(Cont’d. )
“I think he obeys God only when he wants to, when it’s convenient for him. He is not sincere.” Ethan added.
Jachin said, “But … he loves God. Or maybe I should say that I think he loves God. There are things he does that show he does. Take for example, the case of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, grandson of King Saul. We all knew how King Saul tried severally to kill King David. And when King David had the opportunity to kill him, he did not. After he became king, he just rose up one day and asked, ‘Who among the family of Saul is alive?’ Someone told him that Ziba was Saul’s servant, and he sent for him. When Ziba told him that Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, he immediately asked him to be brought from Lodebar.
“From Lodebar?” One of the servants asked. “How did he become lame in his feet?”
“I learnt it was at the time his father died. He was about five years old. Sensing that some people might want to kill him, his nurse carried him and began to run away. On the way, he fell and became lame. Anyway, the king restored all the land and properties that belonged to the house of Saul to him, instructed Ziba and his sons to be working for him, and told him he should be eating continually at his table, with his son, Micha.” Jachin said.
“What did it cost him to do what he did for Mephibosheth?” Another servant asked. “Nothing! That was easy to do -”
“Yes, easy to do but how many people would do that?” Jachin said. “I’ve also heard someone call him a man after God’s heart.”
“What I feel right now is fear.” Ethan told them. “Who is a man after God’s heart?”
“Well, as we have been told, it’s none of our business.” Ziv said.
Jachin told the other servants, “Please, don’t discuss what we’ve told you with anyone.”
**********
In a mixture of emotions, Bathsheba went with David’s servants, with her maid following. In the palace, she was taken to her chamber and given more maids to attend to her. Because of the stress of the journey and the way she was feeling, she couldn’t appreciate the expensive furnishing of the place but after she had rested, she looked round, studying the room. It was beautifully furnished and cozy. She liked it.
Much later, David came to her. Her maids were outside doing their chores.
He sat beside her and looked at her. She was still beautiful, probably more beautiful now that she was pregnant, he thought. The only thing her face lacked was a smile, but he would do something about that.
She couldn’t help wondering – did the king plan it all?
“I’m sorry about your loss.” He told her kindly. “It’s unfortunate but that is how life is. There is a time for everything, a time to be born and a time to die. We will all die eventually. Those who are alive must move forward. Do you understand?”
“Yes, my lord the king.” She said quietly, looking down at her hands.
She linked her fingers across her tummy in a protective way.
That caught David’s attention. “Are you okay?” He queried.
She looked up into his eyes. “Yes, my lord.”
“Is everything alright with the baby in your womb?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Did you tell your husband or anyone about what happened?” He dared to ask.
She shook her head before she said, “No, my lord.”
She lowered her gaze again.
As he looked at her, he was reminded of the time he was a shepherd. There was a particular sheep that was his favourite, he wept bitterly when the sheep died.
Suddenly, his shepherd’s heart rose up in him. He would take care of this woman as much as he could, God help him.
“If you need anything at anytime, let me know immediately, and I’ll get someone to take care of it.” He told her.
She turned her head and looked at him. “Yes, my lord.”
“You deserve to be loved. I will take care of you.”
“Thank you, my lord.’
He held his two hands out to her and slowly, she put hers in them.
David was very happy. He’d heard it said that one could not have everything in life, something would be lacking but they were obviously wrong. With Bathsheba now his wife, he had everything: money, power, respect, children, wives, concubines, and pregnant Bathsheba.
Tightening his hold on her hands, David said, “It’s good to see you again.”
After he had left, she began to think again. She was now one of the king’s wives. It would take her some time to get used to the privilege, luxury and wealth that came with it.
(To be continued)
You will need to read our novels and other books, they will do you a world of good.
Feel free to comment and share this post with your loved ones.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog posts, you will find the subscription link as you scroll down. It is free. Simply enter your e-mail address in the space provided and you will begin to receive notifications by e-mail whenever a new article is published.
Leave a Reply