutavoice. Standinginthe doorwaywasKingDavid.Grayhaired andstooped,hewasleaningonacane. Joinusforcake,saidBathsheba. Later,saidDavid.Grabatorch,Solomon,andcome withme. Hiscanetappingonthetiles,heledSolomonthrough the corridors of the palace. Guards came to attention as theypassed;servantsbowed;catsscurriedaway.Intheeast wingtheydescendedastairwayandcametoapadlocked door. David unlocked it and pushed it open. And they enteredastoreroom.Thetorchlightrevealedrowsofchests andbins. Asyouknow,saidDavid,Ihavebeenamassingrich es.Beholdmytreasure chamber. Storedhereinare100,000 talentsofgoldandamilliontalentsofsilveralongwith brass,marble,cedarwood,chestfulsofjewels.Thisismy treasuretrove! But to what end have I assembled it? For selfaggrandizement? No! These riches belong to god. They are the materials for His templefor the house in whichHisGloryistodwell.Ahousethatyouaretobuild, whenyouareking.Thematerialsawaityouhere.Andthe 143
plans,toocome,takealookatthem. Davidhobbledovertoachest,liftedthelid,andpulled outabundleofscrolls. ThesearethenalplansfortheTemple.Draftedby Abhiram,myarchitect,theyincorporatefeaturesthatwere revealedtomeindreams.Thesearetheblueprintsforgods housewhichyoushallraise!Ataskawaitsyou,Solomon, ofmonumentalproportions. IpraythatImaybebothcapableandworthyofit. Worthy?Justavoidsinunlikeyourpoorrolemodel ofafather.Andcapable?Ihavecondenceinyourtalents. Butthisisacolossalundertakingandyoullneedhelpin accomplishingit.SotheressomethingIwanttogiveyou.
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Reachingintothechest,Davidbroughtoutaparchment. Takealookatthis.ItsamapIsketched,manyyears ago.Itshowsthelocationofacavern.Inthiscavernresides a mysteriouspriestnamedMelchizedek.HaveIevermen tionedhimtoyou? No,Father. Iencounteredhimduringmyoutlawdaysbackwhen I washidingoutinthewilderness.OnemorningIwaswan dering about, when I came upon the entrance to a cave. Venturing inside, I was struck by the strangeness of the place.Therewasabluishglowtothewallsasharpnessin theairamusicalmurmur.Anarrowpassagewayledfur therin;andIgropedmywayalongit.FinallyIemerged intoacavernavastspacethatwaslitbytorches! Andsomeonewassittingthere,inathronelikechair.In a voicethatresoundedfromthedepthsofthecavern,he spokeaddressingmebynameandbiddingmeapproach. I didso.AndintheickeringlightIdiscernedagurein priestlygarb.Hehadamaneofwhitehairandagreatwhite beard.Thispriestseemedancientofyearsyetvigorous.As I stood before him,he gazedatme;anditwasasifhewere peeringintomyinnermostself. ThenheintroducedhimselfasMelchizedek,priestof god MostHigh;welcomedmetotheCaveoftheAges;and toldmetokneel.Iknelt.Whereuponhepouredoilonmy head,anddeclaredthatIwouldonedaybekingofIsrael thatIandmydescendantswouldrulein godsname.He gave me a few practicaltipsand urged me tolive virtuous ly. Ashisvoiceechoedfromthewalls,Ikneltthere,speech lessand shaking.Finally,hetoldmetogo. But asIwasleaving,he called tome.David,hesaid. Asapriestofgod MostHigh,Ihavecertainpowers.Ifyou everneedmyhelp,returntothiscave.Ishallendeavorto assistyou. Have youevergonebackthere,Father? No.WhatIhaveaccomplishedIhaveaccomplishedon myown.ButourTempleistobe anabodefor god Most High anediceofcosmicimport.Tocreateit,youwill 145
needhelp.Sowhenyouarereadytobegin,seekoutMel chizedekandaskforhisaidandblessing.Thismapwill guideyoutohiscave.Imleavingithereinthechestdont forgetaboutit. Iwont,Father. Good.Nowletsgobackandhavesomecake.*
* According to the Bible, it was the prophet Samuel who anointedDavid,notMelchizedek.Theepisodeisfoundinthe BookofSamuel: AndtheLordsaiduntoSamuel,Howlongwiltthoumourn forSaul,seeingIhaverejectedhimfromreigningoverIsrael?Fill thinehornwithoil,andgo,IwillsendtheetoJessetheBethle hemite; for I have provided Me a king among his sons.and thoushaltanointuntoMehimwhomInameuntothee.And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethle hem. JessemadesevenofhissonstopassbeforeSamuel.AndSam uelsaiduntoJesse,TheLordhathnotchosethese.AndSamuel saiduntoJesse,Are hereallthychildren?Andhe[Jesse]said, Thereremainethyettheyoungest,andbehold,hekeepeththe sheep.AndSamuelsaiduntoJesse,Sendandfetchhim;forwe willnot sitdowntillhecomehither. Andhe[Jesse]sent,andbroughthimin.Nowhewasruddy, andwithalofabeautifulcountenance,andgoodlytolookto. And the Lord said,Arise,anointhim;forthisishe. ThenSamueltookthehornofoil,andanointedhiminthe midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Davidfrom thatdayforward.(1 Samuel,16) ThusdidDavidenterpubliclifeasakindofCinderella.
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Thateveningthreemenwaitedoutsidetheroyalbed chamber.OnewasShavsha;theothertwowerephysicians. Theywerespeakinginlow,sombertones,whentherewas a stir in the corridor. And Abishag arrived, escorted by handmaidens. TheShunamitewastallandslender,withglossyblack hairthattumbledtoherwaist.Shehadshedhertraveling clothes,andhavingbathedandperfumedwascladnow inasatingown.Shemovedwithagazellelikegrace. Youunderstandyourmission?saidShavsha.Thatyou are toministertoHisMajesty? Abishagnoddedgravely. Youaretocommunicateheattohim,saidoneofthe
Heat
mong the spectators who lined the street were Borak and Gorash. The messengers were strainingtoseeoverheads.Theyweretryingtoget a glimpseofthewomanwhowasbeingescorted,bysoldiers onhorseback,tothepalace. Thatmustbeher,saidGorash,pointingtoawomanon a donkey.Thefairestdamselintheland.Buttheyvegot hercloakedandveiledherbeautyreservedfortheKing. Itshallbewastedonhim,saidBorak,sofargoneis David.Whatshernameagain? Abishag. From Shunam in the Valley of Jezreel. The searchforfairestdamselwasnationwide;andshetookthe prize.QuiteanhonorfortheShunamitethoughitcomes with a patriotic duty. For she is to communicate heat to David,inhopeofreversinghisdecline. Iwouldntmindabitofthatheat. Youveenoughofyourown. Thenletmebecharitableandshareit,saidBorak.Im overhere,OShunamiteoverhere!*
* It was believed that sexual relations with a young woman couldrestore a mans heat,orlifeforce.Josephusdescribesthe cure,asprescribed forKingDavid: Davidwasnowinyears,andhisbody,bylengthoftime,had become coldand benumbed,insomuchthathecouldgetnoheat by coveringhimselfwithmanyclothes;andwhenthephysicians cametogether,theyagreedtothisadvice,thatabeautifulvirgin, chosenoutofthewholecountry,shouldsleepbythekingsside, andthatthisdamselwouldcommunicateheattohim,andbea remedyagainsthisnumbness.(Antiquities, vii,14) Galen,theGrcoRomanphysician,recommendedthetreat mentinhis MateriaMedica, a workthatwasacceptedasauthor itativeuntilmoderntimes.(WhenFredericktheGreatwasill,a maidenwasbroughttohisbed,torestorehislifeforce.)
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heat physicians,andtherebyrestorehisvitality.Youareto know him. Ishalldomyduty,forkingandcountry. Shavshaopenedthedoorandgesturedforhertoenter. Abishagsteppedintothechamber. Thedoorclosedbehindher.Shehesitatedforamoment, thenapproachedthebed.Beneathamoundofcoverslay David.Paleandsickly,hewasshivering. Abishagremovedhergown.Herbareskinglistenedin thetorchlight.Sheclimbedinunderthecovers. Murmuring to himself, David seemed unaware of her presence.
toldhisfriendsthatheoughttotakethegovernmentuponhim. Hehadalsopreparedmanychariots,andhorses,andftymen torunbeforehim.WhenDavidhisfatherhadseenthis,hehad notreprovedhim,norrestrainedhimfromhispurpose,norhad hegonesofarastoaskwhereforehedidso.
WhenAbishagemerged from the chamberinthemorn ing,thephysicianswerewaiting. Sheshookherhead.Itried.ButtheKingignoredme. He seemsbarelyconscious. Thephysicianshurriedintotheroom.*
With a purposeful stride, Joab made his way to Adonijahs chamber. Without knocking, he entered and greetedtheprince,whowasbreakfasting. Thetimehascome,saidJoab.Yourfatheriscloseto death.Ashiseldestsurvivingsonandtheinheritorofhis martialspirityou are the rightfulheirtothe throne.You mustdeclareyourself.Youmustact,andnow. Iamready,saidAdonijah,rising.Letsgettoit.
* Josephusreports:Abishag,sleepingwiththeking,didno morethancommunicatewarmthtohim,forhewassooldthat hecouldnotknowherasahusbandknowshiswife. Josephusdescribes the prince:NowthefourthsonofDavid wasabeautifulyoungman,andtall,borntohimofHaggithhis wife.He wasnamedAdonijah,andwasinhisdispositionliketo Absalom;and hadexalted himselfashopingtobeking,andhad
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A KingIsCrowned
ust outside jerusalem was a parka garden wateredbyaspringcalledEnrogel.Inthemidstof Enrogelwasasacredrock.Shapedlikeacoiledsnake, itwascalledtheSerpentStone.Besideitwasanaltar, builtbytheJebusites.* A banquetwasinprogressatEnrogel.Tablesandbenches hadbeensetup;andtheguestsdozensofprominentmen weredrinkingandchatting.Amusicianwasplaying onhislyre.Somepriestswerebusyatthealtar,sacricing oxen. Joabroseandsignaledforquiet. Wearesaddenedbytheillness,andimminentdemise, of King David, he said. But we are gladdened by the robusthealththevigorthevitalityofthemansitting besideme.Gentlemen,IgiveyouAdonijah,theeldestson ofDavidandthenextkingofIsrael! Adonijahroseandacknowledgedaroundofapplause. Ithankyouallforyoursupport,saidAdonijah,and for comingout today.Asmyfatherssuccessor,Ishallcarry onhisworkandhisideals.Ishallkeepournationstrong andprosperous.AndIshallstrivetobeworthyoftheofce thatisthrustuponme.Butthatisfortomorrow.Fornow letthefeastbegin! Themusicianresumedplaying.Servantsbustledabout, servingplattersofroastmeat.Aclownittedfromtableto table.
NathanandBathshebawereconferringoutsidethebed chamber.Theyspokeinhushedtones.
* ThespringknowntodayasBirAiyub,orWellofJacob stillgushes.Butthesacredrockisgone.
Davidmustberousedandtoldwhatishappening,said Nathan.Otherwise,wearelost. Whoiswithus?saidBathsheba. TheLordiswithus. Imean,whointhepalace?Whocanwecountonto supportus? Shavsha.Zadokandhisfactionofpriests.AndthePal aceGuardBenaiahassuresmetheyreloyaltoDavid.So Davidsthekey.Hemustgiveushisblessing. Thenletusprocureit,saidBathsheba. They entered the chamber and approached the bed. Davidlaymurmuringundertheheapofcovers.Bathsheba bentoverhim. Rouseyourself,Ohusband.Anurgentmatterrequires yourattention.Awaken,weimploreyou. Hiseyesremainedshut.Hisbreathingwaslabored. Youmustspeaktous,saidBathsheba.Adonijahssup portershavegatheredatEnrogel.Theyaredeclaringhim yoursuccessor.Isthatwhatyouwant?Alibertineonthe throne of Israel? Or should Solomonyour pious son succeed you? Heopenedhiseyesandstaredather. IsntSolomonyourchoice?saidBathsheba.Wasntit yourintentionthathebeking?Andthathebuildatemple ahouseforgod? Adonijahwillnotbeinterestedinsuch anundertaking.Heisgivenovertopleasureandostenta tion,andwillsquanderyourwealthonluxuries. Adonijah? said David in a hoarse voice. My crown wouldgotohim?No,heisnott.Thecrownmustgoto Solomon! You canstillmakethathappen.Allof Israelawaitsyour pronouncementyourdesignationofasuccessor.Butyou mustissueitnow.Adonijahssupportersarerallying.This verymomenttheyarecrying:LongliveKingAdonijah. How now? King Adonijah?TheydosocrywhileIstill breatheandwearacrown? Alas,theydo. SuddenlyDavidboltedupright.Theywantanewking, 152
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a kingiscrowned dothey?ThenIllgivethemone.Illnameasuccessor andyieldtohimthisveryday!Hearme. I herebyabdicate, infavorofSolomon. Gondthelad.Placehimontheroyal donkey.AndleadhimtothespringatGihon,theretobe anointedbyZadok.Doit,now!ForIswearbygod Most High,thatmycrown,scepter,andthronearetogotoSolo monimmediately! Itshallbeso,saidBathsheba. Illgoandlocatehim,saidNathan.*
WithagraveexpressionZadokrecitedaprayer.Thenhe sprinkledoilonSolomonshead.god saveKingSolomon! heproclaimed. A priestblewonthe shofar theramshornthatsignaled animportantevent.Thetrumpetingechoedfromthehills. Nathancameforward,layhishandsonSolomonshead, andsaid:AstheLordhasbeenwithyourfathertheking, mayHebewithyou,andmakeyourthroneevengreater thanyourfathers.Andmayyouruleformanyyearsand rulewisely. Shouts of jubilation arose. And the shofar was blown, againandagain.
A processionwasowingouttheNorthGate.Atitshead wasZadok,infullregalia.Hehaddonnedthe ephod the breastplateoftheHighPriestandwascarryingacenser, fromwhichwaftedfumesofincense.Thehemofhismid dlerobewashungwithbells.Behindhimmarchedaband of priests, clanging cymbals and beating on drums. The priests were followed by Solomon on the royal donkey. Thencamemembersofthecourt,palaceservants,anda throngoftownsfolkwhohadjoinedtheprocession.The PalaceGuardhundredsofarmedmen,ledbyBenaiah broughtuptherear. The spring of Gihon lay just outside the city. Upon reachingit,thepriestsbegantochant.ZadoktoldSolomon to dismount and to kneel before him. Fumbling in his pocket,the HighPriestproducedasmalljar. Thisoildates from the timeofMoses,heannounced. It is reserved for our most solemn occasions. With it I anointthenewkingofIsrael.
* Ahimaazsaccountofthisepisode,andthatfoundintheBook ofKings,differinasignicantrespect.Ineach,Bathshebapleads a case for Solomon. But according to Ahimaaz, she persuades DavidwithanargumentconcerningtheTemple.IntheBookof Kings,ontheotherhand,sheremindshimofapromisehemade toher:thattheirsonshouldinheritthethrone.(Bathshebaalso pointsouttohimthataslosersinadynasticstrugglesheand Solomonwouldbedealtwithharshly.)
Whats that? said Joab, looking up from his goblet. Theshofar?Whyistheshofarbeingblown? A servantcameracingintothegarden,approachedone of the guests,andwhisperedintohisear.Theguestlooked startled.Hewhisperedtotheguestbesidehim.Thewhis peringspreadfromtabletotable. Andsuddenlyanexodusbegan.Likeschoolboyscaught inaforbiddenact,theguestsbegantoslipaway.Withner vouslooksandmumbledexcuses,theyrosefromtheirseats and begantoleave. Itsgettinglate,saidone.Imustbegoing. Thiswasfun,saidanother,butgottarun. Adonijah and Joab were seated together at the head table.Bothweretipsywithwine.Astheguestshurriedoff, Adonijah looked puzzled. Wheres everyone going? he askedJoab.Whatshappening? Joabshook hishead,drained hisgoblet,andwentoffto inquire. Wait,everybody,Adonijahcalledout.Wehaventhad dessertyet! JoabreturnedandrelatedthenewsofSolomonsanoint ment.Thenhewalkedoffrapidly,joiningtheexodus. Anxious to disassociate themselves from Adonijah, the guests ed the banquet. Priests and servants joined 154
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a kingiscrowned them.Eventheclownsuddenlybecomeseriousdeparted inhaste. AndEnrogelwassoondesertedexceptforasolitary gure.Slouchedoverhisgoblet,Adonijahwasmurmuring indismay.
Thethroneroomwaspacked,withmembersoftheroyal family,courtiers,palaceservants,ordinaryIsraelites.Ahum ofexcitementrosefromthecrowd. Trumpetssounded.AndSolomon,surroundedbyguards andpriests,wasledin.Theoilstillglistenedinhishair.He lookedbewildered. Zadokescortedhimtothedais,pointedtothethrone, and toldhimtosit. Solomonloweredhimselfontotheroyalseathesitant ly,asifwaryofaprank. Zadokplacedthecrownonhisheadandsaid:Longlive KingSolomon. LongliveKingSolomon! shoutedthecrowd. Thank you, said Solomon, waving to his subjects. Andthesametoyou.*
* InboththeBookofKingsandtheBookofKingSolomon, Solomon is portrayed as the legitimate heir to the throneas Davidschoicetosucceedhim.Adonijahisseenasarankpre tenderanenviousbrotherwhoattemptsacoup.Itisthwarted; andSolomonisdulycrowned. Butrevisionisthistorianshaveputforwardanalternativesce narioatheoryastowhat really happened.Theycontendthat Adonijahtheeldestsurvivingsonwasslatedtobecomeking. (As evidence, they cite his subsequent lament to Bathsheba: Thouknowestthatthekingdomwasmine,andthatallIsrael settheirfacesonme,thatIshouldreign.[1 Kings2:15])Butsup portersofSolomonstagedacoupoftheirown.Thisfaction,led by Bathsheba (who stood to become Queen Mother), Zadok, and Nathan, had the backing of the Palace Guard, and tri umphed.Inablatantpowergrab,thethronewenttoSolomon. So whencethe Biblicalversionofevents?Accordingtotherevi sionists,KingSolomondesiredtoputafavorablespinonhis risetopower.Tothatend,hecommissionedthewritingofan ofcialbiographyoftheHouseofDavid.Thisbiography(which hascome downtousastheBookofSamuelandaportionofthe BookofKings)providedasanitizedindeed,afalsiedver sion of bothhisfathers careerandhisown.
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he door closed behind him; and solomon peered across the room at his father. David was proppedupinbed.Windowcurtainsbillowedina nightbreeze.Thelampickered. Yousentforme,Father? Comeoverhere,saidDavid.Standinthelight,where I mayseeyou.IfIcanstillseemyeyesaredimming.I have some things to say to you. Some advice to impart. Closer,closer.Howtallyouvegotten.Andhowthatcrown becomesyou!ItookitfromHanun,kingoftheAmmonites beforeyouwereborn.Itsyoursnow;wearitinhealth. And mayitsgembringyouluck.Butneverforgetthesource of allgood thingsthatcomeyourway: theLord our god. ThankHimalwaysandpraiseHisname. AndwalkinHisways.KeepHiscommandments,that youmayprosper.Andthatourpeoplemayprosper.Those commandmentsaregodsgifttous.Ignorethematyourperil. Andrememberthatgod MostHigh,notI,choseyouto beking.It isHishand thatshapes ourlives.Makeyourself worthyofHisprovidence.KeepHiscommandmentsandgo further.LetHimenteryourheart!BethouashrineuntoHim. AndrememberthechargeIhavegivenyou.Youareto build a templea house for the Lord. Its a momentous task;butIhaveleftyoutheplans,thematerials,andthe wherewithal. god needsahouse,whereinHisGlorymay dwell.Builditfor Him. Asfortipsongoverning,Ihaveabasicpieceofadvice: delegateauthority!LetShavshaandtheothersmanageyour kingdom.Theyknowwhattheyaredoingletthemdoit. PutAbhiraminchargeofbuildingtheTemple.Andlet Zadokhavehiswayinreligiousmatters.ButreplaceJoab ifyoucanasheadofthearmy.Weneedanewmanthere. Andkeepaneyeonyourenemies,athomeandabroad. 157
Ihave leftyou withakingdom thatisstrongand pros perous.Ithasenjoyedgodsfavorandwillcontinuetodo so,ifitsrulerisrighteous. Ifheobeys gods laws. Sothats yourmainjob.Anditsnotaneasyonebelieveme,Ive hadmylapses.Whatelsewasthere?Oyespayattention toyourposture.Akingmustlooklikeaking.Ifyouslouch, otherstoowillslouchandbelaxintheirduties.god be withyou,myson.Be strongandcourageous. Iwilltry,Father. 158
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Nowhandmemylyre.Iwishtostrumonitforawhile. Handittomeandgo. Solomonlaytheinstrumentinhislapandleft.
thebookofkingsolomon Youreonmylistfortonight. Davidponderedforamoment.Thenheasked:DoIget a nalrequest? Isometimesgrantthem.Whatwoulditbe? Youknowthatmaidenwhowasbroughttomybed?Who wassupposedtorestoremylifeforcevialovemaking? Whatabouther? CouldIhaveonelasttry? No,no,saidtheAngelofDeath.Come,itstime. AndhetouchedDavidontheforehead. Davidletoutagaspanddied. TheAngelofDeathliftedDavidssoul,ungitoverhis shoulder,anddeparted.*
TheAngelofDeathsteppedinthroughthewindowand approachedthebed. Davidstoppedplayingandloweredthelyre.Itisyou then,hesaid. ItisI,saidtheAngelofDeath. Cometotakemeaway? Imafraidso. Butyourcomingissosuddensoabrupt.Whymust youarriveinthisfashion? HowelsemightIhavearrived? The same as my other visitorsby having yourself announced. You could have given me a warning. That I might have braced myselfprepared for your coming confessedmysinsandprayedformysoul. But I didwarnyou.Isentmessengers,toletyouknow I wascoming. Messengers?Ireceivednomessengers. Isentthem.Repeatedly.Butyouignoredthem. Ireceivednomessengers!saidDavid,slappingthelyre. Whereisyourfather? My father?Why, he diedlongago.Whydoyouask? And your mother?Whereisshe? Shetooisdead. AndyourbrothersAbinadabandShammah? Deceased,bothofthem. AndAbsalom,youreldestson? Dead,alas.Quitedead. And Eleazar, your comrade in arms? And Adino the Eznite?AndbraveIra?AndIgal? Alldead.Gonetothegrave. Thoseweremymessengers! MyremindersthatIcomefor all men, sooner or later. And now I have come for you. 159
ThemournersfellsilentasZadokenteredthebedcham ber. With a somber mien he stood before the body and beganthe eulogy. Zadok: Thiswasaking.Heruledforfortyyears
Withfairness,mercy,pietyandprayer.
Thiswasawarrior, too,amanof might
WhoputtoroutthenoxiousPhilistines.
Whofoughttheirboastfulgiant,GoliathofGath
And leftthefellowshorterbyahead.
Thiswasaharpist,whoseriffsandrhapsodies
* A different(andlessplausible)accountofDavidsdemiseis foundintheTalmud.Supposedly,hehadaskedgod totellhim thedateofhisdeath.god repliedthatsuchknowledgeisgiven tonoman.god didreveal,however,thatthedeathwouldcome onaSabbath.SoDavidbegantostudyTorahcontinuouslyevery Sabbathaware that the Angel of Death was powerless over anyonereadingaholytext. But whenthedaycame,theAngelofDeathresortedtocun ning.BeneathDavidswindowgrewsometrees.TheAngelof Deathshookthem,makingaloudnoise.Davidputdownhis book and went to investigate the source of the noise. As he descendedastairway,itcollapsed;andhediedofabrokenneck.
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deathbed Didsootheoursoulsandeaseourmortaldays.
O whataloss,myfriendsthemusicsgone!
Whatusebeears,ifDavidsharpbestilled!
Thiswasapoet,whodidbequeathtous
A treasuretrove:hisgoldenbookofpsalms.
Thiswasaconqueror,whotookthistown;
Raisedgodsbannerfromitsbattlements;
AndbroughtwithinitswallsourHolyArk.
Whotookasleepyhamletonahill
Anddidtransformittoacapital
A royalseatfor both oursovereigns:
Forthemortalwhorulesthistinyland,
Andforthegod whogovernsalltheworld.
Thiswasaman,whosinnedrepeatedly
Andjustasoftenwouldrepenthisways!
Hisnature,ofhisills,bothcauseandcure.
Butmostofall,thiswasapioussoul
WhoseprayersdidriselikedovestoHeavensgate
Andwhohasnowgonesoaringafterthem
Leavingusthisshell,thisemptyhusk
To bury inthe tomb he didprepare
Ingrimanticipationofthisday.
Inthemorningtothattombwellmarch
And totheearthreturnthesemuteremains.
Bathsheba: Letsburyhimwithhisbelovedlyre
In casehewakethandshouldwanttoplay.
Zadokshookhishead andgesturedatthedeceasedking. Zadok: Ourbodies do not wakefrom out thissleep
Aseverlastingastheseaisdeep.
god savehissoulandspeeditheavenward.
Whats trulyDavidshallnotbeinterred.*
* WherewasDavidlaidtorest?TheBookofKingsstatessim plythatDavidsleptwithhisfathers,andwasburiedintheCity of David[Jerusalem];whilethe BookofNehemiahlocatesthe tombonthesouthernhillofthecity.Beyondthesescantrefer
ences,nothingisknownoftheburialplace.Thereare,however, a numberoflegends. TheearliestisfoundinJosephus.ThetombofDavid,hetells us, was lled with treasuregold and silver that King Herod coveted.SoonenightHerodandhismensecretlybrokeintothe tomb,intendingtoplunderit.Astheyapproachedthesepulcher, a ameburstforth,killingseveralofthemen.Terried,Herod beatahastyretreatandresealedthetomb.Andhebuiltamon ument in front of it, to expiate his transgression. (In vain, observesJosephus,pointingoutthathisfortunesdeclinedthere after.) WenexthearofthetombfromBenjaminofTudela,amedieval traveler who visited Jerusalem. He tells of two workmen who wererepairingachurchonMountZion.Beneathacrumbling walltheydiscoveredacave,containingacrownandscepter.The paired interrorandreportedtheirndtothePatriarch.He consulted a rabbi,whoidentiedthecaveasthetombofKing David. Not wishing to disturb it, the Patriarch had the cave sealed up. ButduringtheOttomaneraitseemstohaveresurfaced.Atale istoldofthePasha,orTurkishgovernor,ofJerusalem.Hewas paying a visit to Davids tomb: a subterranean cavern visible throughanopeningintheground.Ashepeeredin,hissword slippedfromhisbeltanddisappearedintothedepths.Toretrieve it,the Pashahadone ofhisguardsloweredintothetombona rope.Whendrawnbackup,themanwasdead.Asecondguard metthesamefate,andathird.ThePashathensummonedthe chiefrabbiand orderedhimtoselectaJew,tobeloweredinto thetombtoretrievethesword.TheghostofDavid,declaredthe Pasha,wouldnot harmone ofhisownpeople.Butshouldthe attemptfail,warned thePasha,theJewsofthecitywouldsuffer. Afteramomentsthought,therabbiselectedthecustodianofthe synagogue,amanknownfor hispiety. Thecustodianwaslow ered intothetomb.Whendrawnbackup,hehadthesword butwastrembling.Ithadbeenhandedtohim,hesaid,byag ure who had appeared in a burst of lighta man wearing a crownKingDavidhimself ! Today, a popular destination in Jerusalem is King Davids TombanancientbuildingonMountZionthatpurportstobe hisburialplace.Itcontainsastonemonument,whosevelvetcov eringbearsthe mottoDavid,KingofIsrael,lives!Andthough almostcertainlyamedievalbasilica,KingDavidsTombisheld
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inreverencebyJews,Christians,andMuslimsalike.Ithasbeen thesiteofmiracles. ButwasthetombevenlocatedinJerusalem?Anintriguing legendplacesitnearLuz.(Formoreonthatfabledcity,seechap ter56.)InthevicinityofLuz,wearetold,istobefoundKing DavidsCavern.Thereinheliessleepingonanivorycouch.Near athandarehiscrownandlyrereadyforthedayonwhichhe shall awaken and resume his kingship. An occasional pilgrim comestoKingDavidsCavern.Beforeentering,hemustbathe inaspringoutsidetheentranceanduttertheHolyName.Ashe enters,thecavernllswithlight;andhebeholdsKingDavid, dozingonthecouch. WhathasitbeenlikeforDavid,asleepinthatcave?Mostlyhe dreamsofpastglories.Butfromtimetotime,somethingawak enshimanoise,oranache,oradisturbingthought.Andhe rises for a whileand strumsuponhislyre. And the melancholystrainsreverberateinthedark.
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Visitors
ing solomonwassippingteainhischamber, andreadingthemorningreport,whentherewasa knockonthedoor.Comein,hecalledout.And Zadokcamebustlingin. Myapologiesforstoppingbysoearlyintheday,said theHighPriest.AndIknowtheweekofmourninghas onlyjustexpired.Butanimportantmatterneedstobedis cussed. Byallmeans. Divineapprovalmustbesoughtforyourkingship.To thatend,wearegoingtocelebrateafestivalofsacrice.The festivalistobeheldatthesanctuaryatGibeon.Apriestly procession willescortyouthere;andyouwillpresideover thesacriceofathousandbullocks. MostwillinglyshallIdoso. Good,saidZadok.Illletyouknowwhenwehave scheduledadate.Andwithatinklingofhisbells,heexited thechamber. A thousand bullocks?saidSolomon.Thatsseveraldays work!Ifwemanagetodispatchoneeveryveminutes,it wouldstilltake He was interrupted by another knock. And Shavsha entered. Goodmorning,YourHighness.Itrustyousleptwell? Look,letmegetrighttothepoint.Fortwentyfiveyears I served yourfatherasvizier. I oversawthe governanceof hiskingdommanageditsdaytodayaffairsranthings in a businesslike fashion. That kingdom is yours now. How yougoaboutgoverningitautocratically,orliber ally, or lackadaisicallyis up to you. You may wish to dispense altogether with a vizier and govern directlya handsonapproach.Oryoumaywishtoreplacemewith a younger,moreprogressiveman.Newblood,astheysay. 164
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Ineithercase,justgivethewordandIshallstepdown.I shallretiretomyestateandtendsheepinsteadofmen.On theotherhand,itisconceivablethatyouwishtoretainmy services.Ifsuchbethecase,Iwouldbepleasedtostayon asvizierandcontributewhatIcantothesuccessofyour regime. Wishtoretainyourservices?Shavsha,I beg youtostay. Ofgovernance,politics,anddiplomacyIknownothing.As forreplacingyouwithsomeoneyoungandprogressivea badbargain!Tradeyourwealthofexperienceforthetinsel ofuntriedideas?Exchangeaseasonedpotforanunprimed pan?Noway.Ineedaskilledandpracticedhandtogovern inmybehalf.Please,stayon. Gladly,Sire.AsIservedyourfather,soshallIserveyou loyallyanddiligently.Andwithyourpermission,Idlike tobeginthatservicerightnow.Theresanimportantmat terweneedtodiscuss. Goon. Idliketoproposeanewstrategyforourforeignpolicy. Its somethingItriedtogetyourfathertodo;butherefused saiditwouldhave towaitfor hissuccessor.Thatsucces sor sits before me, and hopefully will see the wisdom of whatIamabouttopropose. Im listening. Thesituationisthis.Yourfatherhasbequeathedtoyou notmerelyakingdom,butanempire.Wearearegional powernow.Wehavealliesandvassals,rivalsandenemies. So we need to establishfor the sake of stabilityan extensive network of treaties and alliances. Ive started doingthat,toalimitedextent.ButIwouldliketodosoin earnest.Now I assume youknowhowsuchalliancesarebest securedandsustained. Solomonlookedathimblankly. Throughroyalmarriages,saidShavsha. Ah.Isee. Wewouldarrangeforyoutotakeonwives.Fromthe royal family of each kingdom with which we have rela tions. 165
thebookofkingsolomon Howmanywivesarewetalkingabout? Severaldozen,tobeginwith.Moreasthegeopolitics evolve. Isee. So you would have a multitude of wivesa sizable haremlivingwithyouhereinthepalace.Theywouldbe ofdiversenationalities,religions,andtemperaments.Isthis somethingyourepreparedtodealwith? Iguessso.Ifitsforthegoodofthecountry. Excellent.Ishallbegintoarrangethesemarriages.Your rstbridecouldbearrivingasearlyasnextmonth.Letme congratulate you in advance. And Solomon, congratula tionsonassumingthethrone.Itwillbebothapleasureand a privilegetoserveyouasvizier. Shavshabowedanddeparted. Solomonsattherewithalookofdismay.Noonetold meaboutthis,hesaid. Dozens ofwives?* Therewasanotherknockonthedoor.Andincamethe prophetNathan. Greetings,Solomon.AmIinterruptinganything?Ijust came by togive you myblessing.Andtooffersomewords ofadvice,asyoubeginyourreign. Ihavealwaysvaluedyouradvice,Nathan. Thenlistentomenow.Occupyingathroneparticu larlythatofIsraelisafrightfulresponsibility.Therewill bepitfallsgalore.Youwillbecalledupontomakedifcult decisions.Toprovideleadershipintimesofcrisis.Toseta moralexample.How are you toproceed?Letgod beyour compass;andHellkeepyouoncourse.PraytoHim;and Hellhearyou.Berighteous;andHellrewardyou.
* Thenalcount(accordingtotheBookofKings)was700 wivesand300 concubines.Concubineswereactuallyatypeof wife,of lesserstatus.SoKingSolomonwoundupwithathou sandwives! The gure wasprobablyinated(byachroniclerseekingto inateSolomonsreputation).Still,theharemsofOrientalmon archsdidtend tobelarge.Amenhoteisrecordedtohaveaccu mulated 317 spouses;DariusCodomannus,330.
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visitors Nathan pronounced a blessing. Then he wagged an admonitoryngeranddeparted. Pitfalls galore? saidSolomon.WhathaveIgotmyself into? A knocksounded.AndBathshebacameglidingin.She was wearing a diamond tiara: the crown of the Queen Mother.* Imheretogiveyousomewordsofwarning,saidBath sheba. Warning,Mother? Governingisnogameitsaseriousbusiness.Asyou establish your authority, youre bound to make enemies. There will be those who covet your crown, or wish to destroythemonarchy.Youmustnothesitatetoactagainst suchpersons.Asthesayinggoes: A kingsbestinsuranceisa crowdeddungeon. Keepthatinmind. And casting a stern eye upon him, she departed the chamber. Acrowdeddungeon!saidSolomon,shakinghishead. Withasighof resignationherelledhisteacup.Andhe wastakingasip, whenthere came anotherknock. Yes? Benaiahpokedhisheadin.Areyoubusy,Sire? No,Captain.Pleasecomein. Imnotalone.Someofmyfellowguardsareherewith me.Mayweintrudeuponyouforamoment? Certainly. Benaiahushered inahalfdozenpalaceguards.Eachhad a redplumeonhishelmet.Awkwardly,theyarrangedthem selves inarow. Were a musical group, said Benaiah. The Singing Guards, we call ourselves. Were kind of the unofficial chorusofthePalaceGuard.Andwevegotasongwedlike toperformforyou.
* TheofceofqueenwasheldbythemotherofanOriental monarch,ratherthanbyoneofhiswives.Thus,awiferoseto powerbyarrangingthat her son,notthatofanotherwife,suc ceededtothethrone.
Icoulduseasong,saidSolomon.Letshearit. Swaying rhythmically, the Singing Guards began to sing. Whoisitroamthecorridors Andkeepaneagleeye Foranymischiefthatsafoot Tothwartit,byandby? Whoarewetalkinabout? The PalaceGuard,ofcourse! Anelite,noneffete,mosteffectiveforce! Whopatrolthepalacegrounds To keepintrudersout? Checktherooftopseveryhour Orroughlythereabout? Whoarewetalkinabout? ThePalaceGuard,ofcourse! Anelite,noneffete,mosteffective force! WhowatchedoerKingDavid Andnowshallguardhisson? Whoformindlessloyalty Arenottobeoutdone? Whoarewetalkinabout? ThePalaceGuard,ofcourse! Anelite,noneffete,mosteffectiveforce! Whocanyou counton Intimesofcivilstrife Toscramblefortheirweapons And bravelyguardyourlife? Whoare we talkin about? ThePalaceGuard,ofcourse! Anelite,noneffete,mosteffectiveforce! 168
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longtheroadthatwoundfromjerusalemto Gibeon,sixmilesaway,passedaprocession.Lead ingitwereabandofpriestlymusicians.Theywere raisingafestivedin,withtrumpet,ute,lyre,cymbals,and tambourine.Behindthemmarchedmorepriests,including Zadokinfullregalia.ThencameKingSolomon,perched ontheroyaldonkey.Thekingwasankedbyguardsand followedbyscoresofcourtiers.Andbringinguptherearof theprocessionwereordinaryIsraeliteshundredsofthem, inaholidaymood. Gibeoncameintoview.Andthepriestsbegantochant a prayer.Fortheywereapproachingahilltopsanctuary one of the highplacesoftheland.*
Andwhohavecometowishyou
Theverybestofluck?
Asyoubeginyourkingship
And withtheseladsare stuck!
Whoare we talkinabout? ThePalaceGuard,ofcourse! Anelite,noneffete,mosteffectiveforce!* The Singing Guards bowed. Solomon thanked them. Andtheyledoutofthechamber. Leftalone,Solomonwenttohiswindow.Helooked out upon therooftopsofthecity.Andhemurmured: Tobeaking,indeed,tisnotagame.Nothinghence forthistobethesame.
* The PalaceGuardplayedanimportantroleinthepolitical intriguesofthetime.Itsmembershadoriginallybeenrecruited fromDavidsbandofmercenaries.Comprisedlargelyofforeigners (Cherethites and Pelethitesthought to be Cretans and Phil istines),theGuardwasloyaltotheking,ratherthantoatribe orfaction.
SolomonandBenaiahwereseatedonabenchoutsidethe royaltent.Theyweresippingwine.
* The highplaces,or bamot ( ),weresacredsites,usually locatedonhilltops(wherethegodsweredeemedtodwell).Found edbytheCanaanites,thesesiteshadbeentakenoverbythecon queringIsraelitesandconvertedtotheworshipofYahweh. A highplaceconsistedofaraisedplatform,onwhichtheritu alswereconducted.Ontheplatformwereanaltarforsacrice; ),orsacredstone;an asherah ( ),orsacred a masseba ( pole;andanincenseburner.Priortoitsconversion,thesitewould alsohave featuredanidol. ThesanctuaryatGibeonhadoriginallybeendevotedtoalocal deity. WhenJoshuaconqueredtheGibeonites,herededicated their shrine to Yahweh. Two centuries later, Gibeon replaced Shiloh(whichhadbeendestroyedbythePhilistines)asthemain Israelite sanctuary. And so it remainedknown as the great highplaceuntilsupersededbytheTemple.
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Andthesacriceofathousandbullocksatenfoldheca tomb,inthejargonofthepriestscontinuedatthealtar.*
NighthadcometoGibeon.Thehilltopsanctuaryglim meredunderthestars.Mostofthecelebrantshaddeparted; andonlyahandfulofpriestsremained,nishingupthe sacrices.Flamesickeredonthealtar;smokeroseintothe sky.Fromsomewherecamethesoundofaute.Thesmell ofburntofferingshungintheair. InsidetheroyaltentSolomonwassleeping. Suddenlyheawoke.TheangelUrielwasstandingoverhim. TheLordispleasedwiththegiftsyouhavesentup toHim,saidUriel.Torewardyourpiety,Heoffersyoua giftinreturn.Namewhatyouwouldhave,anditshallbe granted. A gift from god? murmured Solomon. But what
* In ancientIsrael,sacrice(korban, ) wasthe essentialact ofworship.Giftswereoffereduptogod, asexpressionsofgrat itudeandhomage.ThesegiftsimploredHisblessingorthanked Himfor pastmercies.Theywerealsoexpiatoryactsofatone mentforsin.Andtheywereawayofcommuningwithgod. The implicit idea was that ones possessions came from Him; by returningasmallportionofthem,oneacknowledgedthedebt. Likeavassalrenderingtributetoanoverlord,oneexpressedones submissionandobedience. WiththedestructionoftheTemple,sacriceceasedtobeapart ofJudaism.(Ormoreprecisely,Yahwehism became Judaism.)It wasreplacedbyprayerandstudy,offeredupto god withthe samefervorandseriousnessofpurpose.TheonlyJews(orrather, Yahwehists)whocontinuedtopracticesacriceweretheSamar itans.To thisdaytheSamaritans(ofwhomabout500remain) sacricealambduringPassover.TheydosoatanaltaronMount Gerizim,nearthesiteoftheirancientsanctuary.Itisthesolesur vivinghighplace. AlsoemergingfromYahwehism,ofcourse,wasChristianity. The Templesacrices weresupersededbyaconsummateblood offering:JesusontheCross.
Zadokletmeoffeasy,saidSolomon.WhenIasked whatIwassupposedtodo,hehandedmesomeincenseand saidtodropitinthere.ThenhetoldmeIcouldgothat hedpreside.Frankly,Iwasgladtogetaway.Iknowthisis necessary;butitssosanguinary. Thats the point,saidBenaiah.Forasacricetobe effective,blood mustbeshed.Lifeforcemustbeexpended. Fromadistancetheywatchedasthesacriceswereper formed.Zadokandhispriestswerebusyatthealtar.One by one,bullockswereledupfromthepens;andonebyone, theywererituallyslaughteredandburnt.Theairwaspun gentwithroastedesh. Meanwhile,thefestivalhadgottenunderway.Themusi cianswererousingthecrowdwithalivelybeat.Peoplewere eating, drinking, and dancing. The cries of the bullocks mingledwiththesoundsofmerriment. 171
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gibeon shouldIaskfor? Thatsuptoyou. Solomonthoughtforamoment.Thenhesaid:Iwould havewisdom.TheLordhasmademekingoverapeople. ButIamyoungandinexperienced.Grantmewisdomand understanding,thatImayrulethispeoplewiselyandjudge themaccordingtotruth. An excellent choice, said Uriel. It was hoped you wouldaskforsomethinglikethat.Wisdomyoushallhave it!Andbecauseyourequestedwisdomratherthanriches orgloryorlonglifethosethingstooshallbegrantedyou. Tossedinasabonus.FortheLordispleasedwithyourpeti tion. And heres a further blessing. He promises that the HouseofDavidshallprosperforsolongasitsrepresent ativeisrighteousandkeepsHiscommandments. Theangelsmiledanddeparted.AndSolomonfellback asleep.*
thebookofkingsolomon himwasBenaiah. Ihadavisionlastnight,saidSolomon.Avisitation. Byanangel. Really?saidBenaiah. He gave me a choice of any gift I desired. I thought about it for a momentand chose wisdom. Apparently, thatwastherightthingtoaskfor.Foritwaspromisedto me along with several bonusesriches, glory, and long life. Hey,terric!Youmusthavebeenpleased. IndeedIwas.Butitsfunnydoyouknowwhatpleased memost? What? NotthebenetsIwaspromised. ButthatIhadcomeup withthecorrectanswer. Thesatisfactionyougetfromsolv ingariddle?Itwaslikethat.Whatwouldyouhaveasked for,Benaiah? Benaiahthoughtforamoment.Thenhesaid:Maybe fortheperfectwifebeautiful,sympathetic,skilledatcook ing,melodiousofvoice,obedient.Orelse Yes? Forthefortitudetoaccept,withgoodgrace,whatIm likelytogetinstead!
TheroyalpartywastravelingbacktoJerusalem.Solomon was bouncing along on the donkey. Marching alongside

