TurnStone Farms Productions Of David. A Psalm

Of David.

By

Luis Herrera

Dedicated to Guiselle and Nevi Domenic. In loving memory of our beloved grandmother, Enid Miranda.

2015

Forward

Of David. derives its title directly from the book of Psalms, and the observant reader will find that at the very least, the first seventy­two are attributed to the hand of David. In taking on the daunting task of recreating the life of this most enigmatic, appealing, appalling and legendary historical figure, I drew directly from the Bible. In the interest of full disclosure, the two I reference at least 90% of the time are primarily theJPS (Jewish Publication Society’s) Tanakh; The Holy Scriptures (blue paperback),andZondervan’s New International Version(Christian) Bible.

As David was a true Hebrew king, the story has been written from an unequivocal Jewish perspective and slant; and the JPS Tanakh has been in every respect the most cited herein. The novel is not meant to be read (nor does it pretend to come off) as a scholarly piece. As the novelist, I have not cared to cite and reference works nor sources throughout the text because in my estimation it mucks up the aesthetic beauty of the language and detracts from the unfolding drama of the narrative.

A word on the content and context of the story: although the fascinating stories of David’s life have been tirelessly told, retold, analyzed and reconstructed throughout posterity… amazingly, there’s always a bit more to glean from them; a little more to learn, a little more to dissect and devour. I did not preoccupy nor hinder my creative spirit by following the narrative of the Bible to the “T.” If I were to do that, what would be the sense in writing a new novel? If

what you are looking for is a word by word, paragraph by paragraph reconstruction of what is found in the sacred scriptures you will be sorely disappointed. That said, what I do believe to be bringing to the table is the meat; the muscles, ligaments and flesh missing from the “bare bones” account given in the Bible. I have sought to breathe life into characters that are either underdeveloped or entirely overlooked in the biblical account, thereby adding length, breadth and realism to the story, its characters and the plot in general. A word to the rabbis, priests, biblical scholars, theologians, historians, anthropologists, archeologists and anyone else who may be in a position to either lend support or detract from the narrative and its plausibility:Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!I’m not in a position to compete with you, nor am I pretending to lend scholarly support to my assertions and conclusions. What you are about to read is strictly a work of historicalfiction, although if you observe it closely you will find that I have not greatly departed from the main themes, morals and backdrops that have been historically expounded in the Bible.

In this account we will be introduced to a David who is less divine and thereby more human. We will see him not as the glorious precursor to the Christian Messiah, a man awed and revered by millennia of tradition, but instead as a humble young lad who through circumstances not entirely in his own control or of his choosing, reaches the pinnacles of power and dominion, while at times intimating the Sheols of defeat and humiliation. If the biblical account of David seems to portray him in two­dimensional light, devoid of inner monologue and casting him with levity, this rendition aims to illuminate him in high­definition 3D; so that by novel’s end one may come to truly know and understand David ­ to regard him as the close, personal friend we’ve grown up with. We will see him ­ I like to think ­ as he truly was. The man and not the legend.

Thank you all for taking the time to enjoy this novel. Read it with an open mind and a receiving heart and you just may be delighted at the little insights and highlights that jump out at you, themes and subplots that you may never have considered before. Without further ado I present you the crowning achievement of my writings to date… Of David. Kindly and truly yours, Luis Herrera, the Author Atenas Costa Rica, March 7th 2015

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The wind blew heavy and strong across the vast hillside plains. David’s eyes strained as he looked out over the horizon on this cool fall evening, the sun making its departure stage­left. It had been about three full days since he had seen any sign of the wolves, but you can never be too careful. He had lost two ewes and a suckling earlier in the week due to his own gross negligence and he had barely been able to live with himself over the guilt.How am I going to explain this to my father? The question burned its mark in his mind, circling in relentless repetition. In all his six years of being a shepherd he had never lost more than one sheep to a wild beast. And even this occurred less than twice a year.

David pitched his tent just as the last rays of light scattered about the hillside. The wind had died down a little and of this he was duly grateful – for lighting a fire would have been nearly impossible otherwise. He reached in his satchel and pulled out some dried and peppered beef jerky and washed it down with aged wine. In these days aged wine was no luxury, instead drinking it meant that he had not been home for coming on two weeks and had nothing more recent to enjoy. Having thoroughly counted and hedged­in the flock, he lit a small fire and wrapped himself in a skin. Nights in the Golan Heights are as cold as the days could prove warm. He sipped more wine. As the cool red elixir began to wind down his nerves, a romantic love entered his spirit and he picked up his tattered mandolin and began to play.

Music flowed from his fingertips the way water runs in a rainy brook – its effect is effortless, beautiful and smooth. His flock had learned to expect music at day’s close, and its soothing effect often mesmerized them and effectuated their sleep. Indeed, after a few carefully selected songs from his vast repertoire – all but one or two of the sheep would be sound asleep.

As the glowing fire dimmed to a few bristling embers, the moon shining brightly overhead, David dozed into a deep sleep. Outside swift rustling and loud thudding could be heard within meters from the tent. In a groggy daze, David uncovered himself and crawled over to the tent opening to see what is happening. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

The small hearth that he had left cold and unlit was ablaze with a grand, consuming fire. Majestic, tall blue, red, orange and yellow flames danced all about to and fro. And circling it, as if performing some sort of ancient tribal ritual, were two full sized cherubim (angelic lions) pacing and leaping around the fire, as their giant eagles wings fanned and fed the flames. The impenetrable black clouds of smoke being produced had a sweet, putrid smell. It was intoxicating, choking and satisfying at all once. David’s head began to swim. The last thing he saw was one of the cherubs growling right in front of his face… he could feel the animal’s warm breath and cold saliva splatter on his face as his hair wildly flew back from the sheer force of the bellow. Then there was nothing.

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It’s been too long my dear. Sometimes I worry about him. David’s mother, Zilpah, was the youngest of Jesse’s three wives. It pained her when David would stray so far away from home for so long. After all, he was the baby of the family ­ even if notoriously devalued and underestimated by his elder brothers. Perhaps it was because he was the baby. Or maybe it was because Zilpah was the youngest and best looking of their father’s wives. Some of Jesse’s elder sons were easily within the age­appropriate range to date Zilpah, had it not been a primordial sin to“lay with your father’s wife,” as per the Instruction of Moses. Some did want her, and because of this they resented their father, they resented Zilpah, and they resented David most of all.

He’ll be just fine, my dear. David always finds his way back. He’s like trying to lose a cat. Zilpah quietly chuckled under her breath. Jesse’s quiet, withdrawn confidence is one of the things that had attracted her so about this wildly successful, older man. It was impossible to disturb or perturb him. At times a rather annoying quality, from the perspective of a needy and jealous wife.

Let’s just hope this cat comes home sooner than later, she retorted. With that sentiment they let the matter rest.

Zilpah had met Jesse at the marketplace. Her father was a flask merchant, and Zilpah was his greatest saleswoman. Sprightly, robust and beautiful ­ with round, inviting facial features, clear green eyes, blonde hair and honey­olive skin, the girl was a looker. She was only fourteen when Jesse came by looking for a flask to help quench his thirst. This is our best one, she said, handing him a beautifully engraved, stainless steel flask. It will hold all that you need to satisfy your desires, and moreso still… she quipped, flirtingly. There was no doubt about it, Jesse was a very handsome man. He had been of decidedly light skin and sandy brown hair in his youth, but with age he grew strong, tall and dense. He had the weight and structure of a prizefighter, with matchingly heavy, strong and pronounced fists, noted by all whom came across his path. His hair was much darker now, and along with his beard, displayed flattering streaks of grey. His belly protruded slightly, but it was befitting for a man of his structure, age, size and social positioning.

Your best one, huh? He replied, noticeably amused,It must be too expensive. What is the cost, my dear? It was the first time he referred to Zilpah as “my dear,” though not the last time, not by a longshot. For you? I make a special price. It will be a price so sweet, you will never put this flask down again for as long as you live…

The rest is history. Zilpah not only sold Jesse a flask, she effectively sold him on his favorite wife for as long as the man would live. Although to date, Jesse prefers to imagine that it was he who closed the deal on her.

David inherited a perfect balance of both his parents’ best features. His dark and deepset honey­brown eyes reflected his mother’s beauty, and he certainly had her unquenchable taste for raw, unadulterated life, her seeping sensuality. David’s musical abilities came by way of his maternal grandfather. But his physique, proportions and posture were unquestionably those of his father. He matched his mother’s salesmanship abilities and coupled it with Jesse’s quiet

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confidence and unparalleled mind for business ­ this unprecedented combination would prove to be truly lethal throughout his youth and later on in his career. Back in Golan, the sun began to creep through the crack in the tent and aligned itself perfectly with David’s eyes. Fuck, he thought to himself, dawn, already? He felt slightly hungover, but this is a morning sensation he had grown accustomed to at his ripe, thirteen years of age. Begrudgingly, he rubbed his eyes and sat up from his cot. He could hear the light bleating of his sheep. They are used to getting their morning chow around this time and would become irritable if David tried to hold off on their stipend. I’m coming you whiny beggars...

As he was making the rounds a gust of wind blew in his face and suddenly David recalled the dream from the night before. Cherubs? he thought, I should lay off the wine. By the second hour of daylight David and his flock were on trail back to Bethlehem of Judah. Most of the day proved to be steady and uneventful, it is a path David knew full­well and there cannot be said to be any surprises. However to every rule there is an exception.

As dusk approached and the shadows grew tall in the valley, a queer sensation came over the even­tempered shepherd. Something’s awry, he thought instinctively,I’ll be damned before I lose another sheep to anything or anyone. He stopped in his tracks and took a long, gazing look around the premise ­ taking stock of his sheep. Just then, behind a crevice in the hillside he spotted the source of his uneasiness, a full­grown mountain lion had been hot on their trail, stealthily stalking her prey for the better part of an hour. David had been painfully slow at detecting her.

She’s a beauty, he thought, but she is destined to die hungry. With all the authority of a general in combat, David instructed his flock to lay down into a tightly packed corner, essentially hedging themselves in against all danger. David’s sheep tended to his voice, and they understood his every command ­ such was the influence he held over them. Making himself scarce, David shifted to predator mode.

Being a predator is something David had learned from watching the best of which first­hand out in open nature. Routinely, he would stalk lions, bears, wildcats, eagles and just about every other type of predator and observe their movements; their coldly calculated trajectories, their stealth and swiftness, their determination and the unwavering delivery of their merciless and deliberate attacks. This was not a training you could glean from books. And he was a quickstudy if ever there was one. On this particular subject, David had been fixated since he had the use of reason.

Before the lioness could surmise that she would be the one hunted, David came upon her with the full weight of his welterweight teenage body. As the lion snapped back to clutch at her opponent’s throat with her ripping fangs, David pressed his forearm heavily over her shoulder blades and seamlessly eased the dagger into her lower right flank. She howled in agonizing disapproval of this vicious act, and driven by adrenaline flipped over fiercely and violently pummeled her claws into David’s thorax, but quickly lost her breath and dozed off to eternal

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sleep before causing any serious damage. Aside from having commissioned moderately severe claw wounds over his abdomen, David had won the day.

No stranger to on the go, makeshift first aid auxiliaries, David cleansed his wounds in a nearby brook, scrubbing thoroughly using cloth from his torn gown. He then proceeded to generously apply a concentrated concoction of hyssop, olive oil and aloe vera over his wounds. It was a balm that his mother had made for him long ago, when he first started to amass his proud collection of distinctive, although at times deep and morose battlescars. Ultimately he learned the craft by closely observing her over the years and now David likes to think that his own poultice is several generations new and improved. With the remains of the tattered garment he procured a comfortably tight bandage to hold the balm in, clothe the exposed underskin, clot the bleeding and keep the dust off. He never failed to carry this balm around on his travels for just such an event. This sheds light into the young man’s personality. He had grown to expect and welcome confrontation and combat in his life. This was not, by any means, David’s first time to the dance. There’s your boy, Zilpah. Eliab was thirty­one years old then and Jesse’s eldest son, the firstfruits of his strength. He was strikingly handsome, slender and the tallest of Jesse’s boys. His mother Devorah was tall, lean and muscularly built ­ yet in a very elegant and feminine way. Her hair was jetblack, curvelessly straight, fine to touch and never crept up above her waistline. Her eyes were a deep blue, like weighty diamonds blinding anyone fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to make contact with them.

In her debutante days she was the prize of the town, a fact that she always carried on her sleeve ­ just enough so to prove more offensive than endearing in her latter days. She was not known for her sense of humor. Indeed the men and maidservants of the manor would avoid crossing her path throughout the day ­ lest it be absolutely necessary to do so. Eliab and his two younger siblings, Abinadab and Shammah, were her only three offspring; the fruit of her loins and the pride of her days. She unabashedly held Eliab as the crowned prince among Jesse’s sons, regardless of which treasure­sniffing tramp and consequent bastardry Jesse had welcomed to the family after the fact.

Not too subtly, Devorah impartad this resentment and thinly­veiled hatred onto her sons, with Eliab receiving the brunt of it.

...And what a surprise, looks like he’s all bandaged up again. That boy will not rest until his bones are collecting dust at the bottom of a ravine, somewhere.

That’s enough, Eliab. Devorah half­heartedly admonished her son. Although it was mainly show, Devorah was the consummate actress and knew better than anyone the importance of keeping up appearance. Here Zilpah, give him this when he arrives, Devorah said as she handed Zilpah a clear drink that rank of alcohol, ...it will help him sleep. In her own, queer way, even Devorah had a soft spot for David, Zilpah’s only son.

Thank you Devorah, I will see to it that he does so. Throughout their cold, bittersweet relationship, Devorah and Zilpah had always been cordial to each other. Internally, Zilpah

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acknowledge that she had been unwittingly encroaching on Devorah’s territory, and as she was an older woman, a full twenty­years so, she also held a maternal regard for her. In turn, Devorah coalesced herself by condescending to and undermining Zilpah. Even if in her cooling heart, she admired her bright, irrepressible spirit and held her deferential attitude in esteem. Ah David, David! Damn it to hell, David. I’m sorry Papa, I lost two sheep and a lamb to a pack of wolves. It’ll never happen again. I don’t give a bull’s droppings about the sheep! What the hell happened to your chest? How many more times do I have to tell you to stop chasing after wildcats? You will not be satisfied until one finally tears you to pieces.

Only David managed to get those kinds of reactions from his father, to the detriment of all who observed. It was all but impossible to ruffle Jesse’s feathers, but somehow and miraculously, David managed to crawl right into that sweet spot under his skin from time to time.

It won’t happen again, papa. As if reciprocating the sentiment, Jesse was the only one that could shame and bewilder David into a corner. With everybody else he came off as a borderline roughian; obstinate, daring and at times intemperate. Yet here was his father, Jesse, completely dominating him into submission as only he could.

Go in right away and wash off. I believe Devorah made up some silka anticipating your return. Make sure to drink it immediately after your bath and go to sleep. I’ll take the sheep from here.

Just like that, David was relieved from his extended duty out on the prairielands and himself returned into the fold. It was difficult for David to remain home over a prolonged period of time. He felt himself emotionally backed into a corner by his older, hostile brothers. It was truly quite amazing, there was not one of the bunch that he even casually got along with ­ and there were eight of them in all, eight. Some would jokingly refer to him as “Joseph,” always wearing his figurative multicolored mantle. Shall we bow down to you, Joseph? was not an uncommon refrain periodically hurled his way by any one of the faceless crowd of rejects.

II

Four years had gone by and David was now nearly full­grown. He was impressively built, a happy fusion of pure genetic brilliance coupled with temperance resulting from the hearty and robust conditioning of a true outdoorsman.

During this time, the unfailingly inimical Philistines were launching a military campaign to extend their borders beyond the northern shores and south into Judean territory. As a people,

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they were expanding at an impressive rate, due mainly to their savvy business acumen and unparalleled execution on the battlefield. On this, their most recent and aggressive campaign, they had openly defied and occupied territory that had previously, always been observed. The pride of the Philistines was an old bloke by the name of Goliath.

Having come into the world with about twenty­five percent more girth, length and bone structure than the average (even, moderately large) child, he was regarded as a freak of nature from birth. Of course his mother did not survive the improvised caesarean delivery, as only one out of ten fortunate women did so in those days. His father, in turn, wanted “nothing to do with the monster that had slayed his wife.” Goliath was taken up by a reluctant aunt, but the arrangement proved to be short­lived and by the time he was two he had become the proverbial hot potato, bouncing from home to home, a thorn on the side of his kin. This unrelenting sense of rejection and inspired disgust laid down heavy inroads to the pit of Goliath’s soul. He hated everybody, and in turn everybody hated him. It was a cycle of which no one could pinpoint the origin.

All was not lost, however, and it did not take long for an opportunistic battalion commander to find a way to win Goliath over to his side, with the sole intention of putting his brute force and raw anger to work in his service.

Damn those fools, Goliath, the commander told him in confidence, what has a single of them ever done for you? I’ve got big plans for you, my friend. Your training begins today ­ you will prove an unstoppable force. The girls that have rejected you all your life will be lining up to get a taste of you. You will be a legend, a true king among the peasantry. How could his contrite, bruised soul reject such an offer? You would have done the same.

From that day onward Goliath submitted himself to a military regiment unprecedented in the history of Philistia’s existence. He truly became a god of war, driven by the cruel amalgam of hatred, resentment, bitterness, raw, physical power and structural overbearance. He was the perfect beast. As he ruthlessly tore into the flesh of his opponent, he saw the faces of his schoolmates and peers. He imagined them laughing up at him from behind the mask of his prey. He relished the thought of destroying life, of returning it to the dust from which it came. He’d never been happy, why should anybody else be happy? His were the sentiments of the quintessential terrorist. Only in this case, he was fully endorsed and commissioned by his state to be so. He was their WMD, their ace in the hole, their weapon of mass destruction. Forty days, had Goliath been coming out to defy Israel’s “bravest men.” A sorry sack of cowards that could not be made into a single decent soldier. The origins of Israel's enmity with Philistia could be traced back at least two hundred years, when the seafarers first began to lay claim to the northern coastline of the Levant, or Canaan. Having derived most of their science from the Peloponnesians, people of the sea, they were awesome shipbuilders and merchants. Their exact origin is not quite clear, but it is likely they were a mixture of western european Celts, and low­valley territory Greeks. It is known, however, that they were a physically large and imposing

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people, of primarily fair skin and generous proportions. In battle they were fierce and merciless, coming from a background of piracy and conquest. They were used to fighting for, claiming and often capturing No Man’s Land.

Some one hundred and fifty years back they had endured an infamous skirmish with Israel’s Samson. Samson was a belligerent fool of jackass, who relied on his awesomely brute strength to intimidate and terrorize people. But nothing roused him like flexing his muscle against the Philistines. At his own wedding reception with the proverbial shiksa (a Philistine wife), Samson challenged his new inlaws to a riddle; the stake ­ thirty finely­woven new robes. If anyone of them could break through the maze of his logic, Samson would owe the robes, if not ­ the Philistines would be on the hook. To his own detriment, the only thing Samson cherished more than cracking craniums was the company of sultry foreign vixens. And at the slightest prodding, he always gave them what they want.

In summary, he relinquished the answer of the riddle to his own wife, who immediately proceeded to enlighten her family with it and Samson lost the bet. In order to make good on this princely order of robes, he simply slayed every Philistine that crossed his path who happened to don a nice one and made good on his debt at the expense of thirty innocent lives. The ensuing chaos lasted decades as Samson and the Philistines matched tit for tat, and prospects for reconciliation have been dismal ever since; the contention now being both personal and geopolitical. Some twenty years before present day, the loosely affiliated tribes of Israel attempted to come together under one king ­ Saul of Benjamin, son of Kish. Saul had proven to be a fickle king of a cowardly and divided heart, even if he physically looked the part. According to legend he was a head taller than any of his kinsmen and possessed the kingly aspects of astonishing good looks, a squared­off jawline, a thick, becoming beard and sharply­chiseled facial features.

Saul had been “anointed king” by the seer Samuel, in direct consequence to the tribes’ coming together as one man and demanding, Give us a king to govern us. We must have a king over us, that we may be like all the other nations. Let our king rule over us and go out at our head and fight our battles.

Samuel tried to warn against and encourage Israel to turn back from wanting a human king “over them,” nevermind the unpardonable sin of “wanting to be like all other nations,” but it was to no avail. The Nation of Israel had come about as no other nation in history had, nor has, to date. Theirs is the proud heritage of the Egyptian Exodus, a miraculous emancipation from the bondage of slavery orchestrated by Moses, a military general and prophet of YHVH (Most High, Only, Eternal, All­Powerful God), and divinely ordained by God himself.

Throughout the trailblazing narrative, we follow Moses as he encompasses insurmountable odds and obstacles in order to bring a rebellious and obstinate people to metaphorical and literal freedom ­ almost entirely against their own will. Liberty comes with one very significant caveat, however. Essentially the twelve enslaved tribes of Israel are not being

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simply released due to the mere beneficence of the All­Powerful Deity and his tireless servant’s generous heart ­ they are instead being bought with a price.

Therefore shall you love, honor and obey the Lord your One True God ­ and Him only shall you serve all the days of your life. You shall bring to the Lord your firstfruits and tithes and honor Him with the choicest of all your increase, with a tenth of all the vast produce derived from this great new land that He is despoiling from before you for you to posses; a land flowing with milk and honey. The land will not fail to yield its produce and your vats and storehouses shall overflow. You will still be enjoying last year’s crops when you will have to make way for the new. You shall have rain and sun, moon and wind in due season, I will set the appointed times and your harvest will be great. You shall inherit houses that you did not build and vineyards that your hands have not planted. Neither your women nor your livestock shall miscarry, and the wild beasts shall flee from your presence. I will give you rest from all your enemies. You shall have peace on every side because YHVH Himself shall watch over your borders. Your days will be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you will know peace.

To this very day, Israelis greet and bid each other farewell with the one thing that has possibly always eluded them, Shalom ­ “Peace.” Here we get an incontrovertible glimpse into the Almighty’s personality; both him and his mouthpiece, Moses, are consummate negotiators. In essence, they’re saying Hey look guys ­ it’s not all puppies and lollipops, there’s a substantial trade­off to your freedom.But ultimately, the choice is theirs. God never has, nor ever will, force anyone’s hand. In his final speech to the Israelites, Moses leaves the ball in their court,Behold, I lay before you life and death, blessings and a curse, freedom and bondage. So choose wisely ­ because ultimately it is up to you.

The First Five Books of Moses, or Jewish Torah (Instruction) close with this cryptic statement, Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses ­ whom YHVH singled out and knew face to face, for the various signs and portents that the Lord sent him to display in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his courtiers and his whole country, and for all the great might and awesome power that Moses displayed before all Israel. Having aligned themselves with Saul’s troops, Devorah’s three sons went down to the battle line and feigned duty on behalf of Israel. Jesse held the rest of his sons away from such slaughter, especially David ­ he had different plans for David. But as he was the most reliable and stalwart of his sons, he sent him on a special mission.

David, your brothers are stationed down in the Valley of Elah on the frontline against the Philistines and their champion, Goliath. They are working on behalf of the Nation of Israel and are direct reports of Saul and his troops. Ruth has prepared some cheese and freshly baked loaves of bread for you to take down to them and to their captain. Ruth’s sons are otherwise engaged tending to the estate, I need you to run this errand for me.

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Thus was David dispatched to the frontlines of the war, to witness the engagement between Israel and Philistia firsthand. Upon arriving at Elah and forcing his way to the front barricade, he saw Goliath for the first time. But the thing that impacted David even more than his awesome size and magnificent strength was the belligerence and insolence of his speech,

Come to me, sons of Jacob! You are nothing but a worthless pile of snakeskin! There is no backbone in a single one of you. Come out to me, so that I may give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. If a single of you is willing to confront and topple me, all of Philistia shall be at your service. However if I dominate and topple him, you shall be our servants and serve us for life. Come now, choose a man ­ that we may engage and fight together.

David’s interest was piqued, What shall be done for the man that conquers Goliath? A nearby footsoldier was only too eager to respond,To the man that defeats him Saul has promised a very large estate, he shall be rewarded with herds and land. And as if that was not enough, he’s also giving him the hand of his daughter Michal and will exempt his father’s house from taxation to the state! David could not believe his ears, he turned around and inquired of a different soldier, What shall be done for the man that wipes this disgrace from among the people of the living God? The answer invariably came back the same. It’s too good to be true, he thought, it’s just too easy.

Just then Eliab stepped forward, as he’d been overhearing the whole conversation. You’re a nut, David. Shouldn’t you be out shearing the sheep? Who the hell invited you

down here anyway? I know your arrogance and the perversity of your heart, you’ve only come to voyeur the battle. What do you know of combat? You should run along before you get hurt. Back in his castle, Saul king of Israel had been pacing back and forth nervously. He was concerned about his legacy as the first king of Israel. Samuel, the prophet who had anointed him king had already turned on him. And it was so pointless, all of it. So “God had ordered that I proscribe (annihilate and destroy completely, in an act of holy consecration) Agag king of the Amalekites, and all of his nation ­ along with the people and herds, great and small; young, elderly and female,” reasoned Saul, that’s just abullshitcommand!Why shouldn't I have kept the choicest of the spoil? A little something for my efforts, and those of my troops?

As per the word of Samuel, prophet of the Lord, YHVH had decided to exact retribution over Agag and his entire Amalekite kingdom for their obstinacy and hostile treatment of Mosaic Israel as they were crossing the desert of Paran on the way to the promised land. Not a woman, suckling or child shall be left standing, were Samuel’s explicit instructions to Saul before the attack. However upon successfully subduing the Amalekites and gauging the extensive spoils, Saul could not bring himself to waste so much good stuff, so he kept the best of all he saw. What is this bleating of sheep in my ears!? Demanded Samuel, upon catching up with Saul at camp and noticing that he had certainly not proscribed the entire Amalekite establishment, as divinely sanctioned. Not only had Saul disobeyed the Most High’s orders, he hadn’t even taken it

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upon himself to execute Agag himself. In a fit of righteous indignation, Samuel took Saul’s own sword and beheaded Agag. He then proceeded to immediately reprove and dethrone Saul with the authority that only a true servant of the Lord could wield,

Does YHVH delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to the His command? Surely obedience is better than sacrifice, compliance than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination. Defiance, like the iniquity of teraphim. Because you have rejected your God’s command, He has rejected you as king. As Samuel turned to leave, Saul seized the corner of his robe, and it tore. And Samuel said to him, Adonai (the Lord your God) has this day torn the kingship over Israel away from you and has given it to another who is worthier than you. He has sought a man after His own heart and placed him in your stead. Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not deceive nor change His mind, for He is not a man that He should change His mind. And in the blink of an eye, Saul was left destitute and orphaned on the throne, without the backing, guidance nor divine sanction of the God of Israel nor his prophet. Indeed, never again would Saul come into the presence of Samuel for as long as either would live.

III

The king is gone but he’s not forgotten. There’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Hey, hey, my, my. ­ Neil Young

The son of Jesse of Bethlehem, he says he can topple the giant. Saul’s eyes lit up, Is that so? How do you know this? I heard him myself. He’s a ruddy young fellow who’s used to keeping his father’s flock. But there’s a look of determination in his eyes unlike anything I’ve seen. Fetch him quickly! This could be the deliverance the Lord has arranged on behalf of Saul.

Saul’s servant retrieved David and made it back to the palace just in time for lunch. They had placed a setting for him at the king’s table. Saul fixed his eyes on the young man as he confidently strode through the palace gates and made his way towards the reception hall. Michal, Saul’s daughter, was also watching from her third­story window. She was impressed. The overriding emotion within Saul was fear. Where did this boy come from and how has he managed to escape my attention all this time?With a nervous, fidgety energy, Saul rushed to the doorway and intercepted David. The scene of an overgrown king receiving an unknown shepherd with such regard and unbridled enthusiasm was quite unbecoming, and David was thrown for a loop.

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Young man, young man, welcome to the House of Saul! Pray tell, what is your name boy? I am David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem. Your servant has been out in the field keeping your servant’s flock. How come I have not seen your name in the roster of our Defense Battalion? Surely you are of age for inscription, aren’t you? Yes milord, I believe I am. And…? Your servant has been keeping your servant, Jesse’s, flock out in the wilderness. To be honest, I was not even aware of the engagement until about a week ago. What is this they tell me about you thinking you can best Goliath. Have you any military training? Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or bear came up against the least of these and tried to carry it off in its mouth, your servant would chase after the beast, take it by the beard and strike it down, thereby retrieving the lamb. Your servant has killed both lion and bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be just like one of them, for having defied the armies of the living God. For the first time, Saul felt a bit of release from his fearful tension. The boy’s unflinching confidence, his sheer chutzpah! Yet somehow it was understated, and he came off as a humble, restrained young lad, instead of an insolent dreamer. Just how he pulled it off was only the first of many questions that would baffle those who knew and loved David, those who observed him from near and far. Come my lad, take a seat at the table, lunch has been served.

Over lunch Saul and David exchanged pleasantries and small talk, at least on its surface. In truth, Saul had the agenda of wanting to extricate every last bit of information from the man possible, without it coming off as too much of an interrogation. David knew very well what Saul was up to, but like a good sport, he played along just to be courteous to his host and potential future father in law. David donned a wisdom far beyond his years and was always extremely mindful of his answers. That which he did not disclose was often as, or more important, than that which he did. From his father, having both watched him in action and by rote after the fact, David had learned to keep his mouth shut in business dealings.The more you say, the more they can come back at you with. Learn to keep your thoughts and comments to yourself! It will be worth more gold to you than the majority of people will see in a lifetime. This is one of Jesse’s proverbs that David always carried in his heart.

As he wiped the last of the broth from his lips with a cloth napkin, Saul redirected the conversation to the matter at hand. Now, about this Philistine. I’ve had some very special chainmail, a breastplate, and shin and forearm armor commissioned for my son Jonathan. He’s slightly taller than you but if we fasten it securely there should not be an issue with fitting. I’d

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like you to wear it for your encounter, there is nothing like it in all of Canaan.Saul signaled for one of his menservants to fetch the gear. Here, try this on…

David stood by stoically as Gerar, Saul’s chief attendant, and two other soldiers clumsily patched the intricate system of hooks, snaps and latches onto David’s body. Finally they placed a heavy bronze helmet over his head. With this final touch David finally lost his balance and skipped to the right, successfully averting a fall. It was comical to watch him pacing about the courtyard, slowly and deliberately lifting one foot after the other, raising his arms with the greatest of effort.

Milord, David could no longer contain himself, there’s no bloody way I’m going to wear this metal net over my body to confront Goliath! I’d be felled by exhaustion before even making it to the match. This was authentic David. He knew when to hold his tongue, but just as or more importantly, he knew when to speak his mind and assert himself. You don’t win any points by being shy, was another one of Jesse’s favorite proverbs that David had internalized and lived by on a daily basis. Indeed, his father Jesse is quite possibly the only man David looked up to, ever. More than slightly annoyed, Saul retorted, Then what do you suggest David? Do you plan on felling the giant with a fistful of rocks? Saul had reluctantly deferred to the young shepherd for the first of many times throughout their long and entangled relationship.

That’s just it!Thought the son of Jesse,I’ll take him out with my sling. However he dared not be so blunt right to his new master’s face, I’ll think of something, he said. With that he thanked Saul for the meal and begged his pardon, he was off to meet the giant. When David reached Succoth of Judah, he could see both armies camped at opposite sides of the valley. Again Goliath of Gath was out before Saul’s men ­ defying their very lives and cursing the God of Israel with contempt. Come to me, all Israel! There’s not a one among all of you… not a one! David had had enough of this, Aye there you brute! David literally abrupted onto scene, in his left hand he was holding his shepherd’s rod and in his right was his sling. In a small leather satchel that he always carried with him he had three smooth stones that he’d gathered from a nearby brook. There was no way to know it at the time, but his munition would prove to be two stones too many. Goliath swiveled his head around, trying to figure out who had dared just challenge him. To his delightful astonishment, he saw an inexperienced, ruddy young lad step forth from among the crowd. He was just a boy! And he didn’t even care to dress for the occasion.

Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks!? Is this some kind of joke? Who the hell is this kid, is this the best you can do Saul?Goliath erupted into wild laughter. David stood in stoic defiance some thirty meters away from the giant, his feet firmly placed on the ground. David’s reply will forever be carved into the collective memory of man,

You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the Eternal Glory of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day YHVH will deliver you into my hands, I will tear you down and cut off your head; I will give the

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remains of the Philistine camp to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. All the earth shall know that there is a God in Israel. And this whole assembly will see that the Lord can give victory without a sword or spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and this very day He has delivered you unto my hands.

The time for speeches was over. Goliath flung himself towards David with all his might ­ heavy clouds of dust whisking upwards from his massive, thudding boots. He had the cold, blank look of a serial killer in his eyes, his beard dripping with sweat and saliva, his long blonde hair flying backwards under his helmet. He looked not unlike a massive bull gunning straight towards his defiant matador, spear and shield in hand.

David let his rod drop to the ground, calmly reached in his satchel and placed a single smooth, round stone in his sling. The feel was pleasant and cold against his fingers. Within an instant, he was swinging the sling wildly above his head. It was making a sharp swoosh sound loud enough to be heard by the ranks of the Philistines. As Goliath was making his final stretch towards David, he could not have been more than ten meters away ­ David let loose the stone from his sling… the resounding thud reverberated throughout the entire Valley of Elah as the stone sank directly into the Philistine’s forehead, just above the bridge of his nose and between his eyebrows, one quarter of an inch deep.

Time was suspended. Not a breath could be heard throughout the entire camp. No one could believe what was happening before their eyes.

Goliath’s eyes rolled up and backwards into his head, only the white undereye could be seen, which gave him an eerie, almost alien appearance. His tongue cleft comically out the right corner of his mouth, the tip of it nearly severed by his clenching incisors. Blood rushed profusely out of his mouth and dripped onto his proud, long beard. As if in suspended animation, the entire camp watched with horror, amusement and disbelief as the unconquerable pride of Philistia lost all senses and proceeded to tumble forward and crash onto the soil facedown. A sudden puff of dust sprang up and circled above the warrior, as if announcing the end of an era.

David did not stall, he was aware that the giant had been felled but not finished. He would come to eventually, given enough time. Even if by every account, he had been permanently altered by his meeting with the stone, theturnstoneof Israel’s fate. Wasting no time at all, David ran to meet with his toppled opponent, and barely managing to lift his left leg up high enough to triumphantly step on the giant’s back, he reached down and unsheathed Goliath’s majestic steel sword with his right hand. The sword sang with an acuteschlingas it slid out of its steel­rimmed sheath. He kicked his leg off Goliath’s right flank in defiance. Methodically pacing up around to his head, he tossed his helmet off with his left hand and sent it sailing across the air, landing at the feet of the nearest Israeli soldiers, who were considerably far away.

A divine strength had entered David’s body and his bones had been turned into raw iron, his flesh tauter than the thickest bullskin. His every movement cold, seamless and methodical. If Goliath had displayed the blank stare of a killer, David’s eyes were glazed over with an impenetrable darkness, and a few bystanders even went as far as to describe him as possessed.

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In a single fell swoop, David brought Goliath’s own famed sword down onto his nape ­ and it went straight through the bone and did not slow until it hit the ground clear on the other side. His head was severed clean off his body. A flooding pool of blood began to swirl around David’s feet as he stood there holding the unconquerable giant’s decapitated head in his left hand by his locks. The entire public was aghast, and not a breath of wind could be felt throughout the entire valley. The giant had undeniably been conquered by an inexperienced shepherd boy from the hillsides of Judah.

Never again in the history of Philistia did there arise a warrior like Goliath of Gath, with all of his mighty acts, and the strength with which he had subdued prior enemies. Are not all his battles and valiant deeds recorded in the books of the chronicles of the Philistines? Just so was David catapulted onto sovereignty and prominence as he grew in favor and stature before the eyes of God and men.

IV

Now immediately after David had felled Goliath and severed his head the camp of Israel was filled with the might of a fearless warrior. They set pursuit to the Philistines, overtook and slaughtered them in massive numbers with a fierceness and gusto that neither people had witnessed before that day. Indeed, they attacked with a might and unity of purpose that the military ranks of Israel had not known since the days of Joshua, Moses’ successor and conqueror of the promised land. It may also be argued that they had not enjoyed the privilege of such a military commander before David’s timely and stunningly unexpected debut. It is a curious thing in war as in leadership in all walks of life, that the head will quite literally direct the body ­ and until this instant the only “head” Israel had was the blustered and fearful mind of Saul.

That night there was a banquet at the king’s table, with David seated to the immediate right of Saul himself as the guest of honor. All of Israel and Judah was abright with celebrations: musicians, timbrels, dancers, singers, light displays, percussions, fires… no expense was spared and no bottle was left uncorked. All came together as one to celebrate God’s magnificent delivery of Israel by the hand of his servant, David. The palace was filled with music, dancing, drinking and merriment.

Saul has slayed thousands, and David tens of thousands! David has slain tens of thousands, and Saul has slain thousands! Thus sang the young maidens of the land as they danced and clapped their hands in adulation. Saul was only too keen to the backhanded compliment of the slight. What is it about this blasted boy! Saul mused to himself,What do they all see in him? It was hard for him to feign good will towards David, even on this most joyous of occasions. After indulging in several encores of his king­sized goblet of wine, Saul began to lose

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his masked cordiality and more than once David caught him eyeing him with a queer eye.David! Exclaimed Saul, once more coming to his senses, Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Michal. Even in his inebriated state, Saul knew that a deal was a deal, and the young lady had been betrothed to David by virtue of blood shed on the battlefield.

Michal was smitten. She was actually older than David by two years, being nineteen at the time. By every account she was the most beautiful young maiden of the land. Her eyes were celeste, like the morning sky over calm seas. She had a firm, round bustline and a thin, long torso that curved beautifully into very shapely and upright nalgum. Following directly under were long and delicately sloped legs, and below that still, her perfectly pedicured, creamy­white feet with clean and neatly trimmed nails donning transparent polish. Her hair was a light auburn with decadent natural highlights. Her lips were fleshy and sultry, her voice like the stroke of a masterful harp. She was a very talented, although reserved and selective vocalist. She tended to sing only at very special and solemn occasions, during high holy days or in events demarking affairs of state ­ and even then it was before a secluded audience. In temperament she was shy and of few words, although her forcible look would say more than words ever could whenever she was pleased or displeased with something. At a mere nineteen and as the king’s daughter, she was both physically and ceremonially “pure.” I am Michal. Delighted, my name is David. “Beloved?” You must be truly loved. That only such a love would come from someone as lovely as you, my days over this earth would be fulfilled. At this forthright statement Michal blushed slightly, her smooth white cheeks flushing with a sanguine color, I certainly hope that you are not only Beloved because of your oily tongue, there was only the slightest hint of reprimand in her statement, Certainly not my dear. If I am indeed Beloved it is only because I live from the inside out; I always follow my heart. Is that so? What does your heart tell you now? It’s not speaking, currently. It is palpitating at an awesome rate ­ I only hope I can withstand it ‘fore I faint. If you faint I will catch you. I am fair but I am strong, I would be quite the match for a kingly mate. Is that so? I do not know that there are too many at this banquet that fit that description. Then you should see the world through my eyes. Sometimes you need look not too far beyond your own face to find that which you seek.

With that simple exchange the hearts of Michal and David were bound together. And although Michal first loved David when she spied him out from her terrace, from that moment on David loved Michal more than he loved himself. As the festivities wound down into the twilight,

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the guests departing soused, with filled bellies and contented hearts, Michal excused herself and left David alone with Saul. It’s not just a matter of blowing and making bubbles, David. Excuse me, sir? David had never heard the expression before. Michal. You must work for her, I will demand a dowry. What should I bring you, Milord? It’s not much. I don’t ask much. She’s quite the beauty, isn’t she? There are no words, Milord. Not a word that would do her justice. The Philistine’s head is the down payment. And there’s no undercutting it, you did good today my boy. But now you must make good on the rest… And that is, Milord? One hundred philistine foreskins. There needs a severe message ring out from the kingdom of Israel. After all, we are God’s people, are we not? Should the world say that we routed the philistines today by some fluke encounter? By the happenstance of a lucky slinger? No, Milord. We shall have no such thing. Put yourself in my shoes, David. “A young boy felled the giant! Something Saul had been unable to do for over forty days.” It would make quite the headline, wouldn’t it? Yes it would, Milord. So it’s time for you to man up. You need to prove to me, to God, to Michal ­ that what happened out there today was not a jackpot. We need to know you are the real thing. You think this war is over? The war has just begun! All Philistia has blood in her eye, now. We’ve cut off her crowned Jewel. We have made a mockery, YOU have made a mockery of them. With a sling and a stone, nonetheless! Goliath was a god to them. He’s been a thorn on my side since I first ascended the throne. And even Samuel himself had dealt with him before then. You think this is a minor thing you did today? Do you see it as a minor thing? Never, Milord. I know it is not a minor thing. Then you prove yourself boy. Take tomorrow and the next day to wash up and rest. But by the third day, you will depart with a score of my bravest men and you will bring me those skins. As previously arranged David rose on the third day well before sunup and after coffee and a breakfast of baked bread and cheese took twenty of Saul’s men on this unheardof mission for the foreskins. He had not seen Michal since the night of the event and he was nearly mad with desire for her. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced in the past. And there was so much at stake here. The hand of Michal, of course that took precedence over everything else. But there was more, this was David’s chance to break away from the claustrophobic environment of his father’s house. Sure he loved Jesse, and until three nights back Zilpah had been the only real woman in his life, but then there were those damned brothers to contend with. He was tired of

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roaming aimlessly with the sheep. It had fulfilled him as a child ­ but David was seventeen now, on the cusp of eighteen and his inexhaustible soul thirst for more.

Marrying the king’s daughter brought with it untold consequences and implications, good and bad. For one, he would become property of the state. He had always been his own man and abjectly rejected authority, submitting to his father’s only under the direst of circumstances. On the other hand, what is a little responsibility in comparison to riches, marriage and prestige? There’s always a trade­off. Being a practical man to his very core, he decided that this was the path that best suited his needs, and it seemed to be the direction in which God was nudging him.

All along the path to the philistine city of Gath, David devised a plan with which to procure the skins. Having arrived at a wooded mountainside just on the other side of the city, David and his men set up camp. While roasting some meat over an open flame, David set down the blueprints for his first ever offensive as a newly minted battalion commander. This is how we will devise our attack: Just a few short leagues from here at the foothill of this mountain, there is a small village of Levites called Nob, where priests gather year round to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God on behalf of their wealthy patrons. On the outskirts of this outpost, there are plenty of shrine harlots who earn their living by keeping temporary company with these men. I happen to have on me twenty­one gold pieces, one for myself and for each of you, should the need arise. Well, what need have we more pertinent than this? Within minutes the plan was finalized and agreed to by all the men. They would launch their offensive at dusk the following day.

Come dusk the very next day, as the philistine garrison was wrapping up their drill exercises, forty­two shrine prostitutes miraculously stepped out of the woods and approached the sweaty, sun­beaten men. They were armed with wineskins, brews and hard drink. The men had no idea what to make of this, until one of them ­ Zohar their matron queen, spoke up.Come my lads, you are weatherworn and weary. You have been drilling away under this hot sun, scheming up ways to disarm those pesky Israelites. As you know it is a full moon, and our goddess Mezra has given me a special command, “At your own expense and at those of your maidens, please these hard working philistines tonight. It will be your goodwill offering to me for all the bounty I have shown you this past year.” How could I turn my back on the goddess of my good fortune? You shall collectively reap the benefits of her benevolence and generosity. Myself and every last girl you see here will gladly escort five men each ­ we will treat you to drink and then we shall satisfy your external flesh as well.

The philistine camp was beside itself,Surely Dagon is smiling down on us ­ he is making it up to us for the terrible embarrassment we suffered at the hands of Israel last week, they reasoned collectively. Needless to say there was very little arm­twisting involved and within a short couple of hours all the men were in ecstasy; laughing, singing and praising their god for their unseemly good fortune. By ten o’clock that evening the staunch, potent drink had taken its full toll on the men and all but a handful were out cold. The remainder were out by a quarter to

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eleven. At eleven sharp David and his men descended like a dark cloud, swift and silently down the wood and into the philistine garrison. David took his shepherd’s rod and batted it at the side of their captain’s head. There was nothing, no response. He hit him a bit harder, this time loosening up his bandana. Again, nothing. They’re done, exclaimed David in a loud whisper, a full­grown ceder could come down on top of them and they would simply roll over and continue to doze. With this implied command, the men took out their flint knives and shivs and went to work. It was not hard to find their members, as half of them had passed out pantless in the first place.

Normally the pain of an improvised circumcision at the calloused hands on untrained soldiers would have woken even the stoutest sleeper, but their drink had been spiked with a concentrated potion of silka that Zohar kept stashed away for devious occasions such as this. The men “scalped” an average of ten skins each, as per the instruction of David, and by twelve­thirty they had collected the loot and were on their way back to camp at the other side of the mountain. The effects of the potion would wear on the philistines for a full twelve hours so David and his men could afford to catch a few winks of their own before marching back to Saul in the predawn hour.

As the garrison started to come to their senses in a groggy daze and with agonizing headaches, the sun was already shining brightly overhead and they could smell blood cooking from their trousers. The screams reached up to the heavens. Here’s my dowry Saul. Give me my wife.There was no more “Milord,” no more sidestepping the issue. David had worked hard… perhaps not “hard,” but very intelligently to secure his bride price and was by all means through deferring to the man that had once been the source of the blessing, but more and more resembled merely an obstacle to it. Handing Saul a bloody sack of foreskins, the king took the bag from him slowly, in disbelief ­ his jaw dropping wide. To poor Gerar went the task of counting out the skins. There’s two­hundred and ten philistine foreskins, Milord. I beg your pardon, Gerar. How many did you say? Two­hundred ten… Milord.

Arrangements were made posthaste. A royal wedding was underway and young, inexperienced David would finally collect his princely reward for having exacted vengeance over the enemies of the Lord. It seemed that every plot Saul schemed to put David in the line of fire was always thwarted and actually managed to backfire horribly, turning into the very opportunity that would only lengthen David’s shadow and reach throughout the kingdom. Saul began to wonder if his God truly had departed from him and was actually torturing him slowly by virtue of David’s impregnable success. What better way to disgrace me, pondered Saul, than to set a full banquet table for my enemy within plain view, in my own house! His cup overflows, regardless of how I try to drain it. Not far off, on the third story terrace, Michal was being

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pampered, bathed, powdered and pressed ­ tomorrow she would become Michal of David, rightful heir to the throne.

V

The day following the “massacre” King Achish of Gath, along with the Philistine company and all its generals and leadership convened. What in God’s name happened to you men last night? What is this shamefulness you have brought upon us! Achish was beside himself with rage. The entire nation was awestruck and disgusted, a chilling fear crept into their bones. Were they being haunted by a dark, maleficent spirit? Had the women really been witches gathering for a black mass? What and how could such a butchering have been perpetrated over the Philistines’ premier military company? Not a one of the likely justifications was satisfactory, and any potential explanation only begged more questions than it answered.

Zilpah's Blessing Do you recall David, about eighteen months ago when that man came around to visit your father? It was the night before the wedding and David was spending his last evening at home as a bachelor. His mother Zilpah was taking advantage of a quiet time they were sharing together to present him with her wedding gift. Yes mother, I do remember vaguely, now that you bring it up. Do you understand who that man is and why it is he came? To be honest, I only remember being called in… seeing all my brothers lined up and wondering what was going on. He anointed you with oil, remember, David? Yes, mother. I vividly recall standing before the man. He was severe and somber­looking. His presence gave me chills, although I cannot think why. He was kindly enough, but something about the way he spoke and the look in his eye. He kind of scared me. Then a flood of warm oil began to run down my forehead and down onto my cheek. He pressed tightly onto my forehead, then I blacked out. That’s right, David. That is more or less what happened. Did you hear what he was saying as he did so? No. I have no idea. I do. It may have been more of a prayer than a declaration, he was moreso speaking to God than to us. But he was prophesying that you would be king, and he was calling out a number of powerful blessings over your life. He called down six portentous blessings over you. What did the man say? What’s his name again?

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Samuel. Yes, Samuel. What did Samuel say? I could not repeat that blessing even if I wanted to ­ but the message of it is still very crisp in my mind. I doubt that I’ll ever forget it. In fact I have thought about it every day since then, I carry it with me. Shortly after that you fainted. All I know is that as he was speaking I was filled with a powerful glow, a burning light that began to burn in my heart and spread out towards my limbs and my mind. Then I went comfortably numb. David. Samuel called the very Spirit of YHVH into your soul that day. You didn’t just “feel” a glow. There was a very bright, misty white light that surrounded you as all this occurred. Your father saw it, so did your brothers. Your brothers still don’t know what to make of it. But in your father’s and my mind there is no question about what transpired that afternoon. What does this mean, mother? Am I cursed? Quite the contrary my son, it is very much the opposite. You are extraordinarily blessed. I know that your father is not big on this sort of thing, he’s too much of a numbers man. He is happy keeping books and making trades. But he’s aware of the anointing, and he has finally made his peace with it. We know that we must give you up. Give me up, why? Why must you give me up, am I not still your son? You will always be my only, Beloved son. However we must set you free to serve the Lord. We can no longer selfishly keep you around here, hiding you from the world. Tomorrow you go on to be a man before the eyes of God and before those of your wife. At once you will enter the king’s service and it is obvious that you have a strong military calling. You shall perpetually be in danger. Is this a mistake, mother? Should I call this off? No, my son, of course not. You shall do no such thing. This is the very hand of God operating here. But there are a few thoughts I would like to send you off with. My son ­ learn to be a simple man. Keep God first and foremost on your heart and mind, do not stray to the right nor to the left, but always follow your heart, as you have to this very day, for it is the voice of the Lord directing your steps. Do not lust after the rich man’s gold, for all that you need is in your soul. You will love your woman, she will love you. May your marital life be rich and prosperous in all the things that matter; love, affection, health and goodwill. May your children be blessed, may they be powerful in the land. May your eyes never stray from the path. My son, do not lust after your eyes and multiply many wives unto yourself. Find a true love, and cherish it. And above all else, keep YHVH the Lord your God on the throne of your heart. May He rule you from within so that you may in turn have the wisdom to tend to His kingdom and shepherd after His people, Israel. May His rod and His staff comfort you, and lead you ever onto the green meadows of peace. A thousand may fall to your left, ten thousand to your right ­ but it shall not come near you. He will lead you through the depths of the valley of death and deliver

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you unharmed clear to the other side. May your life be long and may it be a blessing to others. You are truly unique, my son. Tears were rolling down both their cheeks. I have made something for you, my love. It is my wedding token for you. Zilpah reached in her pocket and pulled out a brightly polished and beautiful stainless steel chain. Attached to it, dangling from the bottom was a six­pointed star made up of two triangles perfectly overlapped, juxtaposed on each other. This star has a point for each individual blessing that Samuel called into your life. The twelve sides of the star represent the Twelve Tribes of Israel, over which you have been called to be Shepherd in Chief. It is called “Ha Megen David,” “The Shield of David.” It is a Shield of the Lord that surrounds you at all times. With it you shall deflect every weapon that is forged against you, not a one of them shall prosper. Please be clear about this, the Shield is not itself a charm, to think so would be blasphemous before the Lord our God. It simply represents the special anointing of blessing and protection that He has so generously placed over your life. He has done so so that you may in turn be the head of the tribes and deliver His people from oppression. Never misuse your power, but be a faithful administrator unto our Heavenly King ­ for all that we have, all that you see is His. He gives us charge of His creation from time to time so that we may be faithful in managing it for Him; but it can never be called “ours.” Even your very flesh, the breath in your lungs is on loan from the Lord, until the day He decides to recall his gift. Keep that ever on the forefront of your mind, tuck it into the depths of your heart, and you will never fail as king. Saul had an effeminate son named Jonathan. He was twenty­four at the time of David’s ascent and as the king’s firstborn he was put at the head of the armies. Although not much of a general, Jonathan took an immediate liking to David because of David’s own kind and inviting nature; and not unlike everyone else, he was impressed by the young man’s deft, poise and self­assurance. If Michal’s love for David was of a romantic nature, Jonathan’s love for him was of an ambiguous essence, although uncontestably deep and pure. He had kept his distance from him up until after David’s scalping of the philistine garrison. With this act ­ as far as Jonathan was concerned, he had more than proven his mettle as a military bastion. Therefore, with a heart consistent of a caring older brother (such as David had never known before, despite Jesse’s seven elder sons), Jonathan took it upon himself to look after, promote and in every conceivable way sponsor David’s military ascent in Israel.

At Jonathan’s behest, David was given charge of a troop of a hundred men. It was comprised of the original elite force of twenty men that had accompanied David on his covert mission, plus eighty other strong fighters and men of renown. Compensating for his lack of military resolution and courage on the battlefield, Jonathan had developed a keen sense for

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propaganda campaigning and legerdemain. He was the fox to David’s lion. Being well­attuned to people’s psychological makeup, Jonathan was quick to assess what made the common man tick.

The day after David had arrived with the foreskins, Jonathan dispatched a handful of pigeons to spread the word through all Philistia that it had been “The very hand of David” that had despoiled the philistine company of their prepuce­heads. To Jonathan there was a palpably erotic decadence to David’s victory. Who else could have accomplished such a feat without a single soul being extirpated? Nevertheless he had performed a wondrous deed on David’s (and ipso facto Israel’s) behalf; for from the moment the news broke that it had been DAVID, servant of the Lord, that had cooly exacted this retribution over the Philistine’s elite military company, a severe and deep­seeded fear of YHVH, David’s God, seeped into the entire nation. And David himself had taken on the attributes of an Avenging Angel in their eyes. Promptly at 6pm on Sunday evening, six days after David’s return from Gath, Michal and David were wed before God and man. David proudly donned his Shield of Zilpah’s Blessing. Michal, needless to say, looked like an angel borrowed directly from God’s own presence. That night at their wedding reception, David made his musical debut before the Kingdom of Israel, and the new prince had at once become the Chief Musician. He played the harp, the lyre, tambourines, timpani drums ­ there was not an instrument that he hadn’t mastered. As he played all living creatures within earshot fell into a mesmerized, dream­like trance, and their hearts were overwhelmed with joy.

Late that evening in the privacy of their own wedding suite, David and Michal consummated their marriage.

The newlyweds took a seven­day shavua in order to delight in each other’s presence and get acquainted. During that blissful honeymoon week, David was absolved of his military duties and could fully relish in the company of his beautiful young wife. They made love incessantly, both having the pleasure of mutually discovering “a new toy.” Throughout those long sun and water­drenched days, and breezy and starlit nights, Michal and David laughed, played and caressed each other as only newlyweds can. They bonded musically, spiritually and sexually.

As beautiful and unadulterated as their relationship was however, in many important ways it was doomed from inception. Certain heartbreak awaited them both. Michal’s womb had been sewed­up and she was forever negated her longing and desire to bear David’s heir. To this very day there rages a lively disputation regarding the source, the reason for such misfortune. Some attribute Michal’s own wicked heart, her poisonous jealousy (perhaps inherited byway of her father) towards David and his irrepressible popularity with women. Others say that Michal’s curse is simply collateral, the unfortunate bystander in a spiritualshootout between the House of Saul and the House of David, rightful heir to the throne of Israel and Judah, of which enemy blood cannot be intermingled.

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For the time being, however, the blissful love and optimism of young lust blinded them to their eventual falling­out, and for several euphoric years they knew nothing but passionate sex, mutual admiration, respect and peace. Perhaps ten days after having returned from his nuptial shavua with Michal, fighting broke out with the Philistines. Enough of them had mustered the necessary courage to face David in battle, although most were still tender and had hardly recovered from their unrequested operation. The engagement was fierce for the better part of the morning hours, but by sundown the uncontested victory went to David and his men. By commanding the elite troop of the Israeli army, David and his men’s moves were closely shadowed by the rest of the guard to the point that Jonathan’s role as General had become chiefly ceremonial instead of operational.

Saul’s jealousy, hatred, fear and resentment of David grew by the day ­ and it bittered his innermost soul to see that even his own son, the supposed heir to the throne, was falling victim to David’s charms. Moreso still, Jonathan was aiding and abetting David’s ascent to his own detriment! He was wittingly or unwittingly being party to his own tragic demise. Saul took his son aside one evening and broached the subject with him, This has to stop, Jonathan. This has to stop. What do you mean, father? This finagling around with your enemy! Don’t you see what he’s up to? Do you not see ­ as clear as day, that David has his eye on the throne? Nonsense, father. David is your most loyal subject. The boy’s heart is pure and simple. Sure, he is an uneducated sheepherder’s son… but ambition is not a trait I read in his eyes. He aspires to little else than to live, breathe, and enjoy the company of those he loves. Bullshit, Jonathan, bullshit! I am sorely disappointed with you. You were supposed to be the smart one, here. If you do not defend your own position in this kingdom against the plots of David, who will? I do what I can, you know that. But his influence is growing by the hour! He has become the rallying cry of Israel. And where are you? You are there on the sidelines egging him on, his Cheerleader in Chief. I am disgusted. I’ve got news for you, father. It has been sanctioned by God Himself that David should ascend the throne! It is only a matter of time. If you were wise you would accept that reality and make peace with the Lord and with your own heart. Who are you to oppose God’s will? What is man, that we should hold back His hand? Is His hand shortened? Cannot it reach into the very hearts and minds of men? Make your peace with YHVH and with His servant David ­ for his day is coming with all the certainty of the morning sun.

Saul was emotionally defeated. He could no longer hold back his tears; his face dropped slowly into his hands and he began to sob inconsolably. Jonathan coldly departed from his presence. The weeping of a grown man echoed throughout the palace halls. Something died within Saul’s heart that day, perhaps the final vestige of his humanity. From that moment onward

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he became more of a walking, soulless spirit than a man. His eyes went empty and he could often be seen wandering aimlessly throughout the palace, the ghost of a man trying to find its way back home.

Sometime thereafter David was in the king’s presence playing his lyre. Saul had resolved to snuff out David’s life himself. If God wouldn't kill him, if the Philistines couldn’t touch him… he would. He took a spear from off the wall and lanced it at David with all his dexterity and might. The spear pinned David’s collar to the wall, missing his neck by centimeters. David, fetch David. Tell David to come down, please! I must apologize. Saul was growing madder by the minute. Immediately after the event David evacuated his wedding chambers and kissed Michal goodbye. Where are you off to, my love? I can’t stay here, you know that Michal. How long will you be away? How long will your father enact his murderous tendencies toward me? Why don’t you tell me that? You cannot be upset with me, my love. Is it my fault that Saul is at wit’s end? How have I exacerbated his condition? You haven’t, my dear. I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t know what to make of all this. What ever have I done besides risk my own neck in the faithful service of Israel and her God? I know, my love. This is all trivial nonsense. But I suppose it is best that you make yourself scarce a few days. I will see to it that Saul is subjected to treatment and heavy medication, even if against his own will. He has become wholly unstable. Will I be able to find you? Where can I find you? How long will you be away? I need time, Michal. Your father needs time to gather his bearings and figure out what in hell it is that he intends to do. Perhaps I will seek the company of Samuel up in Ramah. He is a seer, perhaps the only true Seer in Israel. He should be able to shed some light on this situation for me. I met him once almost two years ago. Be careful, my love. I will not be able to live with myself should anything happen to you. Then thank God I’m departing from your father’s house, where the chances for harm are multiplied.

David gave his wife a long, lingering kiss. And in the blink of an eye he was off to Naioth of Ramah to come under the tutelage of Samuel, Seer of the Lord.

VI

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I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell all Your wonders. ­ Psalm 9:2. Of David.

Old man Samuel was communing with YHVH as David approached his doorstep. The old man hardly ate, it was almost as if he ran of fumes. Mainly he fried­up potato or honey­wheat flapjacks in a thin layer of olive oil. He would prepare a short stack of these, eat half that same morning with some coffee, and save the other half for late afternoon with a malted shake. Goat’s milk, grain, coffee and the occasional glass of red wine on shabbat. Every now and then he treated himself to a big, juicy steak and a baked potato, if he felt like splurging. He lived primarily by the grace of his God above and needed little else. Come in, my lad. David had not yet knocked on his door, he was just mustering up courage to do so as the old man’s voice, warm and comforting, rang through from the other side of the door. Relieved, David cautiously and politely walked through the low­hanging, arched doorway. Inside the air was cool and pleasant, the atmosphere tinged with a delightful trace of incense. It was almost as if a light breeze was flowing within the small cave­like dwelling ­ although he could not see too many windows. David only spotted three small, round openings into his home besides the main wooden door. Of these, only one was half open. What brings you to Naioth, David? The old man did not look away from the chore he was performing; gathering up the smoke from burning candles and whisking it towards his face, eyes closed, with the palms of his hand.

I thought I may come and stay with you a few days.David was subdued. Something about the man’s presence, the aura inside his small and simple, yet neatly kempt home. Dusk was giving way to a dark evening outside the window and a thick, misty fog blanketed the hillside prairie outside the prophet’s home. His cottage was located on the highest rim of the tall, sloping hills surrounding Ramah. It was always cool, cloudy and wet in these parts, the sun rarely making an appearance. And when it did it would be for a short­lived afternoon, disappearing well before dusk. A small, modestly stocked fireplace alongside the glow of the candles emitted a warm and reassuring presence. I have been expecting you, take a seat, my lad ­ would you care for a flapjack? For the first time Samuel turned around and faced the inhibited young shepherd, his satchel still hanging off his shoulder, boots damp and grassed­over, shepherd's rod in hand.

Actually, that sounds wonderful.Samuel stood up and took six small steps from where he was at the far end of his cottage, to the front door and intercepted David, lightening his load with his hands. I’m not intruding, am I? David, I’ve been expecting you.

The relationship between David and the old man was quite unexpected. Here’s this man, this intimidating old man of a severe presence. His hair and beard were long, white and disheveled; his bones solid and possessed of a physical strength that men a fifth his age would envy. Yet somehow, although they had only met briefly once before, there was an established

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rapport between them that more closely resembled the quiet communication of a grandfather with the grandson that he had loved and watched grow into a dutiful and God­fearing man. It was the relationship of a life­long apprenticeship, master and disciple. But physically, in the flesh ­ this was merely their second encounter together.

How is Saul? The question was posed more as an opening conversational piece than a true inquiry, Samuel knew exactly how Saul was doing.

He’s seen better days. In his unique understated fashion, David was loathe to stain another man’s reputation, regardless of how well­deserved the calumny was.

I see. Samuel’s reply was equally understated. Silent communication is a craft and an art that true men of the Lord have wired to an exact science ­ words can only muck up the message being sent. Setting down David’s belongings into a cosy corner of the cottage, he took three steps over to his small stove and placed three flapjacks on a pan over the open flame. He had made an extra set that morning.

If I may be frank, things down at the palace are not as they should be. Samuel ignored the remark. How’s your wife, everything alright with her? Yes sir, as good as can be expected. Then what is the matter, why are things “not as they should be?” Now Samuel was baiting David, he was testing to see how attuned he was to the machinations of the Lord, to his flawless design in the lives and times of men. I’m not sure I made the right choice, marrying Michal. Samuel stopped what he was doing, he looked straight into David’s eyes. Do you believe it was your choice to marry her? Of course. If not mine, Who’s? The question provided its own answer. Who? Let’s examine that, David. Who might be behind the scenes, ever pulling the strings? Right. David was somewhat embarrassed by his own insolent remark. It’s alright my boy. You are young, you have a lifetime of learning ahead of you. Samuel resumed his task. Within minutes David was enjoying some surprisingly delicious honey­wheat flapjacks with a side of hot chocolate milk. Thank you sir, this is delicious. You are most welcome. If I may sir, what am I to do? How can I circumnavigate this murderous hostility I am experiencing at the hand of Saul? All this is expected, my son. Saul is an accursed man ­ desolated by Adonai. He had his chance. He’s had decades of chances to prove himself. Yet he never fully measured up to his lofty position. You see, Saul still thinks an established king is meant to glorify only himself. Right. What is the kingship? How can any mortal possibly be entrusted with this most sacred of YHVH’s cabinet positions?

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I am pleased to reply that you are on the right path. This inquiry you have just made. It is that sort of respect, reverence and humility ­ these are the components in the heart of a true servant of the Lord. But if our God is the Grand Master Puppeteer of the Heavens ­ the hand that draws the strings, can anyone really blame Saul for the way things have turned out? Of course. How so? Pardon my youthful ignorance in the matter. It is called, “Freewill,” the proudest of YHVH’s creations. Freewill is a creation? It is the Crowning Achievement of Adonai’s innovations. You see, our relationship to the Eternal is not an exact science, there is a permanent “action; reaction” element to our relationship with Him. The Eternal tires of knowing all that will occur beforehand ­ He wants some suspense too. Can you imagine always reading a book backwards; from end to beginning? What a dreadful existence that would make. Is He not entitled to a little entertainment? Therefore He willingly blinds Himself to the future, preferring to “act/react” to life as we, the humans, consume it. Experiencing it with us day by day, as we ourselves live it. Wow. I had never imagined that. Your apprenticeship is only beginning. Spend some time with me, David. I promise that all that belongs and is to belong to you is firmly in place. You need to work on your inner strength. It is obvious to all that your outer strength is more than compensated for. After several hours of conversation in that vein David dozed into a deep and restful sleep on a cot in a tight corner of Samuel’s cottage, practically hugging the hearth. He had not seen a replenishing dream like that since he was a young teenager out in the wilderlands, and the cherubim reappeared into his life. This time he was out in the meadow with them, the night blanketed in a light fog. Yet instead of shivers, David was filled with a warm reassuring glow. He was sitting overlooking the Philistine principality of Gath, small fires lit away in the distance, beautifully lighting up the town. The cherubs were at rest on either side of David, looking out in the same direction, their massive heads resting on their overlapped paws. They resembled two gargantuan housecats keeping their master company.

This time their names and identities were revealed to David. The white one, he was all bone­white from head to tail with piercing, faintly glowing blue eyes, as if made of lucent crystal. He was named “Kol,” Hebrew for “All.” The black one ­ a thick, opaque black equally unicolored but with the very same blue eyes, was named “El,” Hebrew for “God.” They were both delightfully plush and furry, much moreso than a natural jungle cat. They were also about twice the size of the biggest living lion. And from all that David could gather, they did not just live in his imagination, but they truly lived alongside him and kept him perpetual company ­ although he was not aware of this until now. They were his proverbial “guardian angels,” the proudest defenders of YHVH’s massive Host.

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Rain lightly battered the roof, windows and door of the cottage. The air inside was cool and slightly smokey. David arose more refreshed and rested than he had felt in years. He took a brisk look around but did not see the old man,Where could he possibly be? It’s all wet outside. Slowly and deliberately pulling his cover off and stretching out, he found some scratch paper and an ink pen on the single table and chair set of the home. Suddenly David was filled with a strong urge to write, a poem he had in his mind… perhaps since childhood. As to its exact origin not even he was certain. And he wrote, Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Just then the old man came through the door. What are you working on, young man? I just had a thought on my mind, I put it down on paper ­ I hope you don’t mind. Of course not. May I read it? Yes, sure.

The old man took up David’s poem. How long did you work on this? I kind of already knew it, I’m just not sure how long so or why. It’s much truer than you even realize. I’ve been considering our conversation from last night. You said Freewill is God’s proudest achievement. How could He delight in a mechanism that allows for us to fall away from Him and His will? There’s a story behind that, too. Have you ever heard about Gan Eden? The Garden of Eden? No. Where is it located? Well, it’s not located anywhere… anymore. In a nutshell, upon God’s first creating mankind; He established a utopian paradise of which He gave generously to and lived in perfect harmony with Ha Adam (man, derived from the earth). There was but one restriction upon all the Earth, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’”

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The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? That sounds extremely severe. Why would God plant the tree if He wanted man away from it in the first place? Isn’t it important to know the difference between good and evil? Very thoughtful questions from an extremely bright disciple. Let us examine your first one. “Why would our God plant the tree in the first place?” You see, even our Lord in His eternal wisdom, was subjected to a bit of a learning curve in His dealings with man. With every other creature, breathing and otherwise, the relationship between Creator and creation is marked by perfect discipline, obedience and respect. A lion will hunt because it is both in his nature, because he is hungry, and most importantly ­ because his God commands him to.

Waves pound against the boulders and the seashore because their God commands them to. The moon will either beam its proud, subtle light, or will hide its face completely because… ...Her God commands her to? Interjected David. Yes, David; that is correct. You see, not a single leaf falls off its branch lest her God commands her to. But He endowed man with reason, because he was created in the Divine Image. So how is one to deal with reasoning, thinking, self­justifying man? It is quite the conundrum ­ even for Him. Am I to understand that there is a limit to the Almighty’s understanding and wisdom? Never said that, I simply said “He was subjected to a learning curve.” By establishing the tree in the center of the garden, He was establishing a limit, a control ­ He was both testing man’s will and obedience. In vain, He hoped to shield man from cruel reality and in His eternal love blind him in blissful ignorance. But man would not listen. He took from the forbidden tree. By this act, the Lord gave birth to Freewill and decided to never again directly intercede in man’s affairs. Since that day He has confined His intimate communications with a very select few.

As for your second question, “isn’t it important to know the difference between good and evil?” ­ Well, of course it is. However before man took of the forbidden tree, there was no “good” or “evil” to speak of, not in the sense that we know it today. The story tells that immediately upon taking from the fruit, “man’s eyes were opened and he saw that he was naked, and felt shame.” But certainly it is shameful to walk around naked. No, dear David. It became shameful to walk around naked. For a brief amount of time in the beginning, it was as natural as it is to wear clothes today. From where did you acquire such wonderful knowledge? What is this book you keep referring to? It is called The Sacred Instruction of Moses. Again, there are a very select few of us who have access to it and can somewhat accurately interpret its enigmatic teachings and themes. May I read it? How am I to come across this teaching?

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And so David spent his days alongside the seer. Samuel trained the impetuous young warrior in the ways of the Lord, he immersed him in the complexity of his existence. He instructed him in the mysterious and manifold ways in which he speaks to those in whom he delights. David remained with Samuel all winter long, and in that time grew by leaps and bounds spiritually. He matured as if overnight; reaching new summits of wisdom and understanding. In every sense of the word, he became a Talmid shel Torah, a student of the Torah ­ and day and night absorbed the mishnah and haftorah contained in the instruction of Moses; the first five books of today’s bible.

VII

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