XX
Secret Place
THAT SAME NIGHT, Azariah had another vision when the Angel of the Lord appeared above him like a pillar of fire and he filled the house with his light.
"Stand up, be strong and roust up Elyas, Abis and Makris, " said the angel, adding, "Then take the pieces of wood and I'll open the doors of the sanctuary for you and you will take the Ark out of the Temple without any trouble."
Azariah jumped up and woke up his three companions and they took the pieces of wood and went into the Temple. They found the doors open to the Holy of Holies and the angel directed the entire operation. They carried it to Azariah's house and then they returned to the Temple with pieces of wood. They covered them over with the Ark covering. They took lamps and set them in the place where the Ark was now hidden and there they sacrificed the sheep and burned incense and they spread purple cloths over it and set it again in the secret place for seven days and seven nights.
Monday, February 12, 2007
A Night Vision
XIX
A Night Vision
AZARIAH received instructions in a night vision.
The Angel of the Lord told him: "Take four goats, each a yearling, for yourself, Elyas, Abis and Makri, and four pure sheep, yearlings also and an ox as a sacrifice on the east side of Zion and sheep and goats to the right and left thereof and at the west of it, which is close to the exit."
After that the entity in glowing white robes said, "And your lord, Ibna Hakim, should speak to Solomon and he must say to him, 'One thing I ask from you, O father, that I would offer up a sacrifice to the holy city Jerusalem and to my Lady Zion. And Solomon will say to him, 'Do so.' And Ibna Hakim must say to him, 'Let Zadok's son, Azariah, offer up a sacrifice on my behalf,' and he'll give you a command to offer up a sacrifice. And you must bring the Ark after you have offered up the sacrifice and I will again show you what you must do in respect to bringing it out, for this is from God; for Israel has provoked God to wrath and for this he'll make the Ark to leave."
The dream ended, but when Azariah woke up, he remembered everything the angel had said.
He went to his companions and told them of his vision and what the angel told him about Israel and how she was to be divided in the future.
"Rejoice with me," Azariah said, "because of what the angel said. So let's go to Ibna Hakim and tell him what to say to Solomon about the sacrifice in the Temple."
David II sent Benaiah to his father, Solomon, with the message: "Send me away, for I'll depart to my own country, together with everything that your goodness has given me. May your prayers accompany me always whithersoever I will go. But now there's one petition which I would make to you, peradventure I found grace with you and turn not away your face from me. For I your servant am going to depart and I wish to offer up a sacrifice of salvation for my sins in this your holy city of Jerusalem and of Zion, the Tabernacle of the Law of God. And peace be with your majesty,"
After hearing the message, Solomon readied 100 bulls, 100 oxen, 10,000 sheep, 10,000 goats and 10 of every clean birds and 20 silver sahal of fine white flour and 40 baskets of bread, for the sacrifice.
Benaiah then remembered the last part of the message.
"Let Azariah offer up the sacrifice on my behalf ."
The king agreed.
Azariah then went to the Temple and mingled his own offerings just as the angel had ordered him in the dream.
Later, they went back to their houses and slept.
A Night Vision
AZARIAH received instructions in a night vision.
The Angel of the Lord told him: "Take four goats, each a yearling, for yourself, Elyas, Abis and Makri, and four pure sheep, yearlings also and an ox as a sacrifice on the east side of Zion and sheep and goats to the right and left thereof and at the west of it, which is close to the exit."
After that the entity in glowing white robes said, "And your lord, Ibna Hakim, should speak to Solomon and he must say to him, 'One thing I ask from you, O father, that I would offer up a sacrifice to the holy city Jerusalem and to my Lady Zion. And Solomon will say to him, 'Do so.' And Ibna Hakim must say to him, 'Let Zadok's son, Azariah, offer up a sacrifice on my behalf,' and he'll give you a command to offer up a sacrifice. And you must bring the Ark after you have offered up the sacrifice and I will again show you what you must do in respect to bringing it out, for this is from God; for Israel has provoked God to wrath and for this he'll make the Ark to leave."
The dream ended, but when Azariah woke up, he remembered everything the angel had said.
He went to his companions and told them of his vision and what the angel told him about Israel and how she was to be divided in the future.
"Rejoice with me," Azariah said, "because of what the angel said. So let's go to Ibna Hakim and tell him what to say to Solomon about the sacrifice in the Temple."
