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Solomon and Rebecca sat on opposite ends of the long, rose wood table set in the center of the stone pillared dining room. Tall, crystal paned windows let in the moonlight. Solomon enjoyed having quiet dinners in this hall with his wife on evenings when the rain cleared for a bit.
They both ate quietly. Solomon could tell Rebecca was unhappy about something. He would not force the issue. He was tired, crabby and a bit irritated with the slowness of his projects due to the perpetual state of flooding in Israel. He simply wasn’t in the mood to deal with any foolishness from his wife.
Rehoboam, their son, finished his plate. He was young but already had long, dark curls and very long eyelashes. He stood to his feet, “May I be excused?”
“Yes,” Rebecca spoke softly. He bowed and disappeared down the hall.
“Fast eater,” Solomon said lightly, trying to add some humor into the rather dull evening.
Rebecca smiled tightly and continued eating. Solomon shrugged and decided he would eat in silence and go to bed early. Perhaps his wife would improve by morning.
“Honey,” Rebecca said, setting down her fork. Oh, no, here it comes. “Who is that slave woman you have been talking with recently?”
Solomon choked on his food and quickly wiped his mouth. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t play the fool, Solomon. That Hittite slave girl. Very beautiful. I’ve seen her in your apartments several times. And I’ve seen you with her quite often.”
Solomon shrugged. “She was assigned to clean my personal apartments. I’m in and out of there quite often so naturally I interact with her. She’s a simple girl, quite foolish actually. Very headstrong. It was good of Caleb to isolate her. She won’t stir trouble that way.”
Rebecca nodded. She ate a few bites in silence. Solomon relaxed. That was easy.
Rebecca paused, the fork in her hand. “But I am curious. Why does Caleb have no idea why this slave woman was moved from the main halls to your personal apartments?”
Solomon froze. He smiled tightly. “I’m sure Caleb does not remember every little thing he does.”
“Perhaps not. But since the protocol calls for Israelite maids to take care of your personal apartments and our bedchambers, I would think he would have remembered why he made such an unorthodox placement,” her voice gradually rose though she tried to keep it quiet.
Solomon scrunched his lips angrily. “Look, I don’t know! I’ll talk to Caleb about it tomorrow, if you would like.”
Rebecca continued eating. They spent the next several more minutes in silence, only the clank of their silverware disturbing the peace.
“Do you love her?” It was a simple, soft question.
Solomon slammed his silverware down and kicked back his chair. “What?” He rose to his feet, face red.
“You don’t have to be defensive. It was a simple question,” Rebecca replied calmly.
Solomon thrust his finger at her. “I told you never to accuse me of that again!”
“I have not accused you of anything, Solomon,” she replied cooly.
Solomon paused, dropped his hands and stared limply at his wife. He felt so very tired. So burdened. What is wrong with me? “As I said, she is a foolish, headstrong woman.” Solomon returned to his seat. “I don’t even know her name,” he lied.
Rebecca nodded, continuing to eat. Solomon, at that moment, decided that he despised his wife. She hasn’t changed a bit! No matter what I do, how I act, she is always suspecting me! Why can’t she just leave me alone?
“I’m worried about you, honey,” Rebecca finally said. She sounded like she meant every word. Solomon tried not to roll his eyes. “You’ve been good to me, you’ve even spent time with your son. And I’m grateful. But you’re still so busy and swamped with work. You still carry your restlessness within you like a disease. Benaiah sees it too. You start to change for the better, but you seem to be dragged ever so slowly back.”
Solomon felt his anger rise. He kept his voice a whisper. “I cannot change who I am. I am not like my father. I can’t find contentment writing poetry and singing songs. Planning for what my posterity will do. I’ve got to do things now. Real, important things!”
“Poetry and song . . . worship is not important?” Rebecca asked.
“I didn’t say that!” Solomon snapped. “You always put words into my mouth. I hate that!”
The two stared eat each other wordlessly.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes rimming with tears.
Solomon swallowed. Why does she always have to cry like this? “Look, I’m more stressed than normal because of the rains. I’m behind on several projects and next month ambassadors from China will be arriving. I want to make sure everything is perfect when they come.”
She nodded again, fighting back her tears. “I know. I’m sorry. I am grateful for you, honey.”
Solomon sighed again. He had lost his appetite completely. “I’m sorry I can’t be everything you and Benaiah had hoped for. I’m doing the best I can.”
The king rose and began to leave.
“Will you be in bed tonight?” Rebecca called.
Solomon shook his head. “I have some work to do. Perhaps tomorrow night.”
“I could bring you a midnight snack in your apartments while you work,” she ventured.
Solomon kept walking away. “No, no need. Get your rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Rebecca silently wept as she finished her meal.
Solomon watched Zeriah polish the stained glass mirror in the small alcove. He strode toward her, making sure no one else traversed the smaller corridors.
