The Glory in Ethiopia

XVII
The Glory in Ethiopia

ALTHOUGH IBNA HAKIM and his entourage travelled through Egypt to the borders of Ethiopia, the old Regent Tamrin sent two messengers down the Nile with the report to Makeda that her son had been anointed king and they were bringing the Ark with them.
In her court, the Ethiopian queen wondered out loud, "The Ark? You must mean the fringe of its covering, just like I asked?"
"No, my Lady, they're bringing the Tabernacle of the Law of God with them, and they're flying through the air just like heavenly beings," replied the messengers in unison.
"Could it be true?"
"Yes, yes, my Lady."
Makeda realized it was true.
She then ordered the news to be spread throughout her land, that the Ark and her son were returning from Jerusalem and she began preparing for a great celebration by ordering special perfumes from India be brought to her.
Travelling on the Azyaba Road to Wakerom, Ibna Hakim finally entered Ethiopia and at Debra Makeda, the new capital city, which the queen had built.

Looking up, Makeda could see the Ark shining in the afternoon sun, the light flashing of it and when she saw this, she gave thanks to the God of Israel.

Bowing low, she smote her breast, while remembering the great cloud, which swooped over her and Solomon in the Temple so many years ago.
Makeda was overwhelmed with excitement. She laughed. She cried. She began to dance.
Her actions were contagious.

Ordering the official celebrations to begin, pavilions and tents were set up beside the river on the flat plain at the foot of the plateau of Debra Makeda and there 32,000 stalled oxen and bulls were slaughtered.
Azariah and his companions carried the Ark to a large rock formation, much like the one on Mount Moriah, and had it watched over by Makeda's special guard of 300 sword-wielding men. Her son also commanded a 700-man specially-trained contingent.
Three days after the Ark's arrival in Ethiopia, Makeda gave a gift of 17,700 chosen horses for her son's army when she abdicated her throne.