David II sent Benaiah to his father, Solomon, with the message: "Send me away, for I'll depart to my own country, together with everything that your goodness has given me. May your prayers accompany me always whithersoever I will go. But now there's one petition which I would make to you, peradventure I found grace with you and turn not away your face from me. For I your servant am going to depart and I wish to offer up a sacrifice of salvation for my sins in this your holy city of Jerusalem and of Zion, the Tabernacle of the Law of God. And peace be with your majesty,"
After hearing the message, Solomon readied 100 bulls, 100 oxen, 10,000 sheep, 10,000 goats and 10 of every clean birds and 20 silver sahal of fine white flour and 40 baskets of bread, for the sacrifice.
Benaiah then remembered the last part of the message.
"Let Azariah offer up the sacrifice on my behalf ."
The king agreed.
Azariah then went to the Temple and mingled his own offerings just as the angel had ordered him in the dream.
Later, they went back to their houses and slept.
The Deal
XVIII
The Deal
1. PREPARATIONS FOR A GRAND THEFT
THE RELATIVES weren't the only ones grumbling about the appointments, but the 21, who were ordered to accompany David II, fumed over their fate.
"What will he do?" asked Akonhel, the youth leader. "For we have to leave our country and our birthplace and our kinsfolk and the people of our city. Now, come let us establish a covenant between us only and our kinsfolk will know nothing of this that we will love each other in that country; none will hasten or tarry here and we will neither fear nor have any doubt. For God is here and God is there and may God's will be done.
Azariah, the High Priest stepped forward. A man of commanding presence, he said: "It doesn't matter if our kinsfolk hate us, what matters is that we should be sad because we'll have to leave the Ark of the Covenant. It's because of her we should weep."
"You're right, Azariah," said Awsteran. "She is our hope and the object of our boasting and we've grown up under our blessedness. And how is it possible for us to forsake Zion our mistress?
"And what will we do? If we resist his command the king will king us and we're unable to trangress the word of our fathers or the king's command. But what will be do concerning Zion our Lady?"
"I'll counsel you on what we should do," replied Azariah. "I want you to swear an oath that you'll never repeat. I mean they might torture you with your life on the line and you'll still keep our secret."
After taking the oath, Azariah said, "Come now, let us take our Lady Zion with us to Ethiopia."
The group couldn't comprehend what the High Priest was saying.
"That's what I said. Let's take the Ark with us and I'll show you how if you all listen to my plan. Even if they learn what we're doing and kill us, that shouldn't trouble us because we're all willing to die for our Lady Zion. If we die it will not cause us sorrow and if we live, the will of God be done."
Zechariah, the son of army commander Benaiah and a confidante of Azariah, looked at his close friend. He shook his head and exclaimed, "What you're saying is wonderful, but you know, Azariah, you can't go into the Temple in the place of your father, Zadok, because he keeps the keys with him at all times."
The Deal
1. PREPARATIONS FOR A GRAND THEFT
THE RELATIVES weren't the only ones grumbling about the appointments, but the 21, who were ordered to accompany David II, fumed over their fate.
"What will he do?" asked Akonhel, the youth leader. "For we have to leave our country and our birthplace and our kinsfolk and the people of our city. Now, come let us establish a covenant between us only and our kinsfolk will know nothing of this that we will love each other in that country; none will hasten or tarry here and we will neither fear nor have any doubt. For God is here and God is there and may God's will be done.
Azariah, the High Priest stepped forward. A man of commanding presence, he said: "It doesn't matter if our kinsfolk hate us, what matters is that we should be sad because we'll have to leave the Ark of the Covenant. It's because of her we should weep."
"You're right, Azariah," said Awsteran. "She is our hope and the object of our boasting and we've grown up under our blessedness. And how is it possible for us to forsake Zion our mistress?
"And what will we do? If we resist his command the king will king us and we're unable to trangress the word of our fathers or the king's command. But what will be do concerning Zion our Lady?"
"I'll counsel you on what we should do," replied Azariah. "I want you to swear an oath that you'll never repeat. I mean they might torture you with your life on the line and you'll still keep our secret."
After taking the oath, Azariah said, "Come now, let us take our Lady Zion with us to Ethiopia."
The group couldn't comprehend what the High Priest was saying.
"That's what I said. Let's take the Ark with us and I'll show you how if you all listen to my plan. Even if they learn what we're doing and kill us, that shouldn't trouble us because we're all willing to die for our Lady Zion. If we die it will not cause us sorrow and if we live, the will of God be done."
Zechariah, the son of army commander Benaiah and a confidante of Azariah, looked at his close friend. He shook his head and exclaimed, "What you're saying is wonderful, but you know, Azariah, you can't go into the Temple in the place of your father, Zadok, because he keeps the keys with him at all times."
The Appointments
XVII
The Appointments
JERUSALEM REJOICED because Solomon had made his son king and appointed him monarch over Ethiopia, however, they were sad that he'd commanded they should send their first-born sons to the faraway land.
He told David II that he should direct his kingdom like his namesake, his grandfather.
The men appointed by Solomon and their offices were:
* High Priest: Azariah, the son of Zadok, the priest.
* Archdeacon: Elyas, the son of Arni, whose father was the Archdeacon to Nathan the Prophet.
* Leader of the Peoples: Adram, the son of Arderones.
* Scribe of the Oxen: Fankera, son of Soba.
* Leader of the Youth: Akonhel, the son of Tofel.
* The Recorder: Samneyas, the son of Akitalam.
* Chief of the Troops: Fikaros, the son of Neya.
* Commander of the Recruits: Lewandos, the son of Akire.
* Commander of the Sea: Fakuten, the son of Adray.
* Chief of the House: Matan, the son of Benyas.
* Servant of Decorations: Adaraz, the son of Kirem.
* Chief of the Horse Soldiers: Dalakem, the son of Matrem
* Chief of the Foot Soldiers: Adaryos, the son of Nedros.
* Bearer of the Glory: Awsteran, son of Yohad.
* Messenger of the Palace: Astarayon, the son of Asa.
* Commander of the Host: Imi, the son of Matatyas.
* Assessor of Taxes and Tithes: Abis, the son of Karyos.
* Judge of the Assembly: Lik Wendeyos, the son of Nelenteyos.
* Administrator of the Royal Workmen: Karmi, the son of Hadneyes.
* Administrator (of the king's house): Seranyas, son of Akazel.
In addition to the 21 administrators, Solomon gave his eldest son horses, chariots, riding camels and mules and wagons for carrying loads of gold and silver and apparel as well as bysses, the precious linen fabric. Included in the gifts to be taken to Ethiopia were purple and gems, pearls and precious stones.
There was a mixture of joy and sadness.
Among the relatives, they secretly cursed Solomon because he had ordered their sons to accompany David II to Ethiopia, however, to his face they said, " Because of this you have done well. Your wisdom is so good that the kingdom of Israel, by the will of of God and by your wisdom, extends to the country of Ethiopia. And God will gather together the other kingdoms of the world into your hand, for you have a right mind towards God."
Solomon was aware of their double-minded words.
The Appointments
JERUSALEM REJOICED because Solomon had made his son king and appointed him monarch over Ethiopia, however, they were sad that he'd commanded they should send their first-born sons to the faraway land.
He told David II that he should direct his kingdom like his namesake, his grandfather.
The men appointed by Solomon and their offices were:
* High Priest: Azariah, the son of Zadok, the priest.
* Archdeacon: Elyas, the son of Arni, whose father was the Archdeacon to Nathan the Prophet.
* Leader of the Peoples: Adram, the son of Arderones.
* Scribe of the Oxen: Fankera, son of Soba.
* Leader of the Youth: Akonhel, the son of Tofel.
* The Recorder: Samneyas, the son of Akitalam.
* Chief of the Troops: Fikaros, the son of Neya.
* Commander of the Recruits: Lewandos, the son of Akire.
* Commander of the Sea: Fakuten, the son of Adray.
* Chief of the House: Matan, the son of Benyas.
* Servant of Decorations: Adaraz, the son of Kirem.
* Chief of the Horse Soldiers: Dalakem, the son of Matrem
* Chief of the Foot Soldiers: Adaryos, the son of Nedros.
* Bearer of the Glory: Awsteran, son of Yohad.
* Messenger of the Palace: Astarayon, the son of Asa.
* Commander of the Host: Imi, the son of Matatyas.
* Assessor of Taxes and Tithes: Abis, the son of Karyos.
* Judge of the Assembly: Lik Wendeyos, the son of Nelenteyos.
* Administrator of the Royal Workmen: Karmi, the son of Hadneyes.
* Administrator (of the king's house): Seranyas, son of Akazel.
In addition to the 21 administrators, Solomon gave his eldest son horses, chariots, riding camels and mules and wagons for carrying loads of gold and silver and apparel as well as bysses, the precious linen fabric. Included in the gifts to be taken to Ethiopia were purple and gems, pearls and precious stones.
There was a mixture of joy and sadness.
Among the relatives, they secretly cursed Solomon because he had ordered their sons to accompany David II to Ethiopia, however, to his face they said, " Because of this you have done well. Your wisdom is so good that the kingdom of Israel, by the will of of God and by your wisdom, extends to the country of Ethiopia. And God will gather together the other kingdoms of the world into your hand, for you have a right mind towards God."
Solomon was aware of their double-minded words.
The Oil of Kingship
XVI
The Oil of Kingship
MOUNT MORIAH was ablaze with color and the Temple sparkled in the Jerusalem sunlight as Israel made ready the oil of kingship for Ibna Hakim. The sounds of the large horn and flute and pipes filled the air along with the loud thumps of the drums as the city resounded with cries of joy.