* TheBookofKingsdescribestheresultofSolomonsrequest: ] andunder And god gaveSolomonwisdom[chokhma, ] exceedingmuch,andlargenessofheart, standing[tavuna, evenasthesandthatisontheseashore.AndSolomonswisdom excelledthewisdomofallthechildrenoftheeastcountry,and allthewisdomofEgypt.Forhewaswiserthanallmen;than EthantheEzrahite,andHemanandChalcolandDarda,thesons ofMahol;andhisfamewasinallnationsroundabout. Wisdomincludesbothpracticalintelligenceandmoraldis cernment;whileunderstandingreferstomentalacumenthe powersofreasoninganddeduction.Wisdomwasdeemedtoarise fromlearning.SoSolomonisrankedherewiththewisemenof Babylon and Egypt, the ancient centers of knowledge. As for EthantheEzrahiteandthesonsofMahol,theywereevidently localpunditsofrenown. The passagereadslikeacampaignadfor KingSolomon.Might the opening chapters of the Book of Kings have been written underhispatronage?
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dooropenedattherearofthepalace; andan Egyptianhandmaidenpeekedoutintothenight. Lookingabout,shecheckedtoseeifanyonewas watching.Thensherolledalargeurnoutthedoor.Rolling itontoalanethatdescendedintothecity,shegavetheurn a kick. Downthelanerolledtheurn.Withaclatterittrundled
downthehill.Likearunawaycart,itrolledpastdeserted stallsandshutteredshops.Acatsprangoutoftheway. Finallytheurnstruckawallandshatteredrevealingits contents.AmidthebrokenpieceslayBorakthemessenger. ForawhileBoraklaytheregroaning.Thenhewobbled tohisfeetandshookhimself.Dazedfromhisride,hestag gered through the moonlit streets and made his way to Zukistavern. Despite the late hour, Zukis was crowded. As Borak entered,heheardhisnamecalledout.Wavingtohimfrom a reartablewasGorash.Boraktotteredoverandjoinedhis fellowmessenger. BrotherBorak!saidGorash.Iheardyouwereback fromEgyptescortingthatprincess.Buttillthismoment nosignofyou.Wherehaveyoubeen? Forthelasthour,inanurn.OrdermeadrinkandIll tellyouaboutit. When the ale arrived, Borak downed it and ordered another.Heheavedasighofrelief.Andgazingsoulfullyat Gorash,he beganhistale. Asyoullrecall,amonthagoIwassummonedtothe throneroom.AwaitingmetherewereKingSolomon,Shav sha,andtheEgyptianambassador.Shavshahandedmea messageandtoldmeIwastobearittoEgyptdeliverit tothePharaohhimself. SothatveryafternoonImhoppingonmyhorseand gallopingwestward.Iwontboreyouwiththedetailsof the journeythe dustyroads,the wretched inns,theboat ride uptheNile.Butnally,thereIam:standingbefore Sheshonk,PharaohofEgypt,inhispalaceatThebes! The GreatOne,ashesknown,isloungingonhisthrone. LikemostEgyptians,hesbeardlessandbarechested.Fora crownhesgotonthisweirdheaddress,withapsthatcome downoverhisears.Flankinghimarehisvizierandhiscup bearer.Yes,cupbearerahighofcialwhojuststandsthere holding a cup. Thats his entire job! There are slaves all about.OneisfanningthePharaoh.Anotherisserenading himwithalyre.AnotherstrikesagongwhenevertheGreat 176
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tutmosa Onemakesapronouncement. Ihandthemessagetothevizier,whoreadsittoShe shonk.ItsinEgyptian,soIdontunderstandaword.Butit clearly interests them. They exchange mischievous looks and start to chuckle. They whisper and nod. Then they send the cupbearer off to nd someoneapparently, the fellowisusedforerrands. He returns with a young woman, whose hair is dyed green. Canyouimagine?Moreover,shesgotatattooonher armandanosering.Andshesleadingamonkeyalongon a leash. The Pharaoh discusses something with her. This exoticpersonage,Isoonlearn,isPrincessTutmosa.Shes oneofSheshonksdaughtersandhasjustbeenselectedas a brideforKingSolomon.Forthemessagewasamarriage proposal!Intheinterestofimprovedrelations,Solomonhas offeredtowedadaughterofPharaohs.Andtheyretaking himupontheoffer. Our ambassador is summoned, to discuss the details. AndTutmosaistoldtogetreadytogo.Imsurprisedathow swiftlythisishappeningathow eagertheyseemtomarry the princessoff. Theyseemamused,too,asifthewhole businesswereaprankbeingplayedonKingSolomon. ThenextdaywedepartforJerusalem.Ourpartycon sistsof Tutmosa,twohandmaidens,apriestess,acontin gent of soldiers, the monkey, and myself. A royal galley takesusdowntheNiletoMemphis.Therewearefurnished withhorsesandprovisions.Andwesetoutonthehighway, withalistof garrisonsand innsfor stoppingatovernight. Nowaswetravel,theprincessisconstantlyaskingme questions.ShesfullofcuriosityaboutJerusalem,about Israelites,about ourcustomsandbeliefs.And,ofcourse, aboutKingSolomon.Sheseemsexcitedbytheprospectof livinginastrangeland.Imhappytoanswerherquestions. AndIaskafewofmyown.Isittrue,Iinquire,thatyou Egyptiansgetburied withakegofale,tohelpyoudeal withtheafterlife?Sherepliesthatapersonisburiedwith hisfavoritesnacksandbeverages,tosatisfythecravingsof hissoul.Bytheway,areyouwonderinghowIwasableto 177
communicatewiththeprincess?Shespeaksourlanguage. HermothersaCanaaniteaconcubineofPharaohsand Tutmosagrewupbilingual.* Indtheprincesstobelivelyandlikeablebutsome whataky.ShesintoallthisNewAgestuff.Sheskeenon astrology,forexample,andwantstoknowmysign.Illbet youreaTaurus,shesays.No,Ireplywithagrin,Ima tsouris. Andshesabelieverinreincarnation.Borak,she asksme,whodoyouthinkyouwereinapreviouslifetime? Noidea,Ireply.Butwhoeveritwas,Imnotresponsible forhisdebts.Andshetalksaboutthefemaledeityshewor shipsHathor,thegoddessoflove. Andgetthis.Theprincessistravelingwitha pyramid. Itsakindoftent,withcanvassidesandawoodenframe work.Whereverwestopforthenight,thesoldierssetitup forher;andshedisappearsinsideforawhile.Iaskherwhat shedoesinthere.Imeditate,shesays.AndwhenIlookat herblankly,sheexplains:Itsatechniqueforexpand ingyourconsciousness. Thecosmicenergythatapyramid attracts?Itune intothat.** So asthe journeyproceeds,Ibecomeacquaintedwith theprincess.ButImalsogettingtoknowoneofherhand maidensanAmoriteslavenamedMurta.SheandIare spendingthenightstogether;andbelieveme,werenotdis cussingastrology!MyamorousAmorite,Icallher. Finallywereachtheborder.Israelitesoldiersreplacethe
* HebrewandCanaanitewereessentiallythesamelanguage. Theoriginal habiru spokeAramaic,theSemiticlanguageofMes opotamia.ButuponsettlinginCanaan,theyadoptedthenative language.Thus,anIsraeliteandaCanaanitewouldhavecarried onaconversationintheirmutualtongue. (A thousand years later, Jews would again speak Aramaic, whichbecamethelinguafrancaoftheregion.) Yiddishforwoes,troubles,difculties. **Accordingtoitsadvocates,sittinginapyramidenhances psychicabilities,promotesasenseofwellbeing,curescolds,and soon.FormoreonthisNewAgepractice,see PyramidPower by MaxTothandGregNielsen(DestinyBooks,1976).
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tutmosa Egyptian,andescortustherestoftheway.Atthepalace TutmosaiswelcomedbyKingSolomon;andthebetrothal isannounced. Asuiteofroomshasbeenpreparedfortheprincess.She movesin,alongwithherhandmaidens,priestess,andmon keyandherpyramid,whichgetssetupinacourtyard.As forme,Iheadovertotheservantswingandgrababunk. Ivedecidedtostickaroundforawhile,inordertokeepsee ingMurta.ForIvebeensmitten. Preparationsbeginimmediatelyforthemarriagefeast. Murtaiskeptbusy;soforseveraldaysIdontgettoseeher. And Im pining with desire! But thenthis eveningI receiveanotefromher.Meetmebythepyramid,itsays.I hastenover;andtheresMurta,withaninvitinglookinher eye.Sheinformsmethathermistressishavingdinnerwith KingSolomonagetacquaintedaffairandwontbeback untillate. Imwonderingwherewecangoforsomeprivacy,when MurtaasksifIdlikeatourofthepyramid.Sure,Isay.So we liftthe apandgoin. Its myrsttime inside thething.Murtaexplainstome thevariousfurnishings.Theresamat,uponwhichtheprin cess meditates. A censer for burning incense. A statue of Hathor,thegoddessoflove.Andaceremonialurn,forgifts tothegoddess.Ipeerintotheurnanditsempty.Though itisabouttoreceiveaspecialoffering. Wesitdowntogetheronthemat.Murtashutshereyes and startshumming.Iaskherwhatshes doing.Tryingto feel thecosmicenergy,shesays,andurgesmetotrytoo. But Im alreadyfeelingasurgeofenergyandbelieveme, its farfrom cosmic. Andthenwerebothfeelingit.Weembraceandtrade kisses. We grappleright there on the meditation mat, withthegoddessoflovelookingon. But suddenlyMurtafreezes.Shecocksanearandlis tens. O no! she says, pushing me away. My mistress is returning! Andsureenough,Tutmosaisapproachingalongwith 179
KingSolomon.Icanheartheirvoices.MurtaandIjump toourfeet.Shepointstotheurnandwhispers:Inthere, quickly! Iclimbin,crammingmyselfintotheurnjustasthey enterthepyramid. From my hiding place, I hear Murta speak with the princess.Madam,shesays.Ivebeentidyingup.Dusting thegoddessandwhatnot.Thankyou,Murta,saysTut mosa.Youmaygo.AndIhearherscurryoff. SothereIam,stuffedintheurn.Icantmove,Icant breathe.Imentombedlikeamummy!Andjustafewcubits awayareKingSolomonandTutmosa.Theystarthavinga conversation.AndIcanthelplisteningin. This is my pyramid, says Tutmosa. I come here to meditate. And to absorb cosmic energy. I just sit on the meditationmatandletitowthroughme.Andoverthere isHathor,thegoddessoflove.ShesthedaughterofNut andRa.Imreallyintothegoddess. Shelooksveryintense,saysSolomon. IhopeHathor wontbeaproblem,saysTutmosa.Ive heard thatforeigngodsarentrecognizedinJerusalem. We acknowledge their existence, says Solomon, but areforbiddentopaythemhomage.Butputyourselfatease. NonIsraelitesamongusarefreetoworshiptheirgods. KingSolomonexpresseshopethatshellbehappyin hernewhome.Andhepromisestoseeherasoftenaspos sibleapologizing for the fact that he already has three wives and willbeacquiringmore inthe future.Theseare marriages,heexplains,thatarerequiredofhimasking. Im listeningtoallthiswithinterest.ButImalsosuf focating.And nally, unabletobearitanylonger,Ipoke my head up for air. Fortunately, theyre facing the other way.Iinhaledeeplyandlowermyheadbackintotheurn. Butthenanewproblemarises.Unbelievably, Ivegotto sneeze. I try torepressit.Buttonoavail.Iexplodewitha sneeze. For a moment theres silence in the pyramid. Then Tutmosasays,Wow.Hathorsneezed. 180
tutmosa Thestatuesneezed?saysSolomon. No,thegoddess. Remarkable. Youknowwhat?saysTutmosa.Thatmusthavebeen herwayofblessingus. Iwelcomeherblessing,saysSolomon.Come,letsgo havedinner. Theyexitthepyramid.WhenImsuretheyregone,I stickmyheadupforair.AndImgulpingitdownwhen Murtaslipsbackin. Wevegottogetyouawayfromhere,shewhispers. Before I can object, she shoves me back down. And turningtheurnonitsside,sherollsitoutofthepyramid. Withmestillinside!Mybrainisspinning.Icantbelieve thisishappening. The next thing I know, Im rolling down a hill and crashingintoawall.Aharrowingexperience!WhenIregain mysenses,IstaggerofftowardZukis.SohereIamwith youforcompany,insteadofMurta.Itsbeenquiteaneve ning.Boraksigheddeeply,amidtheraucousdinofthe tavern. The course of true love never did run smooth, said Gorash.Butdontdespair.Maybethatgoddessoflovewill helpyouout.Letsdrinktoher. Tothegoddessoflove,saidBorak. Theyclinkedtheirgobletsanddrank.*
* The essenceofJudaismismonotheism:abeliefintheexis tenceofOne god only.YettheancientIsraeliteswereactually what theologians call henotheists: worshipers of a single deity, whononethelessacknowledgetheexistence(ifnotthepower)of otherdeities. ThoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeMe,declarestheSec ondCommandmenttheimplicationbeingthatsuchgodshave a realitybutaretobeignored.AndintheBookofExodusthe escapingIsraelitessing:WhoislikeuntoThee,Ogod, among the gods? Other gods were granted an existence, but were deemedinferiortoYahweh.Andtheywerenottobeworshiped atleast,notbyanIsraelite.AsSolomonexplainstoTutmosa:
Weacknowledgetheirexistence,butareforbiddentopaythem homage. Buteventuallytheideatookholdthatgod MostHighwasthe sole divinebeing.Thisviewwaspromulgatedbytheprophets. There is none besides Me, reports Isaiah; I am god and thereisnoneelse.AndbythetimeoftheBabylonianExile,the Israeliteshadbecomestrictmonotheists. (Andfrequentbackslidersasintheabovelibationtothegod dessoflove.)
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kahal, orspecialassembly, hadbeencalled; andthethroneroomwaspacked.Pressedtogether were notables from throughout the land: tribal elders,governmentofcials,militaryofcers,wealthymer chants, highranking priests, and a desert chieftain who hadbroughthiscamelintothehall.Astheypalaveredand exchangednews,thedinreverberatedfromthestonewalls. Wavingtopeopleheknew,KingSolomonwasperched onthethrone.OnachairbesidehimsatBathsheba.And withthemonthedaiswereShavshaandZadok. AtasignalfromShavsha,theheraldblewonhistrum pet. When the hall had quieted, Zadok recited a prayer. ThenShavshaaddressedthecrowd. Shavsha: ForthreeyearsnowhasSolomonbeenking.
Andofhiskingshipmendospeaksuchpraise
Asmightaparentof a worthyson.
Indeed,wouldDavidhavebeendulyproud
Toseewithwhataplombandskillfulness
Hisheirhasshepherdedtheteemingock
Thatisournationanditssatellites.
Fortoanuntriedyouthwasleftaprize:
ThelargestempiretwixtEgyptandtheMedes,
Stretchingfromthebeachesoftwoseas
UntoEuphrates,wherethesundothrise
Upon the mightofourimperium.
ByforceofarmsdidDavidforgethisrealm;
Bygentlermeansthesonhascarriedon
Tendinghissubjects,restlessandfarung,
Withashepherdseverwatchfuleye
Andleadingthem,withwisdomraretoyouth
(Andeventousgraybeards,truthbetold)
To happypasturesofprosperity.
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Ably,too,hashepreservedthepeace.
Ourghtingmenenjoyawellearnedrest;
Likelionstheydolounge,andpurrwithpride
Atfamousvictoriesbytheirvalorwrought.
Thisisapeacethathopefullywilllast.
Ourbordersaresecure;ourformerfoes,
Vanquishedconqueredchastenedvassalized.
Andtoestablishbondsofamity
Withtheirhouses,hasthissovereign
Boundhimselfinmatrimonialchains
Tothedaughtersofascoreofkings.
Hisfamilygrowswithalintoacrowd!
Andgrowingtooisoureconomy.
Theroyalcoffers,alreadycrammedwithloot,
Nowoverowwithrisingrevenues
Fromtradeandtributeandfromcollectedtolls.
ForallthetraderoutesofArabia
Dopasswithinthebordersofourrealm.
Asforcommerce,oursisarisingstar.
Shipsthaty ouragnowplytheseas
From fabled Tarshishinthe distantwest
ToOphirinthesouth,wheregoldismined.
Yetisthiswealthnottothecrownconned.
Forastheroyalcoffersoverow,
Prosperityandplentytrickledown
Tillneathhisgtreeeverymanmaysit
Andsavorhisgoodfortune,likeaking.
Such,then,ournation asitstandstoday:
A land ofpeaceandsharedprosperity.
For whichwe thankthisyouthfulsovereign
From whom letusnow hear.
He gesturedtoSolomon,whorosefromthethroneand addressedtheassembly. Solomon: Thankyou,Shavsha.
Yourbriefreportwaspositiveandplain.
Yetasuponthisivorythroneofmine
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stateofthekingdom I satandlistenedtoyourhoneyedwords,
I thoughtindignantly: thisroguespeaksfalse.
A nervousmurmurcoursedthroughthehall.Solomon wavedforsilenceandcontinued. Solomon: Foryoudescribedourgrandaccomplishments
Ourstunningwealth,our PaxHebraicus,
Ourshipsthatsailthehighwaysofthesea
Andcreditgaveforthatlonglistofgains
Untothisuselesswarmerofaseat,
Thishumanhatrackforhisfatherscrown.
Sir,thinkitnotselfservingmodesty
IfIinsistfromsimplehonesty
Thatcreditforourattainmentselsewherego.
Nottome,asluggard,weretheydue
But tothe laborsand abilities
Ofallthefaithfulservantsoftherealm.
Praiseinsteadthefarmer,whosedailysweat
Watersthe earththatgrantsussustenance.
Praisethesoldier,whoriskshislifeandlimb
Uponthegrievouseldswherearmiesclash.
Praisethesailor,whoinhisimsybark
Bravesthestormsandmonstersofthedeep.
Praisethe clerk,whofromadrearydesk
Our enterprisedothguideandorganize.
Praisethemall,thecommonIsraelites
Whoswinkandlaborforthegreatergood.
Onthem,notme,sir,pinyourbadgeofpraise
For all thatweveachievedtheselastfewyears.
Yet elsewherestill shouldcredittrulygo.
Letusratherbow ourheadsand thank
The sourceofallgoodfortuneinthisworld:
god MostHigh,whofromHisheavenlythrone
Dothjudgeallnations,bytheirrighteousness
Andgrantsthemgoodorill,astheydeserve.
ForthemomentwevemeritedHisgrace.
Pray,myfriends,thatitnotbereplaced
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thebookofkingsolomon ByHiswraththelashingsofHiswhip
Thattothesinfulandthegodlessgo.
Solomonsatbackdown.Theassemblednotableswere noddingandexchanginglooksofapproval.Shavshastepped forwardagain. Shavsha: LikeasagethesonofDavidspeaks.
Letsheedhiswordsandalwaysseektotread
Thepathofgodlydeedsandrighteousness.
And now,myfriends,tobusiness.Youhavecome
Thesemanymilestomeetandtoconfer
Tohelpestablishfuturepolicy.
Breakdownnowintoseparategroups,
Toparleywithusministersofstate
Andsharewithusyourthoughtsandyourconcerns.
Voiceyourviews,letusknow yourneeds.
Throughoutthedaywellconvocateandtalk.
Butcomethenight,toafeastwellwalk
A celebrationofournationsrise!
Tillthenletschat,debate,andsocialize.
Tisgoodtohaveyouhere.
A solitarygureinthedark,SolomonclimbedMount Moriah.Abovehim,silhouettedagainstthesky,loomedthe SacredRock. Arrivingatthesummit,heapproachedthealtar.Anacolyte wasrakingembers.Abiatharwassittingon the stool,eating a sandwich.Solomonhailedhim. Greetings,youthfulmonarch,saidthepriest.What bringsyouherethisevening,unannouncedandunaccom panied? Ihaveedthekahal,withitsnoisydebates,saidSolo mon.Theycontinueintothislatehour;andIhadtoget away. Also,theressomethingIdliketodiscusswithyou. Goon. 186
stateofthekingdom Asyouknow,myfatherleftmewithasacredcharge:the buildingofatemple.Tothatendhebequeathedtomethe materialsandtheplans.ForthreeyearsnowhaveIbeen king.AndIhaveputoffthatundertaking,feelinganeed toestablishrstmykingship.ButIseemnowtobemore orlessincharge.SoIguessitstimetobuildthathouse forgod. Excellent. Abiathar,youwereanintimateofmyfathers.Youwere withhimduringhisdaysinthewilderness.Didheevertell youaboutastrangecave?InhabitedbyapriestnamedMel chizedek? TheCaveoftheAges?Indeed,hedescribedtomehis visitthere. HereswhyIask.Shortlybeforehisdeath,myfather took me to his treasure chamber. He showed me those materialsandplans.Andheshowedmeamap,withdirec tionstothatcave.HesaidthatwhenIwasreadytobuild thetemple,IshouldseekoutMelchizedek,whowouldaid initscreation andgiveithisblessing. Thenyou shoulddo so. Has the time really come? To build the temple, I mean? Do youfeelithas? Yes. Thenevidentlyithas. Abiathar looked out over the surrounding hills. They glimmered inthe starlight. Youknow,hesaid,IshallmissmyjobasKeeperof the Altar. And I shall miss this summit, with its rock of powerand magnicentview.Tobesure,thetemplewillbe anadvance.AproperhomefortheGloryofgod. Yettheres somethingaboutthemountasitisnowasimplesanctity, a directlinkwiththedivine.ButlistentomealreadyIve become nostalgicfortheplace!Inanycase,Imgladtohear thatthetimeforatemplehascome.god speedyouinyour task. I had better return, said Solomon. Were having a 187
feasttonight;andImtodelivertheopeningtoast. Withathoughtfullook,heheadedbacktothekahal.*
* KingDavidhadtakenaconfederation oftribesandtrans formeditintoanationstate.Bythetime ofhisdeath,hehadalso forgedanempire,havingconqueredEdom,Moab,Amon,Aram Zabah, and AramDamascus, and having signed treaties with PhilistiaandPhoenicia.FromhiscapitalofJerusalem,hehad establishedcentralizedruleoverasizablearea. Inheritingthisempire,Solomonconsolidatedandwentbeyond thegainsofhisfather.Duringthefortyyearsofhisreign,he completedthetransformationofatribalsocietyintoapowerful nation.Hiskingdomwasmodeledonthatofthepharaohsof
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Egypt. And it was administered by a corps of new men bureaucratsandintellectualstrainedinthewaysoftheEgyptian civilservice.GreatchangescametoIsraelitesocietyduringthis period;andSolomonpresidedoverthemwithenergyandintel ligence. Oneofhisinnovationswastodividethecountryintotwelve administrative districts, replacing the original tribal divisions. Theappointedgovernorofeachdistrictwasresponsibleforcol lectingtaxesandconscriptinglaborersresourcesthatSolomon needed.Forhehadembarkedonanexpansionofthenations defenses.Achariotcorps,modeledonthatofEgypt,wascreat ed;itwouldeventuallynumber1400 chariots.12,000 cavalrysol dierswereaddedtotheranksofthearmy.Solomonalsofortied thekeycitiesofHazor,Megiddo,andGezer.Andherebuiltthe wallsofJerusalem.Fromthispositionofstrength,hewasableto maintainpeacefulrelationswithneighboringkingdoms. Withhisborderssecureandtheregionatpeace,Solomonwas abletoconcentrateonincreasingthenationalwealth.Fromhis earliest years as king, he vigorously promoted commerce and industry.AidedbyKingHiramofTyre,Solomondevelopeda maritimeeet.AndhebecamethehorsetraderoftheNearEast, purchasinghorses and chariotsfromEgypt,thenresellingthem (600 shekelsforachariot;150 for a horse)tokingdomsinnorth ernSyriaandAsiaMinor.Healsohadminesdug,toprovidehis ownsupplyof copperand iron. Therisingprosperityallowedculturalinstitutionstoourish. Solomonestablishedschoolstoprovideascribaleducationfor the bureaucratsneededtoadministerhisempire.Andlikethe pharaohs,hebecameapatronoftheartsandsciences.Literary endeavorsinparticularhe supported;andtheearliestbooksof the Biblemay havebeencompiledduringhisreign. Forfortyyears,KingSolomonruledoveradynamicandpros perous Israel. He built fortications and other public works; maintainedaformidablearmy;andfosteredawidevarietyofcul turalactivities. Buthisgreatestachievementwasasinglebuildingwhathis torywouldrememberasSolomonsTemple.
chapter32
Ring
ingsolomontrieddifferentkeys,untilfinal ly thepadlockclickedopen.Hetuggedopenthe door.AndfollowedbyBenaiah,whowascarrying a torch,heenteredthetreasurechamber. Thebinsandchestsglimmeredinthetorchlight.Solomon locatedthechesthisfatherhadshownhim.Hewithdrew themapandhandedittoBenaiah. Benaiahexamineditclosely.Yes,hesaid,Ithinkwe canndourwaytothiscave.Whendidyouwishtogo there? Solomonshrugged.Tomorrow? Tomorrowitis.AtdawnIllbereadywithhorsesand provisions.Andsometrustedmentoaccompanyusintothe wilderness.
ThesunwasrisingasSolomon,Benaiah,andtheSinging GuardsrodethroughtheNorthGateandheadedeastward. By midday they were entering a lunar landscapea wildernessofparchedearthandemptywadis. As they traversed it, the Singing Guards regaled the wildernesswithsong.
Theyhaltedtheirhorsesattheentrancetoacave.This mustbeit,saidBenaiah,squintingatthemap.*
* ThecavemayhavebeenlocatedonMountTabor.Amedieval visitortotheHolyLand,AbbotDaniel,writes:Theyshowyou uponmountTabor,atalevelplace,anextraordinarycavecutin therock,likeacellar,whichhasasmallwindowintheroof.At thebottomofthecavetowardstheeastthereisanaltar.Thedoor
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I must go in alone, said Solomon. Dismounting, he saidaprayerandenteredthecave. Just inside the entrance a bear was dozing. It awoke, growledattheintruder,andwentbacktosleep. Solomoncreptpastthebearandexploredthecave.Itwas coolandcraggy.Abluishglowseemedtoemanatefromthe walls.Fromsomewherecameamusicalmurmur,likethat ofwaterowinginabrook. Intherearwallhenotedacleft.Squeezingthroughit,he foundhimselfinapassageway.Theglowwasbrighterhere. Gropinghisway,Solomonfollowedthepassageway. AndheemergedintotheCaveoftheAges. Thecavernthatloomedbeforehimhadbeenfashioned intoaresidence.Litbytorches,itwascarpetedfromwall towall.Setintooneofthewallswasascreen.Thefurnish ings included an icebox, a couch, and a giant hourglass. Nearthehourglass,inathronelikechair,satMelchizedek. Greetings,KingSolomon,saidMelchizedek,hisvoice echoingfromthedepthsofthecavern.Approach. Solomonhesitatedforamoment.Thenhecrossedthe carpetand stood before themysteriousresidentofthecav ern. Melchizedekputasideabowlofpretzels.IamMelchiz edek,priestofgod MostHigh,hesaid.Welcometomy abode.Whatbringsyouhere? Thebiddingofmylatefather,whooncevisitedyouin thiscave,saidSolomon.Hetoldmetoseekyououtto solicityouraidand blessingwhenIwasreadytobuilda temple. And youdeemyourselfready? AsreadyasIshalleverbe.My kingshipisestablished.I have mastered the daily routines of governance. I have
ofthecaveisverysmall,andyoudescendbystepsfromthe west side. Small g trees grow in front of the entrance, and aroundthemareotherkindsoftrees;therewasformerlyalarge forestthere,butnowthereareonlysmallshrubs.TheholyMel chizedek dwelt in this small cave, and there Abraham visited him.(quotedinZevVilnays LegendsofPalestine )
grownaccustomedtodonningthecrown,asItumbleout ofbedinthemorning.AmIready?Ihopeso. Andwhataboutyourpeople?Aretheyreadyforatem ple?Shouldtheyhaveone? Why not? said Solomon. The nation is prosperous andatpeace.FromDantoBeershebawehavesettledthe land.Nolongerarewe habiru footloosewanderers.Yet wecontinuetoworshipgod inatent.Iwastoldtoprovide Himwithamoresubstantialdwellingplaceoneworthy ofHisgreatness.Iampreparednowtodoso. Doesgod reallyneedafancydwellingplace? Our prophets seem to think so, and our priests too. Moreover,theplanswererevealedtomyfatherindreams. Apparentlygod desiresanewhome. Apparentlyso,saidMelchizedek,shakinghisheadat theidea.Allright,Illaidyou.ThoughIhavereservations aboutthisworthydwellingplace.Mightnotitsopulence distractfrom,ratherthanglorify,itsDivineOccupant?Any how,listen.Iamgoingtogiveyouatool.Itwillproveuse fulinthe constructionofthetemple,andinotherways.Go overtothattable. Solomonapproachedthetable.Onitwasabrassbottle. Rubthebottle.Andstandback. Warily,Solomonrubbeditandbackedaway. Foramomentnothinghappened.Thenawispofsmoke rosefromthebottle.Itgrewintoacloudthatcoalesced intoashape.Andajinnibald,rotund,andcladinavest hovered in the air. In his hand he was holding some thing. Give Solomonthering,saidMelchizedek. The jinni handed itoverandzippedbackintothebot tle. Thisringhasgreatpower,saidMelchizedek.Useit wisely.Goahead,putiton. Solomonslippedtheringontoangerandpeeredatit. Howexactlydoesitwork?heasked. Rubthebottleagain. Solomon rubbed it. Like a jackinthebox, the jinni 192
191
ring reemerged.Thistimehewasholdingascroll. Takethemanual,saidMelchizedek.Studyitbefore usingthering.Nowgo,youthfulkingofIsrael.Maythe Lordguideyou.AndmayHedwellwithinyouinthat leastfancyoftemples,thehumanheart. SolomonlefttheCaveoftheAges.Retracinghissteps alongthepassageway,hetiptoedpastthebearandrejoined hiscompanions. Theylistenedeagerlyashedescribedhismeetingwith Melchizedek.Andtheyadmiredtheringhehadbeengiven. Flashinginthesun,itwassetwithfourjewels.Ineach wasengravedaletterspellingouttheIneffableNameof god.*
IneffableNameofgod. AndIslamicauthorstellusthatitcon tainedtheMostGreatNameof god,alongwithfourjewels thathadbeengiventoSolomonbyangels. In the Islamic accounts, however, the jewels are said to be inscribedwithphrases.TherstjewelgaveSolomondominion overthewinds,andwasinscribedTogod [Allah]belongpower and greatness.Thesecondgavehimdominionoverbirdsand beasts,andwasinscribedLetalllivingthingspraisegod.The thirdgavehimdominionoverearthandwater,andwasinscribed Heavenandeartharetheservantsof god.The fourthgave himdominionoverthejinn,andwasinscribedThereisnogod but god, andMuhammadisHismessenger.(Muhammad,of course,wasnotbornuntilmanycenturiesaftertheangelsbrought Solomonthejewels.Theanachronismcanbeexplainedbythe factthatangelsexistoutsideoftime.) TheringservedKingSolomonasasignetring,forsealinglet tersanddecrees.Butitwasalsothesourceofhissupernatural powers.Withithewasabletocontrolthewinds,andtoyabout on a windborne carpet. It allowed him to communicate with animals (and even with owers). But its most notable use involvedthejinn.Bymeansofhisring,Solomoncouldsummon these otherworldly spirits and make them do his bidding. He couldalsoexorcisethemfrompossessedpersons.(Fortheearli estmentionoftheringspoweroverjinn,seeJosephus, Antiqui ties, viii,2.) Did Solomons ring actually contain jewels given to him by angels?Afterafashion,reportsNicholasRoerich,aRussianmys tic who traveled in Tibet during the 1920s. According to Roerich, the ring was set with a fragment of the Chintamani Stone. This ancient stone (described as a chunk of moldavite withglowingstriations)hadbeenpreservedinalamaserythat Roerichvisited.TheabbotpresentedRoerichwithafragmentof it,andrevealedthatthestonehadbeenbroughttoearthbya messenger from Sirius. Another fragment, said the abbot, had beenpresentedtoEmperorTazlovooofAtlantis,andanotherto KingSolomon. So theringmayhavecontainedafragmentoftheChintamani Stone.WhatitdidnotcontainwasasocalledSolomonsSeal.A hexagramorpentagram,SolomonsSealisthemagicalsymbol parexcellence. But itdidnot ariseuntilmedievaltimes,appear ingonamuletsthatsoughtanassociationwithKingSolomon
* Ahimaazs description of the ring conrms what is known from other sources. According to the Talmud (Gittin 68a, b), Solomons ring was engraved with the shem hameforesh the
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andhisring. Andonenaldescriptionoftheringhascomedowntous.It isfoundinaYiddishfolktale.Thetalegoesasfollows: KingSolomonwassittingonhisthroneonemorning,Andhe decidedthatBenaiah,thecaptainofthePalaceGuard,neededa lessoninhumility.SothekingsummonedBenaiahandgavehim animpossiblemissiontofulll.Ihaveheardrumorsofafabu lousring,saidSolomon.Ithasauniquepower.Whenasad mangazesuponit,hebecomeshappy.Butwhenahappyman gazesuponit,hebecomessad.Findthisringandbringittome. Benaiahsetoutinsearchofthering.Hetraveledfromtownto town,inquiringastoitswhereabouts.Butnoonehadeverheard ofsucharing.Andhewasabouttogiveupwhenhespotted a junk shop, whose proprietor was sitting out front. Benaiah approachedthemananddescribedtheobjectofhissearch. A ringthatcheersthe sadandsaddensthecheerful?saidthe junkdealer.Comeinside. Theyenteredtheshop.Fromaboxfulofbaublesthejunkdealer took a plain,silverring.He engravedsomewordsonitandgave ittoBenaiah.Benaiahreadtheinscription,noddedsagely,and headedbacktothepalace. Solomon was expecting an unsuccessfuland humbled Benaiah.SowhenBenaiahstrodeinandhandedhimthering, thekingwastakenaback.Inspectingit,hereadtheinscription and letout a melancholysigh. KingSolomonremovedhiscostlyringsandslippedonthering fromthejunkshop.ItwasIwhoneededalessoninhumility, he said.Thisringhasremindedmethatwealthandpowerare eetingthings. For inscribed on the ringwasaYiddishphrase: gamzuyaavor (Thistoo shallpass)
chapter33
Manual
ingsolomonwasaloneinthethroneroom. Perchedonthethrone,hewascontemplatinghis newring.Itsfourjewelsglintedinthetorchlight. Inhislapwasthemanual.Finallyheunrolledthemanual andreadaloud: Totheuserofthisring: Beware!Tisnotaharmlessthing Thatonthymortalngerglows. Bewarethegiftsthisringbestows. ForithaspowersfromBeyond, Thislittleband thatyouhavedonned. In itsjewelsacosmicforce Likeaerystreamshallcourse; AndfromtheHolyNamethereon (Thanwhichmorepotentthereisnone) A mysticenergyshallsurge Andwiththyownvolitionmerge. Beware!Likere thispotency: Ifusedforgood,afriendtothee; Butputtopurposeotherwise, Shallburnthe handthatthusdees Thewillofgod, whohasdecreed Thatmenshouldlivesofvirtuelead. Usethisringwithgoodintent; For mischief, friend,itisnot meant! Whatare itspowers?Lendanear Andoftheirnatureyoushallhear. Tostartwith:Simplysaythename Ofanyanimal,wildortame; Thussummoned,shallthatcreaturespeed Intothypresenceandproceed To speak withyou.Foryes,thisring Dothwondrousunderstandingbring 196
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manual Ofthesoundsthesqueaksandhowls,
Theferventsquawks,thethreateninggrowls,
Theyapsandroars,thequacksandcoos,
Thetwitteringandhootsandhoos
Ofalltheworldsbeastsandbirds,
Asiftheyspokeinhumanwords. Chatevenwithaminotaur
Orunicorn!Butwait,theresmore.
Forwiththisringuponthyhand,
Youmaysummonandcommand
The mightywinds thatroamtheair
Summonthemfromanywhere!
Fromnorthorsouthoreastorwest,
Theblusteringwinds,atyourbehest,
Shalllikealoyalminiontrek.
Yetmorethanwindsbeatyourbeck.
Forspiritstootheunruly jinn
(Ofangelsthelessreputablekin)
Shallcometoyouwhencalledbyname.
The ringshallrulethem,makethemtame
Compliant,docile,helpfulcreatures!
Sothereyouhavethemajorfeatures
Ofthistoolextraordinaire,
Thisinstrumentbeyondcompare.
Andithasotheruses,too;
Letusmentionjustafew.
Shouldyouwishtowalkabout
And stealthilysome area scout,
Justraiseyourhandandsayaloud:
Invisible! The ringshallcloud
The mindsof men,whom youshallpass
Asifyouwereathingofglass.
Orhaveyoulostsomeitemdear?
Pronounceitsnameitshallappear!
Whiletraveling,youvegoneastray?
Usetheringtondyourway.
Someknowledgethatyouvesorelylacked
Someinformation,gossip,fact
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thebookofkingsolomon Someinsidedopeyouwishyouknew?
Listen,friend,hereswhattodo:
Justconjureup,withliftedring,
Thejinniwhoknowseverything
The InfoImp, asheisknown
Andaskyourquestion.Hellintone
Theanswerfromtheendlessstore
Ofknowledgethathesfamousfor.
Okay,thatsit.Youveheardthespiel.
(Andonethingmore:theringsaseal;
Justlayitontowaxandpress.)
Soareyoureadynooryes?
Andareyouwillingtoagree
Tousethesepowersrighteously?
Toindicateagreement,turn
Theringthreetimes.Thenwhisper: Fern.
(Thatsthepasswordyoumuststate,
Thismagicringtoactivate.)
Andlo!theringisyourstouse.
Beware itspowers.Yourethefuse.
Solomonputdownthemanual.Withawaryeyehegazed atthe ring.Finallyheturneditthreetimes,asinstructed. Fern,hewhispered. Thefourjewelscamealive,glowingandpulsating.*
* Itsmanualhasdescribedindetailthepowersofamagicring. Anothersuchaccountisfoundin TheHistoryofReynardtheFox. Inthatmedievalfable,Reynardclaimstohaveinheritedamagic ring.Onitsband,hesays,arethreeHebrewwordsthatprotect againstlightning,witchcraft,andtemptation.Andithasajewel, hesays,whichisdividedintothreesections.Onesectionisery red,andshinessobrightlyastoserveasatorch.Thesecondsec tion iswhite,andcuresillnesses.Thethirdsectionisgreen,and makesoneinvincible.Alas,Reynardisunabletoproducethis fabulousring.He hassentit,heclaims,asagifttotheking havingdeemedhimselfunworthytowearit. The fablesuggeststhat,bymedievaltimes,magicringswere viewed with skepticism. In our own era, of course, they have beenrelegatedtofairytalesandfantasygames.Orhavethey?On
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likeaferociousanimaleye.Amazeallyourfriendswith thismagicring.
tom mixslidingwhistlering. Forsecretlysignalingyour friends. tommixmagnetring. Picksuppins,paperclips,etc. jackarmstrongdragons eyering. Yours!Thismyste

riousringthatglowsinthedark!
jack armstrong egyptian whistle ring. Comeswitha

cardthatliststheSecretWhistlingCode.
orphananniemysticeyering. Equippedwithadiagonal
mirrorforpeekingaroundcorners.(Thissameringwaslater offeredasthelone rangerlookaroundring.)
captain midnight mystic sungod ring. Their best

knowngod called Tonatiuh,theSunGod,isshownasthe Aztecspicturedhimonthesideofyourring.Theredplas ticstoneofyourringsymbolizesthealtaroftheSunGods temple.Itsrich,brilliantcolorsimulatesthedeepredglowof a genuineruby.Pressgentlyandwatchthestoneslideout, revealingthehiddencompartmentunderneath.(Fromthe manual,writtenby CaptainMidnighthimself.)
skykingtwoway teleblinkerring. Hasaasherlight

forsendingMorsecodemessages,andatelescopeforreceiv ing messages. (Different from the sky king signascope ring, whichsignalswithamirror.) handafterhand,onespotsagoodluckring(setwithabirthstone orotherluckygem);aschoolring(formysticrapportwiththe institution);aringwithahealingcrystal.Andifamagicringis onethatdoesamazingthings,orthatglowswithanunearthly light, what about the radioshow rings? These were offered as premiumstotheyouthfullistenersofradioshows.Toreceiveone (alongwithasetofinstructionsorasecretmanual),youmailed inaboxtopfromthebreakfastcerealthatsponsoredtheshow. Heresasamplingofsuchrings:
lonerangerweatherring. Changescolorifrainorsnow isimminent. tom mix lookin mystery ring. Look throughitspeep holeandseeTomMixandhishorseTony. buck rogers ring of saturn. According to its instruc
tions,thisringhasmagicqualitiesthatmakeitglowinthe dark with mysterious blue light.the magic power of the RingofSaturnisyours! (Source: TheOverstreetToyRingPriceGuide, 3rdEdition)
tom mixtigereyering. Advertisedasglowinginthedark

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TryingItOut
ikealivingthing, theringglowedandpulsat ed.KingSolomonpeeredatitclosely.Letsseeifit works,hesaid.Illstartbytryingtosummon andspeakwithabirdorbeast.Nowthen,whichbirdor beast?Hethoughtforamoment,thenraisedtheringand said:Hoopoe.* Heleanedbackinthethroneandwaited.Thehallwas silent,saveforthecracklingofatorch.Anightbreezewafted throughthewindows.
Thenautteringbrokethesilence,asahoopoeewinto thehall.Itlandedonthedaisandhootedagreeting.Solo monnoddedincomprehensionandhootedback. And the two engaged in a conversationa melodious warble that echoed from the walls of the throne room. Exchanginghoots,theychattedtogether.Thenthehoopoe delivered a monologue. Solomon listened intently, inter ruptingoccasionallywithahootedquestion.* Finally,thehoopoebowedtoSolomonandutteredup into the air. Hooting loudly, it circled about the throne room.Thenitewthroughawindowanddisappearedinto thenight. Thisringworks,saidSolomon,marvelingattheinstru mentonhisnger.
* SolomonshootingisreminiscentofthesquawkingofKonrad Lorenz.TheAustriannaturalistwasabletocommunicatewith wild ducks, geese, and a pet cockatoo. Although his book on speakingwithbirdsistitled KingSolomonsRing, Lorenzclaimed nospecialpowers.Rather,intuitiveabilitiesandadoggedper sistencewere the keytohisachievement. Did King Solomon actually communicate with birds and beasts?ApassageintheBookofKings1 Kings,4:33mayrefer tosuchanability. The passageisambiguous,however,andhas beenthesubjectofscholarlydebate.Sometranslationsconstrue ittomean[Solomon]spake to beastsandbirdsandcreeping things and shes. But most render it as spake of beasts and birdsandcreepingthingsandshesareferencetohiswide learning.ThelattermeaningisafrmedbyJosephus,whosays of Solomon:Hespokeaboutbeasts,aboutallsortsofliving creatures,whetherupontheearth,orintheseas,orintheair;for he wasnot unacquainted withanyoftheirnatures,noromitted inquiriesaboutthem,butdescribedthemalllikeaphilosopher, anddemonstratedhisexquisiteknowledgeoftheirseveralprop erties.(Antiquities, viii,2:5) YetAhimaazdoesportrayhimascommunicatingwithbirds. Andforanalwordonthematter,letusturntotheQuran: SolomonwasDavidsheir.Hesaid,Opeople,wehavebeen endowedwithanunderstandingofthelanguageofbirds,andall kindsofknowledgehavebeenbestoweduponus.Verily,thisisa blessing.(alNaml,16)
* Thehoopoeisabirdwithelegantplumageandaneedlelike bill.ItsnameinEnglishderivesfromitscry:asoft,musicalhoot. ThecryisechoedaswellinitsArabicandHebrewnames: hud hud and dukhifat. EvenitsLatinclassication, upopaepops, sug geststhatmusicality. Hoopoesarerecognizablebytheirdistinctivecrest:anarrayof yellow,blacktippedfeathersthatisfanshapedwhenerect.The crestunfurlsitselfwheneverthebirdissurprisedorexcited.The resultisakindofcrown,reminiscentofthefeatheredheadpiece ofanAztecprince. It is said that a hoopoe can detect underground water. The notionwasprobablyinspiredbyitsfeedinghabits.Withitslong, narrow bill,the hoopoe systematicallyprobesthesoilforinsects asifsearchingfor a hiddenspring.Withitsheadbobbing,it hopsaboutlikeamechanicaltoy. (One suchtoy may have beeninspired by thehoopoe:theDip pyBird [alsomarketed astheHappyDrinkingBird].Thebody ofthisnoveltyisatubelledwithuid;theheadisabsorbent felt.Sportingatophat,tailfeather,andsneakers,theDippyBird hasazanylook;yetitknowsitspurpose.Placedbeforeaglassof water,itbeginstobobitsheadanddrinkthewaterthanks to a repeatedcycleofabsorption,evaporation,and cooling, which affectstheuidandaltersthecenterofgravity.) InNorthAfricathehoopoeiseatenforitssupposedcurative andaphrodisiacproperties,andnicknamedtheDoctor.
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tryingitout A coughsounded.Solomonlookedupandsawagure standinginthedoorway. Benaiah?Isthatyou?Comein. Iheardnoises,Sire. Iwasconversing.Withthehoopoethatjustewoutof here. Conversing?saidBenaiah,enteringthethroneroom andapproachingthedais.Withabird? Yes.ThankstothisringfromMelchizedek.Itenabled metounderstandthehoopoeslanguage. Thatsincredible.Whatdidthehoopoehavetosay? Wechattedabouttheweather.Thenhetoldmeatale abouttheoriginofhiscrest.Wouldyouliketohearit? Surely. Solomonpressedhishandstogether,inthemannerofa storyteller.Andleaningbackinthethrone,herecounted thetale. OnemorningtheangelGabrielwasyingtoMount Gerizim.Inablissfulstatehewasappinghiswingsand passingamongcloudswhenherealizedhewaslost.Spot tingahoopoe, Gabriel caughtupwiththebirdandasked fordirections. Followme,saidthehoopoe.AndheescortedGabriel tothe mountain. Gabrielwasgratefulfortheassistance.Andasareward, heofferedthehoopoeachoiceofgifts.Thehoopoethought itoverandaskedforacrownofgold. Are you sure you wantsuchathing?asked Gabriel. Yes,Iwantacrownofgold! Then you shall have one. In fact, every hoopoe shall have a crownof gold. The crowns were distributed. And the hoopoes were delightedtohavesosplendidaheadpiece.Puffedupwith selfregard,theybegantofrequentpuddlesandstreams peeringintothe watertoadmiretheirreection. Butmentoohadtheireyesonthecrowns.Andcoveting thegold,theybegantohunthoopoes.Trapswereset,baited withafragmentofmirror.Themirrorswereirresistibleto 203
thehoopoes,whowerecaughtandkilledinlargenumbers. Finally, the hoopoes sought out Gabriel and begged himtorescindhisgift.Sohechangedthecrownsofgold tocrownsoffeathers.Andthatshowthehoopoesacquired theircrest.* Theyshouldstillbeproud,saidBenaiah.Theircrown offeathersisquitehandsome. Soitis,saidSolomon.Andsurelytobepreferredtoa crownofgold. Withagravelook,hegesturedtowardhisowncrown. Solomon: Heavyonthehead,amonarchscrown. Wouldthatitweremadeoflightweightdown! Ourburdensarealreadyhardtobear. Whyaddanotherinthehatwewear? O whatalistofwoesdoplagueaking (Thatshallnotbedispelledbyanyring): Surlysubjects,vassalsthatrebel, Invadersthathisarmies mustrepel; Enviousbrothers,whopacethenightandfrown, Plottinghowtosnatchawaythatcrown; Dayin,dayout,decisionstobemade, Opposingplansofactiontobeweighed;
* Orwasit?Accordingtoanothertale,thehoopoewasinvited toattend a wedding.Buthelackedtheappropriatedress.Sohe wenttothe cuckoo,whohadafancycrest,and borrowedit.After wards,the hoopoe decidedthatthecrestsuitedhim,andrefused toreturnit.Andthatshowthehoopoeacquiredhiscrest. Whydoes the hoopoe makethe sounditdoes?Greekmythol ogyhasanexplanation.It seemsthatTereus,kingofThrace,had determinedtoslayhiswifeandsisterinlaw.Beforehecoulddo so,however,hewastransformedintoahoopoe.Thereafter,Tereus continued toseekthepair,whohadlikewisebeenchangedinto birds,callingout: Poupoupou? (Where,where,where?) These are what folklorists call pourquoi storiesfables that explain how something came to be. Why does the zebra have stripes?Thegiraffealongneck?Thelionafearsomeroar?The pourquoi storytellsinafanciful,humorous,ordidacticman nerhowthethingcameabout.
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tryingitout Bizarre,perplexinglawsuitstobetried;
Asheadofstate,wisdomtoprovide,
Decreestoissue,ambassadorstogreet
Whocloakinhoneyedwordstheirrankdeceit.
Wemonarchsare,inshort,withcaresbeset,
Beneathwhoseweightlikeslaveswegroanandsweat.
Andtothisponderousload,whatdoweadd?
Eightpoundsofgolduponourhead!Tismad!
Bethankful,hoopoe,thatthoubearinstead
A crownoffeathersonthyemptyhead.
Andthou,Benaiah,thatthouartfreefromcare.
Benaiah: My portlinessthemajorweightIbear. Indeed!ButImgladyourehere,Captain.Iwanttotry outanotherpowerofthering.Iwantto summonthewind. Summon the wind?The ringcan dothat? Apparently.AndIdlikesomeonewithmeincasea problemshouldarise.Shallwegiveitatry? Benaiahgruntednoncommittally.Helookedupatthe windows,throughwhichalightbreezewasblowing. Solomonraisedthering.Wind,hesaid. Immediately the breeze quickened. Curtains began to ap.Thetorchickered.Andgustsofwindmoaninglike ghosts and swirling aboutlled the hall. Benaiah held ontohishelmet. A face,bloatedandheavyjowled,emergedfromtheswirl. Andadeepvoicesounded. Greetings,itsaid.IamtheWind.Iamthatforceof Nature thatanimatestheair.IhuffandIpuff.Imakewaves ontheseaanddunesinthedesert.Ipropelyourshipsor tearthemapart!Ashurricanes I destroy;asbreezes,Icool the night.Idrivecloudsthroughthesky,likeherdsofsheep. I scatterseeds.IrustleleavesandwhistleineavesIgroan andgrowl,blusterandhowl!Youhavesummonedme.Iam atyourbeck.Whatwouldyouhavemedo? Nothing,really,saidSolomon.Iwasjusttryingout thisringof mine. 205
thebookofkingsolomon Perhapsyoudlikearide?askedtheWind. Aride? Spread before the dais was a carpeta Persian rug of intricatedesign.Suddenlyitroseintotheair,bornebythe Wind. Hopon,gentlemen,saidtheWind.Illtakeyoufora spin. Solomoncameforwardtoinspectthecarpet.Itwashov eringafootabovetheoor.Whynot?hesaid,andhopped aboard.Benaiahhesitated,thenjoinedhim. Crouchdownandholdon,saidtheWind. Withthetwomenclingingtoit,thecarpetglidedouta window.Itemergedfromthepalaceandroseswiftlyinto thenightsky.
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SolomonandBenaiahpeereddownatanaerialviewof the city. Beneath them was a patchwork of rooftops and lanes.Cisternsglintedinthemoonlight.Windowsglowed withlamplight. ThecarpetcircledoverJerusalem.Thenitreturnedto thepalace,glidedthroughthewindow,andlandedwitha thud. Solomonwobbledtohisfeet.Ienjoyedthat,hesaid. Notme,saidBenaiah.Menarenotbirds.Wewere meanttostayontheground.Imdizzy. SoamI.Butwhatanexperience! Youllgetusedtoying,saidtheWind,andtotrav elingaboutonacarpet.Whenyouwishtogosomewhere, justsummonme.Iamatyourbeck. WithawhooshtheWinddepartedthroughawindow. Solomonreturnedtothethrone.Isntthisanamazing ring?hesaid.WithitIamabletosummonthewindand yabout.Andtheresmore.Accordingtothemanual,Ican alsosummonjinnandcontrolthem.Ivegottotrythat. Id stayawayfrom jinn,saidBenaiah,wobblingtohis feet.Theycanbetrouble. Theycanbeuseful,too.Imgoingtotrysummoning one. But which? There are thousands upon thousands of jinn. Tryme, cameahighpitchedvoice. Startled,Solomonlookedathisring.Thesoundseemed tohavecomefromit. Me,me.Summonme. Whoareyou? Iamthejinniwhoresidesinyourring.Summonme,that I mayserve you.PronouncemynameandIshallappear. Allright.Whatsyourname? InfoImp. Solomonraisedtheringandsaid:InfoImp. There wasaashandpuffofsmokeandonthedais stoodajinni.Dwarshinstature,heworeafezandtunic. A pairofspectacleswereproppedonhisnose. So,YourHighness,hesaid,nallywemeet.Ivebeen 207
waitingtopopoutandintroducemyself.ImtheInfoImp yourpersonaljinni.Iresideinyourring.Iwasplaced therebyMelchizedek,onaccountofmyspecialty.Asyou know,everyjinnihasaspecialty.Mineisprovidinginfor mation.Iamamasteroffacts,lore,statistics,quotations, lists,trivia.Icantellyouthepopulationofatownthe clanof a warriortheexchangerateforforeigncoins.Ask me a question andIshallanswerit.Anyquestion.Onany subject. Youknoweverything?
Moreorless.Testme.
Solomonthoughtforamoment.Thenheasked:What
isthe capitalofBabylonia? Babylon. Whencethenameofthecity? From BabEl, GateofGod. WhoisthechiefgodofBabylon? Marduk. 208
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HowmanygodsareworshipedinBabylon?
Nearly4000.
NamethevelastkingsofBabylon.
Eamashshakinshumi, Ninurtakudurusur II, Shiriq
tushuqamunapopularly known as TushuMarbitia palusur,andNabumukinapil. Im impressed. SoI can consult with you at any time? Thatstheidea.Justsummonme. Andyouresideinthering? TheInfoImpshrugged.Onehastolivesomewhere. NodoubtIshallbeavailingmyselfofyourservices. Iurgeyoutodoso.Youarealearnedman,KingSolo mon.ButtakeadvantageofwhatIhavetooffer.Keepin mindthequotefromDr.Johnson:Knowledgeisoftwo kinds.Weknowasubjectourselves,orweknowwherewe canndinformationaboutit. WhoisDr.Johnson?
Asageofthedistantfuture.
Yourstoreofinformationextendsintothefuture?
Time isahumanlimitation,towhichwejinnarenot
subject.ThoughIwontalwaysbeatlibertytorevealsuch information.Anyfurtherquestionsfornow? No,thankyou. ThenIllbereturningtothering. Withaashandpuffofsmoke,theInfoImpvanished. Solomonexaminedhisring.Bydintofthismarvelous ring,he said,Icancommunicatewithbirdsand beasts y aboutonacarpetengagetheservicesofjinn.Howdid I getalongwithoutsucharing? Quite nicely, said Benaiah. And Id still be wary of thosejinn.
chapter35
Model
hum of expectation greeted abhiram as he entered the throne room. The architect was fol lowedbyapairofassistants,whowerecarryinga table.Acoverwasdrapedoverthecontentsofthetable. Makingtheirwaythroughthecrowdedhall,theysetthe tabledownbeforethedais.KingSolomonwasseatedonthe throne,ankedbyZadokandShavsha.Thekingacknowl edged Abhirams bow. Then he waved for silence and addressedtheassembledcourt. Thisisahistoricday,hesaid.Asyouknow,myfather entrustedmewithasacredtask.Hetoldmetobuildatem plea house for god. He also gave me the plan for it, revealed tohimindreams.ThatplanIpassedontoAb hiram,whohassincebeenhardatworkelaboratingupon it, working out the details, and creating blueprints. His effortshaveatlastreachedfruition;andheinformsmethat wearereadytobeginconstruction.Toinauguratethepro ject,AbhiramwillnowunveilamodeloftheTempleand explainitsfeatures. Solomon nodded to the architect, who addressed the court. Thiswasauniqueproject,saidAbhiram,inthatthe plancamefromaheavenlysource.Thechallengewasto adhere to the revealed design, while dealing with con straintsofapracticalnature.Wehave,Ibelieve,succeeded indoingso. Now Israels main shrine has been, of course, the TabernacleaportablesanctuarythatoriginatedatMount Sinai;abidedformanyyearsatShiloh;andnowresideshere inJerusalem.Inonesense,theTempleapermanentand physicallyimpressivestructurewillbeadeparturefrom the Tabernacle. At the same time, it will be a continua tionanimprovedversionanupdate,ifyouwill.Forit 210
209
model duplicates the essential features of the sacred tent. Most notably,thetripartitelayouthasbeenretained.Thatisto say, the interior shall be divided into three sectionsa vestibule,aHolyPlace,andaHolyofHolies. Yettherewillbesignicantdifferences.Themostobvi ous is that of materials. Whereas the Tabernacle is com prisedofanimalhidesandlinen,theTemplewillbemade ofstone.Andsurelythatistting.Forgodshouseistobe a RockoftheAges;andlikearock,itshouldbeaustereand enduring. Yet think not that this house of His is to lack embellishment.Foritsinteriorwillbelinedwithcedarand goldarichnessofmaterialstoreecttheGloryofgod. But enough of words, said Abhiram. Let me show youtheTemple. Abhiramsignaledtohisassistants.Theydrewasidethe coveringrevealingthemodel.Agaspofadmirationrose fromthecourt. IfanyofyouhavebeentoPhoenicia,saidAbhiram, thestyleofournewsanctuarywillbefamiliar.TheTemple istoberectilinearalimestonebox.Itwillbeoutwardly plain,withno turrets,fretwork,orgargoyles.Thesoleorna mentationontheexteriorwillbehere,onthesepillars. Leaningoverthemodel,hepointedtoapairofpillars ankingtheentrance. NoPhoeniciantemplewouldbecompletewithoutpil larsattheentranceway;andourplanspecicallycalledfor suchafeature.Italsospeciedthatthepillarsweretobe givennames:Jachimand Boaz.Thesenames are inscribed on thepillars.TheysignifyHeshallestablishandInHim isstrengthreferences,ofcourse,togod MostHigh. So astheyenterthe Temple,the priestsareremindedof godspower.Onceinside,whatdotheyencounter?Lets takealook. Henoddedtohisassistants.Theygrippedtheupperpor tion of themodelandlifted.Likethetopofadollhouse,it cameoff,revealingadetailedinterior. Tobeginwith,thepriestspassthroughthe ulam, orves tibule.Thisisatransitionzoneakindofdecompression 211
chamberbetweentheprofaneandsacredworlds.Leaving behindallworldlythoughts,theyemergeintothe hekhal, or HolyPlace.Thisisthemainhallofthesanctuaryand willcontainthe furnishingsfrom theTabernacle.Wehave providedthemodelwithrepresentationsofthosefurnish ings.PerhapsYourHighnesswouldliketoapproachand examinethemupclose? Iwouldindeed,saidSolomon,risingfromthethrone. Hecamedownfromthedais,followedbyZadokandShav sha;andthethreejoinedAbhiramatthemodel. Here is the table of shewbread, said the architect. Notethatitssetwithlittleloavesofbreadactualloaves thatwebaked.Alongthewallsarethesacredcandlesticks. Andoverhereisthealtarofincense.Everythingawaitsthe priestsandtheirdailyrituals. Of course,onlytheHighPriestandhebutonceayear maypassthroughthisdoorwayandenterthe debir, or 212
model
HolyofHolies.Asstipulatedintheplan,theHolyofHolies willbeaperfectcube.Anditwillbecompletelylinedwith goldwalls,ceiling,andoor!InitwillbekepttheArkof theCovenant,guardedbyapairofcherubim.Allthis,too, we have crafted in miniature. Check out the cherubim, Sire.Theyaresculptedfromolivewoodandplatedwith gold,justasthefullsizedoneswillbe.* Quite impressive, said Solomon, peering into the model.Hesniffed.Apleasingfragrance.Whatisit? Thewallsofthehekhalwillbelinedwithcedar,said Abhiram.Soweusedcedarinthemodel.Thewoodwill becarvedwithpatternsandinlaidwithgold.Nostonework willbevisibleinsidetheTemplejustcedarandgold.The effectwillbeawesome. Zadokwasglaringdarklyatthemodel.Ihaveaques tion,hesaid.Itconcernsthatstone,ofwhichtheTemple istobebuilt.Wherewillyouprocureit? There is an ample supply of limestone close by, in a quarryjustoutsidethecity. And how willyouminethestone?Anddressit? Why, withthe usualtools.Axes,hammers,chisels,and such. Toolsofiron? Yes,ofcourse. Unacceptable! criedZadok,poundingthetablewithhis st.Themodelshook,asiffromanearthquake.
* ThecherubimthatguardedtheArkhavebeenwidelymis conceived.Theywerenothumanlikeangels(andcertainlynot the cherubic tots of Renaissance painting). Rather, they were sphinxes forbiddingcreatureswiththebodyofalion,thewings ofaneagle,andtheheadofaman.SacredplacesintheNearEast wereroutinelyguardedbythesesculptedwatchdogs;andIsraels wasnoexception. Cherubimalsoservedasguardiansintheheavenlyrealm.The Book ofGenesistellsusthatgod droveouttheman.Andatthe eastof the GardenofEdenHeplacedcherubim,andaaming swordwhichturnedeveryway,toguardthewaytotheTreeof Life.Thesesphinxesweretherealthing,notsculptures.
thebookofkingsolomon Idontunderstand,stammeredAbhiram. InScriptureitiswrit:Norhammernoraxnoranytool ofironshallbeheard,inthepreparationofstoneforaltars andothersacralconstructs.Youmustnotusesuchtools! Buttheyarenecessaryforourwork. Irepeat,youmustnotusethem.Itisforbidden. Whatotherwayistheretocutstone?saidSolomon. The shamir, of course, said Zadok. The device that wasusedbyMosestoengravethetablets.Usetheshamir. Whereisthisdevice?askedSolomon. TheHighPriestshrugged.Noidea,hesaid.Butyou hadbetterndit.OrelseforgetaboutbuildingaTemple!*
* ModelsoftheTemplehaveahistoryoftheirown.Inmedieval Ireland,thealtarofthechurchatCluainmicNoiscontaineda modelofSolomonsTemple.Andtheseventeenthcenturysawa surgeofinterestintheTemple,amongbothlearnedmenandthe public;and severalmodelswerebuiltandexhibited.Onewas thatof RabbiLeon,whoshowedhismodelatfairsandathis homeinAmsterdam.(Afterviewingit,onecouldpurchasean engravingof the Templeor anexplanatorybooklettitledRetrato del Templo de Selomo.) A few years later, a German named SchottexhibitedhismodelinLondon.Thirteenfeethigh,itwas advertised in TheDailyCourant: Tobeseenatthe RoyalExchange every Day,TheModelofthe templeofsolomon, withallitsPorches,Walls,Gates,cham bersand holyVessels,thegreatAltaroftheBurntOffering,the MoultonSea,theLavers,theSanctumSanctorum;withtheArk oftheCovenant,theMercySeatandGoldenCherubims,the Altarof Incense,theCandlestick,TablesofShewBread,withthe twofamousPillars,calledJoachimandBoas.Withinthemodel are 2000 chambersand Windows,andPillars7000.The Pub lickisdesiredtotakeNotice,thattheSanctumSanctorum,with alltheholyVesselsisnewgilt,andappearsmuchnerandricher thanbefore. Inourownday,Biblicalscholarshaveproducedrecreationsof theTemple(mostnotably,theHowlandGarbermodel,ondis playatAgnesScottCollegeinGeorgia).Butthemostprolic modelers have been the Freemasons, for whom the Temple of Solomon is a key symbol. Masonic lodges often have a scale modelondisplay.AndonewasfeaturedattheMasonicPavilion
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model
atthelastNewYorkWorldsFair. Eachmodelhashadadistinctivelook,sincenooneknowswhat the Temple actually looked like. A recreation is necessarily a guess,basedondescriptionsfoundintheBibleandtheTalmud, andonacomparisonwithtemplesthathavebeenunearthedby archeologists.Limitedonlybytheimaginationoftheirmakers, therecreationshaverangedfromGothiccitadelstoBabylonian ziggurats. Oneofthethelattermaybeseeninthe1959 movie Solomon andSheba. Themovieutilizesamodel(orminiature,inHolly woodparlance)oftheTemplethatlooksmoreliketheTowerof Babel.Inaspectacularscenethistowerisstruckbylightningand destroyed.(godswrathhasbeenprovokedbyapaganorgythat Solomonhasallowed.) CouldtheTemplehaveincludedsuchatower?TheBookof Chroniclesdoessaythattheulamwas120 cubits(180 feet)high. But that gure was probably a copyists errorthe Book of Kings(writtenearlier)gives30 cubitsastheheight.Ontheother hand,there isthe workofMikeYoungofNorthPole,Alaska. Describinghimselfasaselftaughtscholarinthefrozenregion of the world, Young claims to have accurately recreated a model of Solomonstemplethatoriginallystoodindowntown Jerusalem.Hedoesnotsimplypostulateatowerovertheulam. ThelayoutoftheentireTemple,heinsists,wasvertical,withthe Holyof Holiessituated atthevery top. In short,agenuinezig gurataBabylonianstyleshrine.TheArkoftheCovenanthigh abovethecity!Ifatemplescholariswillingtoanswerasingle question whichIhavepostedonmywebsite,writesYoung,he willseethathewillcometomypointofviewregardingthesize and scopeof the Templeinvery shorttime.
chapter36
Shamir
ingsolomonwassittinginhisstudy.an eve ningbreezebillowedthecurtains;rustledthepapers onhisdesk;andutteredthetagsthathungfrom thescrollsinthecubbyholes. Heraisedhisringandsaid:InfoImp. With a puff of smoke, the jinni appeared. You sum monedme,Sire? Yes,saidSolomon.Iwouldliketoavailmyselfofyour services.Ineedsomeinformation.Tellmewhatisknown abouttheshamir. Theshamirisastone,saidtheInfoImp.Agreencrys talof greatpower.Thenameprobablyderivesfrom samir, or thorn,connotingsharpness.Onlyoneshamirisknown toexist.Itissculptedintheshapeofascarababeetleofthe genus Ateuchussacer. Thathasledtothemistakennotion thattheshamirisalivinginsect.Itisnosuchthing.* Theshamirhasauniqueandsupernaturalpower:the capacitytocutthroughrock.Itdoesthiswithoutheator friction,and withthe easeof a knifeslicingthroughmelon. Onesimplydrawsalineontherockanddragstheshamir alongit.Therockimmediatelysplits,asifstruckasunder. Theshamirisancient.Infact,itissaidtobeoneofthe tenwondersthatgod madeonthelastdayofCreation.
* Thismistakennotionpersiststothepresentday.Itwaskept alivebymedievalauthorssuchasRashiandMaimonides,who argued thatthedynamicnatureoftheshamirsuggestedaliving creature. But our oldest source, the Testament of Solomon (a pseudepigraphicworkoftheGrcoRomanera),describesitas agreenstone.Andforapersuasiveargumentinfavorofastone, seeS.CasselsEinarchologischerBeitragzunaturundSagen kunde (1854). The othersaretherainbow,manna,theHebrewalphabet,the
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shamir Bethatasitmay,itsearliestrecordedusewasbythe priestsofAtlantis.Theycalledit zatathondru, thestone thatsplitsrock,andusedittoconstructtheirtempleto Poseidon.WhenAtlantissank,refugeesbroughttheshamir toEgypt.Thereitwasusedtobuildthepyramids.* Really?saidSolomon.Ivealwayswonderedhowthe pyramidswerebuilt. Nowyouknow,saidtheInfoImp.Forthousandsof years the shamir was an essential tool of the pyramid builders.ThenitcameintothepossessionofMoses,who useditonMountSinaitoengravethetablets.Hepassedit ontoBezalel,themastercraftsman,whousedittoengrave thejewelsoftheephod.
Torah,thepitthatswallowedKorach,Mosesrod,Miriamswell, Balaamstalkingdonkey,andtheramthatAbrahamsacricedin placeof Isaac. * Ahimaazcorroborateshereaspeculationthathascirculated amongMasons.Therehasbeenmuchconjecture,writesJohn Mitchell, a Mason in Detroit, as to how those stones [of the GreatPyramid]werecarried,howtheywerecutwiththeprim itivetoolsinuseinthosedays,howtheywereplacedtogetherso thatthejoinsinthemcannotbeseen.Sohowweretheycut? ThegreatAtlanteanMaster,explainsMitchell,whowasthe LeaderofthehighpriestsofAtlantis,broughtwithhimfromthat mightyTemplethegreatStoneShamir.[It]wasplacedintoposi tiononthegreatgraniterocks,whichhadbeenbroughtfroma greatdistanceforthebuildingofthePyramid.SotheGreat PyramidwascarvedinstonebythesacredStoneShamir. TheephodwasthevestmentwornbytheHighPriest.Setin itsbreastplatewere twelvejewelseachengravedwiththename of a tribe.The jewelswouldglowtoindicategods Presence.But eventuallytheyceasedtoglow.ExplainsJosephus:Thebreast platestopped shining200 yearsbeforethecompositionofthis book,onaccountofgodsdispleasureatthetransgressionsofHis laws.(Antiquities, iii,8:9) Twoadditionaljewelsservedasfasteners,attheshouldersof thegarment.Thispairalsoglowedinanoracularfashion.The HighPriestwouldaskaquestion.Iftheanswerwasyes,thejewel onhisleftshoulderglowed;ifno,thejewelonhisrightshoulder.
Whennotinuse,theshamiriswrappedinawoolen cloth,andkeptinaleadboxlledwithbarleybran.For somereasonthisrendersitinoperative.Heresapictureof thebox. TheInfoImptuggedonthetasselofhisfez.Abeamof lightshotoutofthefez,projectingapictureonthewall. Andhereistheshamiritself. Hetuggedagainonthetassel.Anewpictureappeared ofacrystalinwhichascarabhadbeencarved. Fascinating,saidSolomon.Nowtellmethis.Where istheshamircurrently? InthepossessionofAsmodeus. Asmodeus?Youmean,theheadjinni? TheInfoImpnodded.Asmodeusisourrulertheking ofthejinn.Hispalacecontainsmanytreasures,amongthem theshamir.Howheacquireditisnotknown. Asmodeushasapalace?
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shamir Ofcourse.ItislocatedintheMountainsofBashan. Could I summon Asmodeusas I summoned you andgethimtolendmetheshamir? Summonhim?TheInfoImpgrimaced.Yourringcan compelanyjinniAsmodeusincludedtoappearbefore you.Soyes,youcouldsummonhim.ButIurgeyounotto. Afterall,heisourking,andshouldbetreatedasaking. Would you send for other monarchs in so peremptory a fashion?Eventheleastofyourvassals?Ofcoursenotit wouldinsulttheirdignity. ButIneedtospeakwithhim. Then treat Asmodeus as you would treat any king. Invitehimtocomevisityou.Sendhimaformalinvitation, viamessenger.Icanprovidedirectionstohispalace. Wouldhecome?Voluntarily,Imean? TheInfoImpshrugged.Whoknows?Butitsworthtry ing.Ifyouforcedhimtocome,hewoulddosolikeasurly slaveseething with resentment. And he might seek to causeyoutroubleinreturn.Believeme,Asmodeusisnotto betried with. Isee,saidSolomon. Withathoughtfullookherosefrom hisseat.Whatyouhavesaidmakesgoodsense.Thank you forbothyourinformationandyouradvice. It isapleasuretohaveservedyou,Sire.Callmeagain atanyhour. Withapuffofsmoke,thejinnivanished. Solomon went to the door, poked his head out, and addressed the attendant.Illbeneedingamessenger,he said.Haveonesenttomeinthemorning.*
* Theshamirwasneededbecauseofaprohibitionthatrelated toaltars,butwhichwasdeemedtoapplytotheTempleaswell. That prohibitionisstatedinthreeBiblicalpassages: And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not builditofhewnstone;forifthouliftupthytooluponit,thou hastpolluted it.(Exodus20:25) AndthereshaltthoubuildanaltaruntotheLordthy god, an altar of stones. Thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them.Thou shaltbuildthe altarof the Lordthy god of whole
stones.(Deuteronomy27:56) ThenJoshuabuiltanaltaruntotheLordgod ofIsraelan altarofwholestones,overwhichnomanhathliftupanyiron. (Joshua8:3031) Whythisproblemwithtoolsofiron?Didithavearationale? TherabbisoftheTalmudassureusthatitdid.Swordsandother instrumentsofdeath,theyexplain,aremadeofiron.Therefore, ironisnotanappropriatematerialforuseonsacredstructures. Ironwascreatedtoshortenmansdays,andthealtarwascreat edtolengthenmansdays.Itisnotproperthatwhatshortensbe liftedagainstwhatlengthens.(Middot3:3) Andfromahistoricalperspective,BiblicalscholarRonaldHen delhasofferedthefollowingexplanation: Thestonealtarsholinessisveryancient,antedatingtheuseof metaltools.IftheformofthealtargoesbacktoStoneAgetimes, itisunderstandablewhycuttingitwithmetaltoolswouldbefor bidden.Sacredtraditionsandritualobjectsareoftenveryresis tanttochangeandasaresultoftenpreserveveryarchaicfeatures. Altarsof unhewnstoneswouldhavebeennormalintheStone Age,and theirunhewnformprobablybecameadistinctivepart oftheirconstructioninlatertimes. In otherwords,irontoolswerenewfangledandthereforeinau thentic.Hencetheneedforashamir.
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canlingeronlyforamoment,saidboraktogor ash. Imoffonajob.Themessengerhadjoinedhis colleagueatareartable,buthadwavedoffthebarmaid. Andyourdestination,goodBorak? TheMountainsofBashan. Really?ThatsaregionIveneverbeentoandhaveno wishtovisit.Theysayitseerieinthosemountains. Eerieandemptynotasingleinntobefound.One sleepsonthegroundandhobnobswithoneshorse.Butthis isamissionofimportance.ForIcarryamessagefromKing Solomonhimself.Now,canyouguesstowhomitsbound? No idea,saidGorash. Ask yourselfwho would dwell in the Mountains of Bashan?Whowouldhavehisabodeinthatunearthlyplace? I giveup.Who? Asmodeus,thatswho. Youmean, the Asmodeuskingofthejinn?Yourebear ingamessageto him? Indeed I am,saidBorak.Evidently,hesgotapalace outthere.AndImtodeliverthismessagetohim. Becareful.Iwouldnttrustanyjinni,muchlesstheir chief. Imnotworried.KingSolomonassuredmethat,ashis emissary,Illbetreatedwithrespect.Anyhow,Imustget going.Seeyouinafortnight. Borakslapped palmswithGorashand departed the tav ern.Hishorsewastetheredoutside.Hehoppedonandrode totheNorthGate.Andexitingthecity,heheadedeast.
The Mountains of Bashan were jagged, dark, and for bidding.Aroadwoundthroughthem;andfollowingitwas 221
a solitarytravelerBorak.Jackalshowledinthedistance. Hawks glided overhead. An occasional column of dust swirledby.* Asherodethroughit,Borakseemedundauntedbythe lunarlandscape.Fromtimetotimehewoulddrinkfromhis waterbag,checkhismap,murmuraprayer.Whenevening came,helookedforacampsite.Therehebuiltare,atea simplemeal,andsleptbeneaththestars. Onhisthirddayinthemountainshearrivedathisdes tination. This must be it, said Borak, peering up at a moun taintop.Thoughitlooksmorelikeahuntinglodgethana palace. Perched on the mountain was a twostory building of rough stone. It had round windows that overlooked the mountainousvista,andaporch.Smokerosefromachim ney.Astairwayleduptothedoorofthepalace. Borakdismounted,tetheredhishorsetoatree,andbegan toascendthestairs. The climb tookhalfanhour.Whenhegottothepalace, Borakwashufngand pufng.The door,partlyajar,hada brassknocker.Heknocked. Comein!soundedavoicefromwithin.Wevebeen expectingyou. Warily,Borakentered. He found himself in a dimlylit hall. The walls were hungwithtapestries.Alogwasburninginthereplace. Refreshmentswere laidout on a table.Low,soothingmusic lledtheairfromaharpthatwaspluckingitself,orelse respondingtoinvisiblengers. And loungingon a sofawerethreejinnidentiableby theirpointedears.Onewasatall,slendermalewithaVan dykebeard.Heworeajeweledturban,silkpajamas,anda smokingjacket.Inhishandwasagoblet.Cuddledupto himwere twofemalejinn,indiaphanousrobes.
* Jinn are said to assume many formsincluding that of a whirlwind.Perhapsthosedustdevilswerepatrollingtheroad.
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Approach, messenger. Dont be nervous. Whats your name? Borak,Sire. Greetings,Borak.ImAsmodeusAsmotothesesnug glingguestsofmine.Welcometomypalace,orrather,my mountainretreat.Icomeheretogetawayfromthingsto escapetheresponsibilitiesofkingship.Isntthatright,dar lings? His companions giggled. One of them had a bottle of wine.Sherelledhisgoblet. Nonetheless,saidAsmodeus,sippingonthewine,I dotrytoprovideasemblanceofrulership.Isettledisputes amongthejinngrantthemtitlesmeteoutawardsand punishments.Istayinformedoftheirdoings.Butthefact is, this kingdom of mine is largely selfgoverning. Each jinnihasanidentity,knowswhatitentails,andactsaccord ingly.Supervisionisrarelyrequired.Thus,mydutiesare minimalfreeingmeformorecongenialmatters.Suchas conferringwithmyadvisershere.Right,girls? Againtheygiggled.Asmodeuskissedthem.Then,wob blyfrom wine,he rosefromthesofa. So,Borak,letmeseethismessageofyours. Borakhandedhimthescroll.Asmodeusreadit. Hmm,Isee.Itsaninvitation.KingSolomonwantsme to visit him in Jerusalem. Also, he wants to borrow the shamir.Nowwhereisthatthing?ImnotevensureIstill haveit.Letsgolook.Followme,Borak. Asmodeusstrolled overtoawallfulof clutteredshelves. Thesearemytreasuresandmementos,hesaid,accu mulated over the centuries. See what a collection Ive acquired!Gems,coins,amulets,rings,statuettes,musical instruments,meteorites,crowns,theEmeraldTablet,ancient manuscripts, snow globes. How now, whats this? The shamirperhaps? He pickedupaboxandopenedit.Outpoppedrubber snakes. Yikes!Thatsnotit.ButImsureitsheresomewhere. OrcouldIhaveloanedittosomeone?Wait,herewego. 224
Ho!saidthemalejinni.HewasregardingBorakwith surprise.Wewereexpectingsomeoneelseanothergirl. But comein,myfriend.WhatcanIdoforyou? IseekAsmodeus,KingoftheJinn,saidBorak.

Thenyoursearchhasended.Iamhe.
Forgivetheintrusion,YourHighness.Iamamessenger.
I bearamessagefromKingSolomonofIsrael. 223
asmodeus Heopenedanotherbox,fumbledabout,andpulledout a greenstone. Voil the shamir. Ordinarylooking thing, is it not? Butwithoutthisstonetheycouldnothavebuiltthepyra mids.Here,takealook. Asmodeushandedhimtheshamir.Borakexaminedit, noddedsagely,andhandeditback.Asmodeusreturnedit tothebox. So, King Solomon wants to borrow the shamir. He wants me to come for a visit and bring it along. Shall I accommodateyourking? Nodoubthedbepleasedifyoucould,Sire. Allright,then.Iaccepthisinvitation,saidAsmodeus, slippingtheboxintohispocket.Letsbeonourway. Sire? IshallaccompanyyoubacktoJerusalem.Ifyoullallow metodoso?True,Icouldmaterializethereinstantaneous ly.IcouldappearinfrontofKingSolomonthisveryminute inapuffofsmoke!Butwhatfunwouldthatbe?Iwant
to traveljourney through the countrysideenjoy the sightsalongtheway.Onemustsavorthe process ofgetting somewherehaveatravelexperience. Dontyouagree? Borakshrugged.Iviewtravelasanecessaryandardu ouspartofmyjob,Sire.ButIdbegladtohaveyoualong. Excellent.Illbereadyinaminute. Asmodeusbustledabouthisabode.Helocatedatravel bag,tossedafewthingsintoit,donnedacape.Andnish ingoffthegobletofwine,hebidfarewelltohiscompan ions. Mydears,makeyourselfathome.Helpyourselftowhat ever.Illbeback. Withaswirlofhiscape,Asmodeusstillinpajamasand smoking jacketexited the palace. Borak followed after him,carryinghisbag.Theydescendedthestairway. Boraks horse was grazing under the tree. As the pair approached,theanimalregardedthemquizzically. Borak mounted the horse and settled into the saddle. Asmodeusclimbedonbehindhim. Thisisfun already!saidthekingofthejinn. And togethertheyrode offtowardJerusalem.
A pavilion had been erected outside the North Gate; and a weddingfeastwasinprogress.Seatedatalongtable, the guests were eating, drinking, and chattering. At the head of the table, smiling and waving, sat the bride and groom. Arrivingatthegate,BorakandAsmodeushadpausedto watch this festive scene. Suddenly Asmodeus began to weep. Tears owed down his cheeks as he sobbed aloud. Puzzledbythejinnisreaction,Boraklookedbackoverhis shoulder. Areyouallright,Sire? Yes,yes.Letsmoveon. Borak spurred the horse and passed through the gate. AndtheyenteredJerusalem. 225 226
asmodeus Theyrodealongthemainstreet.Itwascloggedwithtraf cclamorouswiththecriesofhawkerslinedwithshops ofeverysort.Asmodeuswastakinginthesightsandsounds. Astheypassedacobblersshop,heaskedBoraktohalt. Thecobblerhadjustemergedfromhisshop,withapair ofshoes.Hehandedthemtoawaitingcustomerandsaid: Hereareyourshoes,sir.Theywerecompletedthismorn ing.Wearthemingoodhealth. Themaninspectedtheshoes.NowIpaidyouextra,he said,toinsurethehighestqualitythenestworkman ship.Iorderedapairofshoesthatwouldlastsevenyears. Willtheseshoesfulllthatstipulation? Absolutely,sir.Theyareguaranteedtolastsevenyears, oryourmoneyback. They had better last that long. If they dont, I shall demandarefund.Ishallindeed.Andhewentoffwithhis shoes. Fromhisperchonthehorse,Asmodeushadbeenobserv ingthisexchange.Nowheshookhisheadandlaughed bitterly. Puzzled,Boraklookedbackatthejinni.ButAsmo deussaidnothingand waved forhimtocontinueon. Theyrodealongthebusystreet.Finallytheyarrivedat thepalace. Werehere,Sire,saidBorak.ThatsKingSolomons residence.Impressive,isitnot?Thereinhedwellsinrich nessandsplendor.Thepalaceissoontobeexpandedand renovated.Butalreadyitsamagnicentplace.Thereare ornate halls, luxurious suites, courtyards with fountains. Morethan200 roomswithinitswalls,theysay.Quitean abode,isitnot? Asmodeusgazed atthe palaceand sigheddeeply.Then, pullingouttheshamirbox,hepointedtoitjabbedhis ngerrepeatedly,asiftoindicateathingofsignicance. Borakcouldrestrainhimselfnolonger.Sire,hesaid, mayIbesoboldastoaskaquestion? Byallmeans. Threetimesnow,youhavereactedinapeculiarfash ion.First,atthesightofaweddingcelebrationajoyful 227
event!youweepwithsadness.Then,youwitnessanordi nary business transactionand laugh bitterly. And now, uponviewingSolomonspalace,yousighdeeplyandpoint tothatbox.Praytell,whythesepeculiarreactions?Explain themtome,ifyoudbesokind. Gladly,saidAsmodeus.WhydidIweepatthewed ding celebration? We jinn can peer into the future. So I couldseewhatwasfatedforthatbrideandgroom.Hehas lessthanamonthtolive;whileshehasalifetimeaheadof herasawidow.Alas,misfortunewasimminent.Yetthere theywere,smilingandwavingtofriendsunawareofthe sadfatethatwouldsoonovertakethem.Howcouldonenot weepatsuchasight? AndwhydidIlaughbitterlyatthatmanbuyingshoes? WhywasIprovokedbyhisdemandforasevenyearguar antee?Becausethefellowwontbeneedingtheshoeseven forseven days. Heisgoingtodiewithinaweek.Hisshoes willoutlasthim. And why, just now, did I sigh and point to a box? BecauseKingSolomonlivesinthisgrandpalace.Buthe shallend upwith nothingbutabox amarblecasket,in whichhisbonesshallreside.AndIdidnthavetopeerinto thefuturetolearnthat.Foraboxisthenalresidenceof allmen,kingsincluded. Andso Thelessonhere?Thatnothingwillendure. OnlyTimesdecayinghandissure. Thingswearaway, or burntopaleash, Or falltoruin,orvanishinaash. Not shoesnorlifenorpalacesnorjoy Escapes from Time,whosethemeistodestroy. Therefore,enjoythedaythatisathand. Carpediem. Outfoxthemercilesssand Thatowssoswiftlyinyourhourglass. For oncetisgone,yourtimeisup,alas! Tomorrowswinemaynevercomearound. Sodrinktoday.Letmerrimentabound! Butenoughofphilosophy.Ihaveaninvitationtomeet 228
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withKingSolomon,inthismagnicentpalaceofhis.Take metohim,Borak!*
* TheearliestreferencestoAsmodeusarefoundintheBookof Tobit and the Testament of Solomon. In both of these he is depictedasamalevolentdemon.Inthelatter,Solomon(employ ingajudicialpracticeofthetime)compelsAsmodeustoidentify himselfandtoconfesshisdepravedways: AndISolomon,onhearingthis,boundhimmorecarefully, andorderedhimtobeoggedwiththongsofoxhide,andtotell me humblywhatwashisnameandwhathisbusiness.Andhe answeredmethus:IamcalledAsmodeusamongmortals,and mybusinessistoplotagainstthenewlywedded,sothattheymay notknowoneanother.AndIseverthemutterlybymanycalami ties,andIwasteawaythebeautyofvirginwomen,andestrange theirhearts. AndIsaidtohim,Isthisthyonlybusiness?Andheanswered me:Itransportmenintotsofmadnessanddesire,whenthey havewivesoftheirown,sothattheyleavethem,andgooffby nightand daytoothersthatbelongtoothermen:withtheresult thattheycommitsin,andfallintomurderousdeeds. Trulyawickedanddangerousbeing!YetAsmodeusissubject tocontrol.In AncientIsrael:MythsandLegends, Angelo Rappo portexplains:Heisverycunningandmalignant.Ofimmense strength and very powerful, he is intent upon doing harm to man.Andyetheisfrequentlyreadytoperformdeedsofkind ness.Ashmedaiforeknowsthefuture,andbyuseoftheIneffable Namehecanbemadeserviceableuntomanandcompelledto dowhatisbiddenbythosewhopronouncetheIneffableName. Thus,bythepowerandinvirtueofhissignetringonwhichwas engraventheIneffableName,KingSolomongainedpowerover Ashmedaiandmadehimdohisbidding. Butastheyearswentby,Asmodeuseithermendedhiswaysor becameadeptatpublicrelations.FortheTalmudpresentshim in a more positive light. Though drunken and licentious, the KingoftheDemonsisshowntobelargelybenevolentafriend toman.Heeveniesupfromhismountainabodeeachmorn ingtostudyTorahinaheavenlyacademy.AndbytheMiddle Ages he hasbecome evenlessthreatening.Inpopulartalesheis depictedasakindofhaplessclown. Hisname is thoughttoderivefromthePersian aeshmadaeva,
ordemonofwrath.Hisoriginsareobscure.TheTestamentof Solomon reveals Asmodeus to be halfhuman: I was born of angelsseedbyadaughterofman.Theangelmayhavebeen Shamdon;thewoman,adaughterofTubalCain.(Formoreon theCainites,seechapter46.) AhimaazhasintroducedacongenialAsmodeusapleasure loving (yet philosophical) jinni who is glad to cooperate with KingSolomon.ItisinterestingtocomparehimwiththeAsmo deusoftheTalmud,whoforallhisTorahstudymuststillbe compelledtoaidSolomon.
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WelcometoJerusalem O monarchofthejinn. Wegreetyouwiththesewordsofsong A mostunworthydin. Welcometothepalace

OfSolomonourking,
Whosemanypraisescrowslikeus
Arescarcelyttosing.
Andwelcometothisthroneroom
O guestfromfaraway.
Itverywallsdobowtoyou.
Haveapleasantstay!
TheybowedtoAsmodeusandledoff. Thankyou,gentlemen,forthatditty,saidSolomon. So,YourExcellencyyourjourneyherewasuneventful,I trust?Iwassurprisedyouwereabletocomesosoon. Theneedseemedimportant,saidAsmodeus.SoIcame atonce. ForwhichIamgrateful.Yes,avitalneedhasarisen for a certainobjectinyourpossession.Iwouldliketobor row the shamir. SoIunderstandfromyourmessage.Youneedittohelp constructatemple.Nowatempleisaworthyenterprise, andIdliketoassistinanywayIcan.Theshamirisindeed inmypossession.And itshallbemypleasuretolenditto you. HebeckonedtoBorak,whosteppedforwardwiththe tray. Asmodeus removed the cover, revealing the shamir box. Theshamirisinthisbox,hesaid.Keepitforaslong asneeded. Ithankyouheartily,saidSolomon.Youhavemade possibleanewdwellingplaceforgod MostHigh. And Id like to offer some further assistance, said Asmodeus.Tellme,KingSolomon,haveyoucalculated 232
embersofthecourthadcrowdedintothe throne room.Alsopresentwereanumberofvis itors, including a Phoenician merchant and a monkfromIndia.AndtheSingingGuardswerethere,in fullregalia.Allhadgatheredforareception. King Solomon was seated on the throne. Beside him stoodShavsha.Thevizierwascluckingandshakinghishead. Strange fellow, this king of the jinn, said Shavsha. Arrivedyesterdaywithnoentouragewhatsoever.Hitched a ridewithourmessengeronthebackofhishorse!Can youimagine?Wegavehimaluxurioussuiteofrooms,of course,andofferedhimafullcomplementofservants.But he refused the servants,insistingthattheywerentnecessary thathehadallthehelpheneeded.Andofwhomdidthat helpconsist? Themessenger. Itseemshehadpersuadedthe chaptobecomehismanservant! Solomonshrugged.Hesajinnianonmaterialbeing. Theirneedsmaybesimplerthanours. Still,youd thinkhedshowsomesenseofdecorum somekinglydignity.Butherehecomesnow. The entrance doors had opened; and Asmodeusin cape,smokingjacket,andpajamashadcomeglidingin. HewasfollowedbyBorak,carryingacoveredtray. HisExcellency,Asmodeus,KingoftheJinn,announced theherald. Asmodeusapproached the daisand bowed.Hellothere, YourHighness,hesaid. Greetings,myfellowmonarchandhonoredguest,said Solomon,bowinginreturn.Iampleasedyouwereableto come. Allow us to welcome you with some music. Our songsters,Iamtold,havepreparedaditty. TheSingingGuardscameforward,linedup,andbegan tosing. 231
kingmeetsking thefullcostsofthisproject?Imean,humanaswellasnan cial?Howmanylaborerswillbeneeded,andforhowlong? Evenwiththeshamir,youvegotamonumentaltaskahead ofyoufromwhatIhearofthedesignofthistemple.Tons ofmarblewillhavetobecut,polished,transportedtothe site,andliftedintoplace.Andhowmanymenmustbesent toPhoenicia,tofellthecedarsandtransportthemhither? Howmanylaborersaltogetherthousands?Tensofthou sands? And who will they beconscripted Israelites? Or foreign slaves, cursing as they toil? Neither choice seems attractive.Buttheresanalternative.Youcouldusejinn. Aworkforceofjinn? Whynot?Mysubjectsarehardworkingandconscien tious. Moreover, theyll do whatever theyre toldand cheerfullyso.Forlaborisnotoneroustojinn,asitistomen. Sowhynotputustowork?Thinkofthehardshipitwould sparethousandsofyoursubjects.Thinkofthegrumblingit would eliminate. Also, it would be efcient, in terms of timeandmoney. How manylaborerscouldyouprovidemewith? As many as needed. Plus, I have some subjects who mightbeespeciallyuseful.Wouldyoucaretomeetoneof them? Certainly. Harpax!saidAsmodeus,snappinghisngers. There was a puff of smokeand a strange being appeared, standing beside Asmodeus. Where his head shouldhave beenwasaame. This is Harpax, the Living Torch. His ame can be adjusted toanylevel ofbrightness.Ofwhatusewouldhe be? By lighting up the construction site, you could keep workingatnight.Andthereareotherswhomightbeuse ful.Whatsayyou,Solomon?Willyouaccepthelpfrommy jinn? Whowouldbeinchargeofthem? Youcouldcontrolthemdirectly,ifyouwish,withyour ring.OrIdbegladtooverseethem. Solomonponderedforamoment.Thenhesaid:Your 233
offerisaccepted.AndIlltellyouwhy.Iwastoldthatthe useofirontoolsonatempleisforbiddenthatiron,being thematerialofweapons,polluteswhateverittouches.But howmuchmorepollutingwouldbethesweatandtoilof forcedlabor!Ifyourjinnarewilling,thejobistheirs.AndI wouldpreferthatyou,theirsovereign,overseethem.When couldtheystart? Tomorrow,ifyoudlike. Sobeit,saidSolomon.Andrisingfromthethrone,he raisedhisarmsanddeclared:LetthebuildingoftheTem plebegin!*
* Islamictheologydividesintelligentbeingsintothreespecies: angels (created of light); jinn (of smokeless re); and men (of earth).Ofjinn,therearetwotypes:goodandbad.Thebad known as shaytan, or devilsare possibly a distinct species. Morelikely,theyaresimplythosejinnwhohavegonebadwho (likeLuciferandhisfallenangels)haverebelledagainstgod. Whoarethejinn?Theyseemtohavebeentheoriginalinhab itantsof the earth.InEdwardLanescommentaryon TheArabi anNights, hequotesthecosmographeralQaswini: Itisrelatedinhistories,thataraceofJinn,inancienttimes, before thecreationofAdam,inhabitedtheearth,andcoveredit, thelandandthesea,andtheplainsandthemountains;andthe favoursof god weremultiplieduponthem,andtheyhadgov ernment,andprophecy,andreligion,andlaw;buttheytrans gressed and offended, and opposed their prophets, and made wickedness to abound in the earth; whereupon god, whose namebeexalted,sentagainstthemanarmyofAngels,whotook possessionoftheearth,anddroveawaytheJinn. AlQaswiniexplainsthedifferencebetweenangelsandjinn: ThedifferencebetweenthemandtheJinnandSheytansisa differenceofspecies.KnowthattheAngelsaresanctiedfrom carnaldesireandthedisturbanceofanger:theydisobeynotgod inwhatHe hathcommandedthem,butdowhattheyarecom manded.TheirfoodisthecelebratingofHisglory;theirdrink, the proclaiming of His holiness; their conversation, the com memorationofgod, whosename beexalted;theirpleasure,His worship. Jinn,ontheotherhand,aresupernaturalbeingswithpassions and activities similartoourown.AccordingtoLane,theyeat
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anddrink,andpropagatetheirspecies,sometimesinconjunction withhumanbeings.Inalltheserespectstheydifferfromthe Angels.Likemen,theyarepronetoexcessandsinfulness.They arealsocapableofsalvationordamnation.Andlikemen,they are mortal (though living for many centuries). When a jinni receivesamortalwound,thereinhisveinsescapesandcon sumeshimtoashes. Whatreligiondotheyfollow?SomeoftheJinnareMuslims, saysLane,andothers,indels.ThegoodJinnacquitthemselves oftheimperativedutiesofreligion;namely,prayer,almsgiving, fasting during the month of Ramadan, and pilgrimages to Mekkeh and Mount Arafat; but in the performance of these dutiestheyaregenerallyinvisibletohumanbeings. Thatinvisibilityisadistinctivetraitofthejinn.Theybecome invisibleatpleasure(byarapidextensionandrarefactionofthe particles whichcomposethem),notesLane,orsuddenlydis appearinthe earthorair,orthroughasolidwall.Theinvisi bilityofjinnisreectedintheirname,whichisthoughttoderive from the Arabic janna, meaningconcealedorhidden. Whentheyarevisible,theirappearancecanvary.Thejinn are arial animals, with transparent bodies, says alQaswini, whichcanassume variousforms.Jinnhavebeenknownto manifestashumans,animals,combinationsofthetwo,oreven whirlwindsandothernaturalphenomena.Asarule,goodjinn assume the formof anattractivehuman;badjinn,ofademonic lookingcreature.(Thebadarewily,however,andmayappearin theguiseofaseductivewoman.) How are menaffectedbyjinn?Unfortunately,itisthebadjinn whoseemtohavethemostinuenceonus.AjinninamedTeer, for example, brings on calamities and injuries; Dasim causes strifebetweenhusbandsand wives;ElAawarpromotesdebauch ery;Sotencourageslies.Nomischiefistooreprehensiblefora jinni.Maliciousor disturbed Jinnees,saysLane,areasserted oftentostation themselvesontheroofs,oratthewindows,of houses,andtothrowdownbricksandstonesonpersonspassing by.Whentheytakepossessionofanuninhabitedhouse,theysel domfailtopersecuteterriblyanypersonwhogoestoresideinit. Theyarealsoveryapttopilferprovisions,&c.Manylearnedand devoutpersons,tosecuretheirpropertyfromsuchdepredations, repeatthewordsInthenameof god, theCompassionate,the Merciful!onlockingthedoorsoftheirhouses,rooms,orclosets, andoncoveringthebreadbasket,oranythingcontainingfood.
Butthetablescanbeturnedonthesemiscreants.Bymeansof talismansandspells,jinncanbesummonedandmadetoper form various services. Lane cites a celebrated example of such control:NooneeverobtainedsuchabsolutepowerovertheJinn asSuleymanIbnDaood(Solomon,theSonofDavid).Thishe didbyvirtueofamostwonderfultalisman,whichissaidtohave comedowntohimfromheaven.Itwasasealring,uponwhich wasengravedthemostgreatnameof god.Byvirtueofthis name, engraved on his ring, Suleyman compelled the Jinn to assistinbuildingtheTempleofJerusalem,andinvariousother works. A particularplaceoftenhasitsresidentjinniits geniusloci. Caves,rivers,crossroads,marketplaces,ruinedhouses,cemeter ies, wells, ovensthese are some of the places where jinn are knowntoreside.Wheretheydo not normallyresideisinbottles. Rather, they are sometimes imprisoned in bottles. It was King Solomon,infact,whowasresponsibleforthismisconception. Heissaidtohavepunisheddisobedientjinnbyconningthem tobrassbottles and tossingthemintothesea.Reportedly,modern dayshermenhavefoundthesebottlesintheirnetsandopened themwhereupon the jinni (unaware of the passage of time) cries out:Irepent,OKing!The bottlesaresonumerousthat releasingjinnhasbecomeasportamongtheshermen. TheQurancontainsanumberofreferencestojinn,including the followingverses: AndHecreatedthejinnfromsmokelessre.(alRahmaan, 15) I created jinn and mankind only that they might worship Me.(alZariyat,56) Some of us[jinn]are righteousandsomearelessthanright eous;we followvariouspaths.(alJinn,11) They[thejinn]madeforhim[Solomon]whathewilled:syn agogues,statues,basinslikewells,and cookingpotsbuiltinto the ground.(Saba,13) Andoverthecenturies,ShariaIslamiclawhasdealtwith relationsbetweenmenandjinn.AccordingtohistorianRobert Irwin: Sincejinnoftenmoveaboutintheworldofmenandtransact businesswithhumans,asignicantbodyoflawwaselaborated byreligiousjurisconsults,dealingwithsuchmattersastheprop ertyrightsof jinnandcasesofmixedmarriagebetweenjinnand women.
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aremadeofrebeharnessedtosolvetheenergycrisis.And thewaytotruth.orgareligiousWebsitewouldhaveusgoeven further: TheversesrelatingtoSolomonskingdompointtothenal limitofhumanitysuseofjinnanddevils.Thesealsosuggestthat a daywillcomewhenwecanusetheminmanyjobs,especially in communication. It is quite probable that they also will be employed in security affairs, mining and metalwork, even in spacestudiesandhistoricalresearch.Sincejinncanliveabout 1,000 years,theymaybeusefulinestablishinghistoricalfacts.
Butwhataboutinmoderntimes?Arejinnstilltakenserious ly?Are theystillthe objectofprecautions?WhenLanewrotehis treatiseontheminthe1830s,heremarkedthatthesuperstitious fancies whichitdescribes are prevalentamongallclassesofthe Arabs,and the Muslimsingeneral,learnedaswellasvulgar. Today,intheIslamicworld,beliefintheexistenceofjinncon tinues tobewidespread.Inhisscholarly TheWorldoftheJinn andDevils (1998),UmaralAshqarurgesustorecognizethereal ity of these troublesome beings. They live in our houses and theyeatanddrinkwithus,insistsProfessoralAshqar. Sowemaybestuckwiththejinn.Yetinsteadofsimplyendur ingtheirmischief,ithasbeensuggestedthatweputthemtouse. OnesuchproposalwasmadebySultanBashirMohammed,a proponentofIslamicscience.Herecommendsthatjinnwho
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Groundbreaking
processionofpriests,dignitaries,andmem bers oftheroyalfamilywasmakingitswayup MountMoriah.LeadingitwereKingSolomonand Zadok,followedbyapairofmusicians.Oneofthemusicians wasclangingcymbals;theother,blowingonatrumpet.The morningsunglintedinthebrassoftheirinstruments. ArrivingattheSacredRock,theprocessionhalted.Every onegatheredaroundZadok.Withagraveexpression,he sprinkled oil on the ground. Then he intoned a lengthy prayer. Whenitwasover,Zadoknoddedtothemusicians.They playedafanfare;andSolomonsteppedforward.Abhiram handed him a shovel. The honor of groundbreaking is yours,YourMajesty,saidthearchitect. Solomondugintotheearthandremovedashovelfulof dirt.Therewasarippleofapplause. Mayahouseforgod riseinsplendoruponthisconse cratedground,saidZadok.AndmayitprovideHimwith
a moresuitableresidencethanHehashithertoenjoyed thatHemaydwellamongusinpompandglory.Butho! Whosthat,comingoutoftheSacredRock? Fromthecavebeneaththerockhadpokedahead;and a sleepylooking Abiathar emerged. Tis but I, he said. Abiathar,KeeperoftheAltar. Hownow?Yourestillresidinguphere? Yes,sir,Imstillaround,saidAbiathar.Iwantedto stayuntilthelastmoment.Iseemtohaveoverslept.But yourtrumpetinghasrousedme;andImreadytodepart. ThisisamomentousdayforIsraelandadayofmoving forme.Timetoleavemyhomeuponthemount.Letmesay thatithasbeenaprivilegetoserveuphere.AndIcantell youthis:theresnobettersitefortheTemple.Forthishigh placeislinkedtotheOtherWorld.Itsoneofthosespots whereheavenandearthmeet.Moreover,ithasthisrockof power.Believeme,avitalforceasupernaturalenergy emanatesfromtherock.Onefeelsitconstantlythough especiallyatnight,whentherockseemstobehumming beneaththe stars.Withsuchathinginitsbackyard,the Templewillsurelynd favorwithgod. Actually,saidAbhiram,therockistobeincorporated intothestructure.Indeed,itstobetheveryfoundationof the Temple.OurplanistolocatetheHolyofHoliesdirectly overit. ThenIleavemyhomecontent.MaytheSacredRock continuetohumtothegloryof god. Andmayitener gize Hisworshipers!*
* TheSacredRockservedastheooroftheHolyofHolies a kindofpedestalfortheArkoftheCovenant.Itthusbecame knownastheFoundationStone,or ebenshetiyyah ( ). Isaiahafrmsitsdivineorigin:ThussaiththeLordgod: Behold, I layinZionforafoundationastone,atriedstone,aprecious cornerstone,asurefoundation.AndaccordingtotheTalmud, the rockwasthe cornerstoneofboththeTempleandtheentire earth.OntherstdayofCreation,wearetold,Hetookthe ebenshetiyyahand laiditonthesiteoftheTempleanduponit the world became founded. The rabbis considered the Foun
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dationStonetobethecenteroftheworldthe umbilicusterrae, ornaveloftheearth.(Itis,ofcourse,oneofmanysuchstones. The omphalos stone atthesanctuaryofDelphiwasdeemedtobe thecentralpointoftheearth;thehugeBatuRibnrockissimi larlyviewedbytheSemangpygmiesofMalaysia;etc.) TodaytheFoundationStoneisenshrinedintheDomeofthe Rock.KnowntoMuslimsas esSakhra theRockitisrevered foritsassociationwiththeTemple.(OnawalloftheDomeis theinscriptionTheRockoftheTemplefromtheGardenof Eden.)ItisalsoreveredforitsconnectionwithMuhammadand hisNightJourney.Foritwasfromthisoutcroppingofbedrock that Muhammad ascended into the heavens. The guide will pointoutanindentationintheRock.ThisisMuhammadsfoot print,heavows,leftbehindastheProphetaccompaniedbythe angelGabrielleaptontoastairwayoflightandascendedto Paradise.The guidepointsout,too,theimprintofGabrielsn gers. The angel had to restrain the Rock, he explains, which wantedtofollowthemupwards. And the Rockhasanotherindentation,whichhascausedastir inarcheologicalcircles.Foritmaybetangibleevidencethatthe RockservedasapedestalfortheArkoftheCovenant.A52inch by 31inchrectangle,thisshallow depressioncaughttheattention of archeologistLeenRitmeyer.Herealizedthatitsdimensions, converted into cubits, exactly matched those of the Ark of the Covenant(asrecordedintheBookofExodus).Anemplacement basinfortheArk?Hethendetermined(basedonapparenttraces) whereontheRockthewallsoftheHolyofHoliesmusthave beenand sawthatthe depressionwaslocated precisely intheir center.FormoreonRitmeyersndings,seehis SecretsofJeru salems TempleMount (1998).
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ifty wheelbarrows and fifty shovels were broughttothesite.Arectangulararea,containingthe SacredRock,wasmarkedoffwithtwineandpegs. Andsoonthereafterontheseconddayofthemonthof Zivconstructionbegan.* Earlythatmorning,thearchitectAbhiram,hisassistants, and Asmodeus assembled atop the mount. Clutching a blueprint,Abhiramcompareditwiththemarkedoffarea. Finallyhenoddedandsaid:Ibelievewerereadytobegin. Thenletussummonourlaborers,saidAsmodeus.And thekingofthejinnclappedhishands. Therewasapuffofsmokeasajinniappeared.Shortand muscular, he was clad only in a loincloth. Another jinni appeared,identicaltotherst.Andthepuffsofsmokecon tinued,likepopcornpopping,untilahundredjinnwere standingonthemount.Theirbarebacksglistenedinthe sun. Asmodeusraisedamegaphoneandaddressedthem. Gentlemen,he said,you areabouttoenterintothe service of my good friend King Solomon, who wants to buildaTempleahouseforgod. Youhavebeenbriefedon the workthatliesahead,andyouknowwhattodo.Ihave condencethattheworkwillbeperformedwithdiligence, cheerfulness,andplease!theproperdecorum.Remem
* When exactly was this? Josephus tells us in no uncertain terms: SolomonbegantobuildtheTempleinthefourthyearofhis reign,inthesecondmonth,whichtheMacedonianscallArtem isius,andtheHebrewsZiv;592 yearsaftertheExodusoutof Egypt,but1020 yearsfromAbrahamscomingoutofMesopo tamiaintoCanaan;andaftertheDeluge1140 years;andfrom Adam,therstmanwhowascreated,untilSolomonbuiltthe Temple,therehadpassedinall3102 years.(Antiquities, viii,3:1)
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construction ber,itisa privilege tobeassociatedwiththisproject.You wereselectedtobeherebecauseyouareamongthemost reliable of my minions. Now, grab either a shovel or a wheelbarrow.Andletsstartdiggingandhaulingearth!The architectandhisaideswilldirectyouinthespecics. Andthejinnsettowork.Theirinitialtaskwastoexca vate a foundation and to create a level platform on the mount.Fiftyofthemshoveledearthintowheelbarrows;the otherftyrolledtheloadstowherellwasneeded. ThebuildingoftheTemplehadbegun.*
* BoththeBookofKingsandtheBookofChroniclesdescribe indetailtheconstructionoftheTemple.Yetnomentionismade of theparticipationofjinn.Instead,wearetoldthatKingSolo mon conscriptedlaborersmorethan100,000 of themfrom amonghissubjects. Ontheotherhand,boththeTalmudandtheQuranafrm thatjinnwereinvolved.Andconsiderthefulltitlethatwasgiven to the Testament of Solomon: Testament of Solomon, son of David,whowaskinginJerusalem,andmasteredandcontrolled allspiritsoftheair,ontheearth,andundertheearth.Bymeans of them also he wrought all the transcendent works of the Temple. OrlistentoalSiuti,themedievalhistorian:Whengod revealed unto Solomon that he should build Him a Temple, Solomon assembledallthewisestmen,geniiandAfrites[demons]ofthe earth,andthemightiestofthedevils,andappointedonedivision ofthemtobuild,anothertocutblocksandcolumnsfromthe marblemines.SohebegantobuildtheTemple. OrtoarcheologistLeenRitmeyer:Oncethestonesarrivedat thebuildingsite,theyhadtobeputinplace.Atboththesouth westandsoutheastcornersoftheTempleMount,stonesweigh ingover80 tonsarestillinplaceataheightofatleast100 feet abovethefoundations.Howdidtheygetthere?Atourexcava tion site,someofthemorepiouslocallaborerswhoworkedwith thesestonesweresoawedbytheirsizethattheyattributedtheir placementtoangels.Itwouldhavebeenimpossible,theysaid, for merementoliftthemintoplace.Inasense,theywereright; no mancouldhave lifted thesestonestosuchaheight,notwith standing all the sophisticated Roman engineering equipment availableatthe time.(RitmeyerwasdiscussingHerodsTemple;
AtnighttheworksitewasilluminatedbyHarpax,with hisheadofame.Andthediggingandhaulingcontinued, asthesummitwasreadiedfortheTemple. Initially,thejinnhadsungastheyworkedbothnight andday.ButtheinhabitantsofJerusalemcomplainedthat thesingingkeptthemawake.Sonow,theonlynighttime soundwasthatofshovelsandwheelbarrows. AndoftheSacredRock,whosehumseemedtobegrow inglouder.*
Itwastimeforthejinntobecomestoneworkers. Donninghardhats,theymarchedtoanearbycavethe RoyalQuarry.Likeagangofminers,theyledthroughits entrance. Harpax provided illumination. And using the shamir,thejinnbegantofashionenormousblocksofstone. Day and night, these blocks were measured, cut, and polisheddraggedtothesiteliftedintoplace. Retainingwallswerebuilt.Foundationswerelaid.Exter ior wallswere begun. AndtheTemplebegantoriseuponthemount.
buthiscommentswouldapplyequallytoSolomons.) Whatwasthe reality?PerhapstheTemplewasajointproject: menandjinnworkingtogether,intheirrespectivespheres. * AccordingtoIslamiclore,theJerusalemitescomplainedabout the noiseofstonecutting(notaboutsinging);inresponsetothese complaints,KingSolomon procuredtheshamir. The RoyalQuarry of thekingsofIsraelstillexistsandmay bevisited.ItsentranceisjustoutsidetheOldCityofJerusalem, neartheDamascusGate.KnowntodayasZedekiahsCave(King ZedekiahissaidtohaveescapedtheBabyloniansiegeviaasecret tunnelinthecave),itwassealedupbytheOttomanrulersofthe cityand forgotten.Butin1854, Dr. Barclay,anAmericanphysi cianresidinginJerusalem,wastakingawalkalongthecitywall withhistwosonsanddog.Suddenlythedogsniffedsomething, dugaholeatthe baseofthewall,anddisappeared.Enlargingthe
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Asmodeus.Marchingbehindthemwerethehundredjinn. Bent and perspiring, the jinn carried enormous kegs on theirbacks. Thecaravanpassedthroughthecitygateandwasgreet edbyanofcial.HeescortedAbhiramandAsmodeusto thepalace. Thepairwereledintothethroneroom.Atoneendofit wasatoweringstatueofBaal.Ascantilycladpriestesswas tendingareatthegodsfeet.Seatedattheotherend,on a throne with an ornate canopy, was Hiram, the king of Tyre.*
The structure was sheathed now in scaffolding, as the jinnworkedontheupperwalls.FrombelowAbhiramand Asmodeusmonitoredtheirprogress. RemindsmeofanAmishbarnraising,saidAsmodeus.
A caravanwasmovingalongthecausewaythatlinked theislandcityofTyrewiththePhoenicianmainland.* LeadingthecaravanonhorsebackwereAbhiramand

hole,Dr.Barclaydiscoveredtheentrancetoacave. Thatnightheandhissonsreturned,withlampsandcompass, and explored the cave.Theytrodwarilythroughaseriesofmam mothchambers.Thecavewasclearlymanmade:crudepillars hadbeenleftinplacetosupporttheceilingsastandardprac ticeof quarrymen.Everywhereweresignsofstonecutting:unn ished blocks,marksofchisels,chips.Carvedintothelimestone wallswerenichesthathadonceheldlamps;andtheceilingswere blackened,from the smokeofthelamps. Someancienthandhadcarvedasphinxintothewallperhaps asatalismanofprotection.Andtherewasevenanantiquedrink ingfountain:avefootwidebasincutintotherock,intowhich waterseepedandcollected.Fragmentsofclayvesselswerescat terednearbytheremainsofcups.Atthisbasinthetoilingquarry men(whethermenorjinn)hadslakedtheirthirst. A visitortodaywillnoticeamorerecentfeature:Masonicsym bols carved into the walls. For many years Freemasonswho considerKingSolomontobethefounderoftheirorderhave heldsecretmeetingsinthiscavern. And amidthe silenceand gloom,avisitormayponderthefact thatdirectlyoverheadaretheteeminglanesoftheOldCity. * WhenAlexandertheGreatbesiegedTyre,thecityconsisted of anisland and a mainlandsatellite.Alexanderhadquicklycon queredthesatellite;buttheislandrefusedtosurrender.Sohe builtacausewayouttotheisland,conqueredit,andreducedits 30,000 inhabitantstoslavery. PerhapsanearliercausewayexistedinSolomonstime.Other wise,Ahimaazhascommittedananachronismhere.
* TwoTyriansnamedHiramappearintheBible:Hiramthe kingandHiramthearchitect.Thearchitect(Ahimaazcallshim Abhiram,orMasterHiram)wasintheemployofKingSolo mon.TheBookofChronicleshasthistosayabouthim:
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Hirama corpulent man, who was munching grapes andbeingfannedbyaslavewelcomedthevisitorstohis kingdom. Greetings, esteemed partners in trade, he said. We havebeenanticipatingyourarrival.Youhavebroughtwith you,Ibelieve,theinitialshipmentofgoods? That is correct, Your Highness, said Abhiram. A hundredkegsofwine.Theoliveoil,barley,andwheatwill followinthenearfuture. Excellent! said Hiram. In exchange, Solomon shall havehiscedars.OftendidItradewithDavidthefather; andIampleasednowtodobusinesswiththeson.Butlet measkyousomething.Iaminformedthatthekegswere transportedbyjinn.Isthattrue? Itisindeed,saidAsmodeus.IamAsmodeus,Kingof theJinn.Thecarriersofthekegsaremysubjects.Weare workingundercontracttoKingSolomon. Iunderstandtheyareincrediblystrong,workwithout pay,andnevercomplain.Mightyourjinnbeavailablefor generalwork?Idlovetoemploythem. Im afraid not, said Asmodeus. I have an exclusive arrangementwithSolomon. Isee,saidHiram.Anyhow,youmayproceedtothe Mountains of Lebanon and cut down the agreedupon numberofcedars.Butbeforewarned.Thetreesaretalland heavy,andwillnotbeeasytotransport. Myjinnwillhavenoproblem,saidAsmodeus.Sing inglustily, theywillhaulthe cedarsbacktoJerusalem
Acunningman,endowedwithunderstanding.Thesonof a womanof thedaughtersofDan[theHebrewtribethatbor deredPhoenicia];andhisfatherwasamanofTyre.Skillfulto workingold,andinsilver,inbrass,iniron,instone,andintim ber, in purple, blue, and crimson cloth, in ne linen; also to engrave anymannerof engraving,andtocarryoutanydesign thatisput tohim. HalfIsraelite,halfPhoenician,Hiramthearchitectisaremind erthatthe two peoples shared a culture, language,and locale. BothpeopleswereCanaanites.
thebookofkingsolomon gratefulfortheexercise.* Solomonisfortunatetohavesuchlaborers,saidHiram. NowIalsoagreedtolendhimateamofskilledartisans. Theyshallaccompanyyouback.MayBaalgrantyouasafe journey,andpreservethebondbetweenourtwonations. Anddontforgetthatoliveoil,barley,andwheat.
AstheTemplenearedcompletion,abusyhumlledits
* IntheBiblicalaccount,thecedarlogsweredraggedtothe Phoenician coast, oated south to the port of Joppa, then draggedoverlandtoJerusalembythousandsofIsraelites. Thiscommercialtransactionarosefromanexchangeoflet tersbetweenHiramandSolomon.ThetextofSolomonsletter hasbeenpreservedintheBookofKings: ThouknowesthowthatDavidmyfathercouldnotbuilda houseuntothenameoftheLordhisgod onaccountofthewars whichwere abouthimoneveryside,untiltheLordputthem underthesolesofhisfeet.ButnowtheLordmygod hathgiven merestoneveryside,sothatthereisneitheradversarynormis fortune.And,behold,Ipurposetobuildahouseuntothename oftheLordmy god, astheLordspakeuntoDavidmyfather, saying,Thyson,whomIwillsetuponthythroneinthyplace, he shallbuildahouseuntoMyname.Nowthereforecommand thouthattheyhewmecedartreesoutofLebanon;andmyser vantsshallbewiththyservants;andIshallpaytheeforthy servantswhateverthousayest.Forwehavenooneasskilledat cuttingtreesastheSidonians. A somewhatdifferentversionoftheletterisfoundintheBook ofChronicles.ItspeciesthepriceSolomonisofferingforthe cedarwood(twentythousandmeasuresofbeatenwheat,and twentythousandmeasuresofbarley,andtwentythousandbaths [bath=6 gallons]ofwine,andtwentythousandbathsofoil). It alsocontainsanuggetofwisdom: And the house which I build is great: for great is our god above allgods.ButwhoisabletobuildHimahouse,seeingthat the heavenand the heavenofheavenscannotcontainHim?Who amIthen,thatIshouldbuildHimahouseotherthantoburn sacricebeforeHim?
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construction interior.Workingsidebyside,Tyriancraftsmenandjinn werepanelingthewalls.ThoseoftheHolyofHolieswere being covered with gold. And the walls of the main hall werebeingpaneledwithamaterialthatwasequallypre ciouscedarwood.ThecedarsfromPhoeniciahadbeen cutintoboardsandcarvedwithornamentation. Thehalllledwiththefragranceofcedar.Asthepun gencygrew,ajinniturnedtoacoworker. Goodsmell,hesaid.Itremindsmeofsomething. Yeah,metoo. Acigarbox!theycriedinunison.
Withthetilingoftheroof,theworkwascomplete.The scaffoldingwasdismantled.Thesitewasclearedofdebris. Theoorsandcourtyardswereswept. AndthemountwascrownednowwithaTemple.
Thecherubimwerehoistedintoplace. SculptedbyTyriancraftsmen,thetwopinewoodgures hadbeenoverlaidwithgold.Theiroutstretchedwingslled the cubethatwasthe Holyof Holies.Theoorbeneaththe wingsthesurfaceoftheSacredRockremainedempty. Butithadbeencarvedwithashallowbasin.
Solomon wasdriftinginandoutofsleep,whenanangel spoketohim: TheLordthy god ispleasedwiththehousethatyou haveraisedforHim.AndHeshalldwellinit,anddwell amongyourpeopleforaslongastheyshallharkenuntil Him,andserveHim,andobeyHislaws.*

* Thisvision isdescribedintheBookofKings: Sohebuiltthehouseandnishedit.Hepaneledthehouse withcedarwood.AndthewordoftheLordcametoSolomon, saying:Concerningthishousewhichthouartbuilding,ifthou wiltwalkinMystatutes,andexecuteMyjudgments,andkeep allMycommandmentstowalkinthem,thenwillIperformMy wordwiththee,whichIspakeuntoDavidthyfather.AndIwill dwellamongthechildrenofIsrael,andwillnotforsakeMypeo pleIsrael.SoSolomonbuiltthehouse,andnishedit.
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unlight was streaming in the window of the chamber.Ahumofactivityrosefromthecitybelow. YetKingSolomonwasstillasleepinhisbed. The door opened and Benaiah entered the room. Approachingthebed,heleanedoverthesleepingkingand whisperedloudly:Awake,Solomon.Awake! Solomonopenedhiseyes.Andwithalookofhorror,he boltedupright.No,no!hemoaned.Alas,whathaveI done? Youhaveoverslept,Sire,saidBenaiah,andarelatefor a meeting.Forgivemeforhavingstartledyou.Butyouleft standingorderstowakeyou,shouldyoueveroversleep. A meeting,you say? Withyouradvisers. ThatsallImlatefor?Tellme,Benaiah,didIgetmar riedlastnight? No,Sire.Nottomyknowledge. Sothen.Itwasonlyadream.Butadistressingdream one thathasleftme shaken.What,Iwonder,wasitsmean ing?Listentomydream,Benaiah.Letmerelateit,before itfadesfrommemory. Im listening,Sire. AndSolomonbegananaccountofhisdream. ItwasthedayonwhichIwastomarryTutmosa,he said.Bizarrely,themarriagemyftiethwasscheduled for the same day as the completion of the Temple. With greatrejoicing,thecitywaspreparingfortheTemplesded ication.ButIwasconcernedonlywiththepreparationsfor mywedding. The wedding feast was about to begin; and Tutmosa andIwereproceedingtothebanquethall.Sheaskedto make a stop at her shrine. So I let her lead me to the Egyptianstyle shrine that housed her idols. Stretched 251
acrossthedoorwaywasastring,whichblockedourway.I duckedunderthestringandenteredtheshrine,followed byTutmosa. Suddenlyshecriedoutindistressandpointedtoward theoor.Aspider,aspider!shesaid.Obligingly,Istepped onthespiderandkilledit. Ah,atlast!shesaidtriumphantly.Youhavebowedto mygodsandsacricedtothemtherebybecomingtheir worshiper! Long have you sought to convert me to your god. Butinstead,Ihaveconvertedyou. Needlesstosay,Iwastakenaback.ButIshruggedoff theincidentandweresumedourwalktothebanquethall. There we found the wedding feast already in progress. Seatedatalongtablewerehundredsofguestseatingand drinking,laughingandjoking.Adinofmerrimentechoed fromtherafters.TutmosaandIsatdownattheheadofthe tableandjoinedin. UponMountMoriah,thepriestsweresinginghymns. Butthedinofrevelryinthebanquethalldrownedthem out.And socaughtupwasIinmyweddingfeastthatIfor got about the dedicationoftheTemple,scheduledforthe nextmorning. Meanwhile, god was looking down upon this feast. And HeshookHishead,atsuchdrunkenrevelryontheeve ofthededication.DothesepeopledeserveaTemple?He wonderedaloud. Atmidnighttheweddingfeastconcluded.Andclutch inggobletsof wine,Tutmosaand I headed forthemarriage bed.Itwaslocatedinthatpyramidofhers. The bed hadacanopythatwasstuddedwithgemsand that glittered like a skyful of stars. We lit incense and climbedintothebed.Nosoonerhadwedonesothana priestessvisitedthepyramidfollowedbyanotherpriest ess,thenanother.Anundulatingsuccessionofthem.Each hadamusicalinstrumentdedicatedtoaparticulargod.She would pronounce the gods name, play upon the instru ment,anddepart. Whenthelastpriestesshadleft,weconsummatedour 252
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Sheawokemewithashoutandberatedme.HowcouldI haveoverslept,shesaid,onthismorningofallmornings? Themostimportantdayofmyreignthededicationofthe Temple!Peoplewouldcriticize her, shemoaned,forhaving suchason.Theywouldblameher,notme,forthisscandal. Myfather,theywouldsay,wasagodfearingman;soclear lyitsthemothersfaultthatSolomonhasgonewrong.Ina shrillvoicesherebukedmeformysloth,mylicentiousness, myimpietyandformarryinganEgyptian. SoIassuredherthatIwouldriseimmediately,hasten totheTemple,andleadtheceremonies.Youhadbetter, shesaid.Andmutteringherdisgustwithme,shedeparted fromthepyramid. AndwhatdidIdo?Iwentbacktosleep! Seeingmedoso,god becamefurious.AndHeresolved topunishIsrael,onaccountofitskinghavingsinned.So Hesummonedanangelandorderedhimtocreateacity calledRome. Theangeldescendedtoearthandstruckareedintothe sea.Sand andmudcollectedaroundthereed.Asandbar formed and become an island. Then a man came to the islandandbuiltahuttherstdwellingplaceofthecity ofRome. Anditshallcometopass, said god, thatthearmiesof RomeshalldestroytheTemple. Asthesewordsreverberatedintheheavens,Ihearda voice saying, Awake, Solomon. Awake! I awokeand it wasyou. Youmayimaginemyrelief,asIrealizedithadallbeen a dream.Yethowconvincingadreamandhowhorric! How overwhelming,asIawoke,mysenseofhavingsinned. AndhowterriblegodsjudgmentuponIsraelthedestruc tionoftheTemple,bythiscityofRome. Rome?saidBenaiahwithasnortofdismissal.Where isRome?Whohasheardofit?Andwhowouldfearitinany case?Ourarmyisunbeatable. Thingscanchange,saidSolomon.Wemaynotalways be strong. Who can tell what the future will bring? My 254
marriage.Itwasavoluptuousexperience,forTutmosawas versed intheeroticarts.IamadiscipleofHathor,thegod dessoflove,shewhisperedtome.Afteranightoflove makingwefellasleep. MorningcameandIawoke.Besidemewasmybride, still asleep. Above me were the glittering gems of the canopy. Mistaking them for stars, I assumed it was still nighttime and wentbacktosleep.SeveraltimesIdidthat, as the morningwore on. AndconsequentlyIsleptthroughthe hourinwhichtheTemplewastobededicated. Andbecause I hadthekeystotheTemple,thededicationcouldnotpro ceed. ButtherearenokeystotheTemple,saidBenaiah.The doorshavenolocks. Thiswasa dream, Benaiah.Dreamsneednotbetrueto factualrealitythoughtheydohaveatruthoftheirown. Anyhow,Islepton.Tutmosadozedbesideme.Noontime approached. Suddenly,Bathshebacamestormingintothepyramid. 253
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dreammayhavebeenprophetic.Thoughperhapsitmerely sprangfrompersonalanxieties. No doubt, said Benaiah. The dedication is only a weekaway;andyouaretodeliverthemainprayer.Obvi ously,youreanxiousaboutthat. Letshopethatsallitwas,saidSolomon.*
* Inhis CommentaryontheDreamofScipio, Macrobiuscon cludesthattherearevetypesofdream:(1) somnium symbol icdreamsthatrequireinterpretation;(2) visio actualvisionsof thefuture;(3) oraculum revelationsoffutureevents,commu nicatedbyapersonagewhoappearsinthedream;(4) insomnium ordinarydreams,arisingfromanxietyorphysicaldiscomfort andlackingsignicance;and(5) visum hallucinationsarising fromapsychologicaldisorderordemonicinuence. The Bible contains a few somnia (e.g., Pharaohs dream of seven lean cows devouring seven fat ones). But it abounds in oracula: dreams in which an angel or god Himself delivers a prophecy.HearnowMywords,declares god intheBookof Numbers.If there beaprophetamongyou,ItheLordwillmake Myselfknownuntohiminavision;Iwillspeakuntohimina dream.(Numbers,12:6) Solomonsdreamwouldseemtobeahybridanexpressionof anxiety(insomnium)combinedwithapronouncementfromgod (oraculum).Butwhateveritsnature,hewouldbewisetopay attention toit.A dreamnotinterpreted,theTalmudtellsus, islikealetterunopened.
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grandprocessionwasascendingmountmoriah. LeadingitwasKingSolomon,garbedinsumptu ousrobes.Behindhimmarchedtheseventytribal elders,scoresofofcials,andtheirwhiterobesgleaming inthesunathousandpriests. AttheheadofthepriestswasZadok.Hissolemnitywas matched by that of the four priests directly behind him, whocarriedtheArkoftheCovenant.Andequallysolemn werethepriestsbehindthem,whocarriedthefurnishings fromtheTabernaclealongwiththeTabernacleitself.Dis mantled and folded up, the sacred tent was bound for a storeroomintheTemple. Lesssolemn weretherestofthepriests,whoweredanc ingandsinging,clangingcymbals,blowingtrumpets.And leastsolemnofallweretheordinaryIsraeliteswhofollowed theprocession.Thisfestivecrowdwaschattering,clapping, anddrinkingfromasks.* Passingthroughthegateway,theprocessionenteredthe Templeenclosure.It owedthroughtheOuterCourtand intotheCourtofthePriests. Near the altar a platform had been erected. Solomon tookhisplaceontheplatform;whilethedignitariesmassed infrontofit.Andtheyweresoonengulfedbythemulti tudeofpriests. Butnotallofthepriestshaltedinthecourtyard.Zadok and the priestswiththe Ark kepton going.Theyclimbed
* Suchprocessionsstilltakeplace.Whenasynagoguerelocates, theentirecongregationbearingtheTorahscrollsandmarch ingonfoottreksjoyouslyfromtheoldbuildingtothenew. NeartheDomeoftheRockisasmallerstructure,knownas theDomeofKingSolomon.Itissaidtomarkthespotwhere SolomondeliveredhisprayeratthededicationoftheTemple.
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the stairs, passed between the pillars, and entered the Temple. Themainhallwasdimlylit,withlightthatfiltered in through slits in the walls. Marching at a slow, stately pace,Zadokandthefourprieststraversedthehall.They approached the Holy of Holiesthe shrine that would housetheArk. Thedoorsoftheshrinewerecoveredbyacurtain.With a graveexpression,Zadokpulleditasideandopenedthe doors.TheHolyofHolieswasrevealed.Barelyvisiblein thedarkwerethepairofcherubim.* Zadokgesturedtowardtheshallowbasinthathadbeen carved in the oorin the rough surface of the Sacred Rock.Andhenoddedsolemnly. ThefourpriestsenteredtheHolyofHolies,placedthe Arkinitsreceptacle,andhastilywithdrew. Zadoktriedtoclosethedoors.ButthepolesoftheArk protrudingafewinchesfromtheshrinepreventedthem fromclosing.Heshookhisheadatthismiscalculationand
* A differentaccountoftheopeningofthedoorsisfoundin the Talmud: KingDavid(wearetoldinShabbat30a)hadasked god to forgivehimforhavingsinnedwithBathsheba.Andgod hadfor givenhim.ButwhenDavidhadrequestedapublicsignofthat forgiveness, god hadsaid:In yourlifetime I shallnot letitbe known.ButinthelifetimeofyoursonSolomonIshall. The signcame at the dedication of the Temple.Asanointed king,Solomon ledtheArktotheHolyofHolies.Butthedoors wouldnotopen.Herecitedprayerafterprayer,tonoavail.Solo mon thenquoted from Psalm24: Liftupyourheads,Ogates, and raiseyourself, O everlastingdoors,andlettheKingofGlory enter.Andwhoisthatking?askedthedoors.TheLordgod, strongandmighty,answeredSolomon.Yetthedoorsstillrefused toopen.Apparently,hehadnotbeenfoundworthy. Soheprayedoncemore,andsaid:OLordgod, turnnotaway thefaceofThineanointed.RememberthegooddeedsofDavid Thyservant.AndthedoorsopenedforDavidssake. And in that hour all of Israel knew that god had forgiven David.
thebookofkingsolomon pulledshutthecurtain. AndtheArksatindarkness,beneaththewingsofthe cherubim. Zadokintonedaprayerandsprinkledholyoilonthecur tain.Thenheledthepriestsbackthroughthehall. Andtheywereabouttodepart,whenthehallsuddenly darkened.Fromsomewherecameafaintsound,likethetin klingofabell. Andaspectralglowaradianthazeaglimmerlikethat ofaluminousvaporlledtheTemple. Thebuildingseemed tohavecomealive.Awestruck,Zadokandthepriestsfellto theirknees.* Outside,theinauguralceremonieshadbegun.Arewas beingkindledonthealtar.Thepriestswerechantingasongof praise.Inapostureofreverence,Solomonstoodaloneonthe platformpeekingatanotecard.Andwatchingfromthe OuterCourtwasthecrowdthathadfollowedtheprocession. ZadokemergedfromtheTemple,awildlookinhiseye. Withraisedarmshesignaledforsilence. The GloryoftheLordhaslledtheHouseoftheLord! he cried out.A cloudofgloryhasenteredHisHouse! The Lordhastakenupresidence!
* ThismomentouseventisdescribedbyJosephus: Now,assoonasthepriestshadputallthingsinorderabout theArk,andweregoneout,therecamedownathickcloud,and stood there;andspreaditselfafteragentlemanner,intotheTem ple:suchaclouditwasaswasdiffusedandtemperate,notsuch a roughoneasweseefullofraininthewinterseason.Thiscloud sodarkenedtheplace,thatonepriestcouldnotdiscernanother; butitaffordedtothemindsofallavisibleimageandglorious appearanceof gods havingdescended intothisTemple,andof HishavinggladlypitchedHistabernacletherein. The Book of Kings is more succinct: And it came to pass, whenthe priestshademergedfromtheHolyofHolies,thata cloudlledthehouseoftheLord,sothatthepriestscouldnot standtoministerbecauseofthecloud:forthegloryoftheLord hadlledthehouseoftheLord. The Shekinahthe Divine Presencehad descended upon theTemple.
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Ashespoke,amesbellowedupfromthealtar.Fromthe throngedcourtyardsroseamurmurofexcitement. Zadokstruggledtoregainhiscomposure.Hesignaledto Solomon,whobeganthededicatoryprayer. BlessedbetheLord,saidSolomoninaloudvoice,who hasfullledtodayHispromisetoDavidmyfather.Hehas allowedustobuildforHimaHouse.AndinitsHolyof HoliesHehasenthronedHimself.Histhrone?Thewings ofthecherubim.Hisfootstool?TheArkoftheCovenant. AndtheHolyofHoliesisunlit.ForthoughHecreated thesun,theLordshalldwellindarkness.Asisttingfor Heisnotavisibledeity. Solomonkneltandspreadhispalmsheavenward. Ogod ofIsrael,thereisnonelikeThee.WethankThee formakingusThypeopleandabidinginourmidst.But canstThoutrulydwellupontheearth?Iftheheavenand heavenofheavenscannotcontainThee,howmuchlessthis Housethatwehavebuilt?YetThouhastenteredit,and hal loweditwithThyPresence. OLord,hearuswhenweprayatthisHouse.Hearour prayersand forgive usoursins.Forwhoamongstusdoes notsin? Andjudgeus,OLord.Punishthewickedandreward the righteous.Andgivetoeachmanaccordingtowhatis inhisheart.ForThouknowestthesecretsoftheheart. Andanswerourprayersforhelp.Intimesofdrought, give us rain. In times of famine and pestilence and war, deliverus.For we are ThypeoplewhobeseechThee. AndgranttheprayersofstrangerswhopraytowardThy House.And mayallthepeoplesoftheearthcometoknow ThyName and callupon Thee. AndwhenwesinagainstThee,yetrepent,bemerciful untous. Risingfromhisknees,Solomonbowedhishead. May god be with us, as He was with Abraham and Moses.MayHenotforsakeus.AndmayHedwellwithin ourhearts,thatwemayfollowHiswaysandkeepHiscom mandments. 260
dedication OLordgod, hearthesewordsofminetoday.Remem berthemandbejustwithus.Thatthepeoplesoftheearth maybeholdThyjustice,andknowthatThouartgod. OLord,dwellinourmidst,nowandforever.Amen. Themultitudeofpriestschanted:ForHeisgood,and Hismercyendurethforever.ThecrowdintheOuterCourt repeatedtherefrain. Zadokpointedtothealtar.Lettheofferingsbegin!he said. Andtherstofthousandsofsheepandoxenwereled towardthealtar.Sevendaysofsacrice,prayer,andfeast ingwereabouttobegin. TheHouseofgod hadbeendedicated.Anditwaslled withHisPresence.*
* In ReligiousBeliefinBabyloniaandAssyria, MorrisJastrow explainsthe purposeof a temple: Throughout antiquity, the sanctuary represented, rst and foremost,thedwellingofagod.AmongtheSemitesitgrowsup around the sacredstone.Primitivemansoughttolocalisethe unseenPowers;andthroughaninstinct,formingpartofhismea greequipmentattheoutsetofhisstrangeandmiraculouscareer, he dimlyfeltthattheyshouldbepropitiated,sinceattimeshe clearlyperceivedthattheycontrolledhiswelfare,andapparent lyintervenedatcriticalmomentsinhisownlife,orinthatofthe grouptowhichhe belonged. TheTempleinJerusalemwasbuiltasaresidenceforYahweh (whohadpreviouslyresidedintheTabernacleakindofmobile homeand on Mount Sinai). There the Israelites worshiped Him,beseechedHim,praisedHimwithsong,propitiatedHim withsacrice.Thus,the Templewassimilartoothertemplesof the NearEastwithoneexception. No physicalrepresentationof Yahwehnoidol wasveneratedtherein. Thefaceofitsresident deitywasnowheretobeseen!ForYahwehtheCreatorofall formwasHimselfwithoutform,andcouldnotbeembodied inastatue.HewaspureBeing,unimaginableandbeyonddescrip tion.Allpowerful,allknowing,boundless,Hetranscendedthe universe.IftheheavenscouldnotcontainHim,howmuchless anidol? (When Pompey entered Jerusalem, at the head of a Roman
legion,heinsisteduponbeingshownthecontentsoftheHolyof Holiesandwasastonishedtonditdevoidofanidol.) Yet this boundless deity did inhabit the Templewith His ,thatwhichdwells), Presence.KnownastheShekinah( theDivinePresencerestedupontheArkandemanatedoutward. For Yahweh had chosen to manifest Himself to Israel. The ShekinahtheDivinePresencewasthatmanifestation. WhentheTemplewasdestroyed,theShekinahdidnotreturn toheaven.Instead,therabbistellus,itjoinedtheJewsintheir exileandwanderings.Andithasaccompaniedthemeversince. BereftofHissanctuary, god continuedtomanifestHimself inmoremodestvenues.His Sheckinah, Hisimmanentpresence, writesRabbiDanielSilver,iswithIsraelwhenmengatherfor prayer,whenscholarssitandstudyTorah,andwhenahusband andwifemanagetheirhomeharmoniously.god isnotanidea, but anintimate. Yetthe ShekinahmaynotbegoneentirelyfromMountMoriah. Foritissaidtolingeryetontheancientstonesofthe Western Wallthe survivingremnantoftheTemple.
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n thescreeninhiscavern,melchizedekwas viewingthededication.Hewatchedasthethou sandpriestschantedahymn.Theickeringlight playedacrosshiscraggyfeatures. Finallyhesighed,leanedbackinhischair,andspoke. Melchizedek: SoistheTemplebuilt.Forgod MostHigh

A worthyHousenowcrownsthemysticmount.
Untilthishour, Hedweltwithinatent
A imsyshrinethatroamedfromplacetoplace.
But now Hisnewabodeofgleamingstone,
Andcedarfragrantasamountaingrove,
AndgoldfromOphir,silverfromBashan
Doeslikeafortresssituponthemount
Anddoesproclaim,untoallIsrael,
Thatgod isglorious,amightyKing.
On wingsof cherubsisHe nowenthroned,
HisPresencepulsinginadarkenedspace.
AndnowforsinfulMandoesgod await,
Who,guiltracked,shallcomeuntothisHouse
Withprayersandpleasandcriesofpenitence.
godsearawaitsthemusicofthoseprayers.
Hiseyekeepswatchfortearsofselfreproach.
Hisheartyearnsforatonement.AndsoHewaits
Withgiftsof graceforgivenessamnesty.
Tarry not, thouwhomsinhasbent;
Heregod shallstraightenthee,ifthourepent.
Butho!Imnotalone.Whosthatthere,
Lurkingintheshadowslikeathief ?
Yes,saidMelchizedek.Comein,Adam,andtakea lookatwhatsshowingonthescreen.ThatstheTemple, dedicatedjustmomentsago.godsnewhome.ThereIsrael willcometoprayandsacricetoconfesstheirsinsandbe forgiven.Itwasyou,ofcourse,whobroughtsinintothe world.SoyouoriginatedtheneedforthisTemple.Onthe otherhand,youalsohelpedtomakeitpossible. Idid? Dontyourecall?Youdonatedsixtyyearsofyourlife,to savethelifeoftheinfantSolomon.Nowheiskingandhas builttheTemple.SoIwantedtoshowyoutheresultofyour donation.Thatsit,uponthescreen.Andtheressomething elseIcalledyouherefor. Notanotherdonation? NoIhavesomethingforyou.Atokenofappreciation, forhavingsacricedthoseyears.Goovertothatbottleand rubit. Adamapproachedthebottleandrubbedit.Thejinni emerged,handedhimsomething,andzippedbackintothe bottle.Adamgazedblanklyattheobjectinhishand. Its called a lighter,saidMelchizedek.Squeezeit. Adamsqueezed,andgaspedinsurpriseasaameshotup. Itsyours,formakingre.Nomorefussingwithints. Repeatedly,Adamsqueezedthelighter,gazingwithawe attheame.Thisisgreat,hesaid. Gohomenow.Mybesttoyourwife.Andthanksagain forthatgenerousdonation. It wasworthit,saidAdam.How didIevergetalong withoutthisthing?*
* Included inthe Book of Adamacollectionoflegendsabout Adam,writtenduringthe GrcoRomanperiodwasthefol lowingaccountoftheoriginofre: It wastherstdayoftheirbanishment.AndAdamwasbemoan inghisfate,whenthesunbegantoset.Terrorgrippedhimas theearthdarkened;forinParadiseheandEvehadknownonly perpetuallight.Adamfearedthat,onaccountoftheirsin,the worldwasreturningtoastateofchaos.Washeabouttodie? he wondered. Wastheserpentcreepingupinthedarktobite
A gure wasstandingintheportal.Itcameforwardinto thelight. TisI,saidAdam.Iheardyouwantedtoseeme. 263
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him?Hetrembledandwept.Andgod tookpityonAdam,and taughthimhowtomakerewithintstones.Sonowhehad lighttofendofftheterrorsofnight.Moreover,heandEvecould cooktheirfoodandmakeburntofferingstogod. ThusdidtheBookofAdamexplaintheoriginofre.OrsoBib licalscholarsbelieve.FortheBookofAdamisalostwork:there are noextantcopies.Noteventheactualtitleisknown.How ever,thebookhasbeenhypotheticallyreconstructedfromrab binicalliteraturethatdrewfromit,andfromChristianwritings thatincorporated,elaborated,andreinterpreteditscontents. AmongthoseChristianwritingsistheBookofAdamandEve, thoughttohavebeencomposedbyanEgyptianinthefthor sixthcentury.Thisbiography(orhistoricalromance)takesup the storyoftherstmanandwomanwheretheBookofGenesis leavesoff.Undeservedlyneglectedbymodernreaders,itoffersa compellingaccountoftheirlaterlives.Here,inanabbreviated form,isthetaleittells: ExpelledfromParadise,AdamandEvetrudgedtotheirnew homeacaveinaboulder.Astheyentereditforthersttime, Adambegantoweep. Lookatthiscave,hesaid,thatistobeourprisoninthis world,andaplaceofpunishment!Whatisthegloomofthiscav ern,comparedwiththebrightnessoftheGarden?Whatisthis stoneroof,comparedwiththeshelteringhandoftheLord?What isthisrockstrewnplain,comparedwiththatgroveofdelicious fruittrees?Andlookatus,whooncecouldbeholdtheangelsin heavenastheysanghymnstogod. Butnowoureyesarealtered we have bodies of esh!andcannotseeasbefore. They had no desire to live in this place, to which god had directed them. But not wishing to disobey Him for a second time,Adamand Eve tookupresidenceinthecave.Coldand hungry,theyhuddledinthedark,wept,andprayed. And god saidtothem:Of yourownfreewilldidyou trans gress,throughyourdesirefordivinity,greatness,andanexalted statesuchasIhave.ThereforehaveIdeprivedyouofthebright naturethatwasoriginallyyours,andcastyoufromtheGarden intothisland,roughandfulloftrouble.Ifonlyyouhadnotdis obeyedMycommandmentandhadkeptMylaw,andhadnot eatenofthefruitofthetreenearwhichItoldyounottocome! AndtherewerefruittreesintheGardenbetterthanthatone. Inthedaysthatfollowed,theyweptconstantlyandlamented
theirfate.OnoneoccasionAdamgrewsodespondentthathe climbedamountainandleaptfromit.Unwillingtolivewithout him,Evetoohurledherselffromthemountain.Butastheylay dyingontherocksbelow,god restoredthemtolife. On another occasion, the pair returned to the Garden from whichtheyhadbeenbanishedandstoodoutsideitsgate.And theyweptforwhattheyhadlost. Andonyetanotheroccasion,theytriedtosneakbackintothe Garden,whenthecherubatthegatewasntlooking.Butthey werespottedandkeptout. Astheywanderedaboutglumlysufferedcoldandhunger huddledintheircavegod tookpityonthem.Andtoconsole them,HerevealedthatonedayaRedeemerwouldappear,tofree
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themfromthewagesofsinandrestorethemtoParadise. And god further revealed that He Himself would be that Redeemer.Hewouldentertheworldinhumanform,takingon theinrmitiesandsufferingsofman.Onhearingthis,Adamand Eveweptanew.Fortheyweresaddenedthatgod shouldhaveto sufferontheirbehalf. Butthenewsofafutureredemptionconsoledthem.Andthey soughttomakethebestoftheirsituationandstartnewlives. Theylearnedtogrowcrops.Theybuiltanaltarandleftofferings togod. Andtheyperformedactsofpenance,toatonefortheir sin. Butthenanewtroublecametheirway.ForSatanreappeared bentonleadingthemastray. Theywereprayingonenight,whenavoicesoundedoutsidethe cave.AdamandEvepeekedoutandsawwhatappearedtobean angel of light.He wassingingahymnandholdingaameinhis hand.Theywereelated:anangelbringingthemreandlight! Andtheywereabouttogooutandbowtohim,whenAdam became suspicious.Whydidthisangel notentertheircave?Why didhe notspeakanddeclarehispurposeincoming?SoAdam prayeduntogod andsaid:OLord,istheresomeothergodin the world, who sends angels of light? Or hast Thou sent this angel untous?Andifso,why?Tellus,shouldwebowtothis angel? Whereupon,anangel of god appeared and revealedthattheir visitorwasSatan.Disguisedasanangeloflight,hehadcometo enticethemandleadthemintosin.ThetrueangelseizedSatan, stripped himof hisdisguise,andchasedhimaway. ButSatanwasdetermined.Andafewdayslaterhewasback disguised againasanangel of light.Thistime he offeredtolead themtothe CrystalSea.Itswaters,hesaid,wouldcleansethem oftheirguiltandenablethemtoreenterParadise.Elatedtolearn of thisremedy, AdamandEvefollowedafterhimbound,they thought, for the Crystal Sea. But Satan led them instead to a mountaintop.Andhewasabouttopushthemoff,when god called out and reproached him. Satan abandoned his disguise anded. AdamandEvewereleftstandingonthemountaintop.Abashed attheirfolly,theybegged god forforgiveness.Andtheyasked HimforatokenofHisgracesomethingtocomfortthemin theirtravails.god agreed togivethematoken,anddispatched angelstofetchit.
The angels returned with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Thesethreetreasures,saidgod, weretobekeptinthecave.The goldwhichglowedmysteriouslywoulddispelthedarkness; thefrankincensewouldsweetentheair;themyrrhwouldallevi atetheirpains.Thetreasureswouldprovidephysicalcomfort. Buttheywerealsoatoken,saidgod, ofHispromisetocomeas a Redeemer.ForthegoldrepresentedHisfuturekingdom;the frankincense,Hisdivinity;themyrrh,thesufferinganddeath Hewouldendure. AdamandEveweretransportedbacktotheircave.Theylaid outthetreasures.Andtheythankedgod forHismercy. ButSatanwasstilldeterminedtobringabouttheirruin.And inaseriesofassaultsanddeceptions(reminiscentofWilyCoyotes doggedpursuitoftheRoadrunner),hekeptafterthem.Hesmote themwithblowsburnttheircropssettheircaveonre dropped a hugerockonthem.Heassumedvariousformsofa beautiful woman, who tried to seduce Adam; of a lion, who pouncedonthem;ofanoldman,whoclaimedtobetheirfather and offered toleadthemtoalandofcomfort.AndwhenEvewas standinginwaterforfortydaysfastingandprayingasanactof penancehedisguisedhimselfasanangeloflightandpersuad ed hertoquit.On eachoccasion,however, god intervened to save them. YetthesetrialsweighedheavilyuponAdam.Andhesaidto god: Out of Thygoodness,OLord,Thoucreateduswitha brightnature.ThoulentusThygraceandlleduswithpraises oftheHolySpiritthatweshouldbeneitherhungrynorthirsty, nor knowwhatsufferingwas,norfaintnessofheart.Butnow,O god, sincewetransgressedThycommandmentandbrokeThy law, Thou hastbroughtusout intothisstrangelandandaltered us,and caused suffering,faintness,hungerandthirsttocome uponus. And he begged god for some fruitfromtheTreeofLife,that theymighteatitandregaintheirbrightnature.Butgod refused. Notuntiltheirredemption,saidgod, mighttheyeatfromthat tree.Buttoconsolethem,Hehadsometastygsbroughtfrom theGardenandgiventothem. Adam and Eve examined the gsbut were hesitant to eat them.Whoknowswhatmightbefallusifweeatthese,said Adam.Afterall,theyrefromtheGarden. Indeed,saidEve,noddingjudiciously.Perhapsweshould putthemaside.
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Andgod groanedandsaid: Now youarefastidiousaboutwhat youeat. Now youarecautious.Toolate,toolate! Andsotheyearspassed.Intheroughlandtowhichtheyhad beenbanished,AdamandEvesettledintoaroutineexistence. Theyhadchildren,andgrandchildren,andgreatgrandchildren allofwhomlivedwiththemintheCaveofTreasures. And in his 940th year, Adam felt the approach of death. Hoaryheadedandbentwithage,hesummonedhisfamilyand blessed them. He warned them to beware of Satan. And he enjoinedthemtopreservethetreasures.Forthegold,frankin cense,and myrrhweremeanttosurvivethecomingFlood,and serveasagiftfortheRedeemer. And Adamdied(thoughyearslater,hisbodypreservedin the CaveofTreasureswouldspeakandofferafurtherwarning aboutSatan). AndthatisthetalefoundintheBookofAdamandEve. MysourcehasbeenS.C.MalanstranslationfromtheEthiopic, reprintedin TheForgottenBooksofEden (AlphaHouse,1927).
chapter44
Throne
orakand gorashclinkedgoblets. howgoes thenewjob?askedGorash.Weneverseeyouany more.HaveyouforgottenthewaytoZukis,andthe felicitiesofale? Asmodeuskeepsmebusy,saidBorakwithashrug.As hismanservant,Irunerrands,bringhimdrinks,tendtohis wardrobe.AndIkeeptrackofhisappointments. Heseemstohavetakenupresidenceinthepalace. Theystillneedhim.SoAsmodeushasstuckaround.A suiteofroomshasbeenassignedtohim;andthereinamI domiciled.Hecallsformefrequently.Indeed,Ivebecome indispensabletohisdailyroutine. And whatdoesAsmodeusdowithhisdays? He pursues pleasurein the form of females, both human and jinn. What an amorous fellow! But he also earnshiskeep.Forhesinchargeofthejinnwhoarelabor ingontherenovations. Theyresaidtobeextensive,thoserenovations. Boraknodded.Thepalaceisbeinggivenatotallynew look.Itsbeingmodernized.Theyalsoplantobuildanew wingandaTowerofLearningtoaccommodatethegrow ing number of both wives and books. Currently theyre remodelingthethroneroom.KingSolomonwasreluctant tochangeitsaidhelikeditsoldfashionedlook.ButAb hirampersuadedhimthatashabbythroneroomdoesnot bet a major power, such as Israel has become. Solomon drewtheline,however,atreplacingthethroneitself.Did youhearaboutthenewthronetheytriedtogivehim? Newthrone?No. What a bizarre contraption! One that left Solomon unimpressedand me bruised and battered. Let me tell youaboutthisprodigyofathrone. Imallears. 270
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throne Boraktookasipofaleandbeganhisaccount. Aspartofrenovatingthethroneroom,Abhiramwanted to replacethethrone.HetoldSolomon:Youneedsome thingmoreelegant,morestylish.ButSolomonsteadfastly refused,sayinghelikedtheoldonehadgrownaccustomed to itfounditcomfortable.Moreover,ithadsentimental value,havingbeenoccupiedbyhisfather. SoAbhiramacquiesced,anddesignedtherenovations around the old throne. But then Asmodeus approached himwithanideaforareplacementthronethatSolomon would nd irresistible. Asmodeus dubbed it the Power Throne. It would be innovative and multifunctional, he toldAbhiram.Anditwouldproclaimthemajesticnature ofkingship. Abhiramlikedtheidea.SoheandAsmodeussetoutto createthisthrone,withAsmodeusprovidingtheconcepts; Abhiram,themechanicalexpertise.Theirstrategywasto buildthePowerThroneinsecret,thenpresentittoSolo mon as a surprise. They were sure he would change his mind and adoptit. For severalweekstheyshut themselvesupinthework shop,alongwithacrewofjinn.Finallythethronewascom pleted.Solomonwasinvitedtodropbyandtakealookat somethinginteresting. Soitslateintheafternoonandintotheworkshopstrolls KingSolomon.Abhiramwelcomeshimandleadshimover tothethrone.Wevegotitcoveredwithadrape.Asmodeus nodsand I remove the draperevealingthePowerThrone. Solomon looks at it quizzically. He says nothing apparentlyisatalossfor words.Andunderstandablyso.Let me describetoyou the wonderorblunder!thatssitting there. Theseatitselfisfairlyordinaryforawealthymon arch,thatis.Itiscarvedfromcedarwoodandinlaidwith jewels.Youcan smellthecedarwood;andthejewelsglitter likereies.Theseatisplushlycushioned.Andperchedon itsbackisabronzeeagle. Nowtheseatismountedonahighbase;andleadingup 271
toitarethreestairs.Eachstairhasabronzelionateither endsixlionsaltogether.Butthesearenotordinarybronze lions.Theyare mechanical. Whentheroyalfoottouchesthe stairs,thelionsareactivated.Theirjawsopenandclose theirtailswagloudroarsareemitted.Then,astheKing sits,asetoftrumpetspopsoutofthebaseanddeliversafan fare.Atthesametime,theeaglecrowsandapsitswings. Alltheseactionsarepoweredbymechanismshiddenwithin thebase. And theres more. Over the seat is a scoreboard, with symbolsandnumbers.TheyindicatethenumberofSolo monswives,subjects,andvassals.Andtheamountofgold inhiscoffers.Imnotmakingthisup.Thenumbersareon cardsthatip,andareupdateddaily. Ononearmrestisapanelofbuttons.Theycontrolvar iousfeaturesofthethrone.Forexample,ontheotherarm restisagobletwithatubeoverit.Pressabuttonandwine owsintothegoblet.Anotherbuttonactivatestheeagle itapsitswingsandservesasafan,todispelbothheatand ies.And anotherbuttonmakestheseatvibrateprovid ingamassage. Andlistentothis.ThePowerThronehaswheels.You pressabuttonanditpropelsitselfforward!Thus,theKing willbeabletotraveleffortlesslythroughoutthepalace.Or eventotourthecitywhilesittingonhisthrone. Howdoesallthiswork?Isitsorcery?Noengineering. InsidethebasearemechanismsthatAbhiramhasdevised, consistingof gears,wheels,rods,and bellows.Andtheresa uniquesourceofpower. Anyhow, Solomon ponders this contrivance. And he doesnt knowwhattosay.Heslookingbothdumbfounded anddubious.Soasalespitchbegins.Abhiramextolsthe Power Throne, enumerating its features and capabilities. ThenAsmodeustakesover,explainingthe need forsucha throne.Theessenceofkingship,hedeclares,ispower.A kingmustconveyasenseofhisdominionmusthavean aura of sovereign authoritymust be lionlike! Also, he should prominently display the privileges of kingship. 272
throne Hencealltheamenitiesonthethronethewinedispenser, thefan,themassagemode.Andlook,saysAsmodeus,you spendalotoftimeonyourthrone.Whynothaveonethats grandandluxurious? Enjoy theprocessofruling!Andhe pointsoutthattheseatisextrawide,enablingitsoccupant tosnuggleupwithseveralwives,ifdesired. After hearing these presentations, Solomon still looks dubious.Heinspectsthethroneandmumblessomething. Then he asksout of politeness or curiositywhat the sourceofpoweris.Abhiramsmilesandopensapanelin thebase,revealingitsinterior.Andcrammedinwiththe machineryaretwojinn.Theyrerunningontreadmills! So what do you think? asks Abhiram, closing the panel. Wouldnt this make a perfect centerpiece for the throneroom?
Idontknow,saysSolomon.Illhavetothinkaboutit. Whynottryitout?saysAsmodeus.Climbuponthe PowerThroneandgetafeelforit.Wethinkyouregoing tolikeit. ButtheKingisadamantanddeclinesevenabrieftrial. AbhiramandAsmodeusaredismayed.Theyhaveworked manyhourstobuildthisthingandSolomonisshowing nointerestinitwhatsoever.Butlikesalesmen,theyrenot abouttolethimwalkaway.SoAsmodeusoffersademon stration.Hismanservant,hesays,willserveasastandin. Andhetellsmetogetuponthethrone. Nowmyinstinctstellmethisisnotagoodidea.ButIm justaunky.SoIdoasImtoldandstarttoclimbthestairs. Instantly,thePowerThronegoesintoaction.Jawssnap and tails wag as the lions let out roars. Afraid of getting nipped,Idashupthestairs.AndIplopdownontheseat whichsetsoffthetrumpets.Theypopupandblastouta fanfare.Andtheeaglestartscrowingandappingitswings. Finallytheactionsceaseanditsquietagain.Isittheretry ingtolook regal. Pressthe rstbutton,saysAbhiram,anddemonstrate thewinedispenser. Ihitthebuttonandwineowsfromthetube.Thegob letllsupandthreatenstobrimover.Iaskhowtoshutoff thedispenser.Pressthebuttonagain,saysAbhiram.ButI hitthewrongoneandtheeaglestartsappingitswings. Meanwhile,thewinehasoverowedandisrunningdown ontothe throne.Thinkingquickly, I grabthe gobletand downitscontents. Excellentvintage,Iremark,smackingmylips.Ireturn the goblettoitsplace.And itstartstollagain.So I jabat thebuttonsandthistimeactivatethemassage.Theseat startstovibrateandshake.AndImvibratingalongwithit! ButImanagetodrainthegobletagain. Suddenlytheseatstartstoshakewildly,likeitsaboutto explode.Ipanic,jumpup,andstartdownthestairs.That sets off the lionsthey start roaring and snapping their jawsagain.Ijumpbackontotheseatandjabatbuttons. 274
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throne AndnowthePowerThronestartstravelingacrossthe roomIveactivateditswheels.Everyonejumpsoutofthe way.Thethronestrikesatable,knockingitoverandgoing intoaspin.Abhiramisshoutingformetohitthebrake.But I havenoideahow.Imspinningandyelping!Thenthethrone comesoutofitsspin,headstowardawall,andcrashes. ThenextthingIremember,theyreliftingmeoutofthe seat.Imdizzyandbattered.Theysitmedownonabench andaskifImallright.Cantheygetmeanything? Somemorewine,Imurmur. Solomonthanksthemforalltheworktheydid.Andhe praisestheiringenuityandcraftsmanship.Buthesgoingto stickwiththeoldthrone,hesaysthePowerThronejust isnthisstyle. And thats the story of the Power Throne. Abhiram keptitinhisworkshopforawhile,incaseSolomonshould reconsider.Finally,hehadthejinnhaulitawayandstoreit in the basement. And thats where it is now, and shall remain. Whatashame,saidGorash.Itcouldhavebecomea touristattraction.Peoplewouldhave comefromaroundthe world,justtoseethewondrousthroneofKingSolomon. Bettertheyshouldcometohearhiswisdom,however modesttheseatfromwhichitemanates. Wellsaid,myfriend.Illdrinktothat. Theyclinkedgobletsagainanddownedtheirales.*
* ThatKingSolomonpossessedawondrousthroneisattest ed to by a number of sources. The Book of Kings gives this description:Andthekingmadeagreatthroneofivory,andover laiditwiththebestgold.Thethronehadsixsteps,andtheback ofthethronewasrounded.Therewerearmrestsoneithersideof the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests. And twelve lionsstoodontheonesideandtheotherofthesixsteps.There wasnonelikeitmadeinanykingdom.TheBookofChronicles hasasimilardescription,andmentionsagoldenfootstool.And Josephusspeaksof the prodigiouslargenessofthethrone. Inrabbinicliterature,thethroneisdepictedasbeingevenmore extraordinary.Solomonsthronewasstuddedwithpreciousstones
andpearls,saysRabbiEliezer,tomakeitglitterlikethevery heavensinpurity.Andoxen,beasts,andbirdswereattachedto thethrone.Theseanimalsweremechanical,saysRabbiYohanan theywouldliftSolomonwiththeirpawsandpasshimupthe stairs, from animal to animal. An ancient escalator! And the thronehadwheels,accordingtoacommentaryontheBookof Esther,andwouldtakeSolomonwhereverhewishedtogo. JosephusreferstoSolomonsthroneastheseatofjusticea functionthatwasnotoverlookedbytherabbis.Theytellusthat themechanicalmenagerieproducedacacophonyofsounds roars,growls,hoots,shrieks,andhowlsattheapproachofa perjurer.AndinscribedonthelionswereadmonitionstoSolo mon,relatingtotheadministrationofjustice. Whatbecameofthismarvelousthrone?Itissaidtohavepassed intothepossessionofasuccessionofforeignkings.Amongthem were PharaohSheshonk(whocarrieditofftoEgypt);Sennacherib (whowasforcedtoreturnittoJerusalem);PharaohNekho(who was injured by the lifting mechanism); Nebuchadnezzar (who alsogot injured);Darius(whowiselyrefrainedfromusingthe throne);AlexandertheGreat(whoacquireditduringhiscon questofPersia);andAntiochusEphiphanes.Antiochushadthe throne shipped tohimfromEgypt;butitwasbadlydamagedin transit.The lastreportedsightingofKingSolomonsthronewas inthesecondcentury,whenRabbiEliezerviewedremnantsofit duringavisittoRome. Couldfragmentsof it stillbethere,molderinginsomemuse um? Solomonsthroneisnottobeconfused,bytheway,withthe socalled thrones of Solomon. These are rocks or ruins, on mountaintopsinAsia,containingwhatissaidtobethe imprint of hisfoot.Solomonisallegedtohaveowntothemountains viahiscarpettoescapetheburdensofkingshipandrefreshhis soul.
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chapter45
DisputedInfant
ikehisfather,kingsolomonwouldmountthe throneeachdayanddispensejustice.Litigantsand accusedcriminalsappearedbeforehim;andhepro nouncedjudgmentontheircases.Oneofthosecasesbrought himacclaimforhiswisdom.Itinvolvedaninfant. Thecasehadbeenthelastonthedocketthatday.The bailiff had entered the hall with an infant in his arms. Behindhimcametwowomen,whomheescortedupto thedaisandpresentedtotheking.Heidentiedthemas DeborahandTerza,harlotswhosharedahouse.Each,he explained,claimedtobethemotheroftheinfant. Deborah was the rst to testify. A slender, frightened lookingwoman,shespokeinavoicethatwasbarelyaudi ble.Shehadrecentlygivenbirthtoaboy,shesaidthe infant that the bailiff was holding. Three days later, her housemateTerzahadalsogivenbirthtoaboy.Butduring the night, Terza had apparently rolled over in her sleep, covering her child and suffocating it. Upon discovering the death,Terzadidawickedthing,claimedDeborah. She had crept into the room where Deborah slept and exchangedherdeadchildforDeborahsliveone. Awakeninginthemorning,Deborahhadbeenhorried tondadeadchildlyingbesideher.Butlookingclosely, shehaddiscernedthatitwasnothersandhadrealized what must have happened. She had stormed into Terzas room and accused herof switchinginfants.Terza,of course, haddeniedit. Deborahbrokeintosobsuponconcludinghertestimo ny.AndTerzasteppedforwardtotestify. A heftywomanwithaloudvoice,sheinsistedtherehad beennosubstitution.Thelivechildwasherown,saidTerza, bristling with indignation; and a grieving Deborahto whomthesmotheredchilddidinfactbelongwastrying 277
topullafastone. The two women began now to argue. Rapping the thronewithhisscepter,Solomoncalledfororder.Deborah andTerzafellsilent,butglaredatoneanotherwithopen hostility. Solomon asked a few questions; and as each woman responded,hescrutinizedher.Thenhesatbackandpon dered. Finally,hetoldthebailifftoplacetheinfantonthedais. And he called for Benaiah to come forward. Benaiah approachedthethroneandsaluted. Captain,isyourswordsharp?askedSolomon. Aye. Unsheatheit. Withapuzzledlook,Benaiahtookouthissword. Solomonaddressedthetwowomen.Thisisadifcult case,hesaid.Wehavenowitnessesnoevidenceasto whichofyouisthemothernowaytoascertainwhichof youistellingthetruthandwhichisnot.Sowemustseeka compromise,ratherthanjustice.Asettlement.Doyoufol low me? Theynoddeduncertainly. Captain, said Solomon, divide this living child in two,andgivehalftoonewomanandhalftotheother. A gasp arose from the spectators in the hall. Benaiah lookedathimindisbelief. Doit,saidSolomon. Benaiahapproached the infant,stood overit,andraised hissword. Do you acceptthisresolutionofyourdispute? Solo mon asked the women. Benaiahs sword hovered over the infant. His face was contortedwith either resolve or agony. Beads of sweat glistenedonhisbrow.Thehandwiththeswordwasshak ing. Go ahead, said Terza. Divide the babe in two. If I cant have it, neither shall she. And Terza cackled tri umphantly. 278
disputedinfant No! cried Deborah. Rushing forward, she grabbed Benaiahsarm.Giveherthechild.Butplease,slayitnot! Hisswordstillpoisedovertheinfant,Benaiahawaited instructions. Putawayyourswordandgivethatwomanherchild, saidSolomon,pointingtoDeborah.Hersolicitudeforit hasrevealedhertobethemother. Astheploybecameapparent,amurmurofapprobation rosefromthespectators.Deborah,meanwhile,hadscooped upthechildandwasclutchingittoherbreast. SolomonpointednowtoTerza.Asforyou,yourshame inthisaffairshallbeyourpunishment.May god forgive you. Terzahissed,drewhercloakabouther,andedthehall. Courtisadjournedfortheday,saidSolomon. Layingdownhisscepter,heretreatedtoaloungebehind
thedais.Withasighofreliefheploppeddownonitssofa. Benaiahjoinedhiminthelounge.TheCaptainofthe Guardwasvisiblyagitated.Hisfacewasushed;hishand, stillshaking.Mutteringandshakinghishead,hepoured himselfagobletofwine. Icantbelieveyouorderedmetodothat,hesaid. Itwasonlyaruse,saidSolomon. Andifyourrusehadfailed?Wereyoupreparedtoletme cutaninfantintwo?Thatwouldhavebeenmonstrous! Soitwouldhavebeen.ButIhadcondenceinyou. Condence? I know you well, Benaiah son of Jehoiada. You are a loyalsoldier,sworntoobeymeinallthings.YetIwassure that,ifitcametoslayingthechild, youwoulddisobeyme. WasIwrong? Benaiah looked him in the eye and nodded slowly. I wouldhavedisobeyed. Ofcourseyouwouldhave.IknewIcouldcountonyou todoso.ElseIwouldscarcelyhavegiventhatorder. But confoundit!Youputmethroughabadmoment. Wasthere no otherwaytodiscoverwhothemotherwas? Oh,saidSolomonwithawaveofdismissal,Ialready knewwhothemotherwas. Benaiahstaredathimincredulously.Youalready knew? I had studied both their faces. One was lled with despairattheprospectoflosingherchild.Therewasalso a glimmeroftendernessuponit,whichhadtobematernal. The otherfacewastaut withbitterness.Of courseIknew whothe motherwas.Itwasobvious. Thenwhydidyouputmethroughthat? Becauseknowingisnot enoughnotinlegalmatters. I neededproof.Thatswhereyouandyourswordcamein. Gladtohavebeenofuse.Andtohaveundergoneone oftheworstmomentsinmylife. Look atitthisway,saidSolomon.Thatswordofyours isaninstrumentofdeathanecessaryevilinadangerous world.Yettodayitfostered life. Inreunitingamotherand child,itperformedagooddeedandisnodoubtgrateful 280
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disputedinfant fortheopportunity. Illaskit,saidBenaiah.WhenIrecover. Andinasinglegulpheemptiedthegobletofwine.*