“You’re up late,” Solomon said with a smile.
Zeriah turned toward him, her eyes twinkling. “I thought I might see you this evening.”
Solomon laughed. “Remember, now, I’m a married man.”
“So?” She teased as she continued to polish.
Solomon smiled again and walked toward her. He rubbed her back and ran one hand through her hair. “You are very beautiful this evening. Did you get the dress I sent you?”
“Yes,” she said. “Would you like me to put it on?”
“When you have the chance,” Solomon said. He looked around nervously and then continued to rub her back.
She smiled and closed her eyes. “That feels very good. Thank you.”
“What is your schedule tonight?”
“This is my last job. Why?” She asked coyly.
Solomon smiled back. “Perhaps you might stop by my personal apartments in an hour. I think the bed needs new sheets.”
“I could see about that,” she played along.
Solomon felt so good around this woman. His feelings of restlessness and anger and tiredness all evaporated when he stood near her. He would never, of course, do anything with this woman. But he liked to tease her, to play with her . . . to pretend he was falling into forbidden temptation. It helped to relax his mind.
“But you’ve said that before,” she said, a flash of anger in her eyes. “And the doors have always been locked.”
Solomon shrugged. “I fall asleep waiting.”
Another flash of anger passed through her eyes, but Solomon watched her carefully control her emotions. She smiled back and batted her eyelids. “Well, I feel a little sleepy myself this evening.”
Solomon leaned close to her, their noses almost touching. She wore some sort of perfume. The scent filled his nose. It smelled so wonderful . . . so . . . she bent forward. Their lips almost brushed.
“Honey, what are you doing?” Rebecca’s voice shattered the stillness.
Solomon fell backward in shock. Zeriah backed away, anger filling her eyes. She stared darkly at the queen, but hid her face as she returned to her polishing.
“Rebecca! I . . . I was heading off to work. Are you ok?”
Rebecca stood motionless in the hall. She eyed Zeriah with jealousy and disgust. “Perhaps you should come to bed early this evening. It looks like your work is playing tricks with your head.”
Solomon stood to his feet and nodded. “Perhaps you are right. Very good work, Zeriah.”
Solomon walked away, but Rebecca had already departed. When Solomon arrived in his bedchambers Rebecca was no where to be seen. Solomon ventured to his balcony and saw a lone light in the emerald domed palace across the way. Great. There she goes again. Solomon laid in bed . . . feeling tiredness, frustration, guiltiness and weariness . . . everything but peaceful sleep.
“Nothing is going on!” Solomon said, with a forced smile. He sat with his wife in his crystal chariot as they headed toward the Temple. “I was simply passing her in the hall.”
“You were about to kiss her,” Rebecca said flatly.
“No, there was something in her eyes,” Solomon lied. He was surprised at how easy could lie now. His wife stared at him blankly.
“Lighten up, honey,” Solomon teased, ribbing her. Rebecca scooted away. “Nothing is going on. Stop acting so jealous.” And he was telling the truth, at least partly. He hadn’t so much as kissed the girl, and he certainly hadn’t committed sexual adultery.
The question Benaiah asked him echoed in his mind: but have you committed adultery already with her in your heart? Solomon brushed the question aside. Benaiah hadn’t brought up any issues with him. In fact, just yesterday, they had both shared a good drink together. If something really was wrong, surely Benaiah would say something. No, his wife was simply looking for reasons to be jealous.
“I just don’t think you’re being honest with me,” Rebecca said, folding her arms.
Solomon felt that old irritation rise within him. He shook his head. “Don’t play this game, Rebecca. I don’t have time for it. Nothing is happening!”
Rebecca nodded. “I don’t trust you.”
Ok, fine, have it your way, Solomon thought angrily. He was really starting to hate this woman.
Solomon skipped down the hall happily. The offerings at the Temple, consumed in fire and clouds of incense, combined with the singing of the Levites, the blowing of the shofars, the beauty of the Temple . . . oh, how he had loved the service! I must go to the Temple more often. I’ve stayed away far too long. Every week, Solomon made a mental note to himself. I must go at least every week. Maybe more.
As he hummed happily to himself he stopped short. The bedchamber door was ajar. Solomon felt a cold nervousness fill his stomach. Where was his guard? He let his hand drop to the pommel of his short sword as he crept forward.
He gently pressed open the golden plated door. The fire was roaring. Who would dare light a fire on a Sabbath? And the room was very hot.
Standing before the fire, her delicate figure a silhouette against the flame, was Zeriah, in the very revealing dress Solomon had sent to her as a gift. She stood holding a glass of wine, smiling at the king.
“Hello, my master,” she said softly.
“How did you get in here? Where is my guard?” He asked, mystified more than angry. He shut the door behind him without thinking.
She shrugged. “I told the soldier that the king did not want a guard on duty this evening. That you would not come here tonight. Some of your younger soldiers truly are gullible.”
Solomon felt slightly annoyed. He knew that because Zeriah had been seen so much with the king and had gained access to so many highly sensitive parts of the court, a younger guard would accept her word without challenge. Caleb was right. This woman knows how to manipulate and use power to her own advantage.
“You’re breaking the law,” Solomon said both of her break in and her kindling of the fire.
She sighed and sipped the wine. “Are you going to punish me?”
Solomon stood in that hot room, all his restlessness, weariness and anger sliding away. All he could see was this beautiful Hittite woman, standing in his bed chamber, half naked in that revealing dress. Is this how David felt when he saw my mother bathing in the pool?
“Come to me,” she said.
Without even having to second guess himself, Solomon obeyed. He drew Zeriah close and kissed her long and passionately. She giggled and offered her wine glass to him. He sipped and then set it down. She kissed him long and hard this time. Solomon began to peel off her dress as she began to return the favor.
In moments, he had drawn her to the marriage bed.
And profaned it for the first time.
Solomon walked down the corridor toward the front court of his palace. Rebecca emerged from a side hall. She looked miserable. Does she know?
“What’s wrong?” Solomon feigned concern.
She shook her head. “I had a terrible sleep last night. Honey, I need to apologize. I had no right to act the way I did. I’m sorry. Please . . . forgive me.”
Solomon stared at her with wide eyes. “Uh . . . of course. You are forgiven.”
She kissed him. I hope she doesn’t smell her on me.
She drew back, smiling. “You truly are a wonderful man.”
Solomon felt burning coals pouring over his head. He forced a smile. “I missed you at breakfast this morning.”
“I know, I’m sorry. Rehoboam and I will join you for lunch in the room of the heavens. Sound good?”
Solomon nodded. “Alright, we can do that.” He searched her face. “So . . . does this mean you are back in the bedchamber tonight?”
“Yes, of course,” she said.
Oh, no. I have to tell Zeriah not to come then. Perhaps this is for the better.
“Great,” he kissed her quickly and continued down the hall.
Benaiah stood in the library room and glanced at several different papers. Caleb and Joshua sat at two other desks. Caleb was asking the commander questions about the military which he quickly answered.
“Excuse me . . . Caleb, can I ask you about something?” He walked over to Caleb and showed him two pieces of paper. “These records of the slave women.”
“Yes, what is it?” Caleb said, scribbling down some important information Joshua had just provided.
“These records show that for the past three months, a slave woman has cleaned both the king’s bedchambers, the interior corridors and his personal apartments?”
Caleb continued writing without looking up. “Yes, the queen asked me about that about two months ago. She was going to ask Solomon about it. I never authorized it.”
Benaiah furrowed his brow in confusion. “But if you didn’t authorize it, who did?”
Caleb shrugged. “I assume the king did.”
Benaiah scratched his red beard. “Why would he do a thing like that? Those are sensitive areas of the palace. This woman is a Hittite. And one with a bad temper. Or so your men have told me.”
Joshua cleared his throat nervously. He looked away. Benaiah caught the movement and looked intently at the commander. “Joshua? Do you know anything about this?”
“The king told me not to say a word,” Joshua said truthfully.
Benaiah took a deep breath and looked back down at the records. “So he did authorize this. And had you do it. Why did he tell you to keep it a secret?”
“He . . . he didn’t want to bother anyone with the details. He said Caleb was too busy with other important things,” Joshua said. He clearly did not like talking about the subject.
Benaiah nodded and set the papers down. “Joshua, you realize that having a foreign slave gain access to those sensitive parts of the King’s Court is a serious breach of protocol.”
Joshua swallowed. “I’d rather not discuss this.”
Benaiah sighed. “Alright. I understand. Caleb, who is this slave girl?”
Caleb looked up, clearly irritated at being distracted from his work. “Hmm? Oh, yes, the Hittite slave. Her name is Zeriah. She is a liar. And a manipulator. And I thought isolation was best for her. Perhaps Solomon wanted to isolate her further. I don’t know. She is also very beautiful. Looks a bit like the Queen of Sheba.”
“What did you say?” Benaiah snapped.
“I said she looks a bit like the Queen of Sheba. Only more beautiful,” Caleb frowned. He returned back to his work.
Benaiah returned to his seat and slowly sat down. A terrible thought began filling his mind. A coldness began filling his stomach.
“Where is your wife?” Zeriah asked as Solomon led her into his personal apartment. It was considerably smaller than his bedchamber, half the size, with a small fireplace. The marbled floor terraced toward an expansive bed. A golden dresser dominated one side of the wall. The back wall shimmered, a mirror that made the room feel bigger than it was.
“Her father recently died. She will be in Egypt for a few weeks,” he said.
“You didn’t go with her?” Zeriah teased as they walked toward the bed.
“I have important business here,” Solomon teased playfully back.
“Oh, yes, I can tell,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and they fell into bed.
Within moments they lay naked next to each other. Solomon heard the steps in the hall, but he was so lost in his lustful passion, he hardly noticed the sounds of footsteps advancing down the hall toward his apartment. When the door suddenly opened, he simply could not accept the fact.
“Solomon!” The unmistakable voice of his old friend, Benaiah, cut the air like a knife.
Solomon tore away from Zeriah and twisted onto his back, grabbing the thick covers around him. Zeriah also hid under the blankets. It was the first time Solomon had ever seen her scared. But even in her fear, he could see the deep hatred burning in her eyes.
“Benaiah . . . what are you doing here?” Solomon breathed.
“What are you doing here?” Benaiah countered back, his voice far too loud. He pointed at Zeriah. “What is this slave girl doing here?”
Solomon turned toward Zeriah. “Get out,” he whispered.
She looked at him with defiance.
“I said get out!” He barked.
She angrily struggled out of bed, hurriedly dressing herself. She walked from the room, her face down, not even glancing at the red-bearded captain who followed her with a glare.
He shut the door behind him and looked back at Solomon. The king now stood to his feet, wrapped in a yellow robe.
“How dare you intrude on the privacy of your king?” Solomon hissed through clenched teeth. “I have not placed you as captain of the guard to spy on me!”
“How long has this been going on?” Benaiah demanded, ignoring Solomon’s words.
Solomon felt extremely embarrassed. And a little angry. “About a month if you must know!”
“What has become of you, Solomon? Who are you?” Benaiah cried.
“Would you stop it?” Solomon snapped. “I don’t need your dramatic flourishes. I know what I have done is wrong.”
Benaiah shook his head, mouth open. “You don’t seem the least bit remorseful.”
“The woman seduced me!” Solomon yelled. “We should have never allowed her into this part of the court.”
Benaiah’s eyes smoldered. “Don’t lie to me, Solomon. I already know you ordered Joshua to place her here. You deliberately played with fire.”
Solomon swallowed nervously. I’m beginning to hate Benaiah as much as my wife. He turned around angrily. “Well, congratulations then, Benaiah. You’ve seen your king fall.”
“I’m not in the least bit happy,” Benaiah said coldly. “But I can’t say I’m surprised.”
Solomon felt the words stab him harder than any weapon. He lowered his head. He felt tears rise in his eyes. “Leave me, Benaiah.”
Benaiah shook his head. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not going to just dismiss me like some subject. Remember, all that we’ve been through, Solomon? I was with you when Nathan and Zadok first led you on your father’s mule to anoint you king. Remember how you never wanted me to address you as king? I’m not going to leave you to stew in your self pity now!”
Solomon spun around, his eyes flashing with anger. “So what do you want? You want to stone me for adultery? Can you find another witness? Perhaps you and Zeriah might like to join forces. What do you want?”
Benaiah’s face twisted with anguish. “I want my old friend back. I want you to come back, Solomon. Can’t you see what has happened to you?”
Solomon grabbed a candlestick from the table and threw it against the mirrored wall. It shattered into a hundred pieces. “All I can see is what everyone else is becoming! I feel suffocated! By you, by Rebecca, by this whole damn kingdom, the rain . . . I’m sick of it!”
Benaiah stood motionless and carefully considered his words. “Solomon, when your father committed adultery, he tried to hide his sin for nine months. When Nathan confronted him, he repented in sackcloth in ashes. Will you follow his example?”
Solomon shook his head miserably, his eyes bloodshot. “I already told you, I’m not my father. I never will be.”
Benaiah nodded. “Then be the man Yah wants you to be. The man you once were. The greatest king on earth--”
“I am the greatest king on earth!” Solomon yelled. “I am! But neither you, nor Rebecca, nor anyone else seems to understand the pressure that position holds. I’m not like a normal person. I have goals, visions, ambitions that must be fulfilled. I must lead Israel to the future and help this nation remain the greatest on earth. I inherited the crown jewel of nations, and I won’t suffer it to be soiled under my rule! Why can’t any of you see that?”
“And are those ambitions so noble when they lead you into the arms of a woman other than your wife?” Benaiah whispered.
Solomon rubbed his forehead and moaned. “I just need to think. I need to think.”
Benaiah frowned at his friend. “Are you going to tell Rebecca? Or are you just going to let her find out?”
Solomon gave Benaiah an icy stare. “That is no concern of yours. I will handle this affair on my own.”
Benaiah bowed curtly. “Very well, my king. I can see you no longer need your friend’s advice. Goodbye.”
The door slammed behind him.
Solomon slumped wearily onto the bed and stared vacantly at the mirrored wall.