Solomon's officers brought the young man into the Holy of Holies and he laid hold onto the horns of the altar and sovereignity was given to him by two priests, Zadok and Benaiah, who was also the army commander. They anointed him with the holy oil of the ointment of kingship.
After the brief ceremony, in which the oil flowed down over Ibna Hakim's face and his robes, he went out of the Temple and was presented to the people with the throne name of David II, after his illustrious grandfather,
He then was placed on King Solomon's mule and they led throughout the city and the people yelled: "We have appointed you from this moment" and "Long live the royal father."
One elder rushed up to him and said, "It's right that your dominion of Ethiopia will be from the Nile River to the stting sun, from Shoa to the east of India. And the Lord God of Israel will be a guide to you and the Tabernacle of the Law of God will be with all you look on and all your seed after you. You will judge many nations and none will judge you."
Then Solomon blessed him with these words: "The blessing of heaven and earth will be your blessing.," and all the people of Israel agreed with a hearty "Amen."
Then his father told Zadok, "Make him know and tell him the judgment and decrees of God which he should observe in Ethiopia. In a lengthy speech, the priests then outlined the curses and blessings of the Almighty.
The Oil of Kingship
MOUNT MORIAH was ablaze with color and the Temple sparkled in the Jerusalem sunlight as Israel made ready the oil of kingship for Ibna Hakim. The sounds of the large horn and flute and pipes filled the air along with the loud thumps of the drums as the city resounded with cries of joy.
Solomon's officers brought the young man into the Holy of Holies and he laid hold onto the horns of the altar and sovereignity was given to him by two priests, Zadok and Benaiah, who was also the army commander. They anointed him with the holy oil of the ointment of kingship.
After the brief ceremony, in which the oil flowed down over Ibna Hakim's face and his robes, he went out of the Temple and was presented to the people with the throne name of David II, after his illustrious grandfather,
He then was placed on King Solomon's mule and they led throughout the city and the people yelled: "We have appointed you from this moment" and "Long live the royal father."
One elder rushed up to him and said, "It's right that your dominion of Ethiopia will be from the Nile River to the stting sun, from Shoa to the east of India. And the Lord God of Israel will be a guide to you and the Tabernacle of the Law of God will be with all you look on and all your seed after you. You will judge many nations and none will judge you."
Then Solomon blessed him with these words: "The blessing of heaven and earth will be your blessing.," and all the people of Israel agreed with a hearty "Amen."
Then his father told Zadok, "Make him know and tell him the judgment and decrees of God which he should observe in Ethiopia. In a lengthy speech, the priests then outlined the curses and blessings of the Almighty.
The Noblemen's Sons
XV
The Noblemen's Sons
1. SOLOMON'S PROPOSAL
SOLOMON was deeply perturbed.
His son had rejected him.
He returned to the Throne Room and consulted with his officers and the elders, telling them that he was unable to persuade Ibna Hakim to stay in Israel.
SOLOMON: Come let us make him king of Ethiopia, together with your children.. You sit on my right hand and on my left hand and in like manner the eldest of your children will sit on his right and left hand. So all you counsellors and officers, let us give him your first-born children and we'll have two kingdoms. I'll rule here and our children will rule there. And I put my trust in God that a third time he'll give me seed and that a third king will be here with me.
The Throne Room was abuzz as their monarch made a proposal that few, if any had heard before.
SOLOMON: Now, Baltasar, the king of Byzantium, wants me to give my son, Rehoboam, to his daughter king over the whole country of Byzantium. For besides her he has no other child and he's sworn that he'll only make king a man who's the seed of David, my father. And if we reign there we will be three kings. According to my father's prophecy, it declared: 'The seed of Solomon will become three heads of kingdoms on earth.' And we'll send to them priests and we'll ordain laws for them and they'll worship and serve the God of Israel under the three royal heads. And now let us make this young man king and let us send him away with your children, you who possess wealth and possession. According to the position and wealth you have here, your children will rule there. And they'll see the ordering of royalty and we'll establish them according to our law and we'll direct them and give them commands and send them away to reign there.
The priests, officers and counsellors answered: "Since you're sending your firs-born and then we'll send out children also according to your wish. Who can resist the commandment of God and the king? They're your servants and of your seed as you've proclaimed. If you wish, you can sell them and mothers as slaves. It isn't for us to trangress your command and the command of the Lord your God.
Despite the outward show of support for Solomon's proposal, there were grumblings within the Palace walls.
The Noblemen's Sons
1. SOLOMON'S PROPOSAL
SOLOMON was deeply perturbed.
His son had rejected him.
He returned to the Throne Room and consulted with his officers and the elders, telling them that he was unable to persuade Ibna Hakim to stay in Israel.
SOLOMON: Come let us make him king of Ethiopia, together with your children.. You sit on my right hand and on my left hand and in like manner the eldest of your children will sit on his right and left hand. So all you counsellors and officers, let us give him your first-born children and we'll have two kingdoms. I'll rule here and our children will rule there. And I put my trust in God that a third time he'll give me seed and that a third king will be here with me.
The Throne Room was abuzz as their monarch made a proposal that few, if any had heard before.
SOLOMON: Now, Baltasar, the king of Byzantium, wants me to give my son, Rehoboam, to his daughter king over the whole country of Byzantium. For besides her he has no other child and he's sworn that he'll only make king a man who's the seed of David, my father. And if we reign there we will be three kings. According to my father's prophecy, it declared: 'The seed of Solomon will become three heads of kingdoms on earth.' And we'll send to them priests and we'll ordain laws for them and they'll worship and serve the God of Israel under the three royal heads. And now let us make this young man king and let us send him away with your children, you who possess wealth and possession. According to the position and wealth you have here, your children will rule there. And they'll see the ordering of royalty and we'll establish them according to our law and we'll direct them and give them commands and send them away to reign there.
The priests, officers and counsellors answered: "Since you're sending your firs-born and then we'll send out children also according to your wish. Who can resist the commandment of God and the king? They're your servants and of your seed as you've proclaimed. If you wish, you can sell them and mothers as slaves. It isn't for us to trangress your command and the command of the Lord your God.
Despite the outward show of support for Solomon's proposal, there were grumblings within the Palace walls.
Father and Son
XIV
Father and Son
1. TWO PLACES AT ONCE?
BEFORE LEAVING Gaza for Jerusalem, Ibna Hakim took some of the fine apparel and gave it to Benaiah and his company of 50 men, who went ahead of the Ethiopians to the Royal Equestrian Center, where Solomon had built luxurious stables.
The army commander told the king he was impressed by Ibna Hakim's noble appearance, but Solomon cut him off short and said, "Where is he? Didn't I send you to bring him as quickly as possible?"
"He is here. I'll bring him quickly.
Mounting his horse, Benaiah galloped outside the city walls to where the Ethiopians were camped.
"Get up, sir, and come."
They entered Jerusalem by the King's Gate and when the city's soldiers saw him, they bowed down and said, "Look, King Solomon has left his lodgings."
Some re-entered the Royal Stables and saw Solomon grooming his favorite stallion.
"What's going on? How can the king be in two places at once?" said one of the troopers.
When Benaiah and his men brought Ibna Hakim into the city core, the word spread like wildfire and thousands swelled the streets, hundreds peering out of the windows, trying to get a glimpse of the horse caravan.
"Who is he?"
"That's Solomon."
"No, it's not."
"It's his son."
"No, it's his brother."
2. 'THE RING' RETURNED
BENAIAH went inside the stables with Ibna Hakim and when Solomon saw him, he embraced him with his hands resting on the young man's chest, and then kissed him on the mouth and forehead and eyes.
"Behold, my father, David, has renewed his youth and risen from the dead."
Then Solomon turned around to Benaiah and said, "You told me, 'He resembles you,' but this isn't my stature, but the stature of David my father in the days of his early manhood and he's handsomer than I am."
The king took Ibna Hakim into the nearby Palace and went into his bedroom and brought out an outfit embroidered with gold and a belt of gold. He then set a crown on his head, put a ring on his finger and led him into the Throne Room where he sat to Solomon's right.
"Those who look on me and contempiously say among yourselves that I have no son except Rehoboam, well, look. this is my son, whom the God, the Lord of Israel, has given me when I didn't expect it."
One of Israel's nobles answered him, saying, "Blessed be the mother, who has delivered this young man and blessed be the day when you had union with the mother of this young man. For there has risen from the root of Jesse a shining man who will be king of the posterity of our seed. Concerning his father none shall ask questions and none will say, "Where did he come from?" Surely, he's an Israelite of the seed of David, fashioned perfectly in the likeliness of his father's form and appearance. We are his servants and he'll be our king."
After the nobleman's speech, Ibna Hakim took the Ring of Solomon, the one which could even subdue demons, from his finger and gave it to his father.
"Take this ring and remember the word you spoke to the queen and give us a portion of the fringe of the covering of the Tabernacle of the Law of God so we can worship it all our days and all those who are subject to us and those who are in the Kingdom of Makeda."
"Why do you give me this ring as a sign?" Solomon asked. "Without you giving me a sign I discovered that you're indeed my son."
Tamrin, who had been standing beside Makeda's son, asked:
"Don't you recognize me, Solomon?"
"Is that you, Mr. Ambassador?"
"Yes, my lord."
3. LETTER FROM THE QUEEN
THE YEARS hadn't been kind to the former Chief Merchant of Ethiopia, now bent over from arthritis and his face was even more wrinkled and his once-taut body had become fleshy from a sedentary lifetsyle as Makeda's regent.
Slowly, he began to read a letter from his queen to Solomon:
THE LETTER: Take this young man, anoint him, consecrate him and bless him and make him king over our country and give him the command that a woman will never again reign in this country and send him back in peace. And peace be with the might of your kingdom and your brilliant wisdom. As for me, I didn't want to go to you, but he begged me that he should see you. And besides, I was afraid for him, should he fall sick on the journey, either from thirst for water or heat of the sun and I should bring grey hairs down to the grave with sorrow. Then I put my trust in the holy, heavenly Zion, the Tabernacle of the Law of God, that you won't hold it in your wisdom. For your nobles can't return to their houses and look on their children, by reason of the abundance of widom and food which you gave them, according to their desire and they say, the table of Solomon is better for us than enjoying and gratifying ourselves in our own houses. And because of this, through my fear, but would send him back to me in peace, without sickness and suffering, in love and in peace that my heart might rejoice at having encountered him.
Tamrin then stepped back from the throne after reading Makeda's letter and waited for Solomon's reply.
"Besides travailing with him and suckling him, what else has a woman to do do with a son? A daughter belongs to the mother and a boy to the father. God cursed Eve, saying "Bring forth children in anguish and with sorrow of heart and after forth you will return to your husband. With an oath he said, 'Bring forth,' and having sworn, you return to your husband will follow. As for this my son, I will not give him to the queen, but I will make him king over Israel. For this is my firstborn, the first of my race who God has given me."
Solomon did everything in his power, trying to convince his new-found son to remain in Israel, supplying him with fine clothing, gold, fine food and taking him to all his cities near Jerusalem as far as up as Megiddo.
"It's better for you to dwell here in our country with us, where the House of God is and where God dwells."
Later, Ibna Hakim wrote a note to the king:
IT READ: Gold and silver and rich apparel aren't wanting in our country, but I came to see you and to hear your wisdom and to see face to face and to salute you and to pay homage to your kingdom and then I intended for you to send me away to my own country and my own mother. For no man hates the place where he's born and everyone loves the things of his native country. Although you give me dainty meats, I don't love them and they aren't suitable for my body, but the meats whereby I grow and become strong are those that are gratifying to me. And although your country pleases me even as does a garden, yet my heart's not gratified. The mountains of the land of of my motherwhere I as born are far better in my sight. And as for the Tabernacle of the God of Israel, if I adore it where I am, it will give me great glory and I will look on the House of God, which you have built and I'll make offering and supplication there. And as for Zion the fringe of the covering and I will worship it with my mother and with all those who are subject to my sovereignty.
Ibna Hakim also told Solomon that his mother had rooted out all idol worshippers, including those who bowed down to strange objects and stones and trees.
4. HIS FATHER'S PLEAS
SOLOMON was persistent in trying to convince his son to stay in Jerusalem.
"Why do want to leave me?"
Ibna Hakim listened intently to his father's pleas.
"What do you lack here that you would go to the country of the heathen? Tell me what drives you to forsake the kingdom of Israel?"
Speaking with conviction in his voice, Ibna Hakim said, "No, I must go to my mother with your blessing, for you have a son who's better than me, namely Rehoboam, who was born of your wife lawfully while my mother, Makeda, isn't your wife according to the law."
Solomon, thoughtfull, replied: "Since you speak in this wise, according to the law, I, myself, am not the son of my father, David, for he took the wife of another man whom he caused to be slain in battle and he begot me by her, but God is compassionate and he has forgiven him.
"Who's as compassionate and wise as God? He has made me of my father and you He has made of me, according to His will. And as for you, O my son, you who fears our Lord God, don't do any violence in the face of your father, so that in time to come you might not meet with violence from him that will go forth from your loins and that your seed might prosper on the earth. My son, Rehoboam, is only six years old and you're my first-born and you've come to reign and lift up the spear of him that begot you. Listen, I've been reigning for 29 years and your mother came to see me in the seventh year of my kingdom and if God pleases, he will make me attain the span of the days of my father.
"And when I'm gathered with my fathers, you will sit on my throne and you'll reign in my stead and the elders of Israel will love you exceedingly and I'll make a marriage for you and I'll give you as many queens and concubines as you desire.
"You'll be blessed in this land of inheritance with the blessing that God gave to out fathers, even as he covenanted with his servant, Noah, and with his friend, Abraham, and the righteous men right down to my father, David.
"You see me, a weak man, on the throne of my father's and you will be like me and you'll judge the nations without number and families that can't be counted. And the Tabernacle of the God of Israel will belong to you and your seed and you'll make offerings and make prayers to ascend. And God will dwell within it forever and hear your prayers therein and your remembrance will be in it from generation to generation."
His father's conversation brought tears to Ibna Hakim's eyes, but in a low voice he said: "O my lord, it's impossible to leave my country and my mother, for my mother made me swear on her breasts that I wouldn't stay here but would return to her quickly and also I wouldn't marry a wife here.
"And the Tabernacle of the God of Israel will bless me wheresoever I go. I desired to see your face and to hear your voice and to receive your blessing and now I desire to depart to my mother in safety."
Father and Son
1. TWO PLACES AT ONCE?
BEFORE LEAVING Gaza for Jerusalem, Ibna Hakim took some of the fine apparel and gave it to Benaiah and his company of 50 men, who went ahead of the Ethiopians to the Royal Equestrian Center, where Solomon had built luxurious stables.
The army commander told the king he was impressed by Ibna Hakim's noble appearance, but Solomon cut him off short and said, "Where is he? Didn't I send you to bring him as quickly as possible?"
"He is here. I'll bring him quickly.
Mounting his horse, Benaiah galloped outside the city walls to where the Ethiopians were camped.
"Get up, sir, and come."
They entered Jerusalem by the King's Gate and when the city's soldiers saw him, they bowed down and said, "Look, King Solomon has left his lodgings."
Some re-entered the Royal Stables and saw Solomon grooming his favorite stallion.
"What's going on? How can the king be in two places at once?" said one of the troopers.
When Benaiah and his men brought Ibna Hakim into the city core, the word spread like wildfire and thousands swelled the streets, hundreds peering out of the windows, trying to get a glimpse of the horse caravan.
"Who is he?"
"That's Solomon."
"No, it's not."
"It's his son."
"No, it's his brother."
2. 'THE RING' RETURNED
BENAIAH went inside the stables with Ibna Hakim and when Solomon saw him, he embraced him with his hands resting on the young man's chest, and then kissed him on the mouth and forehead and eyes.
"Behold, my father, David, has renewed his youth and risen from the dead."
Then Solomon turned around to Benaiah and said, "You told me, 'He resembles you,' but this isn't my stature, but the stature of David my father in the days of his early manhood and he's handsomer than I am."
The king took Ibna Hakim into the nearby Palace and went into his bedroom and brought out an outfit embroidered with gold and a belt of gold. He then set a crown on his head, put a ring on his finger and led him into the Throne Room where he sat to Solomon's right.
"Those who look on me and contempiously say among yourselves that I have no son except Rehoboam, well, look. this is my son, whom the God, the Lord of Israel, has given me when I didn't expect it."
One of Israel's nobles answered him, saying, "Blessed be the mother, who has delivered this young man and blessed be the day when you had union with the mother of this young man. For there has risen from the root of Jesse a shining man who will be king of the posterity of our seed. Concerning his father none shall ask questions and none will say, "Where did he come from?" Surely, he's an Israelite of the seed of David, fashioned perfectly in the likeliness of his father's form and appearance. We are his servants and he'll be our king."
After the nobleman's speech, Ibna Hakim took the Ring of Solomon, the one which could even subdue demons, from his finger and gave it to his father.
"Take this ring and remember the word you spoke to the queen and give us a portion of the fringe of the covering of the Tabernacle of the Law of God so we can worship it all our days and all those who are subject to us and those who are in the Kingdom of Makeda."
"Why do you give me this ring as a sign?" Solomon asked. "Without you giving me a sign I discovered that you're indeed my son."
Tamrin, who had been standing beside Makeda's son, asked:
"Don't you recognize me, Solomon?"
"Is that you, Mr. Ambassador?"
"Yes, my lord."
3. LETTER FROM THE QUEEN
THE YEARS hadn't been kind to the former Chief Merchant of Ethiopia, now bent over from arthritis and his face was even more wrinkled and his once-taut body had become fleshy from a sedentary lifetsyle as Makeda's regent.
Slowly, he began to read a letter from his queen to Solomon:
THE LETTER: Take this young man, anoint him, consecrate him and bless him and make him king over our country and give him the command that a woman will never again reign in this country and send him back in peace. And peace be with the might of your kingdom and your brilliant wisdom. As for me, I didn't want to go to you, but he begged me that he should see you. And besides, I was afraid for him, should he fall sick on the journey, either from thirst for water or heat of the sun and I should bring grey hairs down to the grave with sorrow. Then I put my trust in the holy, heavenly Zion, the Tabernacle of the Law of God, that you won't hold it in your wisdom. For your nobles can't return to their houses and look on their children, by reason of the abundance of widom and food which you gave them, according to their desire and they say, the table of Solomon is better for us than enjoying and gratifying ourselves in our own houses. And because of this, through my fear, but would send him back to me in peace, without sickness and suffering, in love and in peace that my heart might rejoice at having encountered him.
Tamrin then stepped back from the throne after reading Makeda's letter and waited for Solomon's reply.
"Besides travailing with him and suckling him, what else has a woman to do do with a son? A daughter belongs to the mother and a boy to the father. God cursed Eve, saying "Bring forth children in anguish and with sorrow of heart and after forth you will return to your husband. With an oath he said, 'Bring forth,' and having sworn, you return to your husband will follow. As for this my son, I will not give him to the queen, but I will make him king over Israel. For this is my firstborn, the first of my race who God has given me."
Solomon did everything in his power, trying to convince his new-found son to remain in Israel, supplying him with fine clothing, gold, fine food and taking him to all his cities near Jerusalem as far as up as Megiddo.
"It's better for you to dwell here in our country with us, where the House of God is and where God dwells."
Later, Ibna Hakim wrote a note to the king:
IT READ: Gold and silver and rich apparel aren't wanting in our country, but I came to see you and to hear your wisdom and to see face to face and to salute you and to pay homage to your kingdom and then I intended for you to send me away to my own country and my own mother. For no man hates the place where he's born and everyone loves the things of his native country. Although you give me dainty meats, I don't love them and they aren't suitable for my body, but the meats whereby I grow and become strong are those that are gratifying to me. And although your country pleases me even as does a garden, yet my heart's not gratified. The mountains of the land of of my motherwhere I as born are far better in my sight. And as for the Tabernacle of the God of Israel, if I adore it where I am, it will give me great glory and I will look on the House of God, which you have built and I'll make offering and supplication there. And as for Zion the fringe of the covering and I will worship it with my mother and with all those who are subject to my sovereignty.
Ibna Hakim also told Solomon that his mother had rooted out all idol worshippers, including those who bowed down to strange objects and stones and trees.
4. HIS FATHER'S PLEAS
SOLOMON was persistent in trying to convince his son to stay in Jerusalem.
"Why do want to leave me?"
Ibna Hakim listened intently to his father's pleas.
"What do you lack here that you would go to the country of the heathen? Tell me what drives you to forsake the kingdom of Israel?"
Speaking with conviction in his voice, Ibna Hakim said, "No, I must go to my mother with your blessing, for you have a son who's better than me, namely Rehoboam, who was born of your wife lawfully while my mother, Makeda, isn't your wife according to the law."
Solomon, thoughtfull, replied: "Since you speak in this wise, according to the law, I, myself, am not the son of my father, David, for he took the wife of another man whom he caused to be slain in battle and he begot me by her, but God is compassionate and he has forgiven him.
"Who's as compassionate and wise as God? He has made me of my father and you He has made of me, according to His will. And as for you, O my son, you who fears our Lord God, don't do any violence in the face of your father, so that in time to come you might not meet with violence from him that will go forth from your loins and that your seed might prosper on the earth. My son, Rehoboam, is only six years old and you're my first-born and you've come to reign and lift up the spear of him that begot you. Listen, I've been reigning for 29 years and your mother came to see me in the seventh year of my kingdom and if God pleases, he will make me attain the span of the days of my father.
"And when I'm gathered with my fathers, you will sit on my throne and you'll reign in my stead and the elders of Israel will love you exceedingly and I'll make a marriage for you and I'll give you as many queens and concubines as you desire.
"You'll be blessed in this land of inheritance with the blessing that God gave to out fathers, even as he covenanted with his servant, Noah, and with his friend, Abraham, and the righteous men right down to my father, David.
"You see me, a weak man, on the throne of my father's and you will be like me and you'll judge the nations without number and families that can't be counted. And the Tabernacle of the God of Israel will belong to you and your seed and you'll make offerings and make prayers to ascend. And God will dwell within it forever and hear your prayers therein and your remembrance will be in it from generation to generation."
His father's conversation brought tears to Ibna Hakim's eyes, but in a low voice he said: "O my lord, it's impossible to leave my country and my mother, for my mother made me swear on her breasts that I wouldn't stay here but would return to her quickly and also I wouldn't marry a wife here.
"And the Tabernacle of the God of Israel will bless me wheresoever I go. I desired to see your face and to hear your voice and to receive your blessing and now I desire to depart to my mother in safety."
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