Michal (42 page)

“Too true, but some don’t see it that way. And truly, my lord,” Hushai said, turning from Benaiah to David, “they have a point. Israel includes all twelve tribes, and if you are to be king, you must be king equally of them all.”

David ran one finger around the rim of his silver cup. “I agree completely, Hushai. What do you suggest?” He glanced around the room at the handful of men. Joab and Abishai were conspicuously absent, since they had fallen out of his favor. A new counselor, Ahithophel the Gilonite, had offered his services when the elders came together to proclaim David king. “And what do you think, Ahithophel?”

Ahithophel nodded toward Hushai. “After you.”

Hushai’s thick face flushed, and he folded his hands in his lap. These counselors weren’t likely to see eye to eye, but different viewpoints could be a good thing.

“I think you need a plan to unite them—perhaps pick members from each of the tribal leaders to serve on the king’s court. Give them equal standing with the men from Judah who already serve you, my lord.”

“That’s a start,” Ahithophel said, his silver hair gleaming in the light of twelve torches set around the room. “But I think the problem lies with the location of your headquarters, my lord. I think you need to leave Hebron and find a more neutral capital.”

David set the goblet beside him and tented his fingers beneath his chin.

“Where are we going to find something neutral?” Benaiah asked, his thick brows furrowed. “Every other city in Israel belongs to one tribe or another. If we leave Hebron for, say, Ephraim or some other tribal lands, the people of Judah will resent it.”

“Benaiah’s right, my lord.” Hushai leaned forward in the chair, placing both hands on his knees. “Unless you go outside of Israel—”

“That’s exactly what we’ll do.” David stood and walked to the window, looking out at the settled dusk. He whirled around and faced his men. “We will take Jerusalem, and I will build my palace there.”

Silence followed the announcement.

“Is there some problem, brothers?”

Hushai shook his head. “They say Jerusalem is impenetrable, my lord. How will you scale those walls?”

“I think it’s a grand idea,” Ahithophel said. “I’m sure our king will find a way.”

“Our king needs men who can help him plan, not just give him untried assurances.” Benaiah scowled, but David ignored the guard’s concerns.

“Hasn’t the Lord given us victory over all of our enemies?” David picked up the heavy pitcher of wine and walked about pouring the drink into each man’s chalice. “Jerusalem is His to give, and if He wants us to have it for Israel, He’ll show us a way to take it.”

David filled his own cup last, then sat back on his couch and sipped, looking over his men. He was met by looks of embarrassment and astonishment.

“What? Do you think your king is above serving you? I am your servant as well as your king. Drink a covenant to the future. For Israel.” David raised his cup, waiting until his men did the same, then took a long drink. “Tomorrow we will make plans to take Jerusalem.”

Two weeks after David’s coronation, Michal strode through the public halls of his home and onto the large porch overlooking a walled outer courtyard. The king’s attendants filled the court, and banners from each tribe fluttered in the morning breeze. David stood on an elevated platform, arms raised to quiet the crowd.

“Men of Israel, today we set out to take Jerusalem.”

A cheer erupted from the thousands of soldiers spread out in the surrounding fields. David motioned for silence, and Michal stepped closer, curious. She’d heard the rumors, but who would lead such a charge? Joab had been barred from David’s inner circle, and Abner was dead.

“Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites will be chief and captain.”

David’s announcement startled Michal. By throwing it open to anyone, even Joab stood the chance of being reinstated to his former position. More commands followed David’s stunning words, until at last the throng broke into groups and the divisions moved away from the king’s home, David at their head.

Michal leaned against one of the pillars of the porch, her mind whirling. If Joab took over as captain of David’s forces again, it would be a slap in the face to her family, to her tribe. How could he even suggest such a thing and possibly let that happen?

Furious, she stomped from the courtyard and returned to her rooms. Something must be done. But there was nothing she could do.

“The men are returning, my lady.” Keziah rushed into Michal’s private gardens, out of breath. “They’re coming up the path to the king’s gates. King David is leading the way.”

Michal set her embroidery in a wicker basket beside the wooden bench where she loved to sit and pass the time. Her heart fluttered at the news, and she hurried to follow Keziah to the outer courtyard.

“Do you know who the new commander is?” She hated relying so much on a servant for information, but even after months of living in the king’s harem, she had no friends among her equals, David’s other wives.

“I haven’t heard, my lady.”

Summer heat assaulted Michal as she stepped onto the covered porch and watched the fanfare of returning soldiers. Townspeople lined the street leading to the king’s home, much like they did on the road to Gibeah during her father’s reign. The only thing missing was that fateful song.

She watched the entourage enter the court. Men shouted, and David’s children danced about. The other wives had joined them now, lined up for David’s greeting. Michal hung back, not caring to be lumped together with the rest. Instead, she scanned the crowd of men, searching for the object of her hatred. If Joab had taken the city and resumed command, he would be decked out with the commander’s insignia and following David’s numerous attendants.

She spotted Benaiah faithfully guarding the king. She stepped from the shade into the sunlit court and walked over to the guard. “Benaiah, may I have a word with you, please?”

The guard looked at her with a hint of surprise, then took a step closer, standing at attention. “What can I do for you, my lady?”

“Please tell me who is commander of the army.” She held her breath, searching his large face.

“Joab took the city by way of the water shaft. The king has reinstated him as commander of the hosts of Israel.”

Michal stared beyond Benaiah, at last sighting Joab among the crowd. Even from a distance she didn’t miss the proud tilt to his chin or the haughty gleam in his eyes. She stumbled back a pace and felt a hand touch her arm.

“Michal, my love, come join the other women.” David gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him. “We’ve taken Jerusalem! Come into the banquet hall and rejoice with us.” He searched her face, his brow knit in puzzlement.

Shaken out of her momentary stupor, Michal looked into David’s eyes, frustrated with the joy she saw written there. Joab’s reinstatement did not bother him in the least. He was probably glad of it.

“Why did you make Joab commander again?” She spoke softly, not wanting to ruin the day for him despite the fact that he had destroyed it for her.

He gave her a curious look and released his grip on her arms. “He won the position fairly, Michal. There was nothing else I could do.”

She turned to walk away from him, but he took hold of her hand and held her fast. “Don’t worry yourself about political affairs, Michal. You are trying to control something that is beyond your grasp.” He stepped closer and bent his head to hers. “Come, enjoy the feast, my love. This is a great day in Israel.”

Michal nodded and sighed. “As you say, my lord.” Let him think she approved of his choices. It would do no good to anger him now. But she would never forgive him.

33

Five Years Later

“There you are, my lord.” Benaiah stepped from the shadows and crossed the roof of David’s palace in Jerusalem, meeting David at the edge of the parapet. “Hushai and Ahithophel are here to see you.”

David acknowledged the guard with a slight nod. “It’s a beautiful city, isn’t it, Benaiah?”

“Yes, my lord—with this palace being the crowning jewel. The Most High has blessed you indeed.”

David glanced at the faithful guard, one of his chosen mighty men. “Yes, He has.”

David fell silent again as he looked out over the surrounding homes of his neighbors. The afternoon chatter of women working over cooking fires and scolding children mingled with the clatter of merchant carts and braying donkeys. Men returned from the fields or from selling their wares, signaling the end of another summer day.

“So shall I send your counselors to the roof, my lord?”

Shaken from his preoccupied thoughts, David turned away from the sight below him. “Yes, of course.”

The guard walked over to the stairs and motioned to the two men. David walked over to greet them. “Come, my friends, join me in the pavilion.”

The two men followed David into a half-enclosed tent, visibly open on one side. He took his seat in the center, among a pile of cushions on a padded, gilded couch.

“What can I do for you?”

Hushai took a seat opposite David while Ahithophel sat to his right.

“There has been talk, my lord. It seems some of Saul’s grandsons are stirring up trouble in the tribe of Benjamin. I think Michal is fueling their efforts,” Ahithophel said, toying with the fringe of his robe.

David drummed his fingers on the cushion at his side. “What proof do you have?”

“Michal has been meeting with her nephews on a regular basis,” Hushai said, rubbing both hands across his knees. “I’ve heard the younger ones speak rebellious words when I happened to pass under her window.”

“Spying on them, Hushai?” The situation wasn’t humorous at all, but the thought of his short, stocky friend playing the spy seemed amusing.

“Only in your best interest, my lord.”

“Well, I’ll thank you for that. Is the tribe of Benjamin riled up enough to cause a problem?” Would his kingdom ever know a measure of peace?

“I don’t think it’s serious, my lord. But I do believe Michal will push to see her father’s house retain some control in your kingdom. You need to keep on your guard with her,” Ahithophel said.

David’s fingers sifted the hair across his forehead. Wasn’t he always on guard with Michal? They hadn’t had a decent conversation since coming to Jerusalem, since Joab had resumed his place as commander. He barely knew her anymore.