* ThatswordofBenaiahshaddealtitsshareofdeath.Accord ingtotheBible,BenaiahhadservedasoneoftheMightyMen, Davidselitecorpsofwarriors(thoughheisnotbeconfusedwith Benaiah the Pirathonite, also a Mighty Man). In the Book of Chroniclesheisdescribedasfollows: BenaiahthesonofJehoiada,thesonofavaliantmanofKab zeel[atownnearBeersheba],haddonemanyacts:heslewtwo lionlikemenofMoab;alsohewentdownandslewalioninapit onasnowyday. AndheslewanEgyptian,amanofgreatstature,vecubits [twelvefeet]high;andintheEgyptianshandwasaspearlikea weaversbeam;and[Benaiah]wentdowntohimwithastaff,and pluckedthespearoutoftheEgyptianshand,andslewhimwith hisownspear. ThesethingsdidBenaiahthesonofJehoiada,andhadaname amongtheThreeMighties.andDavidsethimovertheGuard.
chapter46
DoubleTrouble
enaiah was standing beside the throne and peeringtowardstheentranceway.Youwontbelieve this next case, he said, shaking his head. Its bizarre. And a priest of the Temple suing godthat wasnt bizarre?saidKingSolomon,referringtothecasehehad justdismissed.Peoplearenuts!* Thebailiffhadcalledforthenextcase;andsevenmen werelingintothehall.Theirmodeofdress,styleofbeard, anddemeanorwereunremarkable.Oneofthem,however, hadaphysicaltraitsodistinctivethatspectatorswerestrain ingtogetabetterlook.Forthemanhadtwoheads. The sevenmenarranged themselvesinarowbeforethe throne.Oneofthemsteppedforwardandbowed. Sire,hesaid,wearethesonsofGilgiltheCainite.I amtheeldest,Jaredbyname.Webegyoutosettleadis putethathasariseninregardstoourinheritance.
* Thismayhavebeenthersttimegod wassued;butitwould not be the last. In the eighteenth century Rabbi Aryeh Leib (knownastheGrandfather),ofSpolaintheUkraine,brought suitagainst god. Theregionhadbeenexperiencingafamine; andmanywerewithoutfood.RabbiLeibassembledthejudges oftheRabbinicalCourt,camebeforethemasalitigant,andpre sentedhissuit. Jewishlaw,hepointedout,obligatedamastertosupporthis servants and their families. He then quoted a passage from Leviticus:ForuntoMethechildrenofIsraelareservants;they are MyservantswhomIbroughtforthoutofthelandofEgypt. I amtheLordthygod.Andhedemandedthatgod abideby the lawand support Hisservants. ThejudgesfoundinfavorofRabbiLeib.Afewdayslater,an unexpectedshipmentofgrainarrived;andbreadwasdistributed tothe needy.
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doubletrouble Goon. Ourfather,Gilgil,wasatwoheadedman,whocameto thiscountryduringthereignofyourfather.Davidgranted himlandinthenorth;andtherehefarmedandprospered. Marryingalocalwoman,Gilgilbegatsevensons.Sixofus resembleourmother,havingbeenbornwithjustasingle head. But the seventh sonour brother Pilpilis two headedlikehisfather. LastwinterGilgilpassedaway.Hehadspeciedthat hisestatecomprisedofland,cattle,andgoldwastobe dividedequallyamonghissons.Soitsdispositionisclear: Therebeingsevenofus,eachgetsaseventhoftheestate. Oneofus,however,disputesthatarithmetic.Namely,Pil pilhere.Heindicatedhistwoheadedbrother. Wedoindeeddisputeit!saidPilpilslefthead.Weare two sons,notone. Soweget two shares,saidtherighthead.Twoeighths oftheestate. Nonsense, said the eldest son. You are no different from the restofusyourphysicalanomalynotwithstand ingand are entitled tono greatershare. Theveothersonsnoddedinagreement. Suchisourdispute,OKing,saidtheeldestson.Settle itfor us.ExplaintoPilpilthatthoughendowedwithtwo headsheisonlyoneperson. Nottrue!saidthelefthead.Therearetwoofusare therenot? Absolutely!saidthe righthead.Gimmeve! Pilpilslappedhishandstogether,andexchangedgrins withhimself. DidyourfatherGilgileverintimatethatheconsidered himselftobetwopersons?askedSolomon. Notatall,repliedtheeldestson.Oh,hewouldsome timesattributehissuccessasafarmertobeingabletowork twiceashard as singleheadedpeople.Butthatwasjusta jokehelikedtomake. Isee,saidSolomon.Andleaningbackinthethrone, heponderedthecasefurrowinghisbrow,clutchinghis 283
thebookofkingsolomon chin,murmuringtohimself. Finallyhesaid:Gentlemen,Imustcogitatefurtheron thismatter.Myndingispostponeduntiltomorrow.Be hereinthemorning;andIshallrenderjudgment. ThesonsofGilgilledoutofthethroneroom.Upon reachingthelobby,theyresumedtheirdispute:eachofPil pilsheadsarguingwithdifferentbrothers. Thebailiffannouncedthatnomorecasesremainedon thedocket.Solomonadjournedcourt,puthissealondoc uments,anddepartedthehall. Engrossedinthought,hemadehiswaytothenewwing. TherehetuggedopenabronzedoorandenteredtheTower ofLearning. TheTowerwasanoteworthyadditiontothepalace.In designing it, Solomon and Abhiram had worked closely together.Aturretwithmanywindows,andthusanabun danceoflight,itloomedoverthepalacelikeawatchtower. Outwardly,theTowerofLearningwasforbiddingfortress likedespiteitswindows;inside,itwascomfortableandeven cozy. On the lowestlevelwasanofceforJoseph,theboyhood friendofSolomons,whoservedaslibrarian.Josephsdesk wasoverflowingwithscrollsandloosepapers.Thewalls of the Tower were lined with cubbyholesthousands of them;andthesewerelledwithscrolls,codices,andclay tablets. For the Tower of Learning housed the library of KingSolomon.Inthiscitadelhehadgatheredthewisdom of the world.There were collectionsofEgyptianlore;trea tises incuneiform,fromSumerandBabylon;translationsof worksfromancientAtlantis.AsIsraelitetraderstraveledto otherlands,theywouldbringbackatSolomonsbehest anyliteraryworkstheycouldnd;andtheTowerhadlled withthesetreasures.Inaddition,theannalsoftheHebrews records dating back to the time of Moseswere kept here. A spiralstaircaseprovidedaccesstothetiersofcubby holes.ItalsoledtoSolomonsstudy:aroundchamberat thetopoftheTower.Thechamberwasfurnishedwitha 284
doubletrouble deskandchair,asupplyofsnacks,andawindowseat comfortablycushionedthatoverlookedthecity.HereKing Solomonread,wrote,andcogitated.Atrapdoorintheceil ingledtoaplatform,onwhichheconductedastronomical studiesorsimplycontemplatedtheheavens.* Joseph had been dozing at his desk. Jolted awake by Solomons entrance, he rose hastily and bowed. Solomon wavedofftheformalities. Joseph,Imlookingforsomeinformation.Duringthe earlyyearsofmyfathersreign,atwoheadedmanmayhave visitedthecourt. Ivaguelyrecallareferencetosuchaman. Canyoulocateit? Letmechecktheindex. Josephsmaindutywastocatalogthewealthofliterary materialthathadaccumulated.Buthehadalsoundertak en the task of indexing the annals. Checking through a scrolllabeled B, hesquintedandhummedtohimself. Ah,hereitis.Bicephaloidreceivedatcourt.YearEleven of Davidsreign,monthofAdar.Roll132. Lets have a look. He wentuptothe nextlevel,locatedascroll,andblew dustfromit.Bringingitdown,hehandedittoSolomon. ThisrollgoesbacktowhenJehoshaphatwascourthis torian,saidJoseph.Adarwouldbetowardsthemiddle. Solomonclimbedtohisstudy.Slidingintothewindow seat,heuntiedthescroll.Andhewassoonreadingabout Gilgil,thetwoheadedman. The entry wasasfollows:
In the eleventhyearofDavidsreign,inthemonthofAdar, some desert nomadscame toJerusalem.Theyhadwiththem a strangecaptive:atwoheadedmanwhohadbeenfound wandering near the Salt Sea. This prodigy was dressed in * The Pilgrimof Bordeauxdescribesaruinthathevisitedin Jerusalem:Hereisalsothecornerofanexceedinglyhightower .Underthepinnacleofthetoweraremanyruins,andherewas Solomonspalace.Therealsoisthechamberinwhichhesatand wrote[theBookof ]Wisdom.
goatskin,carriedapackonhisback,andhadabewildered lookonbothofhisfaces.HewastakenbeforetheKing,who lookedwithamazementuponhimandaskedhimhisname andcountry. The twoheaded man introduced himself as Gilgil the Cainite.HewasfromthelandofTebel,hesaid.Andhegave anaccountnowoneheadspeaking,thentheotherofhis peopleandofhimself. The Cainites, explained Gilgil, were the descendants of Cain.TheearlyCainiteshadsurpassedeventheirancestorin wickedness.Sogod hadbanishedthemfromtheearthand connedthemtoTebelacavernworldfarunderground. Andgod hadlaidafurthercurseuponthem: theirchildren wouldbebornwithtwoheads. TothedescendantsofCain whohadslainhisbrothertheheadswereintendedasa reminder:thatmenweremeanttoliveinharmonywithone another. GilgildescribedTebel.Itwasavastcavernintheearth, withitsownsmallsun;waterthatseeped fromabove;anda thinlayerofsoil.SotheCainiteswereabletoekeoutanexis tenceasfarmers.TheydidndTebelwithitsdimlightand skyof stoneamelancholyplace.Buttheywereresignedto theirfate. YettheCainitesclungtoaremembranceoftheouterworld. And growingup, Gilgilhadlistenedavidlywithallfour earstodescriptionsofit.Howhehadyearnedtovisitthat world!Finally,hehaddecidedtoattemptthejourney.Acer taintunnelwassaidtoleadeventuallytothesurface.Load ingapackwithfood,water,andwoodforatorch,Gilgilhad murmured a prayerand enteredthetunnel. For dayshe hadtrekkedalongit.Thoughbesetwithfear anddoubts,hehadpressedonward,torchinhand.Theup ward slopeof the tunnelwasencouraging;andtheairseemed tobegettingfresher.Nowandthen,thetunnelwouldbranch intwo;andGilgilsheadswouldargueaboutwhichwayto go. Buthehadnotfalteredinhisresolve.Andatlastlight hadappearedahead.Theouterworld! EmergingfromacaveneartheSaltSea,Gilgilhadbeen dazzledbythesunlight.Hehadstoodthere,stunnedbythe beautyofthelandscapeandthebrightnessofthesky.Andhe had lamented the sins of the Cainites, which had caused
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themtobebanishedfromthisworld. Gilgildescribedhiscapturebythenomadsandconcluded histale.AndtheKingaskedhimquestions.Whatwasitlike havingtwoheads?Nothingspecial,saidGilgil.Whatsortof beastsinhabitedthecavernworld?Moles,bats,andthelike. DidtheCainitesworship god? Gilgilrepliedthatmostof them did. They had abandoned their wicked ways and returnedtotheLord.Butacuriousfactwasthis:Occasional lyoneheadwaspiousandtheotherwasnot.Onewouldbow beforetheLord,whiletheotherwouldnot. TheKingaskedhimhisplans.AndGilgilbeggedpermis siontoremaininourcountry.Havingseenthesplendorof the outer world, he was loathe to return to Tebel. David grantedhisrequest,gavehimaparceloflandasagift,and wishedhimwell. And thatisthe storyofGilgil,thetwoheadedmanfrom inside the earth. AndtheKingsangafterwards: OLord,howmanifoldareThyworks
InwisdomhastThoumadethemall!
Menofsnowandremaidens
Hummingbirdsandgiantstall
Giraffes andgenies,minotaurs
Twoheadedmenfromunderground
Istherenoendtocuriouscreatures?
Thywondrousworksindeedabound!
And itwasagreed thathesangtrue.
behindthethrone. Isthewatercold?askedSolomon. ThecoldestIcouldnd.Butwhatsitfor? Youllsee. TherewasastirinthehallasthesonsofGilgilcameling in.ThelasttoenterwasPilpil.Inanapparentattemptto bolsterhisclaim,hewaswearingabicoloredtunic:halfof a browntunicandhalfofagreenone,sewntogether.His heads were conversingone with the otherin an ani matedfashion. ThesonsofGilgilarrangedthemselvesbeforethethrone. Pullingoutabrush,Pilpilbegantogroomhishairrst onehead,thentheother.Theheadscontinuedtojabber. SowheresKingSolomon?saidthelefthead.Letsget onwiththis! Whatsyourhurry?saidtherighthead. I want my inheritance. Dont you? Hey everybody twoheadsarebetterthanone! Absolutely!saidtherighthead. The eldestsongavePilpilasharplook.Bequiet.Show some decorum.Thisisacourtroom. Theleftheadmadeafaceathimandwhisperedintothe earoftherighthead.Therightheadthrewitselfbackand laughed. TheheraldblewthetrumpetandannouncedKingSolo mon. And emerging from the lounge, Solomon took his placeonthethrone.Anexpectanthushfelloverthespec tators. AddressingthesonsofGilgil,Solomonreviewedthefacts of the case.ThenhehadastoolbroughtoutandtoldPilpil tositon it.Pilpilexchangedamusedlookswithhimself,and plopped downonthestool. Sirorsirs,saidSolomon.Youclaimtobetwopersons. I amgoingtoconductatestthatmayelucidatethematter. Are youready? Iam,saidthelefthead. AndI,saidtherighthead. Benaiah,blindfoldbothheads. 288
Solomonlayasidethescroll.Andhesatinthewindow, watchingcloudsoatbyandcogitating.
Wordofthecasehadspread;andthenextmorningthe hallwaspackedwithspectators.ThesonsofGilgilhadyet toappear;and Solomonwaswaitinginthelounge.Benaiah pokedhisheadin. Thatbucketofwateryouaskedfor?hesaid.Iputit 287
doubletrouble Benaiahtiedonblindfolds.Wavinghishandinfrontof eachblindfold,hetestedthem. ImnotsureIlikethis,saidtherighthead. Relax,saidthelefthead. Theissuebeforeus,saidSolomon,isasimpleone.Is Pilpilhereonepersonortwo?Eachofhisheadsseemsto haveamindofitsownoratleast,adegreeofindepen dence.Butishetwodistinct persons? Indeed,whatexactly is a person?Whatisthenatureofaperson?Whatarethe boundaries and parameters? After much thought, I have comeupwithalitmustestacriterionbywhichtodeter minehowmanypersonsarepresentinthisman. Thatcriterionisasfollows.Ifoneheadisawareofwhat isdonetotheother, theyarepartofauniedwhole and thereforeasingleperson.Ontheotherhand,ifoneheadis unawareofwhatisdonetotheother,theyconstitutetwo separatepersons.Allright,Mr.Pilpil,letsndout. Solomonwentbehindthethroneandcameoutwiththe bucketofwater.HetiptoeduptoPilpil.Theblindfolded heads were facing in opposite directions. One was hum mingatune;the otherwasgrinning. Withoutwarning,Solomonraisedthebucketandpoured wateronthegrinninghead. Simultaneously,bothheadsinchedandshrieked. Oh?saidSolomon.Againhepouredwateronthehead. Hey,stopthat!criedthehead. Enough,enough!criedtheotherhead. Solomon ordered theblindfoldsremoved.Andreturning tothe throne,hedeliveredhisverdict. My judgmentisthis,he said.Mr.Pilpilisfoundtobe one person.So hesentitledtoonlyoneshareoftheestate. I amtemptedtoconscatethatshare,tocoverthecostsof these proceedings. But well let him have it. Courts adjourned. The sonsofGilgilledoutofthehall.Drippingwet, Pilpilleftatrailofwaterashedeparted.Bothheadswere grumblingloudlyaboutthedecision. Solomonputhissealonadocument,thenjoinedBenaiah 289
inthe lounge.That was bizarre,he said,pouringhimself a glassof fruitjuice. Doeshereallybelievehestwopersons?askedBenaiah. Orwasitjustanacttograbanextrashareoftheinheri tance? Solomonshrugged.Whoknows?Inanycase,Mr.Pilpil is not a trustworthy source of information. Thats why I decided to ignore him, and to turn my attention to his father. Youwenttotheannals. AndreadGilgilsstoryclosely.Twodetailscaughtmy attention.Onewasfoundinhisdescriptionofthejourney throughthetunnel.Gilgilremarkedthathisheadswould sometimesdisagreeastowhichwaytogo. Theheadswereatloggerheads! Justso. Now thatsuggestedtwodistinctpersons.Two 290
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opinionstwomindstwo individuals. Andtherewassome thingelse.Gilgilmentionedthat,amonghiscountrymen, oneheadmightbepiouswhiletheotherwasnot.That,too, impliedseparatepersons. Initially,then,IconcludedthatPilpilwasindeedtwo persons.Ifhecoulddisagreewithhimself,hehadtobea twosome. ButasIsatandthoughtaboutit,Ichangedmymind. ForIrealizedtherewassomethingfamiliar abouttwocon joinedheadsthatdisagreed.Wasntitsimilartoasituation weallndourselvesin?Isnteveryoneattimesundecided unsureofhimselfoftwomindsinamatter?Anddoesnt everyonewaverinhisreligiousfaitharguewithhimself aboutultimatethings?Ofcoursehedoes!Tobehumanis to beuncertain.Atwoheadedmanisnodifferentfromyou ormehisambivalenceissimplymoreapparent. Benaiahrolledhiseyes.Nodifferentfromyou,maybe. Anyhow,Idecidedhewasjustoneperson.Buttheprob lemwastoproveit.Ineededatestwhoseresultswouldbe dramaticand irrefutable.Hencethebucketofwater. Ididnt quitegraspthe logicofthattest,saidBenaiah. But Ill say thisyou got your moneys worth with the water. Howso? Youpoureditoveroneofthosesillyheadsandboth ofthemwerestartled! Theywereindeed. Whatasightitwas,saidBenaiah,chuckling,tosee you tiptoeing up to him with that bucket of water. And thendumpingitontherascal.Thewildthingsyougetto do asking! Solomonshrugged.Itsaliving.
chapter47
SuingtheWind
helitigantwasathin, redhairedmannamed Isaac;andhehadacuriouscomplaint.Iwishto suetheWind,hesaid.TheWindowesmeasack ofour. Indeed?saidKingSolomon.Tellusaboutit. YourHighness,Iamapoorman,saidIsaac.Ilivein a hutnearthesea,andtakewhateveroddjobscomemy way.WhenIscrapetogetherenoughcash,Igointotown andbuyasackofour.Alongwithvegetablesfrommygar den,theourprovidesmewithsustenance. SeveraldaysagoIwasreturninghomewithasackof our,whenIcameuponabeggar.Seatedbytheroadside, he hadnot eatenindays.Ilookedatthispoorsouland saidtomyself: I havemorethanIrequire,andtheLordhas commandedustobecharitable. SoIgavehimaportionof myour. Continuing along the road, I met a fellow who was wanderinginadaze.Hehadbeenbeatenandrobbedby thieves,and hadnot eateninalongwhile.Isaidtomyself: I havemorethanIneed,andtheLordbidsustobecharitable. SoIgavehim,too,aportionofmyourandwalkedon ward. AsIapproachedmyhut,theWindsuddenlyarose.Strug glingagainstviolentgusts,Ihadnearlyreachedmydoor whentheWindsnatchedthesackofourandewoff withit!Iwatched withdismayasthe sackdisappeared over thesea. Wasthatnotreprehensible,Sire?Toleavemewithnot a whitofourformyselfwithlessthantherecipientsof mycharity?Iwasunjustlyandgratuitouslydeprivedofmy our.AndIamsuingtheWindtogetitback! Lets hear what the Wind has to say, said Solomon. Holdontoyourhats,folks.Andwavinghisringinthe 292
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suingthewind air,hesummonedthefourWinds.* One by one they came gusting through the windows. Robesappedhairutteredpapersewintotheair as theWindsswirledaboutthehall. Withasternlook,Solomonaddressedthem. Thismanhasbroughtanaccusationagainstyou.Sev eraldaysago,hesays,theWindtookhissackofour.Did anyofyoudosuchathing? NotI,saidtheEastWind. NorI,saidtheWestWind. NorI,saidtheSouthWind. Therewasapause.ThentheNorthWindspoke. Allright,itwasme,saidtheNorthWind.Iamguilty withanexplanation. Letshearit. Swirlinguptothethroneandhoveringthere,theNorth Windsaid:Onthedayinquestion, andinthecourseofmy dutiesasaforceofnature, I causedastormatsea.AsIblus teredabout,Inoticedthatashipbatteredbythestorm hadsprungaleakandwassinking.NowIhadintendedno suchdestructionjustasuddengaleand a bitofascare. YouknowwhatImean?Justsomeroughwaters. SoIdeterminedtoplugtheleakifIcould.Blowinginto shore,Ispottedasackofourwhich happenedtobe on this gentlemans back. It was the only suitable object in sight.SoIgrabbedit,rushedback,andpluggedtheleak withitthussavingtheship.Alongwiththepassengers
* In BiblicalAntiquities, JohnNevindescribesthefourwinds of ancientPalestine:Theeastwindwasthemostinjurious.In the summer,ashasbeensaid,itwashotanddry;withering,asit passedalong,theherbageoftheeld.Thewestwind,coming fromthesea,generallybroughtrain.Thatwhichcamefromthe north,isdescribedbySolomonas drivingawayrain(Prov.xxv, 23).AndJobtellsusthat coldandfairweatherarefromthenorth (xxxvii,9, 22),whilethewhirlwindmorefrequentlyrosefrom thesouth;andthewindsfromthatquarterordinarilybrought heat;thoughsometimesthesouthernbreezesappeartohavebeen consideredagreeable.
andcrew,Imightadd. Aconscientiousandcommendableact,saidSolomon. Nonetheless,you deprivedthismanofhisproperty. Well,excuseme! Justthenthreemerchantsenteredthehall.Onewascar ryingabagmarked Gold.Theyapproachedthethrone andbowed. Pardontheinterruption,YourHighness,saidthemer chantwiththebag.Butinfulllmentofavow,wehave cometomakeadonationtotheTemple.Duringarecent storm,ourshipsprangaleakandstartedtosink.Thethree ofusfelltoourkneesandprayed.Iftheshipwassaved,we vowed,wewouldmakeasizabledonationtotheTemple. No soonerhadthatvowbeenutteredthan a sackshotout ofthesky and stopped upthe leak!Pluggedupthehole 294
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suingthewind inourship!Itwasamiraclefromgod. Uponreachingshore, wecamestraightherewiththisbagofgoldcoinsforthe Temple.* Proceed to the Temple and render thanks unto the Lord,saidSolomon,forHisaidinyourmomentofneed. Asforthegold,youmayleaveithere. Depositing the bag on the dais, the merchants bowed andexited. Whatsthatrefraininthepsalm?saidSolomon.How perfectisThyProvidence!ThentoIsaachesaid:The Windowesyouasackofour.Takethisgoldinstead.Con sideritarewardforthoseactsofcharity. Isaacshookhishead.Iperformedthoseactsas mitzvahs asgooddeedsthatweremydutytogod. I expectedno rewardandshalltakenone.Ijustwantmyour. Aworthyattitude.Howaboutthisthen?Inpresenting yourcasetoday,youhaveactedasyourownattorney.You are entitled,therefore,toattorneysfees.Wouldthisbagful of goldcoverthem? Isaacopenedthebagandpeeredin.Notquite,hesaid, butcallitadeal. Andhoistingthebagontohisshoulder,hedepartedthe hall.
* An anachronism.Thebagwouldhavecontainedtokens irregular pieces of goldrather than minted coins. Regular coinagewasnotinstitutedintheNearEastuntilvecenturies later. Instead, gold and silver were measured by weightthe basicunitbeingtheshekel.(Ashekelequaledaboutfourounces.) Severalvariantsof thistaleare tobefound inJewishfolklore. In one of them,theinhabitantoftheseasidehutisawidow,who weaves nets for shermen. As she returns home one afternoon withasackof our,itissnatchedawaybythewind. Meanwhile,ashiphassprungaleakandissinking.Aboardare somenonIsraelitemerchants.Interrorofdrowning,theyprayto everygodtheycanthinkoftonoavail.Suddenlytheyrecall the god ofIsraelandpraytoHim,promisinganofferingof goldinreturnfortheirdeliverance.Nosoonerhavetheymade thisvowthanthesackofourshootsoutoftheskyandplugs
theleak. The widow goes to King Solomon and lodges a complaint againstthewind.Asheisdeliberating,themerchantsarrivewith theiroffering.Solomonwantstogivethegoldtothewidow;but shedeclinesit.Itshouldgoto god, shesays,forwhomitwas intended and who will provide for her needs. Pleased by her words,SolomonhiresthewidowtoweavecurtainsfortheTemple tobepaidforbythegold. Thecurtainsthatsheweaveshaveaspeciallustre,onaccount ofherpiety.
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chapter48
A DoorTesties
our majesty, said the goldsmith, i come beforeyouthismorningtoappealforjustice.Last night my shop was burgled. The thief broke in throughthefrontdoorandstolefrommeaquantityofgold. Inyourfathersday,suchlawlessnesswasunheardof.Shall it thriveunderyourrule?Forthesakeofyourownhonor, Sire,apprehendthisburglar,punishhim,andrestoretome mygold. Ishallattempttodoso,saidKingSolomon,myhonor beingprecioustome.Tellmewasanyonepresentinyour shoplastnight,whomighthelpidentifytheburglar? No,Sire.MyfamilyandIliveinanadjoiningbuilding; and the shopwasdesertedatthetime. Didanyofyourneighborsseeorhearanything? Theydidnot. And you say the burglar broke in through the front door? Yes. Perhapsthen,saidSolomon,thisdoorofyoursshould bequestioned.Forapparentlyitwasthesolewitnesstothe breakin. Questionthedoor,Sire?Cansuchathingbedone? Possiblywith this. Raising his hand, Solomon dis playedhisring.Amongthepowersmyringgivesmeisthe abilitytospeakwithbirdsandbeasts,andevenwiththe shes of the sea.*
* AnIslamictraditionattributesthispowertooneofthefour jewelsintheringajewelinscribedwiththewordsAllcrea tures praisetheLord.ThejewelhadbeengiventoKingSolo mon by anangel.In MythsandLegendsofAncientIsrael, Angelo Rappoport relates: Solomon immediately decided to test the powerofthestone.TherewereassembledbeforeSolomonall
Butwithadoor? Whynot?Ivenevertriedcommunicatingwithone.But heresachancetotesttheringscapabilities.Yourdoorhas witnessedacrime.Ishallattempttospeakwithitandelicit itstestimony.Benaiah,sendtheheraldtothismansshop. Havehimproclaimtotheresidentsoftheneighborhood thefollowingannouncement:Inonehour,auniqueevent shalltakeplace. A doorshallbequestionedbytheKing. Adjourning court, Solomon went into the lounge and busiedhimselfforanhourwithofcialreports. Then,accompaniedbyBenaiahandafewotherguards, he left the palace and made his way through the narrow lanesofthecity. A smallcrowdhadalreadygatheredinfrontoftheshop. TherewasamurmurofexpectationasKingSolomonarrived. Heapproachedthedoor,regardeditwithasterneye,and raisedhisring.Odoor,hearme,hesaid.Achiefvirtue, inbothmenandtheirimplements,istrustworthiness.In thatyouhavefailed.Forthegoldsmithtrustedyoutosafe guard his goldand you let him down. There is a way, however, wherebyyoucouldmakeamendsforyourlapse andrestoreyourhonor.Wouldyoucaretodoso? Solomonputhiseartothedoorandlistened.Thenhe turnedtothecrowdandsaid:Thedoorsaysthat,yes,it would like to make amends. Turning back to the door, Solomonsaid:Tellmethen,Odoor,whowasthethief ? Againheputhiseartothedoor.Besidehim,Benaiahwas watchingwithamazement. Hmm,saidSolomon.Thedoorsaysitdoesntknow
sortsofcreatures,fromtheelephanttothesmallestworm,and alsoallsortsofshesandbirds.Solomonconversedwiththem and wasinstructedinalltheirdifferenthabits.Healsolistened totheircomplaintsandrectiedmanyabusesandevilcustoms amongstthebeasts,birds,andshes.Itwas,however,withthe birds that he entertained himself longest, both on account of theirbeautifulandmelodiousspeech,whichheunderstoodas wellasthelanguageofman,andthesentencesfullofwisdom whichtheyuttered.
297
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a doortestifies
Solomonglaredathimandsaid:Yourfearofdiscovery, myfriend,disclosedyourguilt.Afear,bytheway,thatwas baseless. For that cobweb existed solely in my imagina tion. Themanfelltohisknees.OKing,hesaid,Iconfess tothecrime.ItwasIwhobrokeintotheshopandstolethe gold.Havemercyonme.Ishallreturnthegoldandlive honestlyfortherestofmydays. Well discuss mercy at some later date. For now Im goingtotossyouintoacell.Asawarningtothosewho wouldstealthepropertyofanother,andpromotelawless nessintherealm. Theguardsledthethiefaway.Andthecrowdbeganto disperse. Solomonwasrubbinghisringandlookingpleasedwith himself.Benaiahgavehimaknowinglook.So,saidthe Captain, talking with the door, were you? Testing the capabilitiesofthering,wereyou?Oyoureaslyone!Well, YourHighness,Itoocantalkwithdoorsandrequireno ringtodo so. Watchmenow. Smirking like a schoolboy, Benaiah stepped up to the door. He grasped the handle and shook it, as if shaking hands. Hellothere,Mr.Door.Apleasuretomeetyou.Hows everything?Heputhiseartothedoorandlistened.Oh really?Gladtohearit.Allright,seeyouaround.Andhave a niceday. Benaiahwaved tothe door, chuckled,and rejoinedSolo mon. Ihave tohand ittoyou,Sire.Twasacleverruse. Whatrusewasthat? Youknow,pretendingtoquestionthedoor,thenspring ingthatbitaboutthecobweb.Talkingwithadoor,indeed. Younearlyhad me believingit!Thatringofyourshaspow ers.But a doorsadumbthingamereblockofwood.And notevenKingSolomonsringshalllenditatongue. Tothecontrary,Iwasinfacttalkingwiththedoor. Youwere? 300
themansname.Verywell,then,canyoudescribehim? Howsthat?Speakup,please.Isee,Isee.Thedoorinforms me thatthe nightwasmoonlessandtheburglarsfeatures were obscuredbydarkness.Odoor,isthere anything you cantellme?Anythingwhatsoeverthatmightleadtothe apprehensionofthisman? Solomonpressedhiseartothedoorandlistenedintently. Ah! he said, turning to face the crowd. Now thats something.Thedoorrecallsthatuponenteringtheshop, the manbrushedupagainstacobwebwhichclungtohis capandmaybeclingingtoitstill. Solomonwaspeeringintothecrowd.Suddenlyhecried: Aha!Andpointingtoamaninaredcap,hesaid:Guards, arrestthatfellow. Whojustnowreacheduptotouchhiscap. Theguardswadedintothecrowd,grabbedtheman,and broughthimbeforetheking. 299
a doortestifies
Youreright,thoughIdidemployaruse.Forasthe door spoke, I misreported what it was saying. Actually, it toldmethethief sname,describedhim,andindicatedhis locationinthecrowd.Butthedoorstestimonywasprob lematical. Howso? Itwasinsufcienttoestablishguilt.Forourlawrequires, inacriminalcase,atleasttwowitnesses.Afterall,thedoor mighthavebeenfalselyaccusingtheman.Oritmighthave misidentiedhiminthedark.Moreover,adoorstestimo nyisprobablyinadmissibleasevidence.Afterall,isnota witness required to be sentient? Given these concerns, I neededsomethingmoreIneededaconfession.SoIsup presseditstestimonyandmadeupthatbusinessabouta cobweb.Theideawastotrickthethiefintoincriminating himself. Andtrickhimyoudid,Sire.Withacraftinessonedoes notexpectinajudge. Solomongavehimalookofmockinnocence.Whatbet ter means than a mans own guiltwhen the scales of justiceneed a tilt?
chapter49
Goliath,Jr.
heheraldblewonhistrumpet; andthespec tators in the hall ceased to chatter. First case this morningGoliath,Jr.,versustheCrown,he announced. A short,baldingmanenteredthethroneroom.Dangling fromhisbeltwereastylusandwaxtablettheparapher nalia of a scribe. Come, come, he said, beckoning to someoneinthelobby. Andagiantagrotesquelytallmanfollowedhimin. Toavoidthetopofthedoorway,thegiantduckedupon entering. But he miscalculated, and with a loud thud, struckhishead.Reelingfromtheblow,hestaggeredinto the hall. Oindeed?saidthescribe.Weveknockedourhead? Ona lowentrancewaytoapublicfacility? Withagleeful lookhebeganmakingnotesonthetablet.Letssee,about nineinthemorning.Lotsofwitnesses.Nowarningsign posted.Yes,yes! The giantwasgroaningand clutchinghishead.Taking himbythearm,thescribeledhimuptothethrone.The pairbowedtoKingSolomon. Youmayproceed,saidSolomon. Greetings and salutations, Your Highness, said the scribeinacrisp,businessliketone.IamShubatheScribe. I representGoliath,Jr.,thegentlemanstandingorIshould say, toweringbeside me.Acitizenof Philistia,he wishes toleawrongfuldeathsuit.ThesuitisagainsttheCrown. Thatistosay,againsttheHouseofDavid,thedynastyof whichyouarecurrentlytheincumbentandthereforethe defendantinthiscase. Youresuingme? Thatscorrect.Andgiventheobviousconictofinter est, I respectfully ask that you recuse yourselfthat you 302
301
goliath,jr. reassign this case to some disinterested, and therefore impartial, magistrate. Failing that, I would ask that you bendoverbackwardstoarriveatajustverdict. Ishallnotrecusemyself.AndIalwaysseektobejust. Presentyourcase,sir. Asyouwish,YourHighnessthoughmaytherecord show that your decision to retain jurisdiction was made hastily,andwithoutconsultationwithadvisers.Nowthen. Oursuitconcernsaneventofsomesixtyyearsago.Why, youask,thedelayinling?Tobeginwith,myclientwasa childatthetime,incapableofengagingtheservicesofa scribe.Furthermore,asaresidentofPhilistia,hehasbeen unawareoftheopportunitiesforredressprovidedbyour laws.Unawareuntilrecently,whenasanadvocateforthe aggrievedIsoughthimoutandexplainedtoMr.Goliath thelegalavenuesopentohim. Myclientcomesbeforeyoutodayasavictim.Assome onewhohassufferedbothmateriallyandpsychologically fromtheeffectsofawrongfuldeath.Thedeathinques tion wasthatof hisfather,Goliath,Sr.Atall,formidable warrior, the father was serving in the army of Philistia. Whilesoserving,hewasslainbyyourfather,Davidsonof Jessethen but a humble shepherd. The facts of the episodearewellknown.DuringthewarwithPhilistia,the two met in single combat. In the course of that combat Goliath,Sr.,wasslain,inabrutalandhumiliatingfashion. I submitthatthedeathwaswrongful;thatitdeprivedmy clientduring the formative years of his lifeof his fatherssupport,bothnancialandemotional;andthatit entitles him therefore to compensation from the heirs of Davidthatistosay, from the coffersoftheCrown. Goliath,Jr.,leanedovertothescribe.Whatdoescom pensationmean?heaskedinadeep,gruffvoice. Money, money, whispered Shuba. Now then, Your Highnesswhatconstitutesawrongfuldeath?Basedonour juridictraditions,wemayformulatethefollowingdeni tion.Itisthetakingofahumanlifewhetherdeliberately oraccidentallyundercircumstancesinwhich(a)theresult 303
ant harm was foreseeable; (b) the taker of the life acted maliciously,negligently,orcapriciously;and(c)selfdefense, militaryservice,orparticipationinastoningdulysanc tionedbyamagistratewasnotafactor.Icontendthatthe slayingofGoliath,Sr.,wasjustsuchadeath,andtherefore worthyofcompensation. Letusexaminethefactsoftheslaying.Tobeginwith, wasitjustiableasselfdefense?Hardly.Shubapulleda scrollfromhispocketandunrolledit.Ihavehereachap terfromtheChronicleofKingSaul,whichIwaspermitted tocopyfromtheroyalarchives.InitwelearnthatDavid responding to a general challenge issued by Goliath
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goliath,jr. volunteered toengagehiminsinglecombat.Inaghttothe death!AllowmetoquotefromtheChronicle:AndDavid said, For the sake of Israel, I will go and ght with this Philistine. In defending my ock, I have slain lions and bears.AndnowwillIgladlygoagainstthePhilistine,who sorudelydeesus.SoDavidfoughtGoliath gladly, with theintentionofslayinghim.Onlysecondarilyinpursuit ofthatgoalwouldhehavesoughttodefendhimself. Soitwasntselfdefense.Allright,wastheslayingjusti ableonsomeotherbasis?DidDavidcommitit,perhaps, asamemberofthemilitary?Again,letsconsulttheChron icle.AndittellsusthatyoungDavidwasnotasoldierat thetime.Hewassimplyvisitingthefront,inordertodeliver provisionstohisolderbrothers,who were soldiers.Itsright here:Tenbreadsandtencheesesdidhebringtohisbreth ren. While doing so, he heard about the challenge and decidedtobecomeIsraelschampion.Championhemay havebeen.ButhewasnotIrepeat,notasoldier.Sowe cannotexoneratehimonthataccount. It wouldseemtome,saidSolomon,thatbyvolun teeringtoghtGoliath,he hadineffectbecome a soldier. Nonsense,saidShuba.Asoldierissomeonewhodons armor, marches in ranks, takes orders from an ofcer noneofwhichdidyourfatherdo.Hewasameredelivery boy!Abringerofbreadsandcheeses.Moreover,asoldier ghtsinbehalfofhiscountry.WhatwasDavidghtingfor? Illtellyouwhatfor. ThatrewardKingSaulwasoffering! To quotefrom the Chronicle:The manwhokilleththePhilis tine thekingwillenrichwithgreatrichesandwillgivea daughter in marriage. Hey, not bad for a few minutes work. The point is that he was serving himself, not his country. Andtheresafurtherproblem.Yes,Davidwasrespond ingtoGoliathschallenge.Unfortunately,hedidnot qual ify to respond to it. Listen to the exact wording of the challenge.AndGoliathsaid,Chooseamanforyourself, andlethimcomedowntome.Ifheisabletoghtwithme andkillme,thenwewillbeyourservants;butifIprevail 305
againsthimandkillhim,thenyoushallbeourservants. Givemeaman,thatwemayghttogether.Butdontyou see?Davidwasnotamanhewasaboy!PoorGoliath. Imaginehisdismaywhena beardlessyouth respondstohis challenge.NowGoliath,Sr.,wasawarrioratrainedkiller. Lets not gloss over that. But he was also a parent and a humanbeing.Imaginehowhemusthavefeltwhenavir tual child came out to ght with him. His heart could scarcelyhavebeeninsuchaghtafactorthatnodoubt contributedtohisdefeat. Goliath,Jr.,wasnoddingsomberly. Butwecomenowtothecruxofthematter.Andthat concernstheweaponDavidused.ThinkbacktoGoliaths challenge.HehadcalledforanIsraelitetocomeoutand meethiminsinglecombatto duel withhim.Didhespec ifyaweapon?Ofcoursenothedidnthaveto.Look,hes standingtherewithhissword.AndtheIsraelitesarestand ingoppositehimwiththeirswords.Soitsobviouswhatthe weaponistobe. But out comes Davidand whats he carrying? His shepherds staff. And concealed inhispouch,asling.And Goliathcriesout,AmIadogthatyoucometomewitha stick?Davidhasinsultedhim;andthebigfellowstartsto losehiscoolthelastthingyouwanttodowhenghting a duel. GoliathletsoutaroarandchargesDavidintending, surely,toimmobilizethisirksomeyouth,notkillhim.But whatdoes Daviddo?He keepsdartingaway, likeapesky y.AndwhenhesgotGoliathtotallyustered,hemakes hismove.He pullsoutthatsling.Loadsitwithastone.And withashot tothe forehead,bringshisopponentcrashing tothegroundslaysGoliath! Hashedonesofairlyandsquarely?No,hehasdoneso wrongly. For he has violatedby using a weapon never employedinduels,andforwhichGoliathcouldnothave beenpreparedtheimplicittermsoftheencounter. So David has emerged victorious. The tall warrior is lyingathisfeet,slain.Butishesatised?Ono.Fornowhe 306
goliath,jr. picks up Goliaths sword andgratuitously lops off the dead mans head. With Goliaths own sword, as a nal indignity!Asword,bytheway,thathangstodayinthisvery hallamacabretrophyofashamefuldeed. Tosumupthen.Goliath,Sr.,wasslaininamalicious anddeliberatefashion.Theslayerwasnotservingasasol dieratthetime.Hewasineligibleonaccountofhisage toacceptGoliathschallenge.Andhecapriciouslyviolated the terms of the encounter. The slaying of Goliath was thereforewrongfulandsubjecttoredress. YourHighness,thelossofhisfatherwasaterribleblow tothisman.Iaskthathebecompensatedwithagenerous monetaryaward.WerealsodemandingthereturnofGoli athsswordafamilyheirloomtowhichhissonisentitled. I shouldpointoutthatmyclientisvirtuallyimpoverished. Hehasbeenworkingallhislifeinamenialcapacityin theorchardsofPhilistia,asacherrypicker. Andadarnedgoodone!saidGoliath,Jr. Irestmycase,saidShuba.Iassumewellbeadjourn ing now, to allow you to ponder the complex issues that have beenraised? Notatall,saidSolomon.MaytherecordshowthatI arrivedatanimmediatedecisionthussparingyourclient anydelayinourlegalprocess.ThoughaPhilistine,hehas thesamerightsasanyoneelsetoaspeedyresolutionofhis case. Thankyou,saidGoliath,Jr. Solomon rosefrom the throneandbegantopaceabout. IllbeginbyrespondingtoyourcontentionthatDavidwas not a soldier, and that the slaying was wrongful on that account.To besure,the youngshepherdwhowasvisiting thefrontthatdaywasjustthatashepherd.Butinthose days,ourswasacitizensarmy.Itsrankswerelledbyordi narymen,whoassembledintimesofwar.Inofferingto ght Goliath, David hadby dint thereofjoined the armyandbecomeasoldier. As for that rewardwhat of it? True, David was not abouttoturnitdown.Afterall,thehandofaprincess!Yet 307
therewardwasnothisprimemotivationinacceptingthe challenge.Whatthenwas?Returntoyourscroll,sir.And readusthelinesthatdescribehisreactionuponlearningof thereward. Withalookofannoyance,Shubalocatedthepassageand readitaloud.AndDavidsaid,Isthatindeedwhatshallbe giventothemanwhokilleththisPhilistine,andwhothus taketh away the disgrace that his challenge, unanswered, hasbroughtuponIsrael?Forwhodoesthisheathenthink heis,tosodefythearmiesofthelivinggod? Thatdoesntsoundparticularlyselfservingtome,said Solomon.Nowyoualsoclaimthathewasntqualiedto respondtothechallenge.Thatitcalledfora man tocome forward,andthatDavidwasbutayouth.Iwouldanswer youthus:David began thedayasayouth.Butuponaccept ingGoliathschallenge,hebecameaman!Therearetrans formative moments in our lives. Surely that was such a moment. So we come now to the crux of your argumentthe question ofweaponry.DidDavidsuseofaslingviolatethe implicitterms of the encounter?NowImustsaythatInd this notion of implicit terms to be highly questionable. Goliathcalledforsinglecombat,pureandsimple.Hespec iednoparticularweapon,andpresumablywaswillingto deal with anythingthis was, after all, a boastful, swag geringgiant!Butletsacceptyourpremise.Letsagreethat bothmenweresupposedtouseswords.Andletslookclose lyatwhatactuallyhappened. AsIrecall,KingSaulofferedDavidtheuseofhisown sword andarmor.Davidtriedthemon,butfoundthemtoo heavyand cumbersome.Sohewentoutwithonlyastaff andasling.Yetintryingonthesword,hewouldseemto beacknowledgingthoseimplicitterms. Sopicturethescene.DavidgoesouttomeetGoliath, whos wavinghisswordandshoutinginsults.Goliathroars andcharges.AndDavidbeginstodartabout,withsuch agility that the giant is unable to catch him. Suddenly Davidskidstoahalt,pullsouthissling,loadsit,and 308
goliath,jr. what?What exactly happenedatthatpoint?Sir,Idlikeyou to readtherelevantpassage. Shubafrowned,locatedthepassage,andreaditaloud. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone,andslangit,andsmotethePhilistineinhisforehead. Andthestonesunkintohisforehead,andhefelluponhis facetotheearth.Buttherewasnoswordinthehandof David.ThereforeDavidranandstooduponthePhilistine, andtookthegiantsswordandslewhim,andcutoffhis headtherewith.AndwhenthePhilistinessawtheircham pionwasdead,theyed. Aha!saidSolomon.WeseethatDavidonly stunned Goliathwiththestone.Hethen slewthegiantwithasword thuscomplyingwiththoseimplicittermsofyours. Butitwasnthisownsword! Sowhat?ThatDavidwasabletocomeupwithasword atallisatestimonytohisresourcefulnessanddaring. Butheusedasling! Sohedid.Buttheslinghadmerelyanancillaryfunc tion.It wasan accessory tothe sword.Itsusewasquitelegit imate,servingtooffsetthe advantagesofsize,armor,and experiencethatGoliathenjoyed. Toconcludethen.David was a soldier.He did qualify given his newfound maturityto accept the challenge. Andhe did satisfythetermsoftheencounter.Itherefore ndtheslayingofGoliath,Sr.,tohavebeenajustiable homicide.Yoursuitallegingawrongfuldeathisdismissed. You may go,gentlemen. Goliath,Jr.,lookeddisbelievinglyatShuba.Thescribe shrugged and said:Youcantwinthemall. But you toldme itwasasurething! Oneneverknows,saidShuba.TurningtoSolomon,he said:YourHighness,wewouldliketoappealtheverdict. Onwhatgrounds?askedSolomon. At onepointyoureferredtomyclientasaPhilistine. Nowthattermhascometohavenegativeconnotations.It denotesanunrenedorunculturedindividual.Thus,your use of it served to belittle Mr. Goliathwho should be 309
referredtoasacitizenofPhilistiaandmayhaveadverse lyaffectedyourdecision. Thatsridiculous,sir.Theverdictstands.Youmaygo. Onemoment,YourHighness.Theresanadditionalsuit wewishtole.Uponenteringthishall,myclientstruckhis headonthedoorway.Asignshouldhavebeenposted,warn inggiantsorthespeciallyheighted,assuchindividuals are properly denominatedto stoop before entering. Moreover,theyshouldnothavetosuffertheindignityof stooping. That doorway needs to be raised. My client shouldbecompensatedforbothhisphysicalanguishand thehumiliationhesufferedashesoughttoenterthispub licfacility. Thatsequallyridiculous,saidSolomon.Begone,the bothofyou! Asforyouruseofthetermgiant,whichservedtobelittle my Out! Shuba led Goliath, Jr. out of the hall. The giant was gloweringandgrumbling. Benaiahcame uptothe thronewithpaperstobesigned. Thatwasapair,hesaid.Butyougavethemwhatthey deserved. I gave them justice, said Solomon, shaking his head ruefully.Butinordertodoso,Ihadtoresorttosophistry. Tothekindofclevernessofwhichthatscribeisamaster. MyargumentthatDavidmadeuseofaswordandthereby complied withthe termsof the encounter?Technically,that wastrue.Itwasalsomeaningless.DoyouknowwhatDavid was truly armed with? No,what? Withhisfaithhistrustingod. Itservedhiminplace of sword and armor, and gave him the courage to face Goliath.HadMr.Shubadelveddeeperintohisscroll,he would have found some quotes to hurl back at me. For example,Davidsaid:TheLord,whosavedmefromthe pawofthelionandthepawofthebear,willsavemefrom thehandofthePhilistine.Andalso:Youcometomewith 310
goliath,jr. a sword;butIcometoyouinthenameoftheLordofhosts, thegod ofthearmyofIsrael,whomyouhavedeed.The Lorddoesnotsavebyswordandspear.Mr.Shubacould haveusedthosequotestocountermyargumentaboutthe sword.AndImighthavehadtodecideinhisfavor.*
a duel,asourfathersmet.Givemesatisfaction,notempty words. All right, sir, let us duel, said Solomon. But as the challengedparty,thechoiceofweaponsgoestome,doesit not?AndIchoosewits.Letusmatchtheminariddle contest. Ariddlecontest?Goliath,Jr.,brokeintoagrin.Ilike riddles.AndImsmarterthanyouthink.Okay,youreon. Loweringthesword,helettheguardstakeitfromhim. Youmaygorst,saidSolomon.Riddleme. Thegiantputhishandsonhishipsanddeliveredhisrid dle. Goliath, Jr.:Iconquerlions,tigerstoo,
Theycantwithstandmenorshallyou.
I overcometheangrybull;
ThegrowlingbearhetooIllrule!
Themightyking,infancycrown,
Fallsatmyfeetcomes tumblingdown.
Dauntlesswarriors,whenIarrive,
Droptheirswordsanddownwarddive.
Whendayisdone,noonesleft
Whobymyhandisnotbereft.
WhoamI?Whatthingorman?
Tellme,tellme,ifyoucan.
Solomonthoughtforamoment.Thenagleamcameinto hiseye. Sleep, hesaid. Drat!saidGoliath,Jr.,stampinghisfoot. My turnnow,saidSolomon.Answermethis. Solomon: I movetooslow,Imovetoofast.
I nevercome,Ivegoneonpast.
Alllivingthingsdo I devour:
Thebird,thebeast,thetree,theower.
The pyramidstodustIllgrind,
Andotherworksofvainmankind.
Mountainsreachingtothesky,
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OutinthelobbyGoliath,Jr.,wasfuming.
SoIcameallthiswayfornothing?
Imafraidso,saidShuba.
Idontgetacent?
Unfortunately,no.TheKingruledagainstus.
Ill tell you something. I dont care about the money.
SomethingdawnedonmeasIlistenedtothataccountof my fathers death. What I really crave is vengeancefor what his fatherdidto my father.AndIshallhaveit! Goliath,Jr.,pushed Shubaaside.Andhechargedback intothehallagainknockinghishead.Groaning,hestag gereduptothethrone. I have returned, King Solomon, he said. That trial wasatravesty.Iwantsatisfactionforwhatwasdonetomy father.AndIshallhaveitfromyoupersonally! Having followed him in, Shuba sought to restrain his client. But the giant lunged toward the throne. Benaiah grabbed himand wrestledhimaway.Thegiantbrokeloose, tripped,and wentcrashingtothe oor. Guardspiled ontohim.Butheclimbedtohisfeet,toss ing them aside and lumbering over to the trophy wall. Therehetookdownhisfathersswordandwaveditwildly. Come, ghtme,OKing!saidGoliath,Jr.Meetmein
* What did killGoliath?TheFirstBookofSamuelcontains two versionsofhisdemise.Inverse50 we are toldthatthestone tohisforeheadkilledhim.Butinverse51 hisdeathisattributed todecapitationbysword.Thiscontradictionisanexampleofa commonoccurrenceintheBible:theoriginaleditor,confronted with two survivingand conictingtraditions, solved the problembyincludingboth.
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goliath,jr. Illwearthemdown,byandby.
Monarchswho,soproudandgrand,
Fromtheirloftythronescommand
ThekingsofBabylon,Tyre,Thrace:
TheirverymemoryIllerase!
Andthecitiesoftheirlands
Illleaveasruinsmidshiftingsands.
WhoamI?Mynamedisclose.
TellmeorIllpullyournose.
Thegiantwrinkledhisbrowandthought.Thenhesaid: ThegodDagon? No. Moloch? No. Marduk? No.Theansweris Time. Ogosh. Holdon a minute,saidShuba.Surelymyclientsorig inalresponsewasequallyvalid.Afterall,Dagonthechief god of Philistiahas tremendous power. And one of the instrumentsofthatpoweristime.He uses time,toeffecthis will.Moreover,isntitunfairthatyoutheposeroftherid dleshoulddetermineitsanswer?Talkaboutaconictof interest!Myclientsanswersatisedyourconditions,and shouldbedeemedcorrect. Im sorry,saidSolomon,theanswerwas Time. ButIll give you anotherchance,Mr.Goliath.Answermethis:How manyscribes does ittaketorelltheoilinalamp? One?
No.
Two?
No.
I giveup.Howmany?
Howmanycanyouafford? Iprotestthatriddle!saidShuba.Itsasluronmypro fession. We scribes provide a vital service to the public. Shouldntwebepaidforourefforts?Andifoccasionallywe 313
workinteamstoexamineindepthsomecriticalissue whatswrongwiththat? Asamatteroffact,saidGoliath,Jr.,Mr.Shubaisnt evenchargingme. Imnot?saidShuba. Youtoldmethiswouldbeonacontingencybasis.That theredbeafeeonlyifweweresuccessful. Thatscorrect.Butthecontingencywasgettingthecase heard.Weweresuccessfulingettingitheard.Soyouowe memyfee. Howmuchisthat? Howmuchhaveyougot? YouscoundrelIllwringyourneck! Shubaletoutayelpandedthehall,withthegiantchas ingafterhim.*
* Whoexactlywasthe senior Goliaththefearsomewarrior whom Davidfought? He may have been simply a Philistine of exceptional height (sixcubitsand a span,or abouttenfeet,accordingtotheBook of Samuel).Orhemayhavebeenatruegiantadescendantof theoriginalinhabitantsofCanaan.Therehadbeenseveraltribes of these giants: the Anakim, the Nephilim, the Rephilim. In daysofold,giantsabounded,reportstheApocalypseofBaruch. Theywereofgreatstatureandexpertinwar.ButtheLordchose them not, nor gave He knowledge unto them; and they were destroyed,fortheyhadnowisdom,andperishedthroughtheir foolishness. That Goliath was a historical personage seems undeniable, giventhedetailedinformationabouthimfoundintheBible.He is described as a Gittitea resident of the town of Gath in Philistia.Hisspearwasaslongasaweaversbeam.Hismother wasagiantessnamedOrpa;andhisfoursonsweregiants.The sonswerenotedaswarriorsinparticularIshbibenab.Thefam ilywasmarkedbypolydactylism,ageneticdefectproducingsix ngersoneachhandandsixtoesoneachfoot. AnothergiantmentionedintheBibleisOg,kingofBashan. OgwasslainwhentheHebrewsinvadedhiskingdom.Hewas 3000 yearsoldatthetime(havingsurvivedtheFloodasastow awayontheark,accordingtoarabbiniccommentary).Hisiron
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bedstead,fourteenfeetinlength,wasondisplayformanyyears inRabbahAmmon.Andoneofhisboneswasusedasabridge overastream. Nogiantscurrentlyresideintheregion.However,theymaybe returningaboardUFOs.Inhisprovocativebook Returnofthe Giants (BlueStar,2000),BarryChamishreportsthatgiantshave beenassociatedwithrecentlandingsofUFOsinIsrael.Hegives thisaccountofonesuchlanding: IntheearlymorningofApril20, TsiporetCarmelshouseglowed fromwithin.Shesteppedoutsideandsawwhatshethoughtwas a newfruitsilobuiltoutsideherbackyard.Butthenshesawthe siloaddasecondstoreytoitself.Tenyardstothesideofthismag ical silo, Tsiporet saw a sevenfoot tall being wearing metallic overalls.Itsheadwascoveredinawhatlookedlikeabeekeepers hat.Tsiporetsaid,WhydontyoutakeoffyourhatsoIcansee your face? The being answered her telepathically, Thats the wayitis.
chapter50
Wisdom
ordspreadofkingsolomons wisdom; and mencamefromafartohearitandgrowwise. Among them were three brothers, who had arrived in Jerusalem and become members of the court. Theretheyhadspentayear,listeningtothekinginthe hopeofgainingwisdom. Butafterayearthebrothersweredissatised.Afullyear wehavebeenhere,saidone,andwhatwisdomhavewe acquired?None! Sotheydecidedtoseekpermissiontoleavethekingsser viceandreturntotheirfamilies. Solomon gave them permissionand granted them a bonus.Youhaveservedmeloyally,hesaid.Toeachof youIshallgiveeitherabagofgoldorthreetips.Whichis ittobe? The brothers discussed the choice among themselves. Finally,eachchosethegold.Itwasloadedontotheirhorses; andtheydepartedthecapital. But theyhadnot gonefarwhentheyoungestbrother, Jacob,stoppedshort.Whathavewedone?hesaid.We came to King Solomon for his wisdom. Yet upon being offeredaportionofit,wechoosegoldinstead.Surelyamis take!Wemustgoback. But his brothers laughed at him. So Jacob rode back alonetothepalace.TherehebeggedSolomontoexchange hisbagof goldfor the threetips. Noproblem,saidSolomon.Ready? Iamready,Sire. Tipnumberone.Whentraveling,setouteachmorning atthecrackofdawn.Butcallitquitsafewhoursbefore sunset.Thatwayyoullhaveampletimetolocateagood campsite,withwood,water,andgrazingforyourhorse. Tipnumbertwo.Seeknottocrossaswollenriver,but 316
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said:Letusstopandcamphere.Thereiswoodandwater andgrazingforourhorses. Dontbeafool,saidoneofhisbrothers.Wecancover anothervemilesbeforedark. Imstayinghere,saidJacob. Suityourself. Jacobwatchedashisbrothersrodeoff.Thenhesetto gatheringwood.Withithemadehimselfareandacrude shelter.Andhelaydowntosleep. Meanwhile,hisbrotherskeptridingtillthelastpossible moment.Withthecomingofnight,theyfoundthemselves onabarrenhillside.Theretheywereforcedtocamp. Duringthenightaercesnowstormarose.Caughtwith outreorshelter,thetwobrothersperished. ThenextdayJacobcamealonganddiscoveredtheirbod ies.Heweptforhisbrothers,lamentingtheirfolly.Thenhe buriedthem,loadedtheirgoldontohishorse,androdeon. Atlengthhecametoariver.Ithadbecomeswollenfrom melting snow. Recalling the second tip, he camped and waited for the waterstosubside. As he waited, two merchants came along. They were leadingahorseladenwithbagsofgold.Disdainfulofhis warning,thepairtriedtocrosstheriver.Theywereswept fromtheirhorsesanddrowned. Jacobwaitedforthewaterstosubside.Thenhecrossed the riverretrieving the merchants gold and loading it ontohishorse. At last he reached his village. His sistersinlaw came runningfromtheirhousesandaskedabouttheirhusbands. Jacob couldnotbringhimselftorevealwhathadbefallen hisbrothers.So he saidthattheyhadremainedinJerusalem tolearnthewisdomofSolomon. ThatnightJacobshowedthegoldtohiswife.Hereyes widenedwithastonishment.Howhadheacquiredit?she asked.ButJacobrecallingthethirdtiprefusedtosay. Thatmustremainasecret,hetoldher. WiththegoldJacobboughtelds,vineyards,andcattle, andbuiltanewhouse.Buthiswifekeptpesteringhimto 318
waitpatientlyuntilitsubsides. Tipnumberthree.Neverrevealasecrettoawoman not eventoyourwife.Okay,thereyouhavethem.Mythree tips. Thankyou,Sire. Jacobdepartedthepalace,jumpedonhishorse,andhur ried afterhisbrothers.Whenheovertookthem,theywere eagertohearthethreetips.ButJacobrefusedtorevealwhat hehadbeentold.WhateverwisdomIhaveacquired,he said,isformealone.Youhaveyourgold. Thetwobrothersshrugged.AndtogethertheyandJacob journeyedon. Aseveningapproached,Jacobrecalledthersttipand 317
wisdom revealthesourceofthegold.Finally,herelentedandtold herthewholestory. ThenonedayJacobwasquarrelingwithhiswife,and threatenedtostrikeher.Whereupon,sheshoutedinanger: So,rstyoumurderyourbrothers,andnowyouwould murderme! Thisslanderousoutburstwasoverheardbyhissistersin law.TheyaccusedJacobofmurder.Hewasbroughtbefore a magistrate,judgedguilty,andsentencedtodie.Desper ate,heappealedtoKingSolomon. Broughtbeforetheking,herecountedallthathadhap penedsincetheirlastmeeting.Solomonbelievedhimand orderedhimsetfree. Onethingthough,saidSolomon.Shouldntyoushare thatwealthofyourswithyoursistersinlaw? Ishalldoso,YourHighness,saidJacob.Hebowedand startedtoleave. AndJacob. Sire? Three tips worth gold, and coming from me? A wise mansurelyheedeth allthree. SoIlearned,YourHighnessthehardway. Nexttime,trytheeasyway.Listentoadvice. Yes,Sire. AndJacobdepartedthepalacewiseatlast.*
* KingSolomonswisdomoftenexpresseditselfinpithysay ingstips, maxims, sage pronouncements. A compilation of thesemaybefoundintheBookofProverbs(whoseHebrewtitle ],orSayingsofSolomon).Like is mishleshelomoh [ BenjaminFranklinin PoorRichardsAlmanack, thekingoffersa setofmoralpreceptsthatrelatetoeverydaylife. We aretold,forexample,thatpridegoethbeforedestruction, andahaughtyspiritbeforeafall.AswithFranklins,thesay ingsoftenhaveahomespunquality:Whoeverdiggethapitshall falltherein;andhethatrollethastone,itwillreturnuntohim. And likeFranklin,Solomonendorsessuchbasicvirtuesasindus try: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.Yetwhilebothmenseeworldlysuccessasaworthyaim,
Solomonsetspriorities:Agoodnameisrathertobechosenthan greatriches,andlovingfavourratherthansilverandgold. The Book of Proverbs is essentially a manual of practical wisdomof sekel ( ), or good sense. At the same time, its underlyingthemeisreligious.Repeatedly,Solomontempershis pragmatismwiththisadmonition:FearoftheLordisthebegin ningofwisdom.Awiseman,heinsists,shouldtrustintheLord withallthineheart,andleannotuntothineownunderstanding. InallwaysacknowledgeHim,andHeshalldirectthypath.The essenceofwisdom,weareconstantlyreminded,istowalkwith god. Like PoorRichardsAlmanack, theBookofProverbshasbeen neglectedbymodernreaders.Someshrewdpublishermightcon siderrepackagingitasaselfhelpbook.TitledKingSolomons GuidetoHealth,WealthandHappiness,orWisdom101,this ancientworkcouldndalargeandappreciativeaudience.
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OttersComplaint
n her den on the riverbank lived the otter. About to goshingoneday,shewasreluctanttoleave her children unattended. So she asked the Deer to watchoverthem,offeringinreturnaportionofhercatch. The Deer agreed; and the Otter slid into the river and swamoffinsearchofsh. Several hours passed. The Deer lounged by the river, keepinganeyeontheyoungotters.Suddenlyadrumming lled the air. The Woodpecker was beating on the war gong. Among the denizens of the river, the Deer was chief dancer. So he sprang to his feet and performed the war dance. But in his frenzy, he accidentally trod upon the youngotterstramplingthemtodeath. WhentheOtterreturned,shefoundthebodiesofher children.Howdidthishappen?shecried. TheWoodpeckerbeatonthewargong,saidtheDeer. Iperformedthewardance,andinadvertentlytrodonyour children.Iamsorry. Sorry!saidtheOtter.Andrackedbysorrow,shewept. NowithappenedthatKingSolomonhadcometothe riverthatday,withsomeofhiswivesandchildren.They hadbroughtalongrefreshmentsandwerehavingapicnic. Learningofthekingspresence,theOtterwipedawayher tearsandapproachedhim. YourHighness,she said,Iwishtobringacomplaint againsttheDeer.Forhehasslainmyoffspring. Thatsaseriouscharge,saidSolomon,puttingdown hisgobletofwine.LetshearwhattheDeerhastosay. SolomonsummonedtheDeerandaskedifthecharge wastrue. Yes,saidtheDeer,Icausedtheirdeaths.ButIwasnt really to blame. The Woodpecker had sounded the war 321
gong.SoIwasdutyboundtoperformthewardancein thecourseofwhichthisunfortunateaccidentoccurred. Solomon summoned the Woodpecker and asked if he hadsoundedthewargong. Idid,saidtheWoodpecker,butwithgoodcause.For I hadspottedtheLizardandhewaswearinghissword. SoIassumedwarwasathand. Solomon summoned the Lizard and asked if he had donnedhissword. IndeedIdid,saidtheLizard.ForIsawthattheTurtle haddonnedhisarmor.SoIassumedwarwasuponus. SolomonsummonedtheTurtleandaskedwhyhehad donnedhisarmor. Because I saw the Crab carrying his pike, said the Turtle. Solomon summoned the Crab and asked why he had beencarryinghispike. BecauseIsawtheCrayshbearinghislance,saidthe Crab. SolomonsummonedtheCrayshandaskedwhyhehad beenbearinghislance. Foragoodreason,saidtheCraysh.Ihadspottedthe Otterswimmingalongtheriveronhiswaytodevourmy offspring!Ihadtoprotectthem! SolomonturnedtotheOtter.Alas,hesaidtoher,you yourselfwerethecauseofthistragedy,throughachainof events.TheDeercannotbeblamed. The Otterlooked athimindisbelief. I broughtabout mychildrensdemise? Ultimately, yesby threatening the offspring of the Craysh. ButIhavetosh!HowelseamItofeedmyfamily? Besides,itismy nature tosh.HowcouldIhaveactedoth erwise? Everythingyousayistrue,saidSolomonwithages tureofhelplessness. TheOttermoanedandasked:Whyhasgod madethe worldasHehas? 322
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suffering a series of calamities, Job wishes he had never been born.Friendsseektoconsolehimandtomakesenseofhisfate. Theytellhimheisbeingpunishedforhissins.ButJobwillhave noneoftheirconventionalwisdom.Heinsistsheisblamelessand accusesgod ofbeingunjust. A philosopherchideshimforthiscomplaint,arguingthatgod greaterthananymanneednotaccountforHisactions.But Jobpersistsintryingtocomprehendthecauseofhissuffering. Andsuddenly god Himselfappears.Speakingoutofawhirl wind, He rebukes Job for questioning His governance of the world. WherewastthouwhenIlaidthefoundationsoftheearth? asks god. Declare, if thou hast understanding.Hast thou beentothedepthsofthesea?Hastthouglimpsedbeyondthe GatesofDeath?Whatdo you, a meremortal,knowaboutany thing?god isasking.And He goesontodescribeHisordering of the naturalworld,andtoenumeratesomeofitswonders. godsmessage?ThatHeknowswhatHeisdoing.ThatHis plan is perfect, though its underlying wisdom is a mystery to usisbeyondourunderstanding.WeshouldsimplyacceptHis doingsandstandinaweofHisgreatness. WhichJobrealizinghisfollynallydoes.
Solomon looked over to where his own children were playing.Theywere cavortingon the grasstossingaball, shoutingandlaughing.Aguardstoodnearby. AndhehadnoanswerfortheOtter.*
* The questionraisedbytheOtteriswhatphilosopherscall theodicy,ortheProblemofEvil.Howisgod tobejustiedin the face of afiction? Why would a benevolent deity create a worldinwhichpainandsufferingabound?AndnotevenSolo mon,withhiswisdom,isabletoprovideananswer. ItisthesamequestionthatisposedintheBookofJob.After
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chapter52
QueenofSheba
thebirdtodeliverittotheQueen. The hoopoe ew off, bound for the distant land of Sheba.*
Thehoopoereturnedaweeklater,withaletterfromthe QueenofSheba.Itwastiedwitharedribbonandscented withcinnamon.Loungingonhisbalcony,Solomonopened the letterandreadit.

FromtheQueenofShebatoSolomon,sonofDavid,King of theIsraelitesandwisestofmengreetings!Yourfamehas precededyourinvitation.Forevenhere,inthisremotecor neroftheworld,haveweheardofSolomon.Hisrichesare rumoredtobeboundless.Hisempireissaidtobevast.But mostimpressiveofallhavebeenthereportsofhis wisdom. For neverbefore,itwouldseem,hastherewalkeduponthe earth(ordoesheglidethroughtheair,likeagod?)arulerof such sagacity, perspicacity, and breadth of intellect. Can thesereportsbetrue?wehavewondered.Oraretheyexag gerationstravelers talesthe overripe fruit of popular * The exactlocationofShebaremainsamatterofdebate.The BookofKingsassociatestheQueenofShebawiththeRedSea, butgivesnospeciclocationforherkingdom.TheGospelof Matthewreferstothequeenofthesouth,whocamefromthe uttermostpartsof the earthtohearthewisdomofSolomon. Josephus, in his Antiquities, describes her as being African, as does the Kebra Nagast, Ethiopias nationalepic.But archeolo gistsplaceShebainArabia,identifyingitwiththe ruinsofSaba inpresentdayYemen. Africa or Arabia?Actually, the kingdom mayhave straddledthe two. EthiopiaandYemenarejustfteenmilesapartattheBab el Mandeb, and have at times been politically and culturally allied.AsEdwardUllendorff(in EthiopiaandtheBible ) points out:Itscarcelymattersverygreatlywhetherwehavetoseekthe queenshomeinSouthwestArabiaorinthehornofAfrica(the referencetorichforestsmightpossiblyfavourthelatterassump tion),fortheconnexionsbetweenthetwoshoresofthesouthern RedSeahaveatalltimesbeenclose.
lutchingthemorningreport, benaiaharrived at KingSolomonschamber.Oneoftheroyalwives wasjustleaving.Hegreetedher;andsherolledher eyesandappedherelbows.Theking,sheindicated,was talkingwithabird. BenaiahfoundSolomonoutonthebalcony.Seatedathis breakfasttable,hewasmakingtrillingsounds.Ahoopoe bobbing its head and trilling backwas perched on the parapet. Solomon tossed the bird a cracker, turned to Benaiah,andsaid: My friend has been describing a faraway land, from whichhe hasjustreturned.ItiscalledShebaandislocat ed about 500 leagues tothe south.Thenamesfamiliar,of courseSheba is our source of frankincense and myrrh. Beyond that, nothing was known of the place. But the hoopoe has brought us some information. Sheba is a wealthyland,hetellsme,glitteringwithgoldandfragrant with orchards and gardens. Politically, it is independent, rendering tribute to no one. And it is peaceable, having foughtnowarinthelastvecenturies.Indeed,theShebans haveforgottentheartofwar.Theyownnoswords,wear garlandsontheirheads,andsmileconstantly!Asbetsso goodnaturedapeople,theyworshipthesun.Andinstead ofcompeting,theycooperatewithoneanother.Butheres themostfascinatingfact:Theyareruledbyawomanthe Queenof Sheba!Accordingtothe hoopoe,she isbeautiful, intelligent,andreveredbyhersubjects.Andsheisunwed. Benaiah,Iwouldliketomeetthiswoman.Andyouknow what?IthinkIllwritetoher. Summoninghisscribe,Solomondictatedalettertothe QueenofSheba.Hedescribedhisancestry,kingdom,and accomplishmentsand invited her to come visit him. Sealingtheletter,heattachedittothehoopoeandordered 325
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imagination?Tondout,weacceptyourinvitationandshall bedepartingsoonforJerusalem. Untilwemeet,mayyouwalk(orglide!)inhealthandpros perity,andmaytheDivine(inwhateverformyouconceive it)smileuponyourendeavors. P. S.Inadditiontoassessing(and,wehope,conrming)your wisdom,weshallbedesirousofnegotiatingatradeagreement ofmutualadvantagetoourrespectivekingdoms.
Gems, gold, and spicesplus the Queen of Sheba, saidSolomon.Ivehitthejackpot. HeorderedBenaiahtoridesouth,greettheQueenwith due pomp, and escort her into the city. But delay her approachuntilsunset,hesaid.Iwantherrstglimpseof Jerusalemtobethecityatitsmostradiant. HowamIgoingtodelayher? Findaway. Benaiahsalutedandwenttohisheadquarters.Therehe donnedhisbreastplateandsword.Heassembledasquadron ofrunners.Andhoppingintohischariot,herodefromthe cityescortedinhighstylebytherunners. He soon encountered the caravan: a hundred camels ploddingalonginsinglele.Adriverdirectedhimtothe royalpalanquin.Benaiahpulledupalongsideit,ankedby hisrunners. Hello?hecalledout. TheQueenofShebastuckherheadoutandsmiledat him.Greetings,OSolomon,shesaid,wiseandmighty Kingof the Israelites.AndasInowseeformyselfevery inchaking. Whoa,saidBenaiah.Youaremistaken,madam.Iam not he. Benaiah, rather, Captain of the Guard, come to escortyouintothepresenceoftheKing. Indeed!NowI am expectant.Iftheservantissomag nicent,whatmustthemasterbelike? Why,thankyou,stammeredBenaiah. I am eager to meet him. Speed me to your master, Benaiah. Benaiah sneaked a look at the sunstill a few hours
worldand the kingdom of Sheba had a monopoly on them. Theywerethesourceofthekingdomswealth.(ByRomantimes the Shebans would be described, by Pliny the Elder, as the wealthiestnationonearth.) The Queensgiftsalsoincluded,accordingtoJosephus,abal samroot.Startingwiththissingleplant,balsamwascultivated nearJerichoandusedtoanointthekings(andperfumethemaid ens)of Israel.
Solomonrereadtheletter.So,hesaid,theQueenis coming.Hepurredwithanticipationandtossedthehoo poeacracker.
But Solomonhadcountlessmatterspetitions,revenues, constructionprojects,complaintsfromhiswivestooccu pyhismind,andsoonforgotabouttheQueenofSheba.So itwasanagreeablesurprisewhen,threemonthslater,word reachedhimofherarrival. A herald appeared at the palace, to announce that the Queenwasonlyafewleaguesaway.Shewastravelingina caravan of one hundred camels, accompanied by drivers, servants,andmusicians.Thecamels,saidtheherald,were ladenwithgiftsfor KingSolomon.Thegiftsincludedpre ciousgems,120 talentsofgold,andbagfulsofspicesin particular,frankincenseandmyrrh.*
* 120 talentsof goldwouldweighfourandahalftons,andbe worthroughly$10,000,000 today. The gure givenby Ahimaaz is the same asthatfound intheBookofKings.Josephus(refus ingtocreditsuchextravagance?)mentionsamere20 talents.In eithercase,the camelswouldhavesaggedbeneathaheavyload. Asfor frankincenseand myrrh,theywerenolesscovetedthan gold.Frankincensewasamainingredientintheincenseburnt with sacricial offerings. Myrrh was used in burial wrappings andcosmeticlotions.Andbothwereprizedasmedicines.The treesthatwerethesourceofthesearomaticgumsgrewinonly oneareaoftheworld:thesoutherncoastsoftheRedSea.Thus, frankincenseandmyrrhwerehighlysoughtafterintheancient
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If hislairissosplendid,she said,whatmustthelion belike? AndtheShebansweresoonhaltingtheircamelsoutside thecitygate,andcheeringtheendoftheirlongjourney. fromsetting. SpeedyoutohimIshall,hesaid.Buttheressome thingImustdorst,inaccordancewithourcustom.Imust blessyourcamels.Eachofthemindividually. Byallmeans,saidtheQueen,wavinggraciously. Benaiahproducedacarafeandsteppedfromthechar iot.He begantowalkthe lengthof the caravan.Bobbing hisheadandmumblingablessing,hesprinkledeachcamel withwater. Whenhe hadnished,thesunwaslowinthesky.Benaiah signaledforthecaravantoproceed. AstheyapproachedJerusalem,thecityglimmeredwith a goldenlight.Peeringfromherpalanquin,theQueenof Shebamarveledatthesight. 329
Solomon was grooming himself in the lounge, when Zadok came upbehind him. Thisqueenwhosabouttoarrive?saidtheHighPriest. Iurgeyounottomeetwithher. Whynot? Therearedisturbingrumors.Totheeffectthatsheisa shaytan ademonofsomesort.Afterall,howelsecoulda womanhaverisentopower? Nonsense. My wives have probably hatched this rumor. It could be true. You mustnt take any chances. She mightbewitchyou. 330
Ifshehasntalready,saidSolomon,holdinghisarms outandfeigningatrance. Thisisnojokingmatter. Allright,Illtellyouwhat.Beforehavinganythingto do with her, Ill determine whether or not the Queen of Shebaisademon. Howwillyoudothat? Solomonthoughtforamoment.Thenhesaid:Illmove mythroneintotheFishPoolRoomandreceiveherthere. Theroomhasaglassoor,beneathwhichisthepoolofsh. Uponentering,theQueenwillbelieveherselfabouttostep intowater.Soshellraiseherskirtthusrevealingherlegs. Whatsthepointofthat? Demonsareknowntohavehairylegs.Ifhersbeso,shes a demoninwhichcaseIllsendherpacking.Otherwise, Illwelcomehertomykingdom. Zadoknoddedgravely.Anexcellentplan. A servantenteredandsaid:Sire,theQueenofSheba andherentourageareenteringthecity. Have the Queenescortedtothepalaceandshownto herquarters,saidSolomon.Allowhertorestandrefresh herself.ThenhaveherbroughttotheFishPoolRoom.
The QueenofShebaarrivedattheFishPoolRoom. Come in!called outSolomon.Welcome,guestfrom afar. Pausinginthedoorway,theQueenpeeredinside.Across theroomSolomonwasseatedonhisthrone.Besidehim stood theHighPriest.Membersofthecourtwerelinedup alongthewalls. She looked down and saw sh swimming at her feet. Withademuregasp,theQueenraisedherskirtrevealing legsthatwerebothhumanandshapely.*
* Humanlegsnotwithstanding,theQueenofShebamaybeen thedaughterofademon.AccordingtoArabianlore,theland
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Solomoneyedherlegs.Areyousatised?hewhispered toZadok.Thisisnodemonjustawomanwithadevil ishsetoflegs. TheHighPriestgloweredathim. Whatanattractivewoman,saidSolomon.Talland slender,darkandcomely.Andseehowshecarriesherself inamanneratonceimperiousandsensual. Letsgetonwiththeprotocol. Solomon bid the Queen approach the throne. With a daintystepshecrossedtheglassoor.Fishdartedbeneath herfeet. They exchanged bows and formal greetings. Solomon welcomed the Queen to Jerusalem, and offered both his ownfriendshipandthatofhispeople.Shethankedhim, conveyedthefondsentimentsoftheShebanpeople,and describedthegiftsshehadbrought.Whentheformalities hadbeencompleted,Solomonhadachairbroughtoutfor his guest. Lemonade was served. And the two monarchs chatted. A questionaboutyourforeignpolicy,saidSolomon.I hearthatyou Shebanshaveavoidedwarforcenturies.How haveyoumanagedtodoso? Our secret, replied the Queen, is simple enough whatwe calltheThreeDs. Distance betweenourlandand others. Desert asabarriertoinvasion.Andwhenneces saryskilled diplomacy. Thankstothese,wehaveavoided conictandmaintainedourindependence. Distance,madam?Iwishitwere lessthatwe mightbe closerfriends.DesertIregretforthediscomfortsitmust have caused youduringyourjourney.Asfordiplomacy,you
of Saba was once ruled by a cruel king named Scharabhil. Scharabhil had a vizier who was exceedingly handsomeso muchsothatafemaledemonfellinlovewithhim.Thedemon wouldcometothevizierbynight,andeventuallygavebirthto a daughter.Thisdaughter,Bilkis,grewintosuchabeautythat Scharabhiltookafancytoher,andforcedhertomarryhim.But on their wedding night Bilkis stabbed the king to death, and becametheQueenofSaba.
willhavenoneedforithereweshallbeasbrotherandsis terinourdealings.Whichremindsme.Didyounotmen tioninyourletterapossibletradeagreement? Idid,saidtheQueen.Shebaistheworldssupplierof frankincenseandmyrrh.Ourtraderoutesareextensiveand make use of certain portsEziongeber and Gazathat havecomeunderyourcontrol.Nowthoseshipsthatyou andHiramhavebeensendingsouth?Wewouldallowthem inreturnforunimpededaccessto your portstotrade andtakeonfreshwaterat our ports. Solomonwavedcasually.Done.
Iamimpressedwithyourdecisiveness.
AndIwithyourforthrightmanner.
Letmeproceedthen,saidtheQueen,totheprime
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queenofsheba matterthathasbroughtmehere.AsIstatedinmyletter, wordofyourwisdomhadreachedus;andIwonderedifthe reportsweretrue.WasIsraelskinginfactawiseman?Or merelyaMachiavelliketherest,whohadfoundituseful to adopt the outward trappings of a sage? To nd out, I determinedtoputyourwisdomtoatest. Whatsortoftest? Iwishtopropoundaseriesofriddles.Answerthemcor rectlyandyoullhaveprovenyourselftobewise. Propoundaway,madam.Iamamasterofriddles.* Solomonleanedforwardinthethrone,poisedtorespond. AndtheQueenbegantoriddlehim. Whileitlives,itmovesnot.Butafterdying,ittravels widely.Whatisit? A tree that is cut down and hewn into timbers for a ship,answeredSolomon. Whatowsandfrothslikewater,yetneitherfallsfrom theskynorgushesfromtheearth? Thesweatofhorses. Whatgetsburied beforeitisdead,thenthelongerit decays,the more lifeissues fromit? Livingseedsofwheat. Whatlandhasseenthesunbutonce? ThebottomoftheRedSea,atthespotwheregod part edthewatersfortheeeingIsraelites. Beforetherewasauniverse,wheredidtheCreatorofthe universedwell? WithinHimself. Whatwaterissometimessweetandsometimesbitter thoughcomingfromthesamesource? Tears,OQueen. Andlastly,answermethis.Fromwhatplanetdidthe originalIsraelitescome? Solomonfrowned.HegotupandpacedabouttheFish
* IntheBookofProverbs(ofwhichSolomonisthereputed author),weread:Itisthegloryofgod toconcealathing;but thehonourofkingsistosearchoutamatter.(Proverbs25:2)
PoolRoom,repeatingtheriddle.Themasterofriddleswas stumped. Suddenlyhecametoahalt.Jewpiter!hecried,stamp inghisfootintriumph. Crack! KingSolomonwentcrashingthroughtheglassoor. Grinning with embarrassment, he stood kneedeep in water.Fishswambetweenhislegs.Benaiahhurriedover andhelpedhimclimbout. Andonenaltestofyourwisdom,saidtheQueen.She displayedabouquetofowers.Ihavehereahundredow ers.Onlyoneofthem,however,isreal.Theothersarearti cialingeniousfakes.Identifytherealower. Solomon examined the owers. He peered closely at them,smelledthem,touchedthem. Theyallseemreal,hesaid.Icanttell. Butthenhesnappedhisngersandwenttoawindow. Stickinghisheadout,hemadeabuzzingsound. A beecameyinginandhoveredinfrontofhim.With more buzzing sounds, Solomon explained the situation. Whereupon,the beeew overtotheowersandalighted ononeofthem. Indeed,thatstherealone,saidtheQueen. Whenitcomestoowers,saidSolomon,abeecan notbefooled. Andwhenitcomestowisemen,thereportsweretrue. There is only oneKing Solomon! She presented him withthe bouquet. Solomonmadeaselfdeprecatinggesture.Thenhesaid: Lets eat. And taking her by the arm, he escorted the Queen of Shebatoabanquetthathadbeenpreparedinherhonor.
TheQueenofShebastayedforamonth.Duringthat timeSolomonwasanattentivehost.Hedroveheraboutthe countrysideinhischariot,sightseeing;ledheronatourof 336
335
queenofsheba thepalace;gaveheraseatofhonoratthejudgmentsessions; showedhertheTemple.AndhewelcomedhertotheTower of Learning, where they perused scrolls and discussed arcanematters. They also held discussions in the garden. Solomon inquiredastothehistoryandcustomsoftheShebans.He tookaparticularinterestinShebansunworship,andques tionedhercloselyonit.Whenthetalkturnedtonatural philosophy, he expressed surprise at the breadth of her knowledge.Sheexplainedthatinthemainsquareofher capital was a pillar, on which all such knowledge was engravedandforyearsshehadbeenstudyingthispillar. TheydiscussedtoothereligionofIsrael.TheQueenques tioned him about the nature of god; and Solomon dis coursedonthesubject. Thegardenbecametheirfavoriteplace.Oneafternoon, sitting by its fountain, they watched a pair of butteries utterabout. Canyouspeakwithbutteries?askedtheQueen. Butteriesdonotspeak,saidSolomon.Theyarecon tentsimplytobe. Thatiswiseofthem.WouldthatyouorIcouldachieve suchcontentment.
thereforeHemadeyouking,todojudgmentandjustice.* SolomonthankedtheQueenforhervisit,andpresented herwithgiftsaslavishasthoseshehadbrought.Thenhe said:Whenyouarrived,youtestedmewithriddles.Let menowgiveyouatest. Whatsortoftest? Ofyourvirtue,madam.Thisisyournalnighthere. SpenditwithmeintheRoyalChamber. Sir! Youneedntworry.Mypromiseisthis:Ifyoutakenoth ingthatismine,Ishalltakenothingthatisyours. Verywell. ThatnightSolomonescortedhertoafarewelldinner. Themealconsistedoftencoursesallhighlyspiced.After wards,heledhertohischamber. Separatebedshadbeensetup,atoppositeendsofthe room. The two monarchs climbed into their respective bedsandwenttosleep. ButtheQueenawokeduringthenightthirstyfromthe spicyfood.OnthetablebesideSolomonsbedwasagoblet of water. She tiptoed overanddrankfromthegoblet. Solomonopenedhiseyesandseizedherarm.Youhave takensomethingthatismine,hesaid.NowIshalltake thatwhichisyours. Ofoolishman,youalreadyhave. Ihave?Whatwasthat? Myheart,ofcourse. Theygazed soulfullyatone another. Solomonloosened hisgrip. AndtheQueenslidintobedwithhim.
Finallythe time camefortheQueenofShebatoreturn home.On the eve of herdepartureshecamebeforeSolo monandspokeformally. OKingofIsrael,shesaid,itwasatruereportthatI heardinmyownlandofyouractsandofyourwisdom. However,Ibelievednotthewords,untilIcame,andmy eyeshadseenit.Andbehold,thehalfwasnottoldme.Your wisdomandprosperityexceedthefamewhichIheard. Happyarethemen,happyaretheseyoursubjects,who comecontinuallybeforeyouandhearyourwisdom. BlessedbetheLordyour god, whodelightedinyou andsetyouonthethroneofIsrael.BecauseHelovedIsrael, 337
The next day the Queen of Sheba set out for home. SolomonandBenaiahstoodonthebalcony,watchingher
* Ahimaazsaccountofherdeparturespeechcorrespondsalmost wordforwordwiththatgivenintheBookofKings.Onewas clearlythesourcefortheother.
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queenofsheba caravandepartfromthecity. Alas,saidSolomon,thereshegoes.Themostattrac tive,intelligent,andsympatheticwomanIhaveeverknown. Thenwhydidntyouaskhertostay? Shehasherkingdom,Ihavemine. So what? Travel back and forth between the twoa monthinIsrael,amonthinSheba.Withthecarpetyou couldbethereinlessthanaday. Yes,andcomebacktondsomenorthernersittingon mythrone.Youknowwhattheysay: Whenthekingsaway, rebelsmakehay. Besides,Ialreadyhavehundredsofwives. DoIreallyneedanother? Thisonewouldhavebeendifferent. Solomon did not answer. Clutching the parapet, he watchedthecaravandepart.
chapter53
FlyingCarpet
ingsolomonwasrenownedforauniquemode oftransport:hisyingcarpet,uponwhichhewas wonttocruisethehills,payvisits,orjourneytothe farreachesofhisrealm.* Thecarpetwaskeptontheroofofthepalace.WhenSol omonfelttheurgetoramble,hewouldsummonBenaiah and the Singing Guards. Everyone climbed aboard and tookhisplace:Solomonontheportablethrone,theothers
* A popularmisconception(thenandnow)wasthatthecarpet possessedaninherentcapabilityofight.Infact,itwasanordi narythoughexquisiterugofPersianorigin.Itewsolelyby dintofthewind,whichSolomonwasabletocontrolwithhis ring. (The four jewels gave him dominion over animals, jinn, wind,andwater.) DescriptionsofthecarpetaretobefoundinbothJewish and Arabianlore.Fashionedofgreensilk,itwasinterwovenwith goldandembroideredwithimages.Accountsdifferastoitssize. Accordingtosome,itcouldaccommodateallthemembersof thecourt,whowouldcrowdaboardforaride.Morelikely,the carpetwasjustlargeenoughfor Solomonandacontingentof guards,alongwithaportablethrone. As for its speed and range, we are told that Solomon could breakfastinDamascusandsupinMedia.Thedistancefrom Damascus to Media (a kingdom at the southern end of the CaspianSea)was650 miles.Solomon (no earlyriser)maybepre sumed tohave breakfastedaroundnineinthemorning,andto havesuppedateightintheevening.Thus,thespeedofthecar petwasapproximately60 milesanhour. NicholasRoerich,travelerandauthorof Shambhala, mentions themountaintopstowhichSolomonissaidtohaveown.He alsoquotesanoldMuslimmaninthekingdomoftheUighurs. Of King Solomon, the man told Roerich, everyone knows thatheewthroughouttheearthandthathelearnedtheTruth inalllandsandthathehadevenbeenonthefaroffstars.
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flyingcarpet pressed closely about him. Solomon then raised his ring andsummonedtheWind.Immediately,theWindarrived andborethecarpetaloft.LikeakiteitglidedoverJeru salem,totheaweofthepopulace. Oneafternoon,Solomonandtheguardswerejoyriding atagreatheight.TheWindwasyingthemamongthe clouds. Seated on the throne, Solomon was ushed with exhilarationfromthecombinedeffectsofightandthe wine he was drinking. Beside the throne stood Benaiah: capestreamingbehindhim,helmetglintinginthesun.Far below,theJudeanhillsrolledtowardthecoastalplain.Just visibleinthedistancewasthesea. Howgloriousaview!saidSolomon,wavinghisgoblet atthevista.Andhowglorious,too,amISolomon,king ofIsrael!AmInotthemostmagnicentofmonarchs?Who is equaltome,inrichesorinwisdom?Andwhoelseisable to y about like an eagle? Say, Benaiah, who? Am I not withoutpeer? Certainly,youarerich,wise,andabletoy.But Suddenly the Wind ceased to blow. And the carpet plummeted earthward. Like riders on a roller coaster, its passengersgasped. Solomonclutchedthethroneastheyplunged.Return, O Wind!hecried. Return?camethevoiceoftheWind.ThatIshall,O Solomonwhenyou,puffedupbypride,returntogod. Realizinghistransgression,Solomonhunghisheadin shame. OLord,he said,pardon mypride.Iambuta wretchwhowearsacrown.WhilstThouartgod, kingof the universegloriousbeyondcompare. Whereupon,the Wind returned,boreupthecarpet,and resumeditscoursepleasedtohavetaughtthewisestof menalesson.
On anotheroccasion,Solomontraveledonhiscarpetto theValleyoftheApemen. Reportshadreachedhimofanisolatedvalley,inhabited 341
by a tribeof Israeliteswhom god hadcursed and trans formedintoapes.Theirsinhadbeentorepeatedlyviolate the Sabbath, despite warnings from the few pious men among them. Simian now in physique, they continued nonetheless to speak Hebrew, wear clothes, and dwell in houses. 342
flyingcarpet
Solomon was curious about this tribe. So he hopped aboard the carpet, along with Benaiah and the Singing Guards;summonedtheWind;andewtothevalley.There he spent a day among the apemen. He conversed and dinedwiththemandprayed,too.Fortheirafictionhad broughtaboutareturntopiety.Solomontookpityonthe apemen;andbeforeleaving,hesignedadocumentgiving themperpetualrightstotheirvalley,andorderingthatno oneharmthem.*
chapter54
MysteriousPalace
* In theseventhcenturytheCaliphOmarandhisarmypassed this way. As they approached the valley (according to Tales of KingSolomon bySt.JohnSeymour),theyweremetbyanelderly ape,wearingarobeand clutchingadocument.AconvertedJew amongOmars menwasabletoreadthedocumentwrittenin ancientHebrewandidentifyitasadeedfromKingSolomon. Omar detoured around the valley and left its inhabitants in peace.
ing solomon was returning from a visit to Persia, when Benaiahscanning the desert over which the carpet was passingspotted a palace. He awoke Solomon, who was dozing on the throne, and pointeditout. Maybeitsamirage,saidSolomon,peeringdownatan arrayoftowers. Looksrealenoughtome,saidBenaiah. Butwhatsapalacedoinginthemiddleofadesert?said Solomon.Hiscuriosityroused,heorderedtheWindtotake themdown. The carpetdescendedandlandedonasanddune.Solo mon disembarked, followed by Benaiah and the Singing Guards.Andtheygazedupatthemysteriouscitadelthat loomedbeforethem. Itswallsandparapets,domesandtowers,glistenedinthe sun.Theywerefashionedfromabluish,translucentstone. Strangely,nota singledoornorwindowwastobeseen.On the centraltowerabannerwasapping,inthewindthat theIsraeliteshadbrought.Surroundedbydesert,thepalace showednosignofhabitation.Allwassilent,saveforthe appingofthebanner. Solomonledtheguardsinawalkaroundthepalace.But theycouldndnoentranceway.Thepalaceseemedakind ofmonument,setinanemptyexpanseofdesert. Thisplaceisuncanny,saidBenaiah,whentheyhad completedtheircircuit.Ithinkweshouldleave. JustthenSolomonspottedaneagle,sittinginitsneston oneofthetowers.Hewavedhisringandsummonedit.The eagleewdownandperchedonthethrone. Solomonapproachedthebird.Theygreetedoneanother. Then,inaraucousexchangeofsquawks,thetwoconversed. Benaiahshookhisheadashewatched. 344
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mysteriouspalace Gabbingwithabird!hesaid.Iveseenthisbefore,but italwaysamazesme. Finally,theeaglesquawkedloudlyandewoff.Solomon rejoinedhiscompanions. HisnameisAlanad,saidSolomon,andhehaslived hereallofhislifesometwohundredyears.Iaskedhim howonemightenterthepalace.Hesaiditwasntpossible theresnowayin.Herecalled,however,aremarkmade byhisgrandfatherwhenAlanadwasayouth.Aboutthere beinganentranceonthenorthside,whichovertheyears hadbecomecoveredwithsand. Walking around to the north side of the palace, they approached a mound of sand. Over the centuries it had accumulatedagainstthewall.WhenSolomonpokedatit, Benaiahgroaned. Yourenotthinkingofhavingusremovethatsand,Sire? Withourbarehands?Inthisdesertheat? Theresaneasierway,saidSolomon.Heraisedhisring andutteredacommand. The Wind cameswirlingaboutthem.Withaloudwhoosh itblew the sand awayrevealinganirondoor. Solomonexaminedthedoor.Afxedtoitwasaninscribed plaque.Hereadthewordsaloud.
Wedwelthereinforyearsuntold
Ourricheswaxingthousandfold.
Pleasurewasourdailyfare Constantmusiclled theair.
We keptathousand prancingsteeds Servantstendedtoourneeds.
Butthen,Owoe!theSteedsofDrought Trampledoerus,puttorout The amplecropsthatwereourpride. Ourambereldsshriveledanddied.
Andthoughwegroundourpearlstoour
Starvationdidusalldevour Asonebyonewedroppedanddied Whointhispalacedidreside.
Sodoweleaveittothesands Thatlikeashroudhavedrapedourlands. Forcreepinglizardtobehold

Weleavethispalace,lledwithgold. letnomanenter,verily
unlessaprophetorkingbehe. (Thekeyistotherightofthedoor Forthouwhowouldstthesehallsexplore.)
Beside the door was a niche. Solomon reached in and pulled out a key. Heunlockedthedoor,tuggeditopen,and said:Followme,men. Benaiahandhisfellowguardstradedlooks. 346
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mysteriouspalace Sire,saidBenaiah,itsaysprophetsandkingsonly. Solomonthoughtforamoment.Thenhesaid:Akings entourageisanextensionoftheking.Asprivateindividu als,youwouldbeexcluded.Asmyinstrumentsormin ions,youmayenter. Benaiahlookeddubious.Youresure? Fairlysure. Sire,saidBenaiah.Ihavetheutmostrespectforyour legalacumen.Butthatwarningisexplicit.WhenIencounter a signthatsaysBewareofDog,doIfancymyselfanexcep tion?DoIweighthemeaningofthewordbeware?DoI debatethematterwiththedog?No,Isimplyandwisely heedthesign. Comeon,saidSolomon.Letscheckthisplaceout. Ducking through the doorway, he passed inside. His companionsexchangedlooksofhelplessness,andfollowed afterhim. TheIsraelitesfoundthemselvesinanarrowpassageway. Proceedingcautiouslyalongit,theyemergedintoasump tuousdininghall.The wallswerehungwithgoldshields, silver gurines, tapestries. The tables and benches were inlaidwithgems.Everythingwasilluminatedbyaneerie light,whichlteredinthroughthecrystallinewallsofthe palace. Atthefarendofthehalltheycametoadoorwithan inscription:
The daysdo ow untothegrave Asswiftfor monarchasfor slave.
Preparethyself.Thisdayorthenext
ThynameintheBookofLifexd!
Andtraversingyetanotherhall,theyfoundadoorwith a bronzescorpionattachedtoit.Andthisinscription:
Ourkingwasdreadedfarandnear
Yetintheend,hetooknewfear.
Solomontouchedthescorpion.Withagrindingsound, thedooropened.Revealedwasasmallroom.Warily,they entered. Theroomwasemptysaveforastatueofakingona throne.Onthekingschestwasaninscribedplaque. Astheyapproachedthestatue,itbegantoshakeand rattle.Fire shotfromitsears. Cheap effect, said Benaiah nervously. Or so one hopes. Thestatuesputteredandceasedtoshake.Wispsofsmoke driftedfromtheears. Solomonsteppeduptoitandreadaloudtheinscription.
Myname,Shadad,thesonofAd
InregalsplendorwasIclad.
Mypalace,fullofgemsandgold
Wasawondertobehold.
A dozenkingdomsdidItame
Whosesubjectslearnedtofearmyname.
My wordwaslaw,mywillsupreme
Dictatorialmyregime!
Yetwhenhebeckonedmetogo,
TopaleDeathcouldIsayno?
CouldIofferhimmywealth
In exchangeforlifeandhealth?
Whatinducement,threat,command
Couldstaythatcoldandterriblehand?
Heledmegrimlytoaplace
Wheredidawaitanarrowspace.
Thedooropenedintoanotherhallagallerylledwith goldand silverartifacts.At itsfarend wasadoorwithan inscription:

Savoreachhouroflife.Alas!
The sandmovesthroughthehourglass.
Passingthroughanotherhall,theyarrivedatadoorwith thisinscription: 347
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mysteriouspalace
I wasShadad,therichandproud!
Andintheend,ownedbutashroud.
allisvanity,vanityisay
tisgivenbuttotakeaway.
chapter55
ChineseFood
ForamomentSolomonwassilent.Thenheturnedtohis companionsandsaid:Letsgetoutofhere. Hastening from the palace, they reboarded the carpet andewoff. AstheWindborethemhomeward,Solomonsatslumped inthethrone.Heseemedtobebrooding.Nowandagain hemurmuredthewordsofShadad: Allisvanity,vanityIsay.*
* ThesewordsarefamiliartousfromtheBookofEcclesiastes aworkattributedtoKingSolomon.IfSolomonwasindeed theauthor,hewasevidentlyquotingShadadsmotto. AccordingtoBiblicalscholars,however,Ecclesiastescouldnot havebeenwrittenbySolomon.Thebookslanguageandideas, theysay,suggestanauthorwhoourishedmanycenturieslater. Its philosophylife is brief, so enjoy the pleasures of the day (manhathnobetterthingsunderthesunthantoeat,drink,and bemerry)ismoresuitedtoanassimilatedJewoftheHellen isticerathantothepiouskingwhobuilttheTemple.Thus,the scholarsdeemEcclesiastestobeanexampleofpseudepigraphy aliteraryworktowhichthenameofagureofthepastwas attached. There isalsothecuriousmatteroftheopeninglineofEccle siastes.In itthe author tellsusthathe hadbeen kingoverIsrael. The implication isthat,atthe timeofcomposition,henolonger was.WhywouldKingSolomonwhocontinuedonthethrone untilhisdeathintroducehimselfthus? So whowroteEcclesiastes?Inchapter57 Ahimaazwillpointto a candidate.
nsconcedinthewindowseatofthetowerof Learning, King Solomon had dozed offwhen Benaiahs voice sounded from the communication
tube. Thatshipscaptainishere,Sire. Berightdown,saidSolomonintothetube. Awakenedfromhisnap,thekingyawned.Hisstudyat thetopoftheTowerwaslledwithsunlight.Abreezerustled thecurtainsandfannedapileofpapers.Donninghiscrown, hedescendedthespiralstairs. TheshipscaptainwaschattingwithBenaiah.Hewasa tall,wiry man,withshoulderlengthhairandasunbeaten complexion.Heworetheatcapofasailor,aleathertunic, andashortcape.Inhisarmsheheldabasket,lledwith scrolls. My greetings and obeisances, Your Majesty, said the captain,bowing.IamZakar,nativeofTyreandroverof thesea.Ithasbeenmyprivilegetoserveonloanfrom Hiram,kingof Tyreascaptainof yourship Leviathan. Twoyearsago,withajointcrewofPhoeniciansandIsrael ites,IsetsailfromEziongeber.Mycargowasahundred casksofoliveoil.Mydestination,distantChina.Mymis sion,toacquiresilk,thatrareandshimmeringfabricthat itmightlenditsradiancetoyourcourt. WestoppedatOphir,totakeonaloadofgold.Contin uingalongthe Nubiancoast,we passed throughthe Bab elMandebandenteredtheopensea.Formanyweekswe sailedeastward,untilthecoastofIndialoomedonthehori zon.Atatradingpostthereweexchangedaportionofour oilandgoldforspices.Andwesailedon,blessedwithfavor able winds and a stormfree seathanks be unto Baal. CaptainZakarslappedhimself.Pardonme,YourHigh ness.Rather,thanksbeuntotheLordoftheUniverse. 350
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chinesefood Goon,goon,saidSolomon,wavingimpatiently. PassingthroughtheStraitofMalacca,weveerednorth. Many more weeks went by as the Leviathan plunged throughthedeep.FinallywesightedthecoastofChina.A triumphant cry rose from my men! And we were soon enteringaharbor,havingreachedthecityofWu,capitalof thekingdomofWu.Youmayimagineourexcitementasthe Leviathan drewalongsideapieranddroppedanchor.An ofcialinowingrobescameaboardandwelcomedus.He then escorted us to the palace, where King Wu himself acceptedourgiftsandbidustarryashisguests. Allthatwinterdidwetarry,lodgedinthepalaceand providedwitheverycomfort.Ihaveaknackforlanguages, andwassoonspeakingandunderstandingChinese.Thus, duringourstayIwasabletolearnsomethingoftheircul tureinformationIthoughtmightinterestyou. Absolutely!Letshearit. TheChineseworshipalonglistofnaturedeities.They alsoworshiptheirancestors,whotheybelievecanintercede intheirbehalf. And theyacknowledgeamysteriousforce called the Tao, with which they seek to harmonize their actions. The stars are both worshiped and studied; and Chinese astronomers, in their knowledge of the heavens, surpasseventheChaldeans. Theirmedicalartsareadvanced, andincludeabizarreyeteffectivepuncturetreatment. Thephysicianstickspinsintohispatient!Advanced,too, arethedecorativeartsinChinawesawthemostexquis itejewelry, sculptures,and paintings.Chinesemetallurgyis highlysophisticated.And,ofcourse,theyproducesilkby a secretprocessrumoredtoinvolvetrainedinsects. But the aspect of Chinese civilization that most im pressedmewasitsculinaryarts.Ihavesailedtheworld,and sampledmanycuisinesyetnonesodeliciousandvaried asthatofChina.Adailybanquetwasheldinthepalace,to whichmymenand I werewelcomed.Eachafternoonwe wouldtakeourseatsandmarvelatthesteamingplatters thatwerebroughttoourtable.Thereweresavorysoups, delectable dumplings, broiled sh in pungent sauces, 351
AromaticCrispyChicken,deepfriedeggrolls,FiveSpice VegetableDelight,braisedoxeningarlicsauce,ThreeFairy Salad,sesamenoodles,lomein,chowmein,ThousandYear OldEgg,anddisheswhoseidentityweneverlearnedbut nonethelessconsumedwithgusto!The variety ofingredi ents,tastes,andtextureswasunbelievable.Amealconsisted ofsixteencourses;andmymenandIinemulationofour hostsroutinelyateourselvesintoastupor.Verily,Chinese foodisoneofthewondersoftheworld.NevershallIforget itsdelights,norceasetohungerforit. YetenthralledasIwasbyWuscuisineandotherattrac tions,Ididnotforgetmymission.Andnallythemoment seemedrighttoapproachtheMinisterofTrade.Weentered intonegotiations.Hewasasharpbargainer;butIwasable toexchangeouroil,gold,andspicesforftyrollsofsilk. Andwhenthewindsturnedfavorable,mymenandIset sailforhome. Afteraseriesofadventuresatsea,the Leviathan sailed intoportatEziongeber.Andthesilkwasconveyedtoyour palacehere inJerusalem. For whichIinbehalfof mywives,whoselithe forms that silk will gracedo thank you, Captain Zakar, said Solomon. My duty and my pleasure, Your Majesty. And theres somethingmore.Awareofyourinterestinthelearningof othernations,Iwasabletoacquireaspartofourexchange withtheChineseanumberofscrolls.Theyareherein thisbasket. The captainhandedhimoneofthescrolls.Unrollingit, Solomonfrownedattheunfamiliarscript. Ideograms,explained Zakar.Theyrenonalphabetical eachcharacterisaword.AndonenalitemhaveIbrought you.Hereachedintothebasketandbroughtoutabottle. Thiscontainssoysauceafermentedcondimentthatthe Chinesepourliberallyupontheirfood.Enjoyit,Sire. Placingthebasketonatable,Zakarbowedandexited theTower. Solomonsatdownandexaminedthescroll.Runninghis 352
chinesefood ngerovertheideograms,hesighedandsaid:Alas,Benaiah, thatweareunabletoreadthesemanuscripts.What arcane knowledgewhatuniquewisdomtheymay contain. Turninghisattentiontothesoysauce.Solomonpoured someintohispalmandtastedit.Mmm!hesaid.Ifonly wehadaservingofthatChinesefood,onwhichtopour this.CaptainZakarsdescriptionofitrousedinmeacrav ing.HowIdliketosamplethosedeepfriedeggrolls.That AromaticSpicyChicken.ThatHehaltedmidsentence. A glinthadcomeintohiseye.Butperhapswe could have Chinesefood. Sire?saidBenaiah. Perhapswecould sendout forit. Howdoyoumean? Illshowyou.Puttingdownthebottle,Solomonstood andraisedhisring.OWind,come!hecommanded. The Wind came rushing in the window and swirled aboutthem. Youcalled,OSolomon?saidtheWind. Idid.Are you availableforanerrand? I am at yourbeck. IwantyoutogotoChinaandbringbackChinesefood. Idlikeacomplete,sixteencoursemeal. CantoneseorSzechwan? Whatsthedifference? Szechwanishotandspicy. Szechwan. Im on myway. Expectme backtomorrow evening. WithawhooshtheWindewoutthewindow,roseinto the sky, and headedeast. It gusted along at full speed. A changing landscape hills,desert,theJordanRiver,theMountainsofBashan unfoldedbelow. SoontheWindwaspassingovertheTigrisandEuphra tes rivers.AndtheZagrosMountains.Nightfallfoundit cruisingthePersianplateau.Itdozedoff.Itwasstilldozing whenthemoonlitmountainsofAfghanistanappearedon thehorizon.OverthePunjabitwasawokenbytherising 353
sun.TheWindyawnedandwonderedwhereitwas.Itew pastthesnowypeaksoftheHimalayas.Andpassingover Tibet,itwasstartledtoseeamonkyby. ItfollowedtheYangtzeastheriverwoundthroughmoun taingorges.AnduponreachingSzechwan,itswooped down towardtheestateofaprosperouslandowner. At an outdoor pavilion a banquet was about to begin. Servants were loading the table with platters of food. Clutchingcupsofwine,theguestswereleavingapondand amblingtowardsthediningpavilion. The Wind came roaring into the pavilion. It whirled aboutthetable,snatchedupthecontents,andcarriedthem off. Theheadservantshoutedandshookhisst,asthefood disappearedintothesky.
Solomon, meanwhile, was busy with affairs of state. Perchedonthethrone,hereceivedasteadystreamofliti gants, suppliants, emissaries, and bureaucrats. But as he performed his dutiespronouncing judgments, granting boons, accepting gifts, putting his seal on documents Solomons thoughts were elsewhere. For he was eagerly anticipatingthe mealhehadordered. At sunset he dismissed his aides and hastened to the Towerof Learning.WaitingtherewasBenaiah,alongwith CaptainZakar, whohadbeeninvited tojointheminthe feast.Theyclearedoffatableandsatdowntowait.Topass thetime,Zakarrecountedoneofhisadventuresatsea. SuddenlytheWindcamerushingthroughthewindow, swirled aboutthetable,andonitdepositedamealfrom afar. Thethreemengazedwideeyedatthesteamingplatters beforethem.Zakarliftedalid.Youwerentkidding,he said.Chinesefoodthisisit! CaptainZakarservedasaguide.Heidentifieddishes explained the role of ricedemonstrated the use of 354
chinesefood
Finallytheplatterswereempty.Allthefoodhadbeen devouredexceptforabowlfulofconfectionsthatZakar hadsavedforlast. Fortune cookies, the captain explained, taking one fromthebowl.Traditionally,theyconcludethemeal.He snappedthecookieintwoandwithdrewaslipofpaper. Myfortuneisinscribedonthisslip. Whatdoesitsay?askedSolomon. Ihavenoidea.IcanspeakChinese,butcannotread theseideograms. Solomontookacookieandsnappeditopen.Hewithdrew theslipofpaperandcontemplatedhisunreadablefortune. PerhapsyoucouldsummontheInfoImp,saidBenaiah, todecipherwhatitsays. IsupposeIcould,saidSolomon.Butdowereallywant toknowourfortunes? Whynot? Solomonraisedangerdidacticallyandsaid: Asthroughlifeslabyrinthwego Tisbestourfortunenottoknow. If itbegood,letitsurprise Aswhen,acrossthestarryskies, A meteordotheforesce Withathrillingsuddenness. Or,ifill,whywaitindread And worryoveryearsahead Some auguredgriefthatwhenitsoer Mayseemanuisance,nothingmore? Thepresentday,inanycase, Hasbitterpillsenoughtoface. Butalsotreats!Soletsdigin. To downthesesweets,weneednojinn.
chopstickspouredcupsoftea.Andthethreedinedwith gusto.Repeatedlytheylledtheirbowlsdousingevery thingwithsoysauceandmurmuringwithsatisfactionas theygorgedthemselves. 355
Andthethreeofthemnishedoffthebowloffortune cookiestossingawaytheslipsofpaperastheywent.*
* 3000 yearsafterKingSolomonintroducedit,Chinesefood remainspopularamongJewsparticularlyintheU.S.Indeed,
356
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someChineserestaurantscloseonJewishholidays,forlackof business.TheownerofChins,arestaurantinCleveland,keeps a Jewishcalendaronthewall,fordeterminingwhentoclose.
chapter56
Luz
hesaid. Apriesttoseeyou,saidJoseph.HisnameisElihor eph,andhesaysitsurgent. Illberightdown. Layingasidethescroll,Solomonclimbedoutofthewin dowseat.Hedonnedhiscrownanddescendedthespiral stairs. OnthegroundooroftheTowerofLearningwaitedEli horeph.Abald,corpulentman,hewaspacingaboutand wringinghishands.Clearlydistressed,heneglectedtobow asSolomoncamedownthestairs. OKingSolomon,saidthepriest,Ibegyourhelp. IlldowhatIcan.Whatailsyou? TakemetoLuz! criedElihoreph. Theysayyouknowits location.Please,Imustgothere.Thisveryevening.Now! Solomon was silent for a moment. Then he turned to Joseph.WhatisknownofLuz?heasked. Luz?saidJoseph,whowasseatedathisdesk.Itisthe socalledCityofImmortality.Thesoleplaceonearthwhere theAngelofDeathhasnoswaywhereheisforbiddento enter.Thus,itsinhabitantsagebutdonotdie,solongas theyremainwithinthecity.TheLuzitesgrowoldbecome bentand feebleyetlive on.Eventually, however, theygrow wearyofsuchanexistence.Whereupon,theygooutsidethe wallsofLuzanddie. Itisunclearwhygod createdsuchacity.Somesaythat LuzislocatedonthehillwhereJacobsawthestairwayof angels,andcommemoratesthatbridgebetweenheavenand earth.ButotherssaythatLuzisthecitywhereJacobsought refuge,wheneeingEsau.Itsinhabitantsrefusedtotake
ithamurmurofannoyance, kingsolomon lowered the scroll he was reading and spoke intothecommunicationtube.Yes,whatisit?
357
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himin;andaspunishment, god cursedtheLuziteswith prolongedlife. Whateverthecase,Luzisnotableforitsdubiousbrand ofimmortalityandforacommodity.Foritisoursource of tekhelet, thebluedyeusedonthefringesofprayershawls. The Luzites manufacture the dye from a rare species of snail.Reportedly,ittakes12,000 snailstoproduceasmall bottleoftekhelet. Thelocationofthecityremainsunknown.Theword luz meansalmondtree;soperhapsitslocatedamidstthe almondgrovesofthenorth.But luz canalsodenotethenut shapedboneatthebaseofthespineabonethoughttobe imperishable. So the name of the city may allude to the immortalityorlongevity,Ishouldsayofitsinhabitants. Andthatsaboutallthatsknown,concludedJoseph. Solomonnoddedandsatdownonastool.Thecityis indeednamedafterthetree,hesaid.Butnotbecause of anygroves.Rather,analmondtreewithatunnelcut throughitservesasthecitygate.Asforitslocation,Luz ishiddenawayinthewilderness.Butbirdshaveownover it;andIhavechattedwiththosebirds.Soyes,Elihoreph,I knowwhereLuzis.Butwhydoyouneedtogothere?What exactlyistheproblem? Myneedis Justthenaknocksounded.Elihorephfrozeandturned pale.The door tothe Tower opened;andaservantentered withrefreshments. When the servant had gone, Elihoreph gave a sigh of relief. Myneedisdire,YourHighness,hesaid.Anhour agoIwaslounginginmyroom,whenIheardacryofter ror.No,no!someonecried.Rushingintothecorridor,I sawtheAngelofDeath,emergingfromaroom.Hewas bearingasoulthatofmyfellowpriestJehiah.Likeasack of our,hehaditdrapedoverhisshoulder.Imovedaside tolethimpass.ButtheAngelofDeathcametoahaltand glaredatme.Hegavemethe awfulest lookthemost men acing look.Andhesaid:AreyounotElihorephthepriest? Iam,Istammered. 359
thebookofkingsolomon Elihoreph,sonofBenjamin? Thesame.Butwhyareyoulookingatmelikethat? Becauseyoutooareonmylistfortonight.Iamtocol lectyoursoul,likethatofJehiahhere.Butyouresupposed tobe I shrieked and ran. I ed from the Angel of Death! ThroughthecorridorsofthepriestlyresidenceIplunged like a madmanlike a hunted beast! I was desperate to escape.ButwherewasItogo?WherecouldIhidefromthe AngelofDeath?HowwasItododgehim?Yettododgehim I wasdetermined.Forhehadcometocollectadebt.Adebt thatI,likeallmen,oweduntogodbutwhosepayment I wishedtodeferforaslongaspossible! AsIran,Iwassurehewasclosebehind.Burstingfrom the residence, I raced across the courtyard and into the Temple.Mightnotitssacredconnesserveasasanctuary? Zadokwasthere,lightingthecandles.Breathlessandterri ed,Iexplainedtohimmyplight.Helistenedwiththat graveexpressionofhis.Thenhepointedtothedoorand insisted thatIleave.IwoulddrawtheAngelofDeathinto the Temple,he said,and bringillfortuneuponIsrael. IturnedandranfromtheTemple.Myheartwaspound ing!Racingthroughthecourtyardgate,Iheadedforthe uppercity. InitslabyrinthoflanesIwouldshakemypur suerndshelterdisguisemyself !YetIknewitwashope less.TheAngelofDeathwasrelentless.Hewouldtrackme downinthemostobscurecornerofthecity;laughatmy attempttoelude him;and takemysoul.There wouldbeno givinghimthe slip.Iwasscheduledtodie,andthatwasthat. But thenitcametome.Luz!Theoneplacewherethe Angel of Death may not enter. Luz! I could seek refuge withinitscharmedwalls.IcouldaskKingSolomontotake methere.SohereIambeggingyou,OmercifulKing. SavemefromtheAngelofDeath.TakemetoLuz! Elihorephsanktohiskneesandbegantosob. Solomonwalkedtoawindow,lookedoutatthenight sky,andpondered.Thepriestssobbingechoedinthenar rowconnesoftheTower. 360
luz
Allright,saidSolomonatlast.IwilltakeyoutoLuz. Joseph,haveBenaiahprovisionthecarpet.Weleaveatonce. Elihoreph,followme. Donning his cape, Solomon left the Tower and strode through the hallways of the palace. Elihoreph stumbled alongbehindhim.Theypassedthroughthethroneroom, climbedastairway,andemergedontotheroof. A full moon hung over the city. A gentle breeze was blowing.Flappinginthebreezewasthecarpet.Tethered withropes,ithoveredafootabovetheroof. Goodweatherforying,saidSolomon,tryingtolight enthemood.Butthepriestremainedgrimfaced. JosephandBenaiaharrived,withfoodandwater.They loadedtheprovisionsontothecarpet.Benaiahunhitched theropes.Andeveryoneclimbedaboard. SolomonraisedhisringandsummonedtheWind.Imme diatelythebreezequickenedandtheWindwasswirling aboutthem. WhatcanIdoforyou?itasked. FlyustoLuz,inthe MountainsofBashan. I am at yourbeck. Bornealoftlikeakite,thecarpetcircledonceoverJeru salemandheadedeast. The Judeanhillspassedbeneaththem,paleinthemoon light. The four men traveled in silence. Elihoreph kept lookinganxiouslyoverhisshoulder.Buttheywerealonein thesky. The landscapegrew stark and barren.Theywereying overavaststretchofdesert.ThewatersoftheSaltSeaglim mered andweregone. Thenthe Mountainsof Bashan,jaggedandforbidding, appeared in the distance. In their foothills was the faint glowofacity. Luz,murmuredSolomon. Slouched in the throne, he seemed to be brooding. Besidehim,Benaiahwassingingsoftly.Josephwassketch ingamap.Elihorephwaspraying. TheMountainsofBashanloomedlarger.Luzcouldbe 361
seen distinctly now: a walled city gleaming in the night. Thecarpetwasyingdirectlytowardsit. Andnallytheywerethere,glidingoverrooftops. TheypeereddownattheCityofImmortality.Fromthe airLuzseemedanordinaryplaceawarrenofstonehouses andnarrowlanes.Lampsglowedinwindows.Smokerose from household altars. A woman waved to them from a rooftop. ThecarpetpassedoverLuz,thencircledbackandlanded outsidethecitygate.Thefourmendisembarkedandstood gazingatthegate. Beforethemroseanancienttree.Ithadbeencutthrough withatunnelandincorporatedintothecitywall.Viathis tunneloneenteredordepartedLuz. Thealmondtree,saidJoseph.Whatauniqueentrance way. Noguard,noportcullis,saidBenaiah.Doesonesim plystrollrightin? Apparentlyso,saidSolomon. ThenIshalldo so!saidElihoreph. And he was about to rush forward, when a horse and rideremergedfromthedarkness. Thehorsewashuge,sleek,andblack.Uponhersatthe Angel ofDeath.Bothseemedtoglowwithaspectralenergy. The Angel of Death approached them. He halted his horseinfrontofElihorephandpeereddownatthepriest. Youreallyhadmepuzzled,backinthatcorridor,said Death.Thats whyIstared atyou insuchsurprise.Foryou too wereonmylistforthenightbutscheduledtobepicked upatthegateofLuz. Asyou scamperedoff,Iaskedmyself: How canthisbe?Whats the mandoinghere,inthepriestly residence,ifhesduetobecollected hundredsofmilesaway? Itmadenosense.Iwaspuzzled,too,bytheaddressIhad beengiven.ThegateofLuz?ApartfromLuziteswearyof life,no onegetscollectedthere.Whatwasgoingon?Could thelistingbeincorrect?Suchweremythoughts,asIcarried offyourfellowpriestandcontinuedonmyrounds. AttheappointedtimeImademywayhere,wondering 362
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Deathgraspedhisshoulder.Elihorephappearedtodouble, likeamisregisteredimage.Thenhisbodyslippedtothe ground,asDeathhoistedhissoulontothehorse. Withacryoftriumph,theAngelofDeathgallopedoff intothenight. Solomon,Benaiah,andJosephstoodinstunnedsilence. The only sounds were the drone of crickets, andfrom withinthecitythefaintstrainsofaute. ThenSolomonspoke: Ourlivesarelentusforaspace
By godsbenevolenceandgrace.
Butetchedindeliblyinstone:
Thedatewemustrepaythatloan.
Nottearfulpleasnorfranticight
Cansave usdebtorsfrom ourplight.
Notevenprayeravailusshall
Whenthatmomentringsitsknell.
Andshouldweseektooutfoxfate,
Avoiditsreckoningonthatdate,
Imposeourwilluponevents
(Omostcolossalimpudence!)
Anymaneuveringthatwedo, Allknowing god aboveforeknew Anddidincludeitinthescript
Thatleadsusdulytothe crypt.
Acceptthytenureonthisearth. Thydeathwasschedulederethybirth. TheyprayedoverElihorephsbody.ThenBenaiahfetched a shovelfromthecarpetandburiedhim. Thethreemengazedatthealmondtree,withitspassage wayintothecity.Itseemedtobeckonthemtoenter. ShallwevisitLuz?saidBenaiah.Aslongaswerehere? It wouldbeinteresting,saidJoseph.Andwe are here. 364
ifthematterwouldsortitselfout.Andsoithas.Ourpre mature encounterthe terror I inspiredyourdetermin ationtododgemethepitySolomontookuponyouthe swiftness of his carpet: all conspired to your being here as scheduled. Elihoreph,Icannotbedodged.Ourrendezvous isnow.Come. Atthestartofthisspeech,Elihorephhadstoodfrozenin fear.Butashelistened,alookofwearinesscameoverhim. And as the Angel of Deathreachedout,thepriestbowed hisheadinsubmission. 363
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Yes,werehere,saidSolomon.Butweshouldntbe. WhatwasIthinking?HelpsomeonetoavoidtheAngelof Death?Itcantbedone. Hey,youtried,saidBenaiah. Isoughttopreventhisdeath;andinstead,furtheredits unfolding.Andwhoknows?WithoutmetoyhimtoLuz withoutmywillingnesstodosoperhapshewouldnt havebeenonthatlistintherstplace. Dontblameyourself,saidJoseph.Youfeltsorryfor themanandgavehimalift.Thatsthewholeofit. Inanyevent,saidSolomon,wehaveplayedourrole inthisaffair.Anendtoit.Come. Heledhiscompanionsbacktothecarpet.Dustswirled as it lifted into the air. And they headed home from the MountainsofBashan.*
* Death,then,cannotbedodgednotevenwiththeaidof KingSolomon.Itispossible,though,tohaveanearmiss.Con siderthecaseofYankel: A poor mannamed Yankelwastrudgingalongthehighway,a loadofrewoodonhisback.Dailyhecarriedsuchaload,eking outalivingbydeliveringwoodtopeasants.Butonthisdayhe grew wearyoftheheavyburdenonhisbackandoflifeitself. Whatwerehisdaysbutatreadmilloftoilandwant?Enough! Yankeldroppedhisloadofwoodtotheground.Andinabitter voicehe cried out:Death,come! Immediately,hoof beatssounded.Aroundabendintheroad cameahorseandrider.TheAngelofDeathwasgallopingtowards him. Youcalledforme?saidDeath,comingtoahaltbesideYankel and peeringdownathimcoldly. Yankel lookedupatthehoodedgureandbegantoquake. Terrorovercamehimandhechangedhismind. Asamatteroffact,Idid,saidYankel.Youreastrongfellow. Couldyouhelpmegetthisloadofwoodontomyback? TheAngelofDeatheyedYankelsuspiciously.Hegotoffhis horseandhoistedthewoodontoYankelsback. Thanksmuch,saidYankel.Andwithaburstofenergy,he hastenedoffonhisdeliveries.
chapter57
Shlomo
ingsolomonandasmodeuswereplayingchess. Theywereseatedatasmalltableontheroofofthe palace. Dusk had arrived; and a bluish haze was settlingoverthepalaceandthecitybelow. Whenthegamewasover,Solomonleanedbackandlooked atJerusalem. You know, he said, Ive always been struck by the qualityoflightatthishour.Twilighttransformsthecity lendsitadreamlikeair.Thehuddledhousesandsurround ingwallsseemunreal.AndifJerusalemisadream,what about its inhabitants? Are we illusory, too? Some sort of phantasms?Imaginarycharacters,perhaps,inaworkofc tion? My dear Solomon, said Asmodeus with a laugh, I canassureyouwearereal.Asamasterofillusion,Icantell the difference. Now its true that some illusions may be mistakenforrealitysorealisticarethey.Icouldconjure upforyousuchanillusion.Wejinnareskilledatdecep tion;and askingof the jinn,myownpowersareunsur passed. Whatwouldthatillusionbelike? Icandodifferenttypes.Myfavoriteinvolvesanimpos tureasimulationofsomeactualperson.Wouldyoulike a demonstration? Imnotsure.Mightitnotbeunnerving?Orevendis turbing? Illusionsareharmless,ifrecognizedforwhattheyare. Letmecreateoneforyourightnow.Aconvincingillusion, todemonstratemypowersofdeception. Youllbeimpressed. Howlongwillitlast? Aminuteortwo.Nolonger,Ipromise. Proceedthen. Withpleasure.Butrstyoumustremoveyourring. 366
365
shlomo Why? It contains the Ineffable Namethe one thing that thwartsmypowers.Fortheillusiontowork,youcannotbe wearingthering. Solomonhesitatedforamoment.Thenhesaid:Ishall takeitoff.Butonlyforaminuteortwo.Thatshowlong thisillusionwilllast,correct? Youhavemyword. Solomonremovedhisringandputitonthetable. Asmodeusswiveledaroundandshookhimself.Thenhe turnedbacktoSolomonandsmiled.Hehadchanged.His face was no longer his own. Instead, it was that of King Solomon. Beholdmyillusion,saidAsmodeus,inavoicethatwas alsoSolomons.Ihavetakenonyourappearance.Acon vincingimposture,isitnot?Unawareofmytrueidentity, wouldyounotbefooled? Icertainlywould,saidSolomon,staringathiminamaze ment.Exceptforyourturban,youresemblemeexactly.Its likelookingintoamirror. Suchisthe powerof illusion.Adangerouspower,inthe wronghands. Indeed. NowathoughtseemedtooccurtoAsmodeus;andhe tappedonthechessboard.Howdivertingitwouldbe totakeyourplace,hesaid.TopassmyselfoffasKing Solomon.ToruleoverIsrael!IfIcouldbeyouforawhile, whatanexcellentsport. Tellme,how manywiveshaveyou now? Nearlysixhundred.Andtheyrestillarriving. Iwouldenjoy havingsuchaharem.My friend,whynot takeavacationandletmesubstituteforyou? Alas,novacationsforme.Mydutieskeepmeboundto thepalace. Exactlywhyyouneedtimeoff,toescapetherigorsof your job. Listen, you need a vacationand are going to takeone. Letmehavethatcrown. Reachingacrossthechessboard,Asmodeuspluckedthe 367
thebookofkingsolomon crownfromSolomonshead. What are you doing? cried Solomon. Give me that back. ButAsmodeuswasremovinghisturban.Andtossingit aside,hedonnedthecrown.BeholdKingSolomonof Israel! hesaid. Ithinkitstimetoendthisillusion. Why?Ilikemynewidentity.Imgoingtokeepitfora while. Andyourpromisethattheillusionwouldlastonlya minuteortwo? Ivechangedmymind.Thatsmyprerogative.Afterall, ImKingSolomon. Wellseeaboutthat,saidSolomon.Hereachedforhis ring.ButAsmodeussnatcheditaway. Letsstartbygettingridofthis,saidthejinni.Lo,my rstactasking.Hestoodupandhurledtheringwestward. Whathaveyoudonewithmyring?criedSolomon. Ihavetosseditfarawayintothesea.AndnowIshall toss you. Goodbye,superuousone.Enjoyyourvacation. Asmodeuslifted himout of hisseatandhurledSolomon intheoppositedirection. Likeahumancannonball,KingSolomonewthrough the air.Hetraveledhundredsofmiles,landedinahaystack, andlostconsciousness.
It wasdaylightwhenheopenedhiseyesandfoundhim selfinthehaystack. Dazed and disoriented, Solomon climbed out and looked about.He wasstandinginaeld.Notfarfromhim cowsweregrazing.Onthehorizonwasarangeofmoun tains. WhereamI?TowhatdistantlandhasAsmodeusung me?Andhasheindeedtakenmyplace?Othattreacherous fellow! As the cows watched, Solomon staggered to a nearby road.Stupeed bywhathadbefallenhim,hebegantofol 368
shlomo lowtheroad. And he became a wanderer. By day he trudged along dusty roads. By night he slept in barns or carts or hay stacks.Forfoodhebeggedfromdoortodoor.Hisclothes were soon tattered. His face became haggard; his beard, unkempt. Initially,heidentiedhimselftopeoplehemetasKing Solomon of Israel. But deeming him a madman, they respondedwithderisivelaughterorlooksofpity.Children trailedafterhim,tauntinghimandthrowingstones.Its KingSolomon!theycalledout.HailtoHisMajesty!So hesoonlearnedtoconcealhisidentity. Occasionally he thought about returning home. But Jerusalem was far away. And even if he managed to get back,whowouldbelievehisstory?Whowouldbelievethat this bedraggled beggar was King Solomon, and that an impostoroccupiedthethrone? Moreover,Solomonwasconvincedthathemeritedthis fateaspunishmentforhissins. So he continuedtowanderandtobeg.
accepted.Askedhisname,hereplied:Shlomo.Andhe followedtheservanttothepalace. Therehewasputtowork.Hewasheddishes,scoured pots,choppedvegetables,stirredthecontentsofcauldrons. Theselaborsrekindledoldhabitsofdiligence;andShlomo distinguishedhimselfasascullion.Itwasnotlongbefore hewaspromotedtoassistantcook. NowthekingofMashkemamhadadaughter.Hername wasNaamah;andshewasbeautiful,kindhearted,andintel ligent.Wheneverafeastwasheldinthepalace,Naamah wouldhelporganizeit.Thus,shecameintocontactwith Shlomo.Andshewasstruckbyhisrenedspeechanderu ditionandbyhisnoblecharacter,whichshonethrough the humble exterior. Naamah appreciated Shlomos keen observations, and enjoyed conversing with him. And the twoofthemfellinlove. SoNaamaharrangedanaudiencewithherfather.Accom paniedbyShlomo,sheapproachedthekingandannounced theirdesiretomarry.Thekingwasoutraged. You mustbekidding,hesaidtohisdaughter.This mans a cook inmykitchenalowlylaborer!Hesnotsuit able for you. I want you to marry a king. Some wealthy monarch,likeTiglathofAssyriaorSolomonofIsrael. I am Solomon,blurtedoutShlomo. Thekingglaredathim.Lowlyandloonytoo. ButNaamahwasdeant.ShewasgoingtomarryShlomo, sheinsistedwithorwithoutherfathersblessing.Where upon,the kinggrew furiousand disowned her.Suchdis obediencemeritedexecution,hedeclared.Butinstead,the kingorderedthattheloversbetakenintothedesertand abandoned there. Theywoulddefythewishesofaking?hesaid.Let themdealwiththerigorsofadesert.Theymaynditless mercifulthanI!
MashkemamwasacityinArabia.Withinitswallswere a palace,atemplededicatedtoChemosh,andawarrenof mudbrickhouses.Andadjoiningthepalacewasamarket place. It wasmidafternoon;and themarketplacewasbustling. Merchants hawked their wares. A juggler tossed balls. A fortunetellerdispensedadvice.Andaclamorouscrowd the menintasseledcaps,thewomeninveilscirculated amongthestalls. SeatedonthegroundbyavegetablestandwasKingSol omon.Hehadabowlinfrontofhimandwassoliciting alms. A servantfromthepalacehadstoppedtobuyvegetables. Takingpityonthebeggar,theservantofferedhimajob as scullion in the royal kitchen. Solomon shrugged and 369
Shlomo and Naamah watched as the soldiers disap peared overthehorizon.Thetwohadbeenleftinthemidst 370
shlomo ofthedesert,withameagersupplyoffoodandwater.The sunwassetting. The soldiers have abandoned us here, said Naamah. Wearedoomed. Letuspraytogod MostHigh,saidShlomo.Surely Hewillcometoouraid. No,letuspraytoChemosh. Theydebatedthematter.Finallytheydecidedtoprayto theirrespectivedeities.Soasnightfell,ShlomoandNaamah weremurmuringprayers. Daybreak found them asleep in one anothers arms, oblivioustothedesertthatsurroundedthem. They were awoken by the braying of camels. To their astonishment,acaravanwaspassingby.Theyjumpedto theirfeetandrantowardsit,wavingandshouting. And they were soon bouncing along on a cameland debatingwhoseprayershadbeenanswered.Theydecided nallythatgod MostHighandChemoshhadcooperated intheirrescue.
Theylookedoutoverthebluewaters,thebobbingboats, theseagullsanddecidedtostay.
Thecurtainsoftheircottagebillowedintheseabreeze. Naamah was unpacking groceries. Shlomogarbed in a Mirfangownandtasseledcapwasstretchedoutonthe couch,readingascroll. Heloweredthescrollandsaid:TheressomethingIve beenmeaningtotellyou. Whatwouldthatbe? Do you recall that morning when we met with your father?Andheexpressedhiswishthatyoumarrysomeone likeKingSolomon?AndIsaidthatIwasSolomon? HowcouldIforgetthat?Ofallthefoolishthingstosay! Howcouldyoubesoippantatsuchamoment? Iwasnt beingippant.IamKingSolomon. Excuseme? IamKingSolomon. She putdownthegroceriesandstaredathim. AndShlomotoldhertheentirestory.Hedescribedthe treacheryofAsmodeushowthejinnihadunghimto Arabiaandtakenhisplace.Hetoldofhiswanderingasa beggar.Andheexplainedthatregaininghisthronewould not beasimplematter. But surelyyouregoingtotry?saidNaamah. Let me tell you something, said Solomon. I had wealthandpower,apalatialresidence,hundredsofwives. A trulyregallifestyle.Andfrankly,itwasallgrowingbur densome.Everythinghaditsdownside.Takethepalace,for instance.Itwasahuge,impersonalplace.Inthecorridors I was always passing people I didnt know. Or take my wivesplease! Theyquarreledamongthemselvesandvied formyattention.Myofcialdutiesalsobecameburden some.AskingIhadtomakepolicydecisionsadminister justiceread reports. These tasks were timeconsuming andtiresome.Ihaddischargedmyprimeobligationtogod 372
MirfawasaseaportontheeastcoastofArabia.Itshar bor was lled with shing boats and cargo ships. Over lookingthe harbor wasanesplanade,linedwithpalmtrees andfurnishedwithbenches. OnabenchsatShlomoandNaamah.Theywereeating sherbet,admiringtheview,anddiscussingtheirfuture. In the morningthecaravanmoveson,saidNaamah. AndyouandI?Shallwecontinueonwithit? Wecouldstayhere,saidShlomo.Ilikethistown.Its peacefuland picturesque. Mysentimentsaswell,saidNaamah.Butwhatwould wedo?Howwouldwesurvive? Asamatteroffact,Ivehadajoboffer. Really? I was chattingwithanofcialfromthecustomhouse. It seems theres a position open, for a scribe. When he learned I wasliterate,he offeredittome. 371
shlomo the building of the Temple; and everything thereafter seemed anticlimactic. As I got up each morning and trudgedtothethrone,Ibegantofeellikesomeonewitha routinejob.Moreover,howmuchlongerwouldIoccupy thatthrone?Likeanykingdom,Israelhaditsinternalrival riesandintrigues.AllofwhichIhadtodealwithandworry about. Butlookatmenow,consignedtosocalledexile.Ilead a simpleandsatisfyinglife.Ihavealovingwifejustone! I haveacozycottagewithaviewoftheharbor.Ihaveajob that is interestingdaily conversations with sailors from around the worldand that pays enough to let me buy scrolls.Andtheresnoonetryingtotakeitawayfromme! SowhyshouldIwanttoregainmythrone?Therichand powerfulSolomon?IdratherbeShlomo. Andyourformerlifeyourkingdom,yourpeople,your responsibilities?Yourejustgoingtoletthemgo? Those years as king are like a dream nowa fading memory.Israelisafarawayland.ThisiswhereIbelong, and where Imgoingtostay.
Jerusalem would have tolerated such a shrine, Shlomo replied:Thosewivesofminebroughtwiththemthegods oftheirnativelands.Thepriestsallowedthemtoworship freely,sincetheywereforeigners. DoyoumisstheTemple? Shlomoshrugged.god MostHighiseverywhere. Though HewasespeciallypresentintheHolyofHolies.Andthe Templewasawondertobehold. Andhesigheddeeplyforallthathehadleftbehindin Jerusalem.
Shlomoclimbedthegangwayandboardedtheship.A Phoenicianfreighter,itwasboundforPersiawithaloadof cedarwood.He wasgreeted bythecaptain,whowelcomed himwithahandshakeandgavehimatouroftheship. Whenthecargohadbeeninspectedandcertied,the two men chatted. The captain mentioned a stopover for repairsinJaffa,duringwhichhehadrentedadonkey,trav eled inland, and visited Jerusalem. Shlomo asked him aboutKingSolomon. Solomon? said the captain with a chuckle. Now theresacase.Thefellowisunbelievable!Heleadsalifeof utterindulgence.Ivisited the palaceandgottoseehimin actionlounging on his throne. King Solomon presides overaneverendingparty.Heisconstantlysurroundedby scantilycladwomen,whofawnonhimrellhisgoblet whisperjokes inhisear.Andthemangoesaboutinpajamas, night and day. Throughout the palace theres music and drinkingandlicentiousnessaveritablebacchanal!Every neerdowellinthe land hasgravitated tothe court,tojoin in the merrymaking. And King Solomon has welcomed them. On occasion,heturnshisattentiontomattersofstate. Hellreadareport,makeawrycommentaboutit,dashoff a decree,andreturntohispleasures.Sometimeshelllisten to a lawsuitand deliver an absurd judgment. In one instance that I heard about, two women appeared before 374
Sotheysettledintotheirnewlife.Shlomoroseinthe morning,downedhisgruel,andwalkedtohisjobatthe custom house. Naamah did the marketing and cooking. She also took up painting; and the walls of their cottage were soon lled with seascapes and still lifes. And they madefriendsamongtheirneighborsthoughnevermen tioningtheirroyalorigins. The yearspassed.Andthreedaughterswereborntothe couple. To accommodate his growing family, Shlomo learned carpentry and added a wing to the cottage. It includedahouseholdshrine. Theshrinewasdedicatedtoanumberofgods.Shlomo prayedtogod MostHigh;whileNaamahcalledonChemosh. Buttheyraisedtheirdaughterstohonorbothdeities,anda fewlocalonesaswell.WhenNaamahaskedifthepriestsin 373
shlomo himwithabawlinginfant.Eachclaimedtobeitsmother. KingSolomonlistenedtotheirtestimony.Thenheasked toseethebirthcerticate.Whenneitherwomanwasable toproduceone,henoddedsagelyandsaid:Ihaveanequi table solution to this dispute. Let a birth certicate be drawnupforthechild. Thengivethechildtoonewoman and the birth certicate to the other. Each award has its advantages.Thechild,beingcuteandcuddly,willserveas anobjectofmaternalaffection.Thebirthcerticate,forits part,willrequirenoeffortorexpense.Norwilliteverdis appoint, as the child mayno lack of respect or lial ingratitude.Anditsanofcialdocument.Congratulations, ladies. Canyouimaginethismanaschiefmagistrateofacoun try?Andworseyetasitsruler?Tobesure,fordaytoday governancehereliesonavizier.Butwhomdidheappoint to the post? A bumpkin named Boraka former man servant!ThisBorakmanagestokeepthekingdomaoat, thoughjustbarely.Severaltimes,Iwastold,hisdiplomatic gaffshadbroughtIsraeltothebrinkofwar.Yetforallhis shortcomings,Borakisapopularvizieron accountofthe giveaways that he has initiated. For example, theres a governmentsponsored program called Ale for All. You can simply walk into any tavern and drink your ll. Its completelyfree,Borakboasts,justlikeintheGardenof Eden. I asked people their opinion of King Solomon. And theyjustshook theirheads.About tenyearsago,theytold me, his character had undergone an abrupt change. Previously,hehadbeenknownforhiswisdom.Thereafter, itwasfor hiswisecracks.And he hadoncebeenextremely pious.Nowhemaderemarksthatborderedonblasphemy. Unaccountably,hiswholeattitudeevenhisfacialexpres sionhadchanged.Hewaslikeadifferentperson. Thisnewoutlookwasevidentinabookthathewrote. Hehaditwidelydisseminated,andevenpeddledithim selfinthemarketplace.Itwastitled Ecclesiastes:ATreatise for the Edication of My Subjects. The book had a clear 375
messagethat life is transitory and therefore should be given over to pleasure. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, insisted King Solomon. Therefore, eat, drink, and be merry.Ihaveacopyinmycabin.Youcanborrowit,ifyou wish. Yes,Iwouldliketoreadit. ThecaptainleanedforwardandpeeredatShlomo.You knowsomething?hesaid.YoubeararesemblancetoKing Solomon.Youlookjustliketheman.ButwaithereIllget youthebook.*
When Shlomo returned home, Naamah was cooking dinnerinthekitchen.Thethreegirlswereplayingoutin the yard.He plopped downonthecouch,openedthebook, andbegantoread. Appalling,hemurmured. When he had nished the book, Shlomo lay on the couchandbrooded.FinallyheroseandjoinedNaamahin thekitchen.Shewasfryingash. You know that jinniAsmodeuswhom I told you about?Whohasbeenimpersonatingmeandoccupyingthe throne? Today I heard a report about him. He has been behavingabominablyand blackeningmyname.Andhehas
* Traditionally,theBookofEcclesiasteshasbeenattributedto KingSolomon.Yetitsrationalismitsirreligioussentiments its seeming despairare hard to reconcile with his celebrated pietyand buildingof the Temple.Variousexplanationshavebeen offeredforthisdiscongruity.OneisthatSolomonwrotethebook inhislateryears,afterhisforeignwiveshadturnedhisheartaway from god. Anotheristhatitwaswrittenduringthe Hellenistic era,undertheinuenceofGreekphilosophy.Theexplanation offered herethat its author was Asmodeus, masquerading as Solomonis intriguing. If true, the book would be the sole knownliteraryworkofajinni. Computer analysis of the textits diction, tone, linguistic peculiarities, etc.iscurrentlybeingconducted,andmayresolve thequestion.
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shlomo publishedundermynameascandalouswork.Onethat scoffsatreligionandadvocatesahedonisticlifestyle.How couldIhaveallowedthistohappen? Youhadnochoice. SureIdid.Icouldhavegonebackandsoughttoreclaim my throne. It might have been futile; but I should have tried.Iwonderisittoolatenow?OrcanIstillreturnto Jerusalemandexposethatfake?Tellme,howwouldyou feelaboutlivingthere?AsthewifeofKingSolomon? And those other wives of yours? Several hundred, I believe?Wouldyoubereclaimingthemaswell? Asmodeuscankeepthem. Justthenhisdaughterscameprancingintothehouse. Singingandcavorting,theypassedthroughthekitchen. Shlomolistenedastheyplayedinthefrontroom.And hecametoadecision. No,werestayinginMirfa,hesaid.Mylifeishere a newlifethatIvastlyprefertotheold.Israelwillhaveto makedowithanimpostor. Good, said Naamah, turning over the sh. And she announced thatdinnerwouldbereadysoon.
Instantly,thesceneabouthimbegantofade.Naamah, thegirls,thediningtable,theroomeverythingdissolved anddisappeared. Andhefoundhimselfseatedatasmalltablewithachess boardonit.AcrossfromhimwasAsmodeus.Theyweresit tingontheroofofthepalace. So,saidAsmodeus,youhadenoughofmyillusion. Butitwasconvincing,wasitnot?Iwastheveryimageof you.Amirrorofyourfeatures,ifnotyourvirtues. HowdidIgethere?criedSolomon.Whathaveyou done? Why,nothing.Whatsthematter? Iwaswithmyfamily.Iwasinmyhouse.Andsuddenly Imwithyouagain.Bywhatsorcerydidyoubringmehere? Andwhy,youscoundrel,aftersomanyyears? Whatareyoutalkingabout,Solomon? Tenyearsagoyougotmetoremovemyring.Thenyou assumedmyappearance,ungmetoadistantland,and tookmyplaceonthethrone.Nowyouvebroughtmeback, for some reason.ButIdontwishtobeback. Tenyearsago?saidAsmodeuswithalookofpuzzle ment.Butitsonlybeenafewminutessinceyouremoved thering.AndIneitherungyoutoadistantlandnortook yourplace.AllIdidwastotakeonyourappearancean illusionthatyouhavedispelledbyputtingtheringback on. Afewminutes?saidSolomon,staringathimindis belief. Dont beridiculous.Ive beengoneforyears.Ive beenlivinginArabia.Ifoundanewlifethere. Asmodeusslapped himself.Omygoodness,hesaid.I seewhatmusthave happened.You experiencedmyillusion andwentbeyondit. Youcreatedyourownillusion. As wesathere,youimagined anentirelife foryourself.And experienceditasrealitydaybyday,yearafteryear.Ihad no idea. Believe me, such was not my intention. O my goodness! Solomonlookeddownathisclothing.Royalattirehad replacedtheMirfangown.Hereacheduptotouchhiscap 378
Shlomoandhisdaughterswerenishingdessert.Hewas banteringand laughingwiththem.Naamahemergedfrom the kitchen,withsomethinginherhand. WhenIwaspreparingthe sh,shesaid,Ifoundthis inside.Canyouimagine?Itmusthavebeenswallowedby thesh. She handedShlomoaring.Hestaredatitincredulously. Thats my ring, he said. The one that Asmodeus tossed intothesea.Tenyearsago! Areyousure? Absolutely.Itwasoneofakind.Whataukeoffor tune. Heheldituptothelight.Andtentativelyasiftosee ifitstilltheslippedtheringontohisnger. 377
shlomo andfeltacrown.HelookedoutattherooftopsofJeru salem,shadowyinthetwilight.Andhemoaned. Youmeanitwasalladream?Mywifeanddaughters weremerephantasms?AndthoseyearsinArabiawere an elaborate fantasy? A fabrication of my mind? Youre sayingthatmyfamilyisgonenowindeed,thatitnever was? Alas,saidAsmodeus,yourlifeinArabiawasnotreal. Althoughrealdesiresmusthaveinspiredit.Afterall,itwas you,notI,whocreatedthatillusion.Surelyitarosefrom thedepthsofyoursoulfromyourdeepestneeds.Butin theend,yourejectedit. Youreachedoutandretrievedyour ring. Youchosetoreturntorealityandtoyourdutiesas king.Andlookattheplussideofwhathappened.Youve addedtenyearstoyourlife!Illusoryyearsyettheyseem tohavebeenprofoundlysatisfying. But its all gone, like a bubble that burst. Everything thatwasprecioustome.Theresnothingleftbutmemo ries. Thisworldtooisabubblethatbursts,saidAsmodeus. Ones lifeshallcome toanabrupt end.Onesachievements shallbeforgotten.Onestoilandtroubleshallhavebeenin vain.Thatswhyonemustliveforthemoment. ButSolomonwasnotlistening.Asiftakenbyafever,he hadbeguntoshakeandtomoan.Hewobbledtohisfeet, knockingoverthetableandscatteringthechesspieces. AndKingSolomonhowled.Heletoutaprimalcrythat resounded from the rooftops and echoed from the hills. Thenhefelltohiskneesandsobbed. Asmodeuswaslookingremorseful.WhatdidIinadver tently bring about? he said. I feel terrible. How can I makeamends?Iknow. Hepronouncedanameandclickedhisngers.Ablue jinniappearedwithapop. Solomon,thisisPotah,saidAsmodeus.Hesthejinni of forgetfulness. Just give the word and hell erase those memories.Youllhavenoremembranceofthoseimagined yearsinArabiaandthusnosenseofloss. 379
Leavemebe,whisperedSolomon. AsmodeusclickedhisngersandPotahvanished.Then, withashrugof helplessness,Asmodeustoo disappearedwith a pop. And Solomonwasleftalone,kneelingandweepingatop hispalace.
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ing solomon was conferring with asaf, his newvizier,whenacommotionsoundedfromthe entranceway.Andpushinghiswaypasttheguards, AhijahofShilohburstintothethroneroom. Wildeyed and unkempt, the prophet approached the throne.Membersofthecourtdrewbackashepassed. You are a sinner, Solomon! he cried. And your sins havegrownincreasinglyegregious! A murmurofapprehensionrosefromthecourt. Howso?saidSolomon,takenaback. Listen,andIshalltell,saidAhijah,poundinghisstaff. No sooner had you become king, than your downward slide began.In violationofthelawofMoses,youbeganto acquire foreignwives. Thesemarriages,itwasexplained,were necessarythrustuponyoubythedemandsofgeopolitics andthereforeexcusable.Sowelookedtheotherwayand saidnothing. Butthenumberofforeignwives soared anotherviola tion of law. For isitnotwritthatakingshallmultiplyto himself neither wives nor horses nor gold? But again we weretoldthatdiplomaticendswerebeingserved.Soagain we lookedtheotherway. Badenoughbutitgetsworse.Fortheseforeignwives wereallowedtobringtheirgodswiththem.Togoonwor shipingMilcomandBaalandChemosh!Youallowedthem tobow untoidols,whilstignoringgod MostHigh.And you builtshrinesforthoseidols.Shrineaftershrinewasdedi cateduntilthehills abounded withabominations.With openidolatry!Andthistoo,weweretold,wasexcusable. Forthebeliefsofyourforeignwiveshadtobetolerated. And so pagan sanctuaries were allowed to ourish. DailyofferingsweremadetoBaalandtheotherswithin sightoftheholyTemple!Andallthiswiththeapproval 381
ofpiousKingSolomon. Butyouriniquity,itwouldseem,hasnowreachednew depths.Forarumorhasreachedmeinmycave.Ihearthat youvebecomearegularvisitortotheseshrines.Andthatno longer do you merely tolerate idolsyou now bow unto them. Is this true? Have your foreign wives turned your heartfromgod? Speakanddefendyourself ! Solomonsankbackinthethroneandsighed.HaveI beenvisitingtheshrinesof Milcom,Chemosh,andtherest? hesaid.IndeedIhavebeenthatsnosecret.ButIdonot worshipattheseshrines.Whatdrawsmetothemisadesire forknowledge.ForIhavebeenstudyingthereligionsofmy wives. I want to learn about their gods and rituals and beliefs. To be sure, those gods have been superseded by god MostHigh.Yettheyarestillamanifestationofthe divine.Assuch,theircharactersinterestme.Sodothereli gious practices and cosmologies associated with them. Moreover,Ienjoytheexoticmusicattheseshrines.SoI havebeenfrequentingthem. Asfor allowingmywivestoretaintheirnativefaiths, how couldInot?My hopeisthattheylldiscovergod Most Highasindeed,manyofthemhave.Butmeanwhile,who amItodeprivethemofritualofprayerofcommunion with the divine? Or to forcibly convert them? So I have allowedthemtokeeptheiridolsandtocontinuetheirreli giouspractices.Atthesametime,Ihaveputrestrictionson thosepractices.NeedIpointoutthatinfantsacriceand ritualprostitution have beenforbidden?Or thatthe adorn mentofaltarsisstrictlyregulated?Orthatidolsmaynotbe paraded inpublic? Ibelieve thatmyconductinthisregardhasbeenblame less.PerhapsIhavefailedtoavoidtheappearanceofimpro priety.Ifso,Ihopethatanymisperceptionshavenowbeen dispelled. During this speech, Ahijah had been glowering at Solomon.Nowhepoundedhisstaff.Smoothwords,said theprophet.Buttheydeceivenoone.Whatabunchof baloney!Toleration?Nay,callitbyitstruenameback 382
ahijah sliding. Thefactsareplain.Youhaveallowedidolworship toourish.Andyouhavejoinedinthatworship!Forthis apostasyyoushallpaydearly.Howexactly?HearmeasI prophesy. Itwillcometopassthatyourkingdomwillbetornasun der. FortheLordchastisesthosewhoforsakeHim.ButHe willnotdothisthingnowrather,duringthereignofyour son.Letmeshowyouthefutureofyourkingdom.Symbol ically. Ahijahlaydownhisstaff,untiedhisbelt,andremoved hisrobe.Then,cladonlyinaloincloth,hebegantotearthe robeintopieces. Themanputsonashow,murmuredSolomon. Whenhehadnished,Ahijahheldupthetornpieces. Lo,seewhatIhavedone.IntotwelvepieceshaveIrentmy
garment.Twoofthemareforyou. TheprophethurledtwopiecesatSolomon.Theylanded athisfeet. ThoserepresentthetribesofJudahandSimeon,said Ahijah.Forofthetwelvetribes,onlytwowillremainloyal totheHouseofDavid.Theotherswilltransfertheiralle giance, to the man who receives the rest of my robe. In short,yourkingdomwillbemuchreduced.YettheLord willpreserveitforthesakeofHisservantDavidandwill includewithinittheholycityofJerusalem. Clutchingtheremainingpiecesofrobe,Ahijahstalked angrilyoutofthehall. Solomonsatspeechless,shakenbyhisencounterwiththe prophet.Finally,hesignaleddismissalofthecourt. Aseveryonewaslingout,SolomonwentovertoAhi maaz.Thechroniclerwasstillwritingathistable. Ahimaaz,saidSolomoninalowvoice,youhaverecord edthatexchange?Inparticular,myreasonsforvisitingthe shrines? Ive got itallinshorthand,saidAhimaaz.Itwillbe dulyentered inthe chronicle. Good.Iwantmyexplanationtobepreservedforpos terity. For I can guess what is about to happen. Ahijahs accusation willberepeatedthroughoutthekingdom.From DantoBeershebaitwillbewhisperedthatSolomonbows untoidolsthatheworshipsthegodsofhiswives!Andthis falsehooduttered by a prophetwill be believed and gleefullycirculated.It willberepeated for generationsto come.Anditwillnditswayintobooks.IfIdontcounter it,history willview measanapostate. Yourwordswillbepreservedinmychronicle.Hope fully,thetruth,andnottheslander,willbeacknowledged byposterity. Letshopeso,saidSolomon. But hedidnotsoundoptimistic.*
* Solomonsworstfearswouldberealized.Withfewexceptions, thehistoricalrecordhasportrayedhimasanapostate.Consider
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thispassagefromtheBookofKings: ButKingSolomonlovedmanyforeignwomen,includingthe daughterofPharaoh,womenoftheMoabites,Ammonites,Edom ites,Zidonians,andHittites.Anditcametopass,whenSolo monwasold,thathiswivesturnedawayhisheartafterother gods;andhisheartwasnotperfectwiththeLordhisgod, aswas theheartofDavidhisfather.ForSolomonwentafterAshtoreth thegoddessoftheZidonians,andafterMilcomtheabomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord,andwentnotfullyaftertheLord,asdidDavidhisfather. (1 Kings,11:16) A similarportrayalisfoundinJosephus: ButalthoughSolomonwasbecomethemostgloriousofkings andthebestbelovedbygod, andhadexceededinwisdomand richesthosethathadbeenrulersoftheHebrewsbeforehim,yet he didnot persevereinthishappystateforhisentirelife.He married manywivesoutofforeignnations:Sidonians,andTyr ians, and Ammonites, and Edomites; and he transgressed the lawsof Moses,whichforbade Jewstomarryanybutthosethat wereoftheirownpeople.Healsobegantoworshiptheirgods, whichhedidinordertogratifyhiswives,andoutofhisaffec tion for them.Andashegrewintoyears,andhisreasonbecome weakenedbylengthoftime,heneglectedtheinstitutionsofhis ownnation.Sothatmoreandmorehecontemnedhisowngod, and continued toregardthegodsthathismarriageshadintro duced.Therecamethereforeaprophettohim,whowassent by god, andtoldhimthathiswickedactionswerenotconcealed from god.(Antiquities, viii,7:5) F.W.Farrar(authorof Solomon:HisLifeandTimes) describes himashavingbecome a shamelesspolytheistakingwhose heart waspervertedandhiswillenervatedbyluxuryandpride. Scandalously,Solomonlenttoidolatrythesanctionnotonlyof tolerance,not onlyof acquiescence,butofdirectparticipationin the mostrevoltingformsofsuperstition. TheJewishEncyclopedialaments: But,thoughhebuilttheTemple,andintheprayerattributed tohimexpressedsomeoftheloftiestsentimentsofamanthor oughlyzealousinhisworshipofIsraelsgod, hiscareerdidnot fulllhisearlyreligiousresolves.Thepolytheisticworshipintro duced by his foreign wives into Jerusalem and his faint and ineffectualopposition totheirrequestthattheirgodsshouldbe
shownrespectledtohismoralandreligiousdeterioration,until helosthisholdonthepeopleaswellasonhisownfaith. AndthepoetMiltonstatesthecaseinanutshell: Uxoriousking,whoseheartthoughlarge, Beguiledbyfairidolatresses,fell Toidolsfoul. YetSolomonisnotwithouthisdefenders.Amongthemisa commentatorintheTalmud,whosplitsthefollowinghairs: WhoeversaysthatSolomonsinnedisdecidedlywrong.His wives turnedawayhisheart towalkafterothergods,but hedid notgo.He intended tobuildahighplaceforChemosh,butdid notbuildit.(Shabbath,f.56:2) AndthereisAhimaaz. Hischroniclewrittenpurportedlydur ingthelifetimeacquitsKingSolomonofanyimpiety.
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ing solomonstoodintheentrancetothe CaveoftheAges.Hiscrownglintedintheicker ingtorchlight.Youwishedtoseeme?hesaid. Yes,saidMelchizedek.Comein.Ihavesomepictures foryoutoview.Andaproblemforyoutosolve.Please,have a seat. Themysteriouspriestgesturedtowardachair.Solomon enteredthecavernandsatdown. Iunderstandthatarecordnumberofworshiperscame totheTemplelastweek,saidMelchizedek.Itshardto imagineJerusalemwithouttheTemple.Butforhowlong will this sanctuary endure? For how many years will it stand? TheTemplesfateisingodshands. Tobesure.Butyouhavebuiltsomethingofhistorical import.Arentyoucuriousastowhatthefutureholdsfor it?Ofcourseyouare.Soletstakealook. Melchizedekclickedhisremoteandthegiantscreenlit up. This rst picture shows Mount Moriah twenty years ago,hesaid.Thatistosay,priortoconstructionofthe Temple.Likealonelymonument,theSacredRockissil houettedagainstthesky.Ahighplacewitharockofpower. Andthen,behold!hesaid,clickingtheremote.Heres themountasitistodaycrownedwithgodsHouse.What anaweinspiringsight!You maybeproudof yourachieve ment,Solomon. Butnowletsmoveintothefuture.Thisnextpicture showsthemount twocenturieshence. TheTemplestillrises majesticallyfromthesummit.Ofcourse,theholyshrine hasbeguntoshowitsage.Theexteriorwallshavelosttheir sheen.Thetwinpillarshaveacquiredcracks.Thebronze altar is encrusted with soot and no longer glints in the 387
sun.Timehastakenatollonthistemplefortheages,as yourarchitectbilledit. Braceyourselfnowforthenextpicture.Areyouready? HeresMountMoriah four centurieshence. Ontothescreencameasceneofdesolation.Solomonlet outagasp.Gonewasthesanctuaryonthemount.Allthat remained were toppled stones, charred beams, and rem nantsofwalls.Weedsgrewinprofusion. You are viewing the ruins of the Temple, said Mel chizedek.ForgodsHousehasbeenplunderedandrazed. Aninfamousdeed!ItwasorderedbyNebuchadnezzar,king ofBabylon,whohadconqueredJerusalem.Anditleftthe Israeliteswithoutasanctuaryorcentralaltar.Whywasthis disasterallowed tohappen?Intheviewofprophetsofthe time,godspeoplehadturnedfromHim;andsuchwastheir punishment.Inanycase,theTemplehasbeendestroyed.* Take a look, however, at this next picture. Like the phoenixthemysticbirdthatisrebornfromitsashesa newTemplehasrisenfromtheruins.BeholdtheSecond Temple!Undertheauspicesoftheirnextconqueror,Cyrus of Persia,the Israelites haverebuilttheirsanctuary.Admit tedly,thereplacementisamodeststructure.Goneisthe
* Solomonmaynothavebeentotallysurprisedtolearnofits destruction.AccordingtotheBookofKings,uponthecomple tion of theTemplehehadadream.Initgod warned him: But ifyou shallturnfrom followingMe,youoryourchildren, and willnot keepMy commandmentsandstatuteswhichIhave setbeforeyou,butgoandserveothergodsandworshipthem thenwillIcut offIsrael from the land whichIhavegiventhem; and thisHouse,whichIhave hallowedforMyname,willIcast outofMysight. AndatthisHouse,whichshallbeinruins,shalleveryonethat passes by itbeappalled,andshallwhistle.Andtheyshallsay, WhyhaththeLorddonethusuntothislandandtothisHouse? Andtheyshallanswer,BecausetheyforsooktheLordtheirgod, whobroughtforththeirfathersoutofthelandofEgypt,andhave taken hold upon other gods, and have worshiped them and servedthem.ThereforehaththeLordbroughtuponthemthis evil.(1 Kings9:69)
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glimpsesofthefuture monumentalmasonry,theskilledbronzework,thepreci sion of design. No cedar wood or gold adorns the inner walls.Thisisalowcostprojectabudgetsanctuary.Still, Israel has its Temple back. The sacrices have resumed. Thepanstogod MostHighonceagainriseheavenward. AndtheDivinePresencehasreturnedtothemount.* But conquerors come and go. A few centuries later, Alexander the Greata Macedonian Greekrouted the PersiansandaddedJerusalemtohisempire.Andoneofhis successorswasresponsibleforanabomination.Asseenin thisnextpicture. Behold, the Temple still stands. But do you see that statuebesidethealtar?ItsZeus,chiefgodoftheGreeks! ThepriestswerecompelledtosacricetoZeus,ratherthan togod MostHigh.Andtosacrice pigs. Fortunately,this oppressionwasshortlived;andthealtarwasreconsecrated togod. Nowasidelighttoourhistoryofthemount.Around thistimetherearosearivaltemplededicatedtogod but located onMountGerizim.ItwasbuiltbytheSamaritans, whohadhadafallingout withtheircompatriotsinJeru salem.Heresapicture.Noticethestairwayleadingupthe mountainworship with a workout. The temple was in
* The groundbreakingfortheSecondTemplewasanemotion alevent.TheBookofEzrareports: AndwhenthebuilderslaidthefoundationoftheTempleof theLord,theysetthepriestsintheirapparelwithtrumpets,and theLevitessonsofAsaphwithcymbals,topraisetheLord.And they sang together, praising and thanking the Lord; for He is good,andHismercytowardIsraelendurethforever.Andallthe people shouted with a great shout, as they praised the Lord, becausethefoundationoftheHouseoftheLordwaslaid. ButmanyofthepriestsandLevitesandelderswereancient men,whohadseenthe rstHouse;andwhenthefoundationof thisHousewaslaidbeforetheireyes,theyweptwithaloudvoice; and manyshoutedaloudforjoy.Sothatthenoiseoftheshouts of joy couldnot bediscernedfromthenoiseoftheweeping;and thepeopleshoutedwithaloudshout.Andthenoisewasheard afaroff.(Ezra3:1013)
activeuseforseveralcenturies,beforeitsdestruction.* As Judea prospered, its sanctuary was deemed to be inadequate.Somethingmoremagnicentwasneeded.So theSecondTemplewascompletelyrebuilt.Footingthebill wasHerodtheGreatsocalledforthegreatsumshelav ishedonfortresses,theaters,hippodromes,andotherpublic works.ThenewshrinebecameknowntohistoryasHerods Templejustastheoriginal,bytheway,becameknownas SolomonsTemple.Takealookatthispictureofit.Impressive, isitnot?Awonderoftheagemonumentalequaltoany thingintheGrcoRomanworld.Hewhohasnotseteyes upontheTempleofHerod,arabbiwoulddeclare,hasnot seenabeautifulbuildinginhislife. Nojinnwereemployedinitsconstruction.Instead,a thousandprieststrainedasmasonsand9000 ordinary laborerstoiledformanyyears.Notetheenlargedplatform, theporticoesandcolonnades,thetoweringsanctuary.The courtyard was immense, yet could scarcely contain the
* The Samaritanshavesurvivedintothepresentday.Around threehundredofthemstillliveonMountGerizim(andafew hundredmoreinasuburbofTelAviv).Thoughlackingatem ple,theyhavekeptaliveanancientrite:thesacriceofalambon Passover. The rivaltemples bringtomindajokeabouttheJewstrand edonadesertisland.Whennallyrescued,hewasfoundtohave constructedtwosynagogues.Whytwo?hewasasked.TheJew pointed tooneandsaid:Seethat shul [synagogue]?Thats the oneIgoto.Andseetheoneoverthere?ThatstheoneIrefuseto goto! Josephusgivesusasenseofitsbeauty: NowtheoutwardfaceoftheTempleinitsfrontlackednoth ingtosurpriseeithermensmindsortheireyes.Foritwascov eredalloverwithplatesofgoldofgreatweight;andattherst risingofthesun,itreectedbackaerysplendour,andmade thosewhoforced themselvestolookuponittoturntheireyes away,justastheywouldhavedoneatthesunsownrays.Butthis Templeappearedtostrangers,whentheywereatadistance,like a snowtopped mountain,for astothosepartsofitaswerenot gilt,theywereexceedinglywhite.(WarsoftheJews, v, 5:4)
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glimpsesofthefuture pilgrims who crowded into it on holidays. Indeed, the courtyard was said to expand miraculously, to allow an unimpededbowingofheads.AndtheTemplehada magrefa, orwaterorganamusicalinstrumentsolouditcouldbe heardasfarawayasJericho. Yetforallitsglory,HerodsTemplewasfatallyawed. Lookatthemaingate.Attachedtoitisagoldeneaglethe insigniaofimperialRome!ForHerodwasapuppetofthe Romansavassalwhoorderedthatsacricesbeofferedto theEmperor. Theeaglewasseenasabirdofprey;theRomans,as oppressors. Finally, war broke out between the Jews and their overlords. The result was unprecedented death and suffering.Andthis. Melchizedek clicked to the next picture. And again a sceneofdesolationlledthescreen. HerodsTemplehasbeendestroyed.Alongwithmuch ofthecity,ithasbeenreducedtorubble.Onthemount, onlyaretainingwallhasbeenleftstanding.* Severalcenturies passbringingustothisnextpicture. Alasfor the mount!It hasbeenleftinaruinousstate.The
* Monthsafterthedestruction,RabbiYohananandhisdisciple Yoshivisited the ruinsofHerodsTemple. Woe to us, said Yoshi, that the sanctuary is wastedthe placewhereIsraelatonedforitssins! My son,benotaggrieved,saidYohanan.Wehaveanother meansofatonementthatwillbejustaseffective.Andwhatis that? Actsoflovingkindness. Asitissaid:ForIdesiremercyand not sacrice. Andyearslater,RabbiAkibaandhisfellowsageswereviewing the ruins.Suddenlyafox emergedfromtheremainsoftheHoly of Holies. The sages began to weepexcept for Akiba, who laughed.AndAkibaaskedhiscompanionswhytheywept. Because,oneofthemreplied,whereonlytheHighPriest couldenter,nowdwellsafox. ThenletmetellyouwhyIlaughed,saidAkiba.Becausewe havebeenassuredbytheprophetZechariahthat god will returntoHisHolyMountain.AndthatHispeoplewillagain livejoyfullyintheHolyCity.
SacredRockisbarelydiscernibleamidstrubble.Hereand thereacharredpillarhasremainedupright.Thatretaining wallhasstartedtocrumble.Andamidsttheruinshasbeen placedthestatueofaRomanemperorhissterneyexed uponthewagesofrebellion.Thesacredsiteisdesolate.* Morecenturiespass.Andtakealookatthispicture,if youcan.Heclickedtheremote.Behold,alas.Theholy mount has been further desecrated. It is being used as a dump. Melchizedekshookhisheadasifunabletocreditthe basewaysofmanandmovedontothenextpicture. Nowthispicturerequiresanexplanation.Thisdomed buildingislocatednotfarfromthemount,whichcanbe seenontheright.ItiscalledtheAnastasis,orResurrec tion. Built by Emperor Constantine, the Anastasis is a Christianchurch.WhatisChristianity?Wecantgetinto thatnow.Sufceittosaythat,onthesiteofthischurch,an execution took placeof Jesus of Nazareth; and that for Christians,Jesusdeathwasadivinesacricethatbrought salvation tomankind.TheAnastasisoverlookedtheruins of the Temple,whichitwasmeanttosupersede.Andithad physicallyreplacedatempletoAphrodite.Thus,itrepre sented the ascendancy of Christianity over both Judaism and paganism.Areyoufollowinganyofthis?
* InthefourthcenturytheBordeauxPilgrim(aChristiantrav elerwhosenameisunknown)visitedthemount.Twostatues ofHadrianstandthere,hereports,andnotfarfromthem,a piercedrock,towhichtheJewscomeeveryyearandanoint it,bewailthemselveswithgroans,rendtheirgarments,andso depart. BythistimetheRomanshadrebuiltthecityandrenamedit liaCapitolina.Jewswereforbiddenaccess,exceptonceayear: on theNinthofAbtheanniversaryoftheTemplesdestruction theywere allowedtovisittheruinsonthemountandpray. Destroyed by Persian invaders in the seventh century, the AnastasiswasrebuiltastheChurchoftheHolySepulcher.That churchwasitselfdestroyedintheeleventhcenturybyHakimthe Mad.ThepresentdayChurchoftheHolySepulcherwasbuilt byCrusaders.
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glimpsesofthefuture In any case, our journey through time continues. Ponderthisnextpicture.Themounthasbeenclearedof bothrubbishandrubble.TheSacredRockhasbeenuncov ered.Justsouthofit,asimplewoodenstructureahouse of prayerhas been built. Who was responsible for this turn of events? Omar ibn alKhattib, a conqueror from Arabia.HisarmyhadtakenJerusalem,underthebannerof a new religion. That religion was Islam, or submission. Founded by the prophet Muhammad, Islam revered the mountasthesiteoftheTemple,oftheSacredRock,and ofMuhammadsascensiontoheaven.Appalledtondit beingusedasadump,Omarsetouttorestorethesanctity ofthemount.Hehaditcleared;waiteduntilthreerains hadcleansedit;thenanointeditwithincenseandbuilta houseofprayer.ItwasthebeginningofaneweraforMount Moriah.* Nowtherabbisaid:Hewhohasnotseteyesuponthe TempleofHerodhasnotseenabeautifulbuildinginhis life.Absolutely.Butthesamemaybesaidofthebuilding youreabouttosee.Oneofthemostexquisiteofalltime! Feastyour eyes uponanarchitecturalgem. Melchizedek clicked the remote; and another domed buildinglledthescreen. Behold,theDomeoftheRock.Itwascommissionedby AbdalMalik,whosucceededOmarascaliph.Theworkof Byzantinearchitectsandcraftsmen,theDomeoftheRock isamasterpiece.Itsgoldendomedazzlestheeye.Itswalls
* Despitehisposition ascaliph,Omarledahumbleexistence. RalphWaldoEmersondescribeshimthus: Hisdietwasbarleybread,hissaucewassalt;and oftentimes, by wayof abstinence,heatehisbreadwithoutsalt.Hisdrinkwas water.Hispalacewasbuiltofmud;whenheleftMedinatogo to the conquest of Jerusalem, he rode on a red camel with a woodenplatterhangingatitssaddle,withabottleofwaterand twosacks,oneholdingbarleyandtheotherdriedfruit. UponOmarsarrivalinJerusalem,theSacredRock(according toesSiyutisHistoryoftheTempleofJerusalem) spoketohimand welcomedhimtothemount.
formaperfectoctagon.Andtheyaresheathedinmosaic millionsoftinycoloredcubes. Melchizedekclickedtothenextpicture. Heresaviewoftheinterior.Notetheelegantpropor tions,intricatedecoration,richcarpeting.Andseehowthe SacredRockemergesfromtheooraneruptionofstone! Centerpieceoftheshrine,theRockissurroundedbyscreens andringedwithmarblecolumns.Duringtheday,theDomes interiorislitbysunlightfromthelunettes.Atnight,hun dredsoflampsarekindled.Incenseisfrequentlyburning hencetheotherworldlyhaze. TheDomeoftheRockwasmeanttoreplacetheTemple andtooutdoitinsplendor.Proudtohavesponsoredsuch a work,andnotalittlevainglorious,AbdalMalikdeclared uponitscompletion:Behold,amangreaterthanSolomon ishere!* SotheDivinePresencehadreturnedtothemount,pro claimedtheadherentsofIslam.Thismagnicentshrinewas itsnewhome.FortheJews,however,theDivinePresence hadneverleft.Theyinsistedthat,despitethedestructionof itsabode,ithadlingered on the mount.Whereexactlyhad itlingered? Here. Ontothescreencamethepictureofaruinamassive wall,halfburied inrubble. InordertoenlargetheTempleplatform,Herodsengi neershadbuiltretainingwalls.Oneofthosewallssurvived. Forsomereason,theRomansleftitstanding. The Jewsrevered thiswall,asthe soleremnantofthe Temple.Allowednowtoresideinthecity,theygathered here tobaskinthe DivinePresence.Theyweptandprayed. And theybegged god torestore the Temple. NowherestheDomeoftheRockafewhundredyears
* Similarly, when Emperor Justinian completed the Hagia Sophiathe monumentalchurchinConstantinoplehesaid: Glorybetogod whohasthoughtmeworthytoaccomplishso greatawork.OSolomon,Ihavevanquishedthee! Heaven,too,wassaidtoweepatnightforthelost Temple. Themorningdewthatclungtothewallwasitstears.
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glimpsesofthefuture later,asseenfromMountScopus.Thricedamagedbyearth quakes,theshrinehasbeenrebuiltandstilldominatesthe city. Crowned with a crescent, it proclaims the Glory of god andthetriumphofIslam.* But then one day the chandelier snapped loose. An elaboratexturewith500 lamps,itcamecrashingdownon the Rock. The occurrence was deemed an ill omen. And suchwasindeedthecase.Fortakealookatthisnextpic ture. Heres the Dome of the Rock a century laterseem inglyunchanged.Butlookclosely.Atopthedome, a cross hasreplacedthecrescent. TheshrinehaspassedintoChris tianhands.Ithasbeenconvertedtoachurchandrenamed TemplumDominitheTempleoftheLord. But the change was shortlived. Jerusalem fell to the SeljukTurks,ledbySaladin;andthebuildingwasreconse cratedasanIslamicshrine. Andwecomenowtothesixteenthcenturyandtherule oftheOttomanTurks.TheirgreatestsultanwasSuleiman the Magnicentyournamesake,bytheway.Andoneof Suleimans accomplishmentswastorenovatetheDomeof the Rock. The exterior walls were reclad in marble and blueceramictile.Thedoorswererestoredtotheiroriginal splendor.Stainedglasswasaddedtothelunettes.Heresa picture.Asyoucansee,theshrineismoreimpressivethan ever. AndwhatoftheholyplaceoftheJews?Whathadbecome
* At dawn, writes alMuqaddasi, a tenthcentury traveler, whenthe lightof the sun rststrikesonthecupola,andthe drumcatchestherays,thenisthisediceamarveloussightto behold,andonesuchthatinallIslamIhaveneverseenitsequal. AccordingtoalMuqaddasi,theDomeoftheRockwasmeant tosurpassingrandeurthechurchesofJerusalem. DuringtheCrusaderera,themountbecametheheadquar tersof the KnightsTemplar. Thesewarriormonksstudiedthe architectureoftheDomeoftheRock(whichtheybelievedto beSolomonsTemple),andincorporatedtheirndingsintothe designof cathedrals.
ofthatveneratedwall?Suleimanimprovedittoo.Thespace infrontofitwascleared,tocreateanenclaveforprayer asseeninthisnextpicture. Beholdthewall.Andbeholdamelancholyruin.Fifteen centuriesofrainhaveerodedthemassiveblocksoflime stone.Snapdragonshavesproutedfromthecracksbetween them.Sparrowshavenestedincrevices.Andthelowerstones havebecomepolished,fromthehandsofinnumerablewor shipers. Those stones have also been cleansedby tears. FortherehasbeenmuchweepingattheWailingWall,as theruinshallbecomeknown.* Andwecomenowtothenalandmostpertinent picture.Iwantyoutolookatit,thengohomeandponder. ForIhaveaproblemforyoutosolve. Anaerialviewappearedonthescreen.Itshowedboth theDomeoftheRockandthesurvivingwalloftheTemple. Heres the mount in the twentyfirst century. Some furtherchangeshaveoccurred.Thegoldendomehasbeen restored.Theenvironshavebeenlandscaped.Andinfront of the WesternWall,asitsnowknown,aspaciousplazahas beencreated. MuslimsandJewssharethecity.Butaviolentantago nismexistsbetweenthem.Thefocalpointoftheirconict isthe mounttheHaramesSharif,orNobleSanctuary,to theMuslims;theTempleMounttotheJews.Forbothitis a holyplaceagatewaytoheaven.Bothreverethesite.Yet theirantagonismprecludesanamicablesharing. Moreover, there are Jews who want to build a Third Templeuponthemount.Indeed,onegrouptheTemple MountFaithfulhasalreadyhewnthecornerstones.Need lesstosay, theirplanenrages the Muslims.Sohowarethese conictingclaimstobereconciled? Youarerenowned,Solomon,foryourwisdom.Foryour mentalacumen.Youhavewonacclaimasanarbiteroflegal disputes andasolverofriddles.Soherestheproblemthat
* ThewallisknowntoMuslimsasalBurakafterMuhammads wingedhorse,whomhetetheredhereduringhisNightJourney.
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glimpsesofthefuture I wantyoutoponder. Howcanthemountbeshared? How canitservebothparties?Howcanthisrivalryberesolved? Whatistheanswer? Is thereananswer?Returntoyourpal aceandputyourmindtowork.Allright?Gothen.Before youleave,however,Icoulduseyourhelpwithsomething. Withawearygroan,Melchizedekroseandapproached thegianthourglass. Thisconfoundedthingisabouttorundown,hesaid. Itneedstobeturned.Couldyoulendmeahand? Togethertheytookholdofthehourglassandinvertedit. Thatsquiteanhourglass,saidSolomon,watchingthe sandtrickledown.Whatsitsfunction? Itspurelydecorative.Lendssomeatmospheretothe
cave.ButIvewrenchedmybacktryingtoturnit.Soyour helpwasappreciated. Gladtohelp. Ifyousolvetheproblem,cometellme,saidMelchiz edek. Though even the wisdom of Solomon may fail to crackthisnut. Illdomybest.OnequickquestionbeforeIgo? Surely. Whatexactlyistime? TheantechamberofEternity. Solomonnoddedanddepartedthecavern.*
* OfthemarvelsthatAhimaazdescribes,theCaveoftheAges may be the most problematical for modern sensibilities. Our skepticismmayrelentsufcientlytoadmitthepossibilityofa magicringayingcarpetevenajinni.Butthenotionthat time is physically interconnectedhoneycombed with a net workoftunnelsseemsfarfetched.AndeveniftheCaveofthe Agesisjustaliteraryconceit,howcouldAhimaazhaveknown thefutureofthemount?Surelythischapterglaringlyanachro nisticistheinterpolationofalatterdayeditor.OrelseAhi maazwashimselflatterday,andhiswork,pseudepigraphic.How elsetoaccountforhisknowledgeoffutureevents? Yettimemaybemoremysteriousthanweimagine.Andfor anyreaderwishingtoexplorethatmystery,Iwouldrecommend a forgottenbookentitled AnExperimentwith Time. Written by J.W. Dunne, a British engineer and philosopher (and gentlemansome of the experimentwasconductedfrom anarmchairinthe library of hisclub), An Experimentwith Time createdastirwhenpublishedin1927. Despitehisassurancesthat itdemandsfrom [the reader]nopreviousknowledgeofscience, mathematics, philosophy, or psychology and is considerably easiertounderstandthanare,say,therulesofContractBridge, muchofthebookisabstruse.Butthephilosophicalportions whichdelve intoontologyandepistemology,andemploysuch termsasinniteregress,retrocausality,andquantumintercon nectednessmaybeskipped.Atthecoreofthebookisasimple experiment, which Dunne performs, explains, and urges the readertorepeat. Dunnehadbeenbewilderedbyaseriesofprecognitivedreams. Inoneofthem,hehaddreamtoftheeruptionofavolcanoona
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Frenchislandandthedeathof4000 islanders.Whenthedays newspaperarrived,itheadlinedtheeruptionofMountPeleon Martiniqueandadeathtollof40,000. Seemingly,thehorrify ingdreamhadbeenpromptedbyhis later readingofthenews paperaccount.Ofhispredictivedreams,thisonewasthemost dramatic;butallwereperplexing.Theyseemedtoviolaterules farmorefundamentalthanthoseofcontractbridge. HisexperiencesledDunnetomakeastudyoftherelationship betweentimeanddreaming.Hewenttosleepeachnightwitha notebookandpencilunderhispillow.Andinthemorninghe quickly recorded his dreams, before they faded from memory. Whenhecomparedtheirimageswiththeoccurrencesinhisdaily life,Dunnemadeastartlingdiscovery.Generally,adreamderived itsimageryfromvividorunusualhappeningswithinaspaceof 24 hours24 hours ineitherdirection. Thatistosay,hisdreams were inuenced by events of both the past day and the next! Impossibly,theywerecomprisedofimagesofpastexperiences andimagesoffutureexperiencesblendedtogetherinapproxi matelyequalproportions. Extending his study to the dreams of friends and relatives, Dunnefoundsimilarcorrelations.Herealizedthathehaddis cerned a hitherto overlooked peculiarity in the structure of Time.Andheconcludedthatthestandardmodeloftimea seriesofeventsowingintothefuturewassimplyamodeof human perception. Indeed, past and future were nothing morethanartifactsofthewakingmind.Beyondourdailyexperi enceexistedatimelessPresent. What was the signicance of his ndings? For one thing, Dunnepointedout,theyprovidedanexplanationforthecuri ousphenomenon ofdjvu.(Whydowefeelthatsomethinghas happened before?Becausewe dreamt of itthe previousnight.) Butmoreimportantly,theysupportedbeliefintheimmortality of the soul.For iftime wasanillusion,Eternitywasreal. Canitbethen?Are dreamsawindowintothenatureofthe cosmos?Cantheyaffordusaglimpseintothemeaningofexis tence?Canweexplorethedeepestofmysterieswhilelyinginbed (orlounginginanarmchairatourclub)? ThereadermayrepeatDunnesexperimentanddecideforhim self.
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es?said melchizedek, awakeningfromanap. Hesquintedatthegurestandingintheentrance way.Whosthatthere? TisI,Solomon.Yougavemeaproblemtosolveand saidtoreportthesolution,ifIcameupwithone. Whichproblemwasthat? ItconcernedtherivalryoverMountMoriah. Oyes.Aknottyproblemindeed.Arealpuzzler.So,have youfoundasolution? Possibly. Comeinandletmehearit. KingSolomonenteredthecavern,approachedMelchiz edek,andstoodbeforehim. The situationthatyoudescribedwasdire,saidSolo mon.Two partieswereatoddsoverthemount.Theywere clashingviolently.Whatcouldbedone?Iconsideredacou pleofsolutions.OnewastobuildtheTempleelsewhere tondanalternativesite.ButIquicklyrejectedthatidea. Afterall,theoriginalsitehadbeenspeciedbyaprophet. And the SacredRockwasanessentialpartofit. AnothersolutionwastodeclaretheTempleunneeded, sinceashrinetogod alreadygracedthemount.Iamrefer ringtotheDomeoftheRock.ButIrejectedthatideatoo. To besure,theDomewasaworthyshrine.Butitwasnot gods House HispersonalresidenceHisearthlyabode. ItcouldnotservethespecialneedsofthepeopleHehad designatedasHisservant.Sowhatpossibilitiesremained? ThoughIrackedmybrains,Icouldntthinkofany. ThenItriedamentalstratagem.Iaskedmyself:What isthe essenceoftheTemple?Whatisitsprimefunction? Whatisthe mainthing thathappensthere?Byfocusingon that,perhapsId getaglimmeringofthesolution.SoIpon deredthepurposeoftheTemple.Whatwasitfor?Whydo 400
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a solution wegothere? And a number of things came to mind. We visit the Templetopraytogod. TogivethanksuntoHim.Topraise Him.TobaskinHisPresenceandcommunewithHim. AndtoaskforHishelporforgiveness. Butaboveall,wegothereto sacrice. Webringoffer ingstothealtar,inhomagetogod. Wegiveupsomething thatisaliveorprecious.Inreturn,Helistenstoourprayers watchesoverusforgivesoursins.Fornothingpleases Himmorethanasacrice.Except,perhaps,agooddeed. Tobesure,saidMelchizedek. Now if the Temple were rebuilt, the sacrices could resume.Onceagaingiftscouldbeoffereduptogod. And presumably,HewouldtakeHisusualpleasureinthem.He wouldwelcomeouroxenandsheepanddoves. Yetperhapsinthattimeofcontentiongod would preferadifferentsortofsacrice.Whichbringsmetomy proposedsolution. Imlistening. My solutionwouldbethis.SacricetheTempleitself. How now?The Templeitself,yousay? Whynot? god yearnsforpeaceamongmen,doesHe not?YethereisHisownHouse,Hisearthlyabodethe cause of enmityandstrife.Sowhydontwejustrelinquish it?Letitgo?SurelytheLordoftheUniversecangetalong withoutanabode.AndsurelyHewouldbepleasedbyour sacriceourgivingupofsomethingsoprecious.Anyhow, thats myidea. Solomon concluded with an expansive gesture, and awaited Melchizedeksresponse. The priesttook a sipfromhisgoblet.Aninterestingline ofthought,hesaid. Butnotasolution? Imustrefrainfromfurthercomment. Yousee,therivalry overthemountisnoaccidentofhistory.Itisapartofgods plan.He arranged ittohappenasatest. Whatkindoftest? Ofmanscapacitytoresolvehisdifferences.Canthese 401
bitterenemiesmakepeacewithoneanother?Cantheyg ureouthowtosharethemount?Willtheyplaceitssanctity aheadoftheirownadvantage?Itisatestforthemandfor mankind,whomtheyrepresent.Letshopetheycanwork thingsout.Inanycase,Ijustwantedtohearyourthoughts onthematter.Youmaygonow. OnequickquestionbeforeIgo? Certainly. Whydidgod selecttheHebrews,andnotsomeother people,tobeHisservant?Whyus?Wereweespeciallyvir tuous? Areyoukidding?saidMelchizedek.Youreasproneto wrongdoingasanypeople.Perhapsevenmoreso.Whythe Hebrews,youask?Takealookatthis. Heclickedhisremote.Thescreenlitup,showingamap oftheworld. Heresthegeographyoftheearth,saidMelchizedek. Nowwheremight god haveplacedHissanctuary?Way outinAustralia?Ithinknot.Hewantedacentrallocation, from whichknowledgeofHimmightemanatetotheends of the earth.Canaanwasjustsuchaplace.Look howitis situated,atthepointwhereAsia,AfricaandEuropecome together.Moreover,itiscrisscrossedbytraderoutes.Acen trallocationandacrossroadsjustwhatwasneededforHis Nametogoforth.Inotherwords,the place wasselected, notthepeople.TheHebrewshappenedtobeinthearea. Sotheywereaskedorcommandeered,ifyouwilltoserve asgods people. A caseofbeinginthewrongplaceatthewrongtime. You canputitthatway,ifyoulike.god neededapeo pletoserve Him;and the localewastobeCanaan.Butthe peoplecouldbeanyonethePhilistines,theHittites,the Edomites.Whoeverwasaroundandwilling.Ifthe Eskimos hadbeenresidingintheregion,itmighthavebeenthem. Whoare theEskimos? Illshowyou,saidMelchizedek,clickingtheremote. Ontothescreencametheimageofamaninaparka.He washoldingaspearandgrinning.Behindhimstretcheda 402
a solution desolateexpanseofice. Behold,anEskimo, saidMelchizedek. Hispeopleinhabit thefrozenArctic,thenorthernmostpartoftheearth.They claimnolandforthereisnolandupthere.Onlyshifting sheetsofice.Roamingaboutontheice,theEskimohunts andshes.Foradwellinghetakesblocksofsnowandbuilds aniglooatemporaryhut.Withinitsnarrowconneshe sheltershisfamily,praystohisgods,dinesonrawmeat. Anddozesatnight,astheArcticwindshowlabouthishut andtheicecracklesbeneathhim. SolomonlookedattheEskimoandshookhishead.How diverse are the peoples of the earth, he said. And how manifoldtheworksofgod.*
inChristianity.NeitherwasitanabidingforceinJudaism,though prayersforitsrestorationcontinueintraditionalJudaism.But suchprayersaremoretraditionalpietythanreectiveofgenuine desireforsucharestoration. WiththedestructionoftheTemple,substitutesweredevised forthesacricialritesthathadbeenperformedthere.YomKip pur(thedayonwhichagoathadbeensacricedtoatoneforthe nationssins)wasadaptedforthesynagogue.Andwiththeriseof theTalmud,the study ofthelawsofsacricereplacedtheactual sacrices. ButtheprimesubstitutewastheJewishhome.Withitsprayers andsanctifyingrituals,itbecamea mikdashmaot, orminiature sanctuary.Thefamilytabletooktheplaceofthealtar.SaidRabbi Yohanan:SolongastheTemplestood,thealtarmadeatone mentforIsrael.Nowamanstablemakesatonementforhim.In particularthe Sabbathtable.Itswhitetableclothrepresentspurity. ItscandlesrecallthegreatmenorahthatilluminedtheTemple. The washing of hands, the blessing of bread, the ceremonial drinkingof wineallare echoesoftheTempleservice. AnOrthodoxJewstillpraysfortherestorationoftheTemple. Butitmaybesimplyapiousidealaremembranceoftheancient seatof the Divine Presence.
* HowseriousisthewishforarestoredTemple? In JudaismandChristianBeginnings, SamuelSandmelwrites: Thequestionofwhether,historically,Christiansbrokewiththe Templebeforeitsdestructionin70, oronlythereaftercameto viewJesusastheirtemplenotmadewithhands,isdifcultto answer.ButitisclearthattheTemplewasnotanabidingforce
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ArcticVisit
n the palace roof waited benaiah and the Singing Guards. The ying carpet, tethered by ropes, hovered beside them. It was loaded with suppliesandliftedbyamorningbreeze. Carryinganovernightbag,KingSolomonemergedonto theroofandjoinedthem. Gentlemen,areweready?heasked. Yes!theychorused. Forajourneytoanexoticplace? Yes! Thisexpeditionshalltakeusfarfromhome.Forour destinationistheArcticCirclethenorthernmostregion of the earth.ItsinhabitantsareapeopleknownastheEski mos.Iwishtovisitthem,seehowtheylive,learnabout their folkways. What got me curious about Eskimos was theirhabitatwhichisinhospitable,tosaytheleast.Inthe summertime, thetemperatureintheArcticisbelowzero. Andvirtuallynoplantsgrowthere.YettheEskimoshave managed toadapt,and eventothrive.Iwanttomeetand gettoknowsuchapeople.Also,theresaquestionIdlike toputtothem. The guards were exchanging looks. Their enthusiasm seemedtohavewaned. Whoa,saidBenaiah.Belowzero,yousay?Thatsawful ly cold.Justhoware we goingtoadapt? Not a problem,saidSolomon.Ivearrangedforaspe cialwindtotakeustotheArctic.Thekhamsin!Thehot wind of the desert shall both transport us and keep us warm. Benaiahnoddedjudiciously.Itsabouttimethatillwind didussomegood. NowIveanticipatedanotherproblem,andthatscom munication. The Eskimos speak a language unrelated to 405
ourown.Soinordertocommunicatewiththem,weshall berequiringatranslator.Letmesummonhimnow. Solomon raised his ring and said: Info Imp. With a popthejinniappearedathisside. Myfriendhereisastorehouseofknowledge,saidSolo mon.Awalkingencyclopedia.Amonghismanylanguages, heisfamiliarwiththatoftheEskimoswhich,heclaims, has52 wordsfordifferenttypesofsnow.Moreover,heknows a greatdealaboutEskimos.SoIhaveaskedhimtobriefus onthesubject.Ifyoudbesokind,professor. The Info Imp adjusted his glasses and addressed the expedition.TheEskimosareauniquepeople,hebegan. Theymaketheirhomeinanextremelyhostileenvironment ableakwildernessofice,snow,andfrigidwaters.Each dayisastruggletosurvive.ConnedtotheArcticwhich theycallNunatsiaq,orthebeautifullandtheyvehad littlecontactwithotherpeoples.Indeed,abandresidingin Greenlandisolated even from their fellow Eskimos believethemselvestobethesolehumansonearth. Theirsocialstructureisminimal.Theyhavenotribes no clansno chiefs,magistrates,or elders.Noformof government whatsoever. Instead, each family is an inde pendentunit.Forpracticalreasons,anumberoffamilies maydwellinproximity.Butthereislittlesenseofcommu nity. MostEskimosliveinaniglooacozylittlesnowhouse. Enteredviaaninsulatingpassageway,theigloohasneither door nor lock.For the Eskimoshave noenemies,norany thingtosteal.Theirsolepossessionsareafewsimpletools and huntingimplements.Moreover,theyarenotedfortheir hospitalityanyone poppinghisheadintoaniglooiswel comed. The Eskimos are hunters, pursuing their quarry in a dogsledorakayak.Theirdietconsistsalmostentirelyof meatwalrus,seal,caribou,sh.Sometimestheycookthe meat;moreoften,theyjustdiginwithgusto.Thisprotein richfareissupplementedwithberriesandseaweed.And withEskimoPies,atypeoffrozendessert. 406
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Their religious practices are primitive but effective. Taboos are observed. Magical formul are recited. And threemaindeitiesSedna,theseagoddess;Narssuk,the weathergod;andTatqeq,themoongodarepropitiated. An Eskimos spiritual life is mediated by an angekok, or shaman.Enteringatranceandleavingtheearthlyplane, theshamanisabletocontrolspirits,effectcures,provide tipsonhunting,etc. Insummationahardyandresourcefulpeople,whose distinctivelifestylereectstheharshnessoftheirenviron ment. SolomonthankedtheInfoImp.Andsignalingforthe ropestobeuntied,heclimbedaboardthecarpet.Benaiah, theSingingGuards,andtheInfoImppiledonbehindhim. Settlingintothethrone,Solomonrecitedaprayer.Then heraisedhisringandsummonedthekhamsin. Thehotwindcamerushinginfromthedesert.Itswirled abouttheroofofthepalace,liftingthecarpet. ThefrozenArctic!commandedSolomon. Borne by thewind,thecarpetascendedintotheskyand headed north.
thebookofkingsolomon daylightceasedaltogether. Weve entered the Arctic Circle, explained the Info Imp.Duringthewinteruphere,thesunremainsbelow thehorizon.Sothenightiscontinuous.Fromnowon,our onlylightwillcomefromthemoonandthestars.And,of course,theNorthernLights. Whatarethey?askedSolomon. YouhaventheardabouttheNorthernLights?Theyrea meteorological phenomenonand a spectacular sight. If conditionsareright,wellbeseeingthemshortly. Nosoonerhadhespokenthanacurtainoflightswept acrossthenightsky.Enormouswispsofameittedabout, likeghostlyapparitions.Bandsofcolorshiftedandshim meredoverhead. Theselightsareseenmainlyinthenorthernlatitudes, saidtheImp.Hencetheirname.Theirnatureremainsa mystery. Spellboundbytheundulatinglights,thevoyagersgazed intothesky.ExceptforBenaiah,whowaspeeringoverthe edgeof the carpet. Theres one!hecried,pointing.AnEskimo! Crouchedontheicewasabulkygure.Itwaswatching themyby. The InfoImpshookhishead.Thatsapolarbear,he said.ButweshouldbeseeingEskimossoon. ThecarpetewthroughtheArcticnight.TheNorthern Lightscascadedinthesky.Theirreectionglimmeredinthe ice below. And stretching from horizon to horizon was a frigidwasteland,emptysaveformysteriouspilesofrocks.* And nallyanEskimocameintoview. Spearinhand,he wasstandingoveraholeintheice. Nearbywasanigloo,asled,andateamofdogs.TheEskimo
* ThousandsofrockpilesarescatteredthroughouttheArctic. Knownas inuksuit, or stonegures,theyserveasdirectional aids;indicatorsofabundantgame;andobjectsofveneration markingtheabodesofspirits.Someofthesepiles,saytheEski mos,are extremelyoldandwereerectedbytheirpredecessorsin theregiontheTunniit,orancientones.
For nearlyaweekthecarpetewtowarditsdestination. Itpassedovertownsandvillagesglidedoverhillsandval leyssoaredovermountainsandinlandseas. TheSingingGuardsoccupiedthemselvesbysingingand playingcards.KingSolomonhadbroughtalongscrolls,and spentthetimereading. Theyateandsleptinthesky.Nowandthen,Solomonwould callfor a reststop. And landinginsome namelessplace,the voyagerswouldgetoffthecarpetandstretchtheirlegs. Onwardtheyew,theirsolecompanythebirdsandthe clouds.
Thedaysgrewshorter;thenights,longer.Andnallythe 407
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With a look of terror, the Eskimo let out a shout and brandishedhisspear. A femaleEskimopokedherheadoutoftheigloo.Seeing theirvisitors,sheshrieked. Wehavecomefromafar,saidSolomon,andwould liketochatwithyou. Beforethewordscouldbetranslated,theEskimobolted inging aside his spear, crying Tupilakit! and racing towardtheigloo. Devils!translatedtheImp. TheEskimocrawledinsidetheigloo.Thedogshadbegun tobark. Solomon was dismayed. We seem to have frightened thefellow,hesaid. A commotionsoundedfromwithintheigloo.Thenthe Eskimoreappearedstickinghisheadoutandscrutinizing theIsraelites.Thedogscontinuedtobark. Howareyouthisevening?saidSolomon. Qanukilissiunnupat? translatedtheImp. But the Eskimoignoredthem.Hebegantobarricadethe entrancetothe igloo,by stufngitwithbearskins. Maybe this wasnt such a good idea, said Solomon. Theyapparentlywantnothingtodowithus. Werelikevisitorsfromanotherplanet,saidBenaiah. Givethemtimetogetusedtous. Solomonshookhishead.Imstartingtothinkthatthis tripwasamistakethatweshouldntevenbehere.Iwanted tomeetand talkwithEskimos.But whyshouldtheywant totalkwithus?Theyregoingabouttheirbusiness,when suddenlyacarpetfulof strangelyattiredmendropoutof the sky. How couldthatbeanythingbut disturbing? Andjustlookathowthisdoorlesspeoplehasgreeted uswithadoor!Weareinterlopers.AndtheseEskimos arehumanbeings,notanthropologicalsubjects.Maybewe shouldsimplygo.Infact,Ithinkweshould.Stayonthe carpet,everyone.Wereleaving.Windtakeushome. Withaswirlofsnow,thekhamsinliftedthembackinto thesky. 410
wasintentlywatchingtheholesointentlythathefailed tonoticethecarpetinthesky. ThatsanEskimo,saidtheImp. Whats hedoing?askedSolomon. Hunting seals. The seals swim about under the ice, lookingforsh.Buttheyhavetosurfaceperiodically,in ordertobreathe.TheEskimoiswaitingforonetostickits headout. Solomongaveacommandtothewind.Andthecarpet descended, landing with a thud on the ice. The Eskimo lookedupinsurpriseandstaredatthem. Hellothere!calledoutSolomon. Ai! translatedtheImp. 409
arcticvisit Asthecarpetewsouthward.Solomonseemedlostin thought.FinallyBenaiahspoketohim. Wecamemanymiles,Sire.Andforwhat?Wenevergot tomeetwiththeEskimos. True.ButIdidgettheanswertomyquestion. Whatquestion? There was something I wanted to ask these people, saidSolomon.Iwantedtoknow why. Whytheyresidedin a frigidwasteland.Whytheyhadchosentosettlehere.And whytheyremained,insteadofmigratingtosomelessharsh environment.ButIthinkIhavegureditout. NooneintheirrightmindwantstoliveintheArctic, right?Orevenpassthroughit.Thus,theEskimoshavethe place to themselves. They dont have to defend it from intruders. Sotheresnowarfare. Theyvesolvedtheproblem ofwar.Nowthatsarealachievementandareasontolive here. WhatbroughttheEskimoshereintherstplace?Who knows?Andwhocanmakesenseofthevagariesoffortune? Excepttosaythatgod hasauniqueroleanidentitya destiny for eachpeople.Aspart of Hisplan,He ledthe EskimostotheArctic.AndHehassustainedthemintheir hardships. Asforseekingoutalessharshenvironment,itstoolate. Thisfrigidwastelandhasbecometheirhome.Itistheland oftheirancestorsoftheirsacredsitesoftheirmemories. Moreover,theyareskilledatlivinghere.TheEskimosare a part of the Arctic;and ithasbecome a part of them. Butthebestreasonforremaininginthisplace?Lookat the sky, Benaiah.BeholdtheNorthernLights.Theyareawe some!Imagine havingthemasyourconstantcompanion. Wouldyouwanttoliveelsewhere?godsgifttouswasthe Temple;andHisgifttotheEskimoswasthissky.Bothare lledwithHisPresence. So yes,wecamethousandsofmilesanddidntgetto meetwiththeEskimos.ButwedidgettoseetheNorthern Lights. Andapolarbear,saidBenaiah. 411
Theyfellsilentandwatchedthecelestialreworksinthe skyaboutthem.*
* What are the Northern Lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis)? Scientistsattributethemtothesolarwindchargedparticles that ow from the sun and interact with the earths magnetic eld.Gasesintheupperatmospherebecomeionizedandglow. The voltage generated is stupendousgreater than the daily powerconsumptionoftheU.S.andcancauseblackouts,inter fere withradiotransmissions,andaffectcompasses. ButthescienticexplanationwouldhavepuzzledtheEskimos. In their cosmology, heavenlocated beyond the dome of the skywaslinked totheearthbyabridge.Incrossingthatbridge, the soulsofthedeadwereguidedby salamiud, or skydwellers, wholitthewaywithtorches.TheNorthernLightswerethelight fromthosetorches. (TheNorsemenofScandinaviaentertainedasimilarnotion. TheyattributedtheNorthernLightstoBifrost,arainbowbridge overwhichsoulsjourneyedtoValhalla.) TheAlgonquinofnorthernCanadaheldadifferentview.They believedthatthelightsemanatedfromabonre,litbyNanah bozho,the creatoroftheearth.Uponcompletinghiscreation, Nanahbozhohadretiredtothenorth.Butasasignofhissolici tudeformankind,hekeptabonregoing. Whatevertheirorigin,theNorthernLightshaveinspiredawe inthosewhobeheldthem.Herearesometestimonials: Whobut god canconceive suchinnitescenesofglory? Who but god could execute them, painting the heavens in suchgorgeousdisplays?(Charles FrancisHall,explorerwho perished duringanArcticvoyage) Anythingsostrange,socapricious,sowonderful,soglori ouslybeautiful,Iscarcelyhopetoseeagain.(BayardTaylor, travel writer) No othernaturalphenomenonissogrand,somysterious,so terribleinitsunearthlysplendorasthis;theveilwhichconceals from mortaleyesthegloryoftheeternalthroneseemsdrawn aside,andtheawedbeholderisliftedoutoftheatmosphereof his daily life into the immediate presence of god. (George Kennar, explorer) IpitythemanwhosaysThereisnogod orwhocanlook
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unmovedtotheverydepthsofhissoulbysuchdisplaysofin nitepower.(EdwardSylvesterEllis,dimenovelist) Languageisvainintheattempttodescribeitsevervarying and gorgeous phases; no pen or pencil can portray its ckle hues,itsradiance,anditsgrandeur.(LieutenantW. H.Hooper, Britishnavalofcer) Thatgrandeurcontinuestodeeplymovethosewhoexperience it.AmongthemareJapanesenewlyweds,whohavecometonorth ernCanadaontheirhoneymoon.ForitisbelievedinJapanthat a childconceivedundertheNorthernLightswillbefortunate.
chapter62
Menelik
elchizedekwasstandingbyhishourglass. Hetappedonitasthesandtrickleddown.And hebegantospeak,hisvoiceresoundinginthe CaveoftheAges. Melchizedek: Andsotheyearsgoby.Uponhisthrone

KingSolomonintoamonumenthasgrown,
A livingsymboloftheHebrewstate
Prosperous,contented,sedulous,sedate,
Andbowingtotheruleofgod MostHigh.
A palescribewhod seektoglorify
Thisloftymonarch,needbutdiphisquill
Andlisttheworksthatdidalifetimell.
ForSolomonwasbusyasabee
(Thoughofastingthisgentlekingwasfree).
Mostnotably,hebuiltthesacredshrine
Whereinacloudupon the Ark dothshine
TheglowingPresenceoftheKingofKings.
Toalltheearththatshrineablessingbrings.
Yetthereismore.Forupanddowntheland
Testimoniestohisdriveandvigorstand:
Fortresses,pavedhighways,citywalls,
Localshrinesandbathsandjudgmenthalls.
Norhastheseaescapedhislusttobuild:
The oceanlaneswithsleeknewshipsheslled
Thatbringhimivory,gold,andspicestoo
FromdistantOphir,Tarshish,Xanadu!
Underhisstewardshiphascommercegrown,
Tollbothmerchantscoffersandhisown.
Yetashisfortunegrewfromyeartoyear,
Hisprivatehabitsdidremainaustere
Whileonthepublicwealvastsumswerespent.
(He hadapalace,yetseemedtocraveatent!)
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414
menelik Suchthenthethrivingkingdomhehaswrought.
Butashenearsamilestoneunsought,
Thepassingofhisrealmuntoanheir
That istosay,hisclimbingofthestair
Intothatstatethatfollowsourlastbreath;
Toputitbluntly,ashenears hisdeath
KingSolomonjustsadlyshakeshishead.
Forofthesonshisthousandwiveshavebred
Ofthatroyalswarm,thatprincelyschool
Notasingleoneisttorule!
Raisedinluxury,byanidlewife,
Eachhasbeenspoiledbyaneasylife.
Tochooseanheirfromoutthissorrygroup
Decideonthisorthatsuavenincompoop
Istothekingamostunwelcomechore.
Whichprince,hewonders,doesheleastdeplore?
Shouldheproposealottery,whereat
Theworthlesssonsdrawlotsfromoutahat?
Finallyhedecidesthatcustomshallholdsway:
Upon the eldestheadthepriestshalllay
The crownof Israel anditsweightycares.
SoRehoboam,rstbornofhisheirs,
Ischosentosucceedhimonthethrone
And thatdecisionSolomonmakesknown.
Yetfatehasengineeredthatasurprise
Isshortlyathisdoorsteptoarise.
ForSolomonhasanheirheknowsnotof
The productof a longforgottenlove!
A handsomeyouth,intelligent,discreet
And worthyofhisfathersroyalseat.
Lets view thisunknownson.
Melchizedekclickedhisremote.Thescreenlitup,show ing a caravan in the desert. The picture zoomed in on a youngman,bouncingalongonacamel. Melchizedek: BeholdhimnowoneMenelikbyname. Hisfeaturesdohisparentageproclaim. 415
thebookofkingsolomon Thenoblenoseandpenetratingeye,
Thethoughtfulbrowthesedocertify
ThatSolomondidashisfatherserve.
Yetwhencethoselipsthatfullandsensualcurve
Intoasmilethatgentlymockstheworld?
Orthoselocksofhair,sotightlycurled?
Andfromwhomourtravelersduskyhue?
Themirthfultwinkleintheeyesaclue.
Forfromthesouthamaidenoncedidride
TomeetwithSolomonandmerryeyed,
416
menelik Indalliancewithhimdidspendanight.
Togethertheyperformedanancientrite.
Richgiftsshedbroughthim,tokensofherwealth;
Andinreturnhegaveherofhimself.
Yes,theQueenofShebadidthisladbeget!
Theprincelyoutcomeofthatnightsduet.
AndastheyearsforSolomonhaveown
HasMenelikintoayoungmangrown
Whonow,uponacamel,withgoodcheer,
Untohisfatherslandisdrawingnear.
Whyhashecome?Whaturgencyimpelled
A princetoleavethekingdomwherehedwelled
Forsakethecomfortsofarichabode
Andbravetheperilsofadesertroad?
Weshallsoonsee.
thebookofkingsolomon I wouldassumetistorenewthatbond,
Asfriendshipunrefreshed,likeair,goesstale.
Butletsndout.Theprincewaitsjustoutside.
Bidhimenterandgracethisdrearyhall
Withthelusterofhiswelcomeself.
A trumpetsoundedfromthelobby.AndMenelikcame stridingintothethroneroom.Heapproachedthedaisand bowed. Menelik: My bowandgreetings,OKingofIsrael,
Whofrombetweenthelionsofhisthrone
Ruleslikealion,withstrengthandmajesty.
ImMenelik.FromShebahaveIcome,
Andbringyousalutationfromourqueen,
Whoismymotherandourguidingstar
And whoinsistsshe isaspecialfriend
OfIsraelsking,whomonceshecametosee.
Solomonsighednostalgically.
Solomon: Indeed,she cameandleftbutlingersstill
Withintheechochamberofmythoughts.
Fortheresoundsyetthetinkleofherlaugh,
The sonorousdiscourseofherabletongue,
And,alas,amelancholysound:
Theresoundingwhisperofmyfriendsfarewell.
Menelik: Suchsentimentsthe Queenhaslikewisevoiced
Whenspeakingof herstayinyourdomain.
Solomon: O wouldthatsheagainmighthonorus.
Butsecondbest:tohosthergentleson.
Nowtellme,Menelik,towhatourkingdomowes
ThisvisitfromaShebanembassy.
Menelik: In a momentshallIsay,YourMajesty.
ButrstthereisaquestionIwouldask
A crypticone,obscureatleasttome,
418
Percheduponhisthrone,KingSolomonaddressedthe assembledcourt. Solomon: Lastnightaherald,pantingfromhisrun,

Didtoourpalacedoor gladtidingsbring.
Someveleaguesoff,declaredthismessenger,
A royalembassytowardJerusalemrode
And sometimeonthemorrowwouldarrive.
Fromwhencethesevisitorsandfriendorfoe?
FromShebainthesouth,theheraldsaid.
Aprincefromoutthatrichandfertileland
Hascrossed the desert tobringyou hisregards.
Nowyouallknowwehavenobetterfriend
ThanthatArabiannation on the sea.
Foryearsago,itsenterprisingqueen
Didundertakethesamelongpilgrimage
Tomeetwithmeandtenderherrespects.
A bondensued;andsincethathappyday
Shebancaravanspassfreelyonourroads
Whilstweinturndropanchorintheirports.
Whythissuddenvisitfromourfriends?
417
menelik Butwhichmymotherbidmeputtoyou. Solomon: Askaway.Ithriveonpuzzlement. Menelik: Shebidmeaskyouthis:Doyoustillserve Thosethirstinducingheapsofspicyfood? Solomonsmiled. Solomon: Nay,nowadaysourfareisblandindeed
Andservesbuttosurfeitandsatiate.
Itrousesneitherthirstnorotherneeds.
Buttheimportofherquerywasthatdisclosed?
Menelik: No,YourMajesty,sheleftitunexplained;
Theallusionwouldbeplaintoyou,shelaughed.
Itseemed,however,somehowtorelate
Toarecentrevelationshehadmade.
Twasonmyeighteenthbirthday,aswedined.
Ourqueen,you know,dothShebarulealone
Noweddedhusbandsharestheroyalsuite.
SoIhaveneverknowntheguidinghand
Or manlymodelofafatherdear.
Hisverynameandrankwaskeptfromme
Itwasamatternottobediscussed.
ButonthedaythatIdidturneighteen
Mymotherdidreveal,insombertones,
Whothe loverwaswhofatheredme.
Solomonfurrowedhisbrowthoughtfully. Solomon: Eighteen,you say?Why, come tothinkof it,
Twaseighteenyearsagoorthereabouts
Thatyourmotherjourneyedtoourland
And sharedmyhouseandhospitality.
EveryamenityIdidofferher.
Menelik: Yousurelysatisedhereverywish.
ForI,OKingofIsrael,amyourson.
419
Solomonstaredathimincredulously. Solomon: No! Menelik: IndeedIam,Sire.Andercelyproudofit.
Forwhoamongtheoccupantsofthrones
Ismorerenownedforwisdomandgoodsense?
Orhasamassedsomanypreciousscrolls?
Orhasbuilt,uponasacredmount,
A sanctuaryofmoremagnicence?
NotthatIscornmyShebanlineage
Twonoblehouseshaveinmecombined.
I praythatIbeworthyofthemboth.
ButwhyexactlyhaveItraveledhere?
Twomotivesdrewmetoyourkingdom,Sire.
Firstofall,Isimplywishedtogaze
Upon the facethats mirroredinmyown
Andmeetthekingwhodidengenderme.
Solomon: Gazeuponhim?Meethim?Youlldomore.
Come,mysonalialembrace!
Descendingfromthethrone,SolomonembracedMenelik. Solomon: Welcome,Menelik,toJerusalem
Andtothebelatedbestowalofmylove.
Giftsgiventardilymayyetbetrue
Preferredtoonesmorepromptbutpassionless.
Holdme notguiltythatIlovedtheenot
Untilthismoment.For nottheablestarcher
Canstrikeatargetthatheknowsnotof.
Letmerathercompensateloveslack,
Theseeighteenyears,bymakingpaymentnow
Withinterestthatshallbeexorbitant!
Betterlatethannever, theproverbgoes.
Andtheresmorewisdominsuchadages
Thaninthereconditecomplexities
Thatspoutoursagesandphilosophers.
Please,stayawhile.Yourfathergettoknow.
420
menelik Menelik: IndeedIshall.Andtheresanother,too,

WhomIwouldfainbecomeacquaintedwith
Thesecondreasonformycominghere.
ForweinShebahaveheardwondrousthings
OfthatdeitywhoinyourTempledwells.
Of god MostHigh,whoearthandheavenmade
Andwhosupremeamongthegodsdothrule.
MayIlearnmoreaboutthisgod ofyours
AndinwhatmanneryoudoworshipHim?
Solomon: Ofcourseyoumay!Thepleasurewillbemine
TointroduceyoutotheKingofKings,
Whosethroneissetamidthecountlessstars;
Whosefootstoolisthislittleearthofours.
Butcome,myson.Youretiredfromtheroad.
Toyourquartersletmeleadyounow.
Menelik: I thankyou,Father.Yes,Iamfatigued.
And yetarare excitementspursmeon
As I lookforwardtomystaywiththee.
Solomonwasleadinghimfromthehall,whenaroyalper sonageelaboratelycoifedandfoppishlydressedstepped infrontofthemandaddressedMenelik. Rehoboam: Greetings,brother,ifImaybesobold
A strangersofamiliarlytoaddress.
I amPrinceRehoboam,thyeldestsib
Andheirapparenttoourfatherscrown.
I tooextendtoyouawelcominghand
And hopeyourbrieftime withusachieves itsaim:
Tolearnsomewhatofhowweworshiphere.
I likewisehopethatlearningisthe sole
Ambitionthathasbroughtyoutoourrealm.
Rehoboamgave himanicylookandshookhishand.
Melchizedekwassittinginhisthronelikechair.Thescreen ickeredwithapictureofMenelik,readingascroll. Melchizedek: ForthreemonthsMenelikwithhisfatherstays
Andforboththesearethebestofdays.
Theonebecomestheteacherofhisson
Whosereligiouseducationisbegun.
Theyouthistutoredinthewordofgod.
Throughbooksofancientlorehesmadetoplod,
Whosenerpointshisfatherdothexplain,
Thatunderstandingmaythesonattain.
OfAdamintheGardendoesheread
And oftheFloodawrathfulgod decreed.
OfAbrahamsrmcovenantwithgod;
OfJacobsLadder,wheretheangelstrod.
ThehistoryofMosesheistaught
AndhowtheIsraeliteswerefromEgyptbrought,
Whereashelotstheyhadlongbeenbound.
Of Davidtoo the teacherdothexpound
Ofbothhissinfulandrepentantways
Andhowhisharpdidringwithsongsofpraise.
Allthisand moredoesMenelikimbibe:
Theteachingsandtraditionsofatribe
Whomgod hasmadeHisservantandHistool
ForbringingallmankinduntoHisrule.
The youthisstudious,andofapiousbent;
Thus,allthesedaysaredeepinstudyspent.
And Solomondothdoteuponthisson.
For of hismanyoffspring,thereisnone
Soworthytosucceedhimonthethrone.
O whatvirtuesPrinceMenelikhasshown!
And yetthisidylltwixtthetwomustend.
ForsoontheShebanhomewardistowend,
Hispeopletorejoin,hislandregain
Whereheisdueeventuallytoreign.
Twillbethenishoftheirbond,alas.
Yetforhisnationthereshallcometopass,
WhenMeneliktoShebadothreturn,
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421
menelik A lastingoutcomeofthisbriefsojourn
Asshallbeseen.
Solomon: ThatyouintoyourhearthavetakenHim
Isthegiftthatyouhavegivenme.
Anddonotfearthatwhenyouleavethisplace
A distanceshallarisetwixtyouandHim.
For god MostHighispresenteverywhere:
InShebatooHellhearyourpraiseandprayer.
Menelik: ThenIshallprayuntoHisNamedivine
AsthoughtheTemplewereourlocalshrine.
Solomon: ButIllbesadtoseeyougo,myson.
I hadafantasy:thatyoudremainwithus
AndtothethroneofIsraelsucceed.
Menelik: IsitnottoPrinceRehoboampledged? Solomon: Illtellhimthattheplanhasbeenrevised
ThatIamking,and kingscanchangetheirmind!
Yourefarmoretineverywaytorule.
Hehasasinglequalifyingtrait:
Bytriingchance,heismyrstbornson.
Menelik: Thankyou,Father,butIcouldnotaccept.
I haveathronealreadywaitingme
To whichIambylineageandhonorbound.
But thisId seek:whenShebaskingamI,
I wouldmykingdomplacewithingodscamp.
Atpresentwedoveneratethesun,
Whosemajestyisutterlyeclipsed
By thatofgod, whodidthe heavensmake.
How shallImanagesoprofound achange?
Give me yourcounsel,wiseandpractical.
Solomon: A second nationcleavetogod MostHigh?
Tisahappeningdevoutlytobewished!
YoudointendthatShebansworshipgod
Andputasidetheirreverenceofthesun?
Menelik: Suchismyfervidanddeterminedaim.
IntheTowerofLearningSolomonwasreadingascroll. ThedooropenedandMenelikentered,withanarmfulof scrolls. Menelik: Goodmorning,Father.Sorrytodisturb. Imbringingbackthislatestloadofbooks. Solomon: Youreadthemall?Plumbedtheirhiddendepths? Menelik: I triedandyethavebarelydippedtherein.
I amlikesomeweakswimmeratalake.
Heknowshecannotcrossitswideexpanse
Andsocontentshimselftosplashabout
In the shallows,likeaplayfulchild.
Idliketoswimthesedeepandchallengingbooks;
YetscarcelyhaveIwetmyfeetinthem.
Solomon: Thereisnorush.Eachdayyoullfurthergo. Menelik: Alas,dearFather,thatisnottobe.
ForthoughIloveherasasecondhome,
ItstimeformetoleaveJerusalem
AndcrossthedesertbacktowhenceIcame.
Sheba,withitsfrankincenseandmyrrh,
ItshillsandvalleysthatIveknownsincebirth,
Itslongtime friendsand lovingfamily,
ItsloyalpopulacethatImduetorule
Thithermustthiswaywardprincenowride.
I thankyouforthegiftsyouvegivenme:
A monarchswelcomeandafatherslove;
A scholarsguidancetotheworldofbooks;
Andmostofall,asenseofgod MostHigh
Of whom I have becomeaworshiper.
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424
menelik
Solomon: Thenhereiswhattodo.Youllneedashrine
WheretotheLordmayofferingsbemade,
Fondhymnschanted,fragrantincenseburnt.
Somesolaraltarjustrededicate
UntothegloryoftheNameofgod.
Youllneedsomeproperpriests.Illaidyouthus:
Fromamongouryoungeracolytes
ThreeorfourIshallrecruitandpledge;
TofairShebatheyllaccompanyyou
And serveasclergyforthisdistantshrine.
Menelik: Willinglytheydleavetheirnativeland? Solomon: TwoincentivesIllholduptothem.
First,thegoodofhelpingspreadourfaith;
ThentoothecomelinessofShebanmaids,
Fromwhomtheseacolytesmaytaketheirwives.
Menelik: AndistherenothingelsethatIshallneed? Solomon: Onethingmore.Comealongwithme. TheyexitedtheTower.Grabbingatorch,Solomonled Menelikthroughthemazeofcorridors.Theydescendeda stairwayandarrivedatapadlockeddoor.Solomonlocated the keybeneathaoortileandunlockedthedoor. Solomon: Beholdthechamberwhereourtreasureslie. Theyenteredthestoreroomwithitsrowsofbins.Solo mon approachedacabinetandopenedit.Revealedinthe torchlightwasachest,platedwithgoldandsurmounted withapairofcherubim. Solomon: YouknowabouttheArkthesacredchest
ThatinourTemplesitsindarknessthick.
BeforeyougleamsacopyofthatArk
Andofthetabletsthatarekepttherein.
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thebookofkingsolomon Menelik: Whatisthepurposeofaduplicate? Solomon: Ofthingsessential,needfultoourlives,

Itsalwayswise,myson,tohaveaspare.
I hadacraftsmanmakethisreplica,
WhichIhavestowedawayincaseofneed.
Theneedisnow.ImgivingyouthisArk.
TakeitbacktoShebawhenyougo
Andplaceitinyourrenovatedshrine.
Menelik: I dontknowwhattosayexcepttoask:
HowdothinpotencythisArkcompare
WiththeoriginalthatintheTemplesits?
Solomon: Why,thatreveredobjectisacopytoo. Menelik: What!Hownow?Acopytooyousay? Solomon: Botharecopiesmerefacsimiles.
ThetrueArkisinheaventobefound.
Itwascreatederetheworldbegan
And in a heavenlyTemplewaitsforman.
Thislowerworldanditsfurnishings
Arebutashadowofeternalthings.
Butcome,letstotheTowernowreturn
And readsomebooksandseewhatwecanlearn.
Solomonstoodonhisbalcony.AthissidewasBenaiah. They were watching Menelik and his entourage depart fromthecity. Solomon: Itsdjvu.Westoodhereyearsago
And watchedhismother,onacamelsback,
DepartforeverfromJerusalem.
Benaiah: Thingscome and go. Thatstheworldsway. 426
menelik Solomon: Thentoo,thissuddenheavinessofheart

RemindsmeofthegloomIfeltthatday.
Takingbackthejoythatshehadbrought,
TheQueenofShebapartedfrommyrealm.
Andyetapartofherdidstaybehind
Inmemory,asthoughinamberfroze.
Benaiah: A part of you wasimpartedtotheQueen
As evidencedbythisprogenyofyours.
WatchingtheShebansdepart,Solomonscarcelyheard him.
thebookofkingsolomon Untilsuchdayaseverynationbow BeforeHisName.Maythesesufcefornow. Melchizedekswitchedtoacomedyshowandsettledback inhischair.*

* Asimprobableasthisepisodemayseem,itiscorroboratedby historical(oratleastlegendary)accounts.The KebraNagast, or BookoftheGloryofKings,isthenationalepicofEthiopia.It featuresthetaleofMenelikI,sonofKingSolomonandtheQueen ofSheba. Accordingtothe KebraNagast, youngMenelikhaleandstrong andwise,andunderstandinglikehisfatherwasdispatchedto Jerusalembyhispaganmother.Hehadamultiplepurpose:tomeet hisfather;tostudythereligionoftheHebrews;andtoobtain(for useasatalisman)aportionofthecloththatcoveredtheArk. Solomonwelcomedhissonandextendedhisfullhospitality. MenelikwasevenallowedtoentertheTempleandviewtheArk (whichwashoveringmiraculously).Whenitwastimeforhimto leaveJerusalem,MenelikwasgivenaportionoftheArkscover ing.AndSolomonorderedanumberofyoungprieststoaccom panyhimbacktoEthiopia.Thepriestsweretodwellamongthe Ethiopians,introducethemtotheworshipofgod, andcreatea secondJewishkingdom. Thepriestspreparedfortheirdeparture.Theyalsodecidedto stealtheArkandtakeitwiththem.(The KebraNagast recounts twoversionsoftheirplot.Inoneofthem,Menelikisapartyto the theft;inthe other, heisunawareofit.)Thetheftwassuccess ful;and the ArkwasspiritedawaytoEthiopia,whereitbecame the nationaltreasure. It remainssuchtothe presentday.TheArkoftheCovenantis saidtobekeptinachapel intheancientcityofAxum.Fora detailed examination (and an endorsement) of this claim, see GrahamHancocks TheSignandtheSeal. TheEthiopiansalsoinsistuponacontinuitybetweenKingSol omon(whosankintoidolatryafterthelossoftheArk,reportsthe KebraNagast) andtheiremperors.The1955 constitutiondeclared: TheImperialdignityshallremainperpetuallyattachedtothe linethat descends without interruption from the dynasty of MenelikI,sonoftheQueenofEthiopiatheQueenofSheba andKingSolomonofJerusalem.
Melchizedek was viewing the departure on his screen. Whenthe the lastcamelhadpassedthroughthegate,he spoke. Melchizedek: Theonlysonwhoforthecrownwast
Has,alas,hisfathers kingdom quit;
AndbacktoShebadoestheprincerepair
Withapreciouscargoinhiscare:
A chestthatshalltheShebansllwithawe.
TwoHolyArksshallnowgodsPresencedraw;
TwopeopleschantindailypraiseofHim
Beneaththeoutspreadwingsofcherubim.
And on eachthrone,ason of Solomon
Shallrulethekingdomhehaslatelywon.
Yetwhatadifferenceintheirqualities!
Menelik,whoshallhispeopleplease
Withawisdomthatshallrivalthat
Of thefatherwhothesesonsbegat;
WhilstRehoboam,manofvanities,
Shallspurrebellionwithhisharshdecrees.
AndthusshallSolomon,whenhemountsthatstair,
Leaveaduallegacy:thisprincelypair.
Twohousesshallhislineagemaintain;
Andintwolandsshallgod Almightyreign
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hedininghallwascrammedwithtables,at whichwereseatedmembersofthecourt.Abois terousgatheringofpalacefunctionaries,military ofcers, bureaucrats, tribal elders, priests, merchants, ambassadors,royalwives,andhangersonsatshoulderto shoulder,feastingandconversing.Servantsscurriedabout withplattersoffood.Wineowedfreely.Onthebalconya Philistinebandwasregalingtheguestswithdinnermusic. SuspendedfromtheceilingwasabannerthatreadFare wellKingSolomon. Solomonwasseatedattheheadtable,ankedbyZadok and Bathsheba.AlsoatthetablewereBenaiah,Asaf,Joseph, Abhiram,Rehoboam,Asmodeus,andtheEgyptianambas sador.AndhalfadozenofSolomonswives,includingTut mosa.AndAhimaazthechronicler. A hushcameovertheguests.Zadokhadrisenandwas castinghissolemngazeuponthecrowd.Nearlyahundred yearsold,theHighPriestwasfrailandbent.Yethehad retained a commandingpresence. MayIhaveyourattention,hesaid.Idliketoremind youofwhyweareheretoday.Itisnotsimplytoeatand drinkandpalaver.WeareheretopaytributetoKingSolo monandtogivehimattingsendoff.Asyouknow,he hasdecidedtoretire.Soonheshallbesteppingasideand handingoverthereinsofgovernmenttohisson.Weare condentthatthe transition shallbeuneventful. At the same time, this is a momentous occasion. Of earthlykings,Israelhashadbutthree.Theinstitutionis newtous.KingSaulabuseditsprerogatives.KingDavid lentitanauraofpiety.AndKingSolomon?Whatcanone say?Ithasbeenaglorioustimeforourpeoplethirtyeight years of prosperity, religious fervor, and divine favor. No onecouldhavepresidedoverthoseyearsbetterthanthis 429
man.Forhisservicestohisnationandtogod, heshallbe rememberedwithgratitude.Heshallbemissed. Andhehimselfshallnodoubtmissthechallengesand satisfactionsofkingshipthedailycontactwithhissub jectsthebuzzandbustleofthecourt.Foritisgoodtobe theking.ButIamnottheonetoafrmsuchthings.Lets hearfromthemanhimself.IgiveyouKingSolomon. Applauseandcheerslledthehall.Zadoksatdown.And Solomonrose,wavingtoacknowledgetheovation. Thank you, Zadok, he said, and thank you all for beingheretonight. Thirtyeightyearscanthatbe?Itseems likeyesterdaythatmyfathersummonedmetothethrone room and informed me that I was to inherit the crown. WhenIexpresseddoubtsastomytnessfortheofce,he saidsimply:Fearnot,fortheLordgod willbewithyou. Thankfully,duringtheseyears,theLordhasgivenmethe strength,guidance,andabundanceofblessingstoserveas yourking. He hasalsogivenmelikemostofthosewithmeat thistableanabundanceofgrayhairs.NowImnotcom plainingaboutthat.Indeed,Imgratefultohaveanyhair leftatallhey,Asaf ? Solomonexchangedamusedlookswithhisbaldvizier. Nonetheless,hecontinued,Ifearthisgrayingtobea signof fadingvigor, ifnot ofmyimminentdemise.Ifthats so,Imustprepare mysuccessor for the dutiesofkingship. Andevenifnot,Ishouldliketodevotemynalyearsto activities otherthangovernanceoftherealm. Withthesethoughtsinmind,Idecideditwastimeto retire.TimetoturnoverthethronetomysonRehoboam. ThusitisthatIdeclarethefollowing.AsofSundaymorn ing,Rehoboamshallassumethedutiesofkingship.Ishall continueatleastfornowtowearthecrownandof ciallyserve asking.Butmyeldestsonandheirshallsteer theshipofstate.Heshallconductitsdaytodaybusiness and learntollmyshoes. Whileremainingavailableforadvice,Ishallretreatinto thebackground.Ashelearnstheropes,Iknowthattheprince 430
retirement willhaveyourfullsupportandcooperation.Ithankyouin advanceforthatasImsuredoesRehoboam.Isthatnot so,myson?Standupandacknowledgeyoursubjectsto be. Rehoboamrose,bowedtoapplause,andsatbackdown. Solomonsaidtohim: Your new job comes with many satisfactions. At the sametime,therewillbetroublesomesituationsandsevere tests. Unfortunately, my legacy to you includes a restive EdomandarebelliousAram.Nottomentionandpardon me,Mr.Ambassador,butmentionitImustanEgyptthat isreassertingitsinuenceinPhilistia.Also,ourownnorth erntribesaregrumblingandlingcomplaints.Iurgeyou totreatthemwithwisdomandforbearance. Untilnow,theseweremyproblems.Theyreaboutto becomeyours.Tobesure,youllbeconferringwithme.But mydaysasaworkingmonarchconcludeonSunday.Ahi maazyoureabouttoendthatchronicleofyoursandstart a newone:theBookofRehoboam. My penshalldulyrecordhiseverydeed,saidAhimaaz. Suddenlyacommotion soundedfromtheentranceway. AndAhijahcladonlyinhisloinclothandcarryingasmall boxburstintothedininghall.Wendinghiswaythrough the diners,hehaltedinfrontoftheheadtableandpointed atSolomon. Youreretiring?saidtheprophet.Goodriddance!Im heretosayfarewell,OwickedKing.Farewelltoyouriniqui tiestoyouridolatrytoyourforeignwives!Farewellto your paganways. Foryouhavedoneevilintheeyesofthe Lord.YouhaveforsakenHiscommandment:Thoushalt not makeuntothyselfanidol,norbowdownandworship them.Itsareliefthatyouaresteppingdown.Tocelebrate yourdeparture,Ivebroughtyouagift.Here,takeit. Ahijah passed the box to Solomon. Warily, Solomon opened itandpulledoutajar. Whatsthis?heasked. Ajarofwax,saidAhijah.Withwhichtopolishyour idols!Keepemshiny! 431
Theprophetsnortedindisgustandwalkedoff.Finding anemptyplaceatoneofthetables,hesatdownandbegan tollaplatewithfood. Father, why do you tolerate this man? asked Reho boam. Solomonshrugged.Hecomeswiththeterritory.Being denouncedbyprophetsisincludedinthejobdescription. Getusedtoit.Youllbeinheritingbothmythroneandmy mostvocalcritic. Perhapsitstimefor our retirementgift,saidBenaiah. HenoddedtoAbhiram,whoproducedasmallwooden caseandpasseditdownthetabletoSolomon. Solomonopeneditandwithdrewacuriousobject.Two lensesweremountedinawireframework.Heregardedit withpuzzlement. ItsapairofspectaclesthatIvedevised,saidAbhiram. Youwearthemonyourheadandtheymakereadingeas ier.Theinstructionsareonthecase. Solomon donned the spectacles and peered at the instructions.Amazing.JustwhatIshallbeneeding.ForI intend toretire toalifeof scholarship. I shalldevotemyself toresearch,andtowritingabook. Mayweinquireastoitssubject?askedAbhiram. It willbeaboutAtlantis.Thehistoryandwisdomofthat vanishedland. Soundsfascinating,saidBenaiah.Butletsgetonwith theparty.Timeforsometopnotchentertainment. The SingingGuardsassembled on the balcony. Andas the feastcontinued,theyregaledtheguestswithsong.
Rehoboamwasslouchedonthethrone.Athissidewas Asaf.Adelegationoftribaleldersstoodbeforethem. Soyoureaskingmetoreduceyourtaxes?saidReho boam. Thatscorrect,PrinceRehoboam,saidtheleaderofthe elders.Wefeeltheyareexcessive. 432
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Thosefundsareneeded.Infact,Imgoingtohaveto increase yourtaxes.Imsorrybutitsnecessary. Hedismissedthemwithawave.Murmuringtheirdis may,thedelegationledoutofthethroneroom. RehoboamturnedtoAsaf.Youvegottobetoughwith them,hesaidtothevizier.Ivebeenonthethroneless thanamonth,butIvelearnedthat.*
wisdomofitssages.Theresevenacollectionoftheirjokes, forgoodnesssake. SothesebooksactuallycamefromAtlantis? Not physically, no. Theyre Egyptian and Babylonian translations. But the originals probably still exist. And theresjusttoomuchinformationheretohavebeenmade up.Thisstuffhasthe feel offact.Believeme,Atlantiswas asrealakingdomasIsrael. Iwasjustasking.Dontbitemyheadoff. Sorry.Butitsamazingtomehowpeoplebecomeskeptical aboutthepast.Thinkofit,Benaiah.Somedaythousands ofyearsfromnow,whenthispalaceofourshascrumbled todustpeoplewillnodoubtwonder:Wastherereallyan ancientIsraelandaholyTemple?DidKingDavidactually exist?WasSolomonarealperson?Orwerethesetotalc tions? Or perhaps legends with some slight basis in fact? Believeme,thatswhattheyregoingtosay.Itsincredible.*
* Solomonwasprescient.Inrecentyearsagroupofrevision ist historians have done him a disservice. These scholars have expresseddoubtastothehistoricityofmuchoftheBible.Among thetargetsoftheirskepticismare KingDavidandKingSolo mon,whomtheydeemtobewhollyorlargelyctional.They insistthatthe storiesaboutthesekingsarenationalisticctions thecreationoflatterdaypropagandists.ForDavidandSolo monsexistence,theysay,thereisnoarcheologicalordocumen tary evidenceonlytheaccountintheBible;andtheBibleisa literary,notahistorical,document. RepresentativeoftheirviewsisDr.M.D.Magee,anindepen dentscholar.Contemptuousofhistorianswhospeakofthetime of Solomon, Dr. Magee writes on his Web site: Respectable historians do not refer times in history to mythical gures or places.TheydonottalkofthetimeofHerculesandwecanbe certain that any historian that spoke of the time of Atlantis wouldbeinstantlydismissedorcertied.Yetthesebiblicalg ures,DavidandSolomon,arenolessmythical. In short, King Solomon belongs in the same class as King Arthur. According to the revisionists, he is a legendary gure withonlythe mosttenuousconnection(ifany)withahistorical personage.
SolomonwassittingatadeskintheTowerofLearning. It was piled with scrolls, tablets, codices, and stacks of paper.AfxedtothewallwasamapofAtlantis.Wearing hisspectacles,Solomonwasreadingascroll. ThedooropenedandBenaiahcamein.Isithereyet? heasked. Anyminutenow,saidSolomon. Benaiahwalked overtothe mapandregardeditquizzi cally.Ivegotaquestion,hesaid. Yes?saidSolomon,lookingupfromthescroll. Forgivemyignorance.Butwasthere really anAtlantis? Orisitjustamyth,assomepeoplesay?Alegendwithno factualbasis.Aplacethatneverwas. Solomongavehimapeevedlook.Ofcoursetherewas anAtlantis,untilitsankintothesea.Lookatthesemany booksIvegathered.TheyrelledwithloreaboutAtlantis. The history of itskingstheteachingsofitsprieststhe
* The Book of Kingshasthisversion oftheincident: A delegationfromthenortherntribesmetwithRehoboamand petitionedhimforareductionoftaxesandofforcedlabor.The newlycrowned kingconsultedrstwithhisolderadvisers,who urgedhimtoaccedetotherequestinordertowintheloyalty of the tribes. But instead he followed the counsel of younger advisersand toldthe northerners:Myfathermadeyouryoke heavy,andIwilladdtoyouryoke.Myfatheralsochastisedyou withwhips,butIwillchastiseyouwithscorpions. Thisilladvisedresponseprecipitatedtherevoltofthenorth erntribesandthedivisionofthekingdom.
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Justthenthepapersonhisdeskwereliftedbyabreeze. Solomonsecuredthemwithapaperweight.Hereitcomes, hesaid. Benaiahclearedthetable,whileSolomondrapedablan ketoverhisbooksandpapers. Thebreezegrewinintensity.Andallatonce,theWind camerushingthroughthewindow.Ontothetableitdepos itedsteamingplattersofChinesefood. Thetwoofthemsatdown,tookuptheirchopsticks,and dugin. Thisisthelife,saidKingSolomon.
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he chamber was dimly lit by a single lamp. KingSolomonlayproppedupinbed.Gauntand pale,heworeanightshirtthatresembledashroud. AthissidewereBathshebaandRehoboam.Anightbreeze rustledthecurtains. Isensethattheendisnear,saidSolomon.SoIhave askedthetwoofyoutocomeandseemeoff.Mother,what canIsay?Yougavemealifetimeofmaternallovethere canbenomorepreciousgift.WhenIgo,Iimploreyouto transferthataffectiontoyourgrandsonhere.Hehasadif cultroadahead.Helphimtomeetitschallenges. Bathshebasmiledsadly.YouneedntworryaboutReho boam,she said.Asyou havehonoredthememoryofyour latefatherwithstrengthandwisdomsoshallRehoboam honoryou. Ihopeso,saidSolomoninadoubtfultone.Heturnedto Rehoboam.Myson,youvehadtwoyearsofapprentice shipruling with me as consultant. Now the real thing begins.Thiscrown,and itsburdens,shallbeplacedupon yourhead.SoIwanttoleaveyouwithmyThreeTipsfor Governing. Number One: He governs best who governs least.Abidebythatandyoucantgowrong.NumberTwo: Whenindoubt,refrain.Itsthatsimplethoughyes,there are exceptions. And Number Three: Delegate authority! Myfatherleftmewiththatadvice;itsbeeninvaluableand I passiton toyou.And keep gods commandments,that you and the nation may prosper. Good luck to you. But whatsthehour?Hasthecockcrowed?Ordoeshedelay, thathemayannouncemypassing? Itsthemiddleofthenight,saidBathsheba.Yetoth erswaitoutsideyourdoor,whowouldliketoseeyou.May wesendthemin? Solomonnoddedhisassent.BathshebaandRehoboam 436
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demise embracedhimanddepartedthechamber.Amomentlater Asafcamein. YourHighness,god bewithyou,saidthevizier. Approach, Asaf, and let me glimpse your loyal face. Always so reassuring! You have served me well for many years.Andlistenhere,youcancontinuetoserveme.How? BeawatchdoguntoRehoboam.Alas,theprinceisapara gonnotofexcellencebutofexcess.Keepaclosewatchon himandactasacounterweightasourceofprudenceand goodsense.Dissuadehimfromtheworstofhisfollies.Do youfollowme?Andonethingmore.Makesurethatmy ringgetsburiedwithme.Itmustnotbepassedon.Itspow ers,Ifear,wouldbeabused.* Yourwishismycommand,saidAsaf.Hebowedand exitedthechamber. After a moment Zadok shufed in. The elderly High Priestapproachedasofaandsaidaprayeroverit.Thenhe becameawareofSolomonlyinginthebed. Othereyouare,overthere,saidZadok.Heshufed overtothe bed,repeatedtheprayer,anddeparted. ThenTutmosacame glidingin.The Egyptianprincess wascarryingacenserofincense. IbringyoutheblessingofHathor,shesaid,toease yourtransformationintoaheavenlyorb.Soonyoushallbe a star,xedforeverinthesky! Twinkle,twinkle,murmuredSolomon. Tutmosaplacedthecenseronatable,chantedaprayer, and glided out.AmomentlaterAhimaazentered. Solomonstrainedtoseewhoitwas.Isthatyou,Ahi maaz?Aye,itisthe chroniclerofthelifeofSolomon.I hopeyouve notyetwritFinistoyourbook.ForImstill kickingthoughbarely.Moreliketwitching. OnegreaterthanthispoorscribeistheAuthorofyour
* Inhismonumental HistoryoftheJews, HeinrichGraetzcon rmsthattheringwasnotpassedon:TheIsraelitekingdom, reared into greatness by Solomon, was like a world of magic upbuiltbypowerfulgenii.Themagicvanishedwithhisdeath. Hedidnotbequeathtohissonhismagicring.(1:366)
life,saidAhimaaz. Wellsaid,myfriend.Butforyearsnowyouhaveduti fullychronicledmyfortunes.Youhaveservedmewithan ableandhonestpen.Yetthereismuchtowhichyouhave notbeenprivy.SomeofthatIamgoingtomakeavailable to you, to enhance therewith your history. Listen now. WhenImgone,haveJosephgointotherighthanddrawer ofmydeskandgiveyouthenotebookthatsthere.Usethe materialitcontainsasyouseet.Also,theresaslipofpaper tucked into the notebook. It has the address of Madame Reeza.Shesamedium.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,getin touchwithme.Illtrytoanswerthem. Thankyou,YourMajesty,saidAhimaaz.Ishallstrive tomakemyaccountofyourlifeascompleteaspossible. Hebowedandexited. NexttoenterwasAhijah.Theprophetapproachedthe bedandglaredatSolomon.Areyoureadytorepent?he asked.Toforswearyouriniquities? Please,leavemealone. Ahijahmutteredanepithetanddeparted. ThenAsmodeusstrolled in.Cladinpajamasandsmok ingjacket,thekingofthejinnwassippingfromagoblet. Solomon, listen here, he said. I have an idea. The Angel ofDeathhasyouonhislist.Butwecanoutsmart him!Asyouknow,hehasnopoweroverme.Sohereswhat wedo.Whenhesabouttoarrive,Illassumeyourappear anceIllperformthatillusionagain.Thenyougohidein the closet,whileItakeyourplaceinthe bed.Deathwill comeinthewindowandtake me insteadofyou.Hellride offwithasubstitute!Bythetimeheapprehendstheswitch, itllbetoo late.Illjustlaughand skedaddle.Andhellhave towaitayearbeforereturningthatstheruleonbotched pickups.Whatdoyousay?Itllbeacapitalprank! Itsverykindofyoutooffer. Selfinterestreally.Yoursondoesntlikemeandintendsto bootmefromthepalace.ButIenjoyithere.Iwanttostay. Thankyou,Asmodeus,butno.Mytenureinthisworld isabouttoexpire.Illnotresist. 438
437
demise Suityourself.Butifyouchangeyourmind,Imavailable. Asmodeusexited.AndJosephcamein.HeandSolomon embraced. Myboyhoodfriendandfellowscholar!saidSolomon. Farewell,dearJoseph.TwothingsIdlikeyoutodoforme. First,mybookonAtlantisisnearlynished.Please,com pleteitformeandhavecopiesmade.Thewisdomofthe Atlanteansmustbedisseminated.Andsecond,theTower ofLearning.Mycollectionofbooksmustnotbeallowedto languishandgatherdust.OpentheTowertoscholarsfrom aroundtheworld.MakeitalibrarytorivalthatofHeli opolis.Letknowledgethrive. I shallmaketheTowerabeaconoflight,saidJoseph. Buttheplacewontbethesame,withitschiefreaderabsent fromhisdesk.HowIshallmissourdiscussions! Wecancontinuethem.ContactmethroughMadame Reeza.Goodbye,Joseph. Withamournfulsigh,Josephleftthechamber.Amoment laterBenaiahentered. Good andfaithfulBenaiah,saidSolomon,claspinghis hand.Youvebeenwithmefromthestart. IndeedIhave,Sire.Irecallthedayyourfathermademe CaptainoftheGuard.Youwerejustalad.AndIwasnot muchmoreayoungrecruit,newlyarrivedinJerusalem, withnoambitionsavetoservethecrown. Wevehadourtimestogether.WhatcanIsay?Youve beenlikeabrothertome,Benaiah.Andaproperbrother not covetingmythrone likethe others.Farewell. Adieu,KingSolomon,saidBenaiah.Withamufed sob, he departed. The chamber fell silent. The curtains billowed in the breeze.Solomonmurmuredandclosedhiseyes. Thelampbegantoicker.*
* AccordingtoanArabianlegend,theAngelofDeathhasa workshop.Itislocatedwithinavastcaveinthedesert.Thecave hasmanychambers.Someofthemarelinedwithshelves,fullof urnsandbottles.Thesecontaindemons,poisons,noxiouswinds, andotherdeadlyagents,whichtheAngelofDeathletslooseinto
Inthethroneroomthecourtwaskeepingvigil.Whispers wereexchanged.Rumorspassedfromoneendofthetorch lithalltotheother.Womenwereweeping.Themoodwas somberandsubdued. Suddenly a hush fell upon the gathering. The court physicianhadenteredandwasspeakingtoAsaf.Thenhe turnedandaddressedthecourt. I am sorry to report that King Solomon has passed away,saidthephysician.Theillnessafictinghimhas borneitsbitterfruit.Heisnomore.TheKingisdead. Andhislastwords?askedRehoboam.Didheconrm thesuccession? HisMajestydidspeakattheveryend.Justbeforegiv inguptheghost,heseemedtogazeintothedistance.Then softlyyetdistinctlyherepeatedafemalename.Naamah, hesaid. Naamah. Andwiththat,hedied. Naamah?saidRehoboam.Whowouldthatbe?Ive neverheardthename. Nor I,saidAsaf. Thephysicianshrugged.Itsamystery,Iguess. Mystery?shoutedAhijah.Nomysteryatall!Obvi ouslythenameofsomegoddess.Withhisdyingbreath,he callsupon her.Anidolatertotheend! Asafgavehimareproachfullook. Asaf: Enough,Oprophet.Haveyounosenseofshame? Itisatimeformourning,notforslander;
theworld.Inotherchambersarecountlesstables,lledwithoil lamps of different shapes and sizes. Many of the lamps burn brightly;othershaveaweakame;andsomearesputtering abouttogoout.Eachlampcorrespondstothelifeofaperson.It istheresponsibilityoftheangelGabrieltokeepthelampslled and lit. However, he is unable to keep up with the job. And whenever a lamp goes out, that person dies. Whereupon, the AngelofDeathshrugs,saysNotmyfault,anddisposesofthe lamp,tossingitontoapileoutsidethecave.
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demise A timefortearsandwailinginthestreet. Tomorrowweshallgatherinthishall Forritesofpassagethattogethergo: A coronationandafuneral. Wearethevictimsofagrievoustheft. A kinghasdied.Hissubjectsarebereft.
A hugeblackhorsewasgallopingthroughthenight.As itfollowedthehighway,itraisedcloudsofdustyetmade no sound. RidingthehorsewastheAngelofDeath.Slungoverhis shoulderwasthesoulofKingSolomon. Solomonopenedhiseyes.WhereamI?heasked. YoureinthecustodyofDeath.Imtakingyoutothe OtherWorld. Isee. Trytorelax.Wellbetheresoon. Solomonseemedtobethinking.Thenheasked:Dowe have time tomakeabriefstopontheway? Possibly.Where? AtthetownofLuz.Illjustbeaminute. TheAngelofDeathscowledathim.Doyoutakeme for a fool?WellnotbestoppingatLuz! They continuedalongthehighway,swiftlyandsilently. The surroundinghillsglimmeredinthemoonlight.Some where a dogbegantohowl. Listen,Death,Ihavesomethingtotellyou,saidSolo mon. Whatsthat? Youveslippedup.ImnotKingSolomon. Huh?Yourenot? No,ImAsmodeus,kingofthejinn.AsafavortoSolo mon,Itookonhisappearance.Youllhavetowaitayear nowthatstherule. Imawareofnosuchrule.AndhowdoIknowyoureAsmo deus?Whatareyoutrytopull?YoureSolomon,allright! 441
Okay, youvegottherightman.Justajoke.Sorry. Thisisnotimeforfoolery.Dontyouunderstand?Youre deceasedyoureonyourwaytotheOtherWorld. Whereexactlyareweheaded? To theCaveofRadiantMist.OnMountGerizim.Thats theentranceway. So not the smokingpit.Thatsarelief. The Angel of Death spurred his horse. And they gal lopedalongthehighway. Solomonwasthinkingagain.Finallyhesaid:Listen,I haveaquestionabouttheOtherWorld.Iwasoncesub jectedtoapowerfulillusion.Itlastedonlyafewminutes. But during those minutes, I experienced ten years of an 442
demise imaginedlife. Tenfullyears. InthatlifeIwasanexilenamed Shlomo.IhadawifeandfamilythatIlovedacomfortable homeandgoodjobadeeplysatisfyingexistence.Iwasan ordinaryfellowandacontentedonefortenyears! Thenabruptlyitended.Isnappedbacktoreality.Once againIwasKingSolomonofIsrael.AndmylifeasShlomo mywife,mydaughters,myhomeeverythingvanished asifithadneverbeen.Yetthatimaginedlifehadbeenreal tome.I experienced it.Ilivedit,hourbyhour,dayafterday. Ineffect,it was real. Soheresmyquestion.Willthatfamilyofmineexistin theOtherWorld?WillIbereunitedwiththem? Idontseewhynot,saidtheAngelofDeath.That imaginedlifewasanillusion;butso,inasense,wasyour reallife.Bothweredreamsinsubstantialpageants!Your truelifeliesaheadofyou. Sothereshopeforareunion? Iwouldassumeso.ButImnoexpert.Waitandsee. Mount Gerizim had appeared on the horizon, silhou etted against the night sky. And they were soon passing throughfoothillsand climbingthemountain. Theycametoacave.Insideitswirledaluminousmist. TheAngelofDeathhaltedhishorseandwhistled. Whathappensnow?askedSolomon. Therewillemergeanangel,knownastheGreeter.Hell takeyouinsideandgetyouregistered. WillIgostraightintoParadise? Im afraidnot.Theres a period of transition,inwhich toconfrontyoursinsandbepurgedofthem.Duringthat period youllbestayinginadormitoryroom. Alone? No,youllhavearoommate.Youllbesharingaroom withKingArthur,Ibelieve. WhosKingArthur? A chieftainfromtheBritishIsles.ButherestheGreeter now. TheAngelofDeathloweredSolomontothegroundand helpedhimtostand. 443
AndtheGreeter,smilingbeatically,tookhishandand ledhimintotheCaveofRadiantMist.
Hundreds of mourners had crowded into the throne room.Standingbesidethecasket,Asafdeliveredthefuneral oration. Asaf: In thissomberchestatreasurelies.
Notgoldnorsilvernorresplendentgems;
Rather,amanmorepreciousandmorebright.
O ifourminerscouldbutexcavate
Fromouttheearthsuchopulenceasthis,
Wedbeanationrichbeyondcompare.
For goldisdross,silverismereclay,
Emeraldsarebitsofcoloredglass
Besidethisking.Hisglorydideclipse
The sunlikegrandeewhoinEgyptrules:
Pharaohinhisgoldembroideredrobe.
Yetnotinvelvet,norinfancysilk,
NorinsuchfrocksasPersianpotentates
Vainlysport,likepeacocksonparade,
Didthismodestmonarchgarbhimself.
Rather, inthe raimentof thesoul
Inwisdom,virtue,graceandpiety.
Thesewerethepricelessgarmentsthathewore
Andwhich,hispeoplehope,hedidbequeath
Untohisson,whodoesthecrownnowbear.
Letusthen,rackedwithgriefandsorrow,
Bearhisbodytotheroyaltomb.
ThereitshallDavidserveascompany:
A fatherandason,entombedasone.
Fortheageswasthisgentleking;
Letfuturepoetsofhisglorysing.
Todayourtearsshallmutelytestify
To whatwaslost,whenSolomondiddie.
Bearhimaway.
444
demise AsafnoddedtotheSingingGuards.Theyliftedthecas ketandboreitfromthehall.*

* The location of King Solomons tomb has not been deter mined.Somescholarsbelieveittohavebeennearthesoutheast ernwallofthecity;others,inavaultdirectlybeneaththepalace. The Book of Kings tells us only that Solomon slept with his fathers[i.e.,diedpeaceably],andwasburiedinthecityofDavid hisfather;andRehoboamhissonreignedinhisstead. Or(likehisroommateKingArthur)washe entombedinamoun tain, towhichhehadbeenbornebyjinn? So TheArabianNights wouldhaveusbelieve.InTheAdven turesofBulukiya,ShahrazadrelatesthetaleofAffanandBuluk iyatwomenwhosoughtoutthemountaintombofSolomon. Theyintendedtotaketheringfromhisngerandenjoyitspow ers.Hereiswhathappened: Theyenteredthepassesofthemountainandwalkedon,till theysawfromafaracavernsurmountedbyagreatdome,shin ing with light. So they made for the cavern, and entering it beheldthereinathroneofgoldstuddedwithallmannerjewels .Andtheysawlyingatfulllengthuponthethroneourlord Solomon,cladinrobesofgreensilkinwovenwithgoldandbroi dered with jewels and precious minerals: his right hand was passedoverhisbreastandonthemiddlengerwasthesealring whoselustreoutshonethatofallothergemsintheplace.Then AffantaughtBulukiyaadjurationsandconjurationsgaloreand saidtohim:Repeattheseconjurationsandceasenotrepeating untilItakethe ring.Thenhe wentuptothe throne;but,ashe drew nearuntoitlo!amightyserpentcameforthfrombeneath itand cried outathimwithsoterribleacrythatthewholeplace trembled and sparksew from itsmouth,saying,Begone,orthou art a deadman!ButAffanbusiedhimselfwithhisincantations and sufferedhimselfnottobestartledthereby.Thentheserpent blew suchaery blastathim,thatthe placewasliketobeseton re,and saidtohim,Woetothee!Exceptthouturnback,Iwill consumethee!HearingthesewordsBulukiyaleftthecave,but Affan,whosufferedhimselfnottobetroubled,wentuptothe Prophet[Solomon]:thenheputouthishandtotheringand toucheditandstrovetodrawitoffthelordSolomonsnger;and behold, the serpent blew on him once more and he became a heapofashes.Suchwashiscase;butasregardsBulukiyahefell downinaswoon.
Onasinglehorse,thepairdepartedJerusalemandrode eastward. Windingalongthesideofahill,theyhaltedforanal look at the city they were leaving behind. The huddled houses,thepalace,andtheTempleglintedinthesun. IshallmissthecourtofKingSolomon,saidAsmodeus. Theenergy,theculturalevents,thefascinatinglegalcases. Butitstimenowtoreturntomyownpalace.Youresure thatyouwishtoaccompanymethere? Aye,Sire,Iam,saidBorak.Assumingthatourdays shallbeasyoudescribed. Otheyshallbe.Wine,women,andsongthatshow weshalllive. My brandofwisdom.AndIshallgiveyouthat elixirtodrink.Itwillungrayyourhair,quickenyourstep, andmakeyouayoungmanagainineveryrespect.The bettertoenjoythepleasuresthatshallbeourdailyfare. Bringontheelixir!Bringonmyyouth!AndIshallcon tinuetoserveyou,Sireformanyyearstocome. And theyrode ontowardsthemountainsofBashan.
445
446
AlsobyProfessorSolomon:
JapaninaNutshell
Atlast,theunknownJapan.ThetraditionalJapan.The real Japan.Inthiseruditeyetentertainingwork,the ProfessorexploresaJapanofwhichfewofusareaware. Foratourofauniquecultureafascinatinglookatits diversewaysandwondersjoinhim.
AlsobyProfessorSolomon:
ConeyIsland
A historyandproleofthelegendaryamusementarea
Todownloadafreecopyofthisbook,goto:
http://www.professorsolomon.com/cibookpage.html
Todownloadafreecopyofthisbook,goto:
http://www.professorsolomon.com/japanbookpage.html

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The Book of King Solomon

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A life of King Solomon, written byhiscourthistorian!

top hat press

TranslatorsNote .......................vi Bathsheba .............................1

61. 62. 63. 64.

ArcticVisit ..........................405 Menelik .............................414 Retirement ..........................429 Demise .............................436

[seferhamelekhshelomoh akhimaatzmazkirmalkhuti ] whichtranslates to

uriah Thevizierbustledoff,leavingDavidaloneinthehall. Davidsatgrimfacedonthethrone,broodingandmur muringtohimself. Thenhecriedout:WhathaveIdone?*

thebookofkingsolomon Washawaythewickedness Andpurgemeoftheguilt AndThoushaltownthisheartagain; I promise,Lord,Thoushalt! AndbyexampleshallIteach

psalm way.Herfacewastautwithsorrow. Sheapproachedhim.Davidputdownhislyreandcame forwardtomeether.Theyembracedandwept. Weshallhaveanotherchild,saidDavid.TheLord hastakenourrst,aspunishmentformysins. Andthesecond?Shallitfareanybetter? MaytheLordallowittoprosperinacknowledgment ofmyreturntoHim.

* Sardonyxisagemstonewithbandsofred(sard)andblack (onyx).It wasbelieved toprotectfromsorceryandevilspirits, andtoaidinthehealingofwounds.KnowntotheIsraelitesas odem ( ),itwasoneofthetwelvestonesinthebreastplateof the HighPriest.

LordasHelovesthee. godsblessinguponthee,Jedidiah sonofDavid. Nathanbowedagainanddeparted. Bathshebaglaredatherhusband.Thechildalreadyhas a name. WhatswrongwithJedidiah?saidDavid.Ithasanice 38

andsomehowtheordergotrepeated.ThisisSolomon,who issupposedtobuildtheTemple.Hisnameshouldnotbe on yourlist. Perhapsnot.Butitsthere.

scalefulofwoodshavings.Whenheseesthattheheaddressis lighterlesssubstantialthantheshavings,Solomonlaughsat thevanityitrepresents.

ButthatnightUrielreturnedandaskedfortherodand bellback. Why?saidDavid. Becauseyoudoubteditspower,thedeviceistobetaken fromyou. ButIdoubtedonlymomentarily! 66

The nextdayDavidandSolomonwereoutriding,and cameuponthedefendantintheeld. Why,isntthatthefellowIruledagainstyesterday? Ibelieveso,Father. Whateverishedoing? Askhim. Theydismountedandapproachedthedefendant. 69 70

It willbeglorious,saidDavid. Nodoubt,saidNathaninasubduedvoiceasifnot whollyconvinced. Gloriousindeed!saidZadok.ButyouknowtheTab ernaclehasbeenwithussincethetimeofMoses.Thoseare theoriginalcoverings,wovenatSinai.Thattenthasserved uswell.Ishallmissit.*

waspreservedinaTemplestoreroom.AndtheShekinahglowed thereafterinahouseofcedarandstone. Thusdidgod travelfromHisoriginalhomethelonelysum mitofMountSinaitoMountMoriah.

absalom momentsofleisure. Theydrainedtheirgobletsandcalledformoreale.

thebookofkingsolomon Joab: Illnews,YourMajesty,ofsuchimport

InacourtyardofthepalaceDavidwasplayinghislyre. BesidehimsatBathsheba,listeningtothemusicandsip pingonalemonade.Acatdozedattheirfeet,luxuriating inthe sun. SuddenlyJoabburstintothecourtyardandapproached theroyalpair. 115

absalom seemedpleasedexceptAhitophel,whowasstaringgrimly attheprince.

thebookofkingsolomon onessoleaiminlifeasyouhavetaughtme. David: Wellsaid,myson.Nowgoandgetsomesleep. Tomorrowweveadatewithdestinytokeep.

SittingonastoolbythecitygatewasDavid.Withhim, peeringintothedistance,wasthewatchman. Two runnersapproaching,saidthewatchman. Surelytheybearnews,saidDavid. Oneisdarkskinned.AnEthiopian.Andtheother why,Irecognizehim.ItisAhimaaz,sonofZadok. 140

toldhisfriendsthatheoughttotakethegovernmentuponhim. Hehadalsopreparedmanychariots,andhorses,andftymen torunbeforehim.WhenDavidhisfatherhadseenthis,hehad notreprovedhim,norrestrainedhimfromhispurpose,norhad hegonesofarastoaskwhereforehedidso.

WhenAbishagemerged from the chamberinthemorn ing,thephysicianswerewaiting. Sheshookherhead.Itried.ButtheKingignoredme. He seemsbarelyconscious. Thephysicianshurriedintotheroom.*

a kingiscrowned them.Eventheclownsuddenlybecomeseriousdeparted inhaste. AndEnrogelwassoondesertedexceptforasolitary gure.Slouchedoverhisgoblet,Adonijahwasmurmuring indismay.

* WherewasDavidlaidtorest?TheBookofKingsstatessim plythatDavidsleptwithhisfathers,andwasburiedintheCity of David[Jerusalem];whilethe BookofNehemiahlocatesthe tombonthesouthernhillofthecity.Beyondthesescantrefer

TheroyalpartywastravelingbacktoJerusalem.Solomon was bouncing along on the donkey. Marching alongside

dooropenedattherearofthepalace; andan Egyptianhandmaidenpeekedoutintothenight. Lookingabout,shecheckedtoseeifanyonewas watching.Thensherolledalargeurnoutthedoor.Rolling itontoalanethatdescendedintothecity,shegavetheurn a kick. Downthelanerolledtheurn.Withaclatterittrundled

tom mixslidingwhistlering. Forsecretlysignalingyour friends. tommixmagnetring. Picksuppins,paperclips,etc. jackarmstrongdragons eyering. Yours!Thismyste

jack armstrong egyptian whistle ring. Comeswitha

captain midnight mystic sungod ring. Their best

skykingtwoway teleblinkerring. Hasaasherlight

tom mixtigereyering. Advertisedasglowinginthedark

Ho!saidthemalejinni.HewasregardingBorakwith surprise.Wewereexpectingsomeoneelseanothergirl. But comein,myfriend.WhatcanIdoforyou? IseekAsmodeus,KingoftheJinn,saidBorak.

WelcometoJerusalem O monarchofthejinn. Wegreetyouwiththesewordsofsong A mostunworthydin. Welcometothepalace

A caravanwasmovingalongthecausewaythatlinked theislandcityofTyrewiththePhoenicianmainland.* LeadingthecaravanonhorsebackwereAbhiramand

* TwoTyriansnamedHiramappearintheBible:Hiramthe kingandHiramthearchitect.Thearchitect(Ahimaazcallshim Abhiram,orMasterHiram)wasintheemployofKingSolo mon.TheBookofChronicleshasthistosayabouthim:

thebookofkingsolomon gratefulfortheexercise.* Solomonisfortunatetohavesuchlaborers,saidHiram. NowIalsoagreedtolendhimateamofskilledartisans. Theyshallaccompanyyouback.MayBaalgrantyouasafe journey,andpreservethebondbetweenourtwonations. Anddontforgetthatoliveoil,barley,andwheat.

Withthetilingoftheroof,theworkwascomplete.The scaffoldingwasdismantled.Thesitewasclearedofdebris. Theoorsandcourtyardswereswept. AndthemountwascrownednowwithaTemple.

Thecherubimwerehoistedintoplace. SculptedbyTyriancraftsmen,thetwopinewoodgures hadbeenoverlaidwithgold.Theiroutstretchedwingslled the cubethatwasthe Holyof Holies.Theoorbeneaththe wingsthesurfaceoftheSacredRockremainedempty. Butithadbeencarvedwithashallowbasin.

Solomon wasdriftinginandoutofsleep,whenanangel spoketohim: TheLordthy god ispleasedwiththehousethatyou haveraisedforHim.AndHeshalldwellinit,anddwell amongyourpeopleforaslongastheyshallharkenuntil Him,andserveHim,andobeyHislaws.*

n thescreeninhiscavern,melchizedekwas viewingthededication.Hewatchedasthethou sandpriestschantedahymn.Theickeringlight playedacrosshiscraggyfeatures. Finallyhesighed,leanedbackinhischair,andspoke. Melchizedek: SoistheTemplebuilt.Forgod MostHigh

A gure wasstandingintheportal.Itcameforwardinto thelight. TisI,saidAdam.Iheardyouwantedtoseeme. 263

disputedinfant fortheopportunity. Illaskit,saidBenaiah.WhenIrecover. Andinasinglegulpheemptiedthegobletofwine.*

Wordofthecasehadspread;andthenextmorningthe hallwaspackedwithspectators.ThesonsofGilgilhadyet toappear;and Solomonwaswaitinginthelounge.Benaiah pokedhisheadin. Thatbucketofwateryouaskedfor?hesaid.Iputit 287

goliath,jr. a sword;butIcometoyouinthenameoftheLordofhosts, thegod ofthearmyofIsrael,whomyouhavedeed.The Lorddoesnotsavebyswordandspear.Mr.Shubacould haveusedthosequotestocountermyargumentaboutthe sword.AndImighthavehadtodecideinhisfavor.*

Thehoopoereturnedaweeklater,withaletterfromthe QueenofSheba.Itwastiedwitharedribbonandscented withcinnamon.Loungingonhisbalcony,Solomonopened the letterandreadit.

Solomonrereadtheletter.So,hesaid,theQueenis coming.Hepurredwithanticipationandtossedthehoo poeacracker.

TheQueenofShebastayedforamonth.Duringthat timeSolomonwasanattentivehost.Hedroveheraboutthe countrysideinhischariot,sightseeing;ledheronatourof 336

On anotheroccasion,Solomontraveledonhiscarpetto theValleyoftheApemen. Reportshadreachedhimofanisolatedvalley,inhabited 341

Sodoweleaveittothesands Thatlikeashroudhavedrapedourlands. Forcreepinglizardtobehold

Thedooropenedintoanotherhallagallerylledwith goldand silverartifacts.At itsfarend wasadoorwithan inscription:

Passingthroughanotherhall,theyarrivedatadoorwith thisinscription: 347

chopstickspouredcupsoftea.Andthethreedinedwith gusto.Repeatedlytheylledtheirbowlsdousingevery thingwithsoysauceandmurmuringwithsatisfactionas theygorgedthemselves. 355

Leavemebe,whisperedSolomon. AsmodeusclickedhisngersandPotahvanished.Then, withashrugof helplessness,Asmodeustoo disappearedwith a pop. And Solomonwasleftalone,kneelingandweepingatop hispalace.

elchizedekwasstandingbyhishourglass. Hetappedonitasthesandtrickleddown.And hebegantospeak,hisvoiceresoundinginthe CaveoftheAges. Melchizedek: Andsotheyearsgoby.Uponhisthrone

Percheduponhisthrone,KingSolomonaddressedthe assembledcourt. Solomon: Lastnightaherald,pantingfromhisrun,

menelik Menelik: IndeedIshall.Andtheresanother,too,

thebookofkingsolomon Menelik: Whatisthepurposeofaduplicate? Solomon: Ofthingsessential,needfultoourlives,

menelik Solomon: Thentoo,thissuddenheavinessofheart

thebookofkingsolomon Untilsuchdayaseverynationbow BeforeHisName.Maythesesufcefornow. Melchizedekswitchedtoacomedyshowandsettledback inhischair.*

Rehoboamwasslouchedonthethrone.Athissidewas Asaf.Adelegationoftribaleldersstoodbeforethem. Soyoureaskingmetoreduceyourtaxes?saidReho boam. Thatscorrect,PrinceRehoboam,saidtheleaderofthe elders.Wefeeltheyareexcessive. 432

demise A timefortearsandwailinginthestreet. Tomorrowweshallgatherinthishall Forritesofpassagethattogethergo: A coronationandafuneral. Wearethevictimsofagrievoustheft. A kinghasdied.Hissubjectsarebereft.