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Solomon’s royal caravan entered the capitol of Egypt at midday to much fanfare and pomp. Egyptians by the millions gathered in the city streets, throwing silk streamers, waving palm branches, blowing trumpets and shouting out song. Three enormous golden chariots, the size of a half dozen horses grouped together, draped with purple and blue linen, slowly passed through the sea of Egyptians, followed by a large army of Israelite soldiers and priests.
The Pharaoh emerged from his palace, his beautiful queen dressed in white on one side, his even fairer daughter, dressed in green, on the other. The three royal chariots slowly advanced toward the palace as Pharaoh and his family waited.
When the first of the three chariots reached the bottom most steps, several servants rushed to open the door and roll out a red carpet. Solomon, dressed in dark purple with a golden crown, emerged from his chariot.
The Egyptians shouted as one even as the Israelite Priests lifted trumpets and shofars to their lips, a long triumphant blast echoing off the Pyramids and nearby Nile River.
Solomon raised his hands in welcome as he walked toward the steps and carefully made his way up onto the lavish porch of the Pharaoh’s palace. Towering, ivory pillars supported the broad porch roof. The floor was green marble, and gold covered the palace wall. Large windows revealed the grand interior of the palace.
When Solomon reached the top of the steps he fell to one knee and bowed before the Pharaoh. The Levites’ trumps stopped and the crowd died to perfect silence.
Pharaoh, his clean shaven face unreadable, walked solemnly toward the king and bent low, lifting Solomon to his feet, kissing the Israelite king on the cheek.
At this a loud cheer came up from Egyptian and Israelite alike. Shofars blew with joy.
The two kings embraced. Solomon turned back and lifted one hand. Benaiah, the new captain of the guard and decked in a golden robe and silver armor, led a group of soldiers and priests up the steps to join their king.
Pharaoh turned toward the crowd and raised his hands for silence. “This day we welcome our friends and neighbors, the Israelites. King Solomon, who is said to excel in riches and honor beyond any king in the world, has graced us with his presence. Beginning today, and for as long as King Solomon remains with us, we will have a royal feast throughout the city. Let us celebrate and rejoice with our Israelite brothers!”
At this the crowd cheered so loud that few could hear the trumpets and shofars of the Levites.
Music and dancing filled the city as Pharaoh led Solomon, Benaiah and his entourage toward his family.
“This is my wife, Queen Vani.” Pharaoh said. The woman in white bowed and kissed Solomon’s hand.
“It is a pleasure,” Solomon bowed back.
“And this is my one and only rose, my daughter Zelemi.” The green clad young woman bowed and also kissed Solomon’s hand. Solomon stared at Zelemi long and hard, having never seen such a beautiful creature in all his life. Her long, dark hair flowed like a waterfall down her back. Her eyes shone so blue and so bright, they looked like pools of water. He had never seen such long, dark lashes, nor such perfect cheekbones, nor such a small, petite nose. She, indeed, looked like a rose.
Solomon bowed low and smiled at the beautiful woman. “It is truly an honor, Zelemi. Your beauty is a legend among our people but until now, I did not realize how legendary it truly is.”
Zelemi blushed and bowed, backing away.
Pharaoh smiled broadly and put his arm around Solomon. “Come, my king and friend. Let me show you the wonders we have here in Egypt!”
Solomon and the Pharaoh stood on the highest balcony, looking at the great Pyramid of Giza. The setting sun lit one side of the giant triangle a fiery gold.
“You built this pyramid as well?” Solomon breathed as he stared in wonder at the large structure.
The Pharaoh shook his head. “Oh, no. Not this one. It was here long before my people settled along the Nile. But this is what gave us inspiration to build the others. We have never been able to build one so magnificent.”
Solomon nodded. “One wonders who did build it.”
Pharaoh smiled and turned from the balcony back into his royal chambers. Solomon followed.
Within was an expansive hall, all marble and gold, filled with ornate pillars. On one end sat a large golden and ivory throne, surrounded by smaller thrones. A royal red carpet led to the throne. Massive paintings covered the walls and statues of great kings and rulers filled the place.
“Our legends say that Enoch built the Pyramid of Giza. They say he built it as an altar to your Creator,” the Pharaoh led Solomon through the marbled hall, gazing at the various paintings.
“You have a wonderful family,” Solomon whispered, his thoughts still on the beautiful face of Zelemi. He tried to pay attention to the Egyptian ruler but could not help seeing her face in his mind.
“Indeed,” the Pharaoh lifted one eyebrow. “You seem to have taken a liking to my daughter?”
Solomon turned red and swallowed. “She is truly beautiful, even as you said.”
Pharaoh nodded and chuckled. “She is ready to marry, you know.”
Solomon raised his own eyebrows. “She seems so young.”
The wise ruler shrugged. “She is not a year younger than you, my dear king. And what about you? Do you seek a wife?”
Solomon sighed. “My rule has not allowed me to seek such luxuries. And now I must build the Temple my father commissioned me to build. I--”
Pharaoh turned toward Solomon, his gray eyes locked on the king. “Solomon, a king’s life is very busy. But without pleasure and rest, it will all be for naught. Surely your Creator would not want you to spend the best part of your life alone?”
Solomon pursed his lips. “Well, I do have good friends. Benaiah is--”
“A good friend, to be sure,” the Pharaoh finished. “But he can never be a wife.”
“You love your wife very much.” Solomon tried to change the subject.
“Yes. She has made me complete in ways no one else can. Without her, I would not have been able to have the rule your Creator has blessed me with. And nor can you, dear Solomon, if you refuse to take the gift He offers you.”
Solomon shook his head. “You are too kind, Pharaoh. But I must continue to--”
“I know why you came here,” the Pharaoh interrupted as they continued to walk through the vast hall, their footfalls echoing on the marble. “You needed rest. Benaiah contacted me even before you decided to come. He knows you well and loves you much. Still, a trip to Egypt will not give you a lasting rest. A wife can help you with your work. A wife can ease your burden. A wife can do what ten thousand trips to Egypt can never do.”
Solomon stopped and locked his eyes on Pharaoh. “My king, I do not even know your daughter. I have just met her. How could I--”
“Perhaps you should get to know her, my lord. A formal alliance between Egypt and Israel would be welcome to both our peoples. Don’t you think?”
Solomon grinned as he caught the knowing glance of the Pharaoh. “So tell me about his crystal chariot you’ve designed.”
Solomon caught his breath. Standing alone in the royal stable, catching the light of the torches like a jewel, the crystal chariot rose before him. Every wall, every wheel, every part made from pure, transparent crystal, a chariot of glass.
The king rushed forward and carefully opened one door. Solomon stepped up the clear step. Purple cushions covered the crystal seats, giving comfort to the smooth interior. All around him he could see outside, as if sitting in a globe of glass. Truly remarkable.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” A voice called from the open door of the stable.
Solomon looked up at Zelemi, her beautiful hair caught in the wind from outside. She now wore a deep crimson dress, the color of the purest rose.
Solomon quickly rose to his feet. “My Princess Zelemi. I had not expected--”
“My father told me where you were,” she giggled playfully and glided toward the king. “You like it?”
Solomon nodded, and tore his eyes from the beautiful woman. “Very much. I have never seen anything like it.”
Zelemi nodded. “Would you like to ride it?”
Solomon blinked at the woman. “Well, I--”
Zelemi thrust two of her fingers into her mouth and gave a loud whistle. Immediately three servants rushed into the stable.
“Fetch the royal horses and harnesses. The king requests a ride in the chariot.”
The servants bowed before Zelemi and hurried from the stables.
Zelemi smiled and climbed into the chariot, sitting next to Solomon.
“Thank you, princess--”
“Just call me Zelemi.”
Solomon nodded and swallowed. “And call me Solomon.”
In moments the servants returned with four huge war horses, two black, and two a gorgeous amber. They hitched them to the chariot and two of the servants saddled the forward horses, leading the chariot from the stable.
“Very smooth,” Solomon remarked as the wheels seemed to float the chariot forward. They passed into the outer courtyard, the bright mid afternoon sun shining on the chariot. The crystal, craftily designed, managed to catch the sunlight in such a way as to keep the passengers from succumbing to blindness, but to still infuse the walls and ceiling with liquid gold.
“Remarkable,” Solomon breathed.
“You should see it at sunset,” Zelemi said.
The two rode on in silence as the servants led them out one gate and over a bridge that crossed the Nile. Solomon saw huge, dark fishes gliding just beneath the river’s surface.
“You enjoy being a king?” Zelemi asked, her eyes fixed on the king.
“Very much,” Solomon said. “Although, at times, it can be a burden.”
She nodded. “That is why you came here. To rest.”
“Yes. My friend, Benaiah, the captain of my guard, thought it would be a good idea.”
“Is that the only reason you came?” She asked with a slight smile.
Solomon returned the smile. “Oh, I think there might have been other reasons as well. I had heard the beauty in Egypt was simply remarkable. I had never been here before.”
“And? What of the beauty here? Do you find it remarkable?”
Solomon stared at Zelemi dreamily. “Absolutely. I have never seen such beauty.”
Zelemi smiled and looked away, her cheeks turning red. Solomon cleared his throat.
“You like roses, Zelemi?” Solomon asked as the chariot passed over onto the other side of the river. He saw a few of the red flowers clustered in the green grass.
“They are my favorite,” Zelemi whispered.
“Really? Well, then!” Solomon flung open the crystal door, leapt from the chariot and bounded through a field. The servants urged the horses to a halt. In a moment the king returned with a single, red rose. He offered it to Zelemi as he kissed her hand.
Zelemi took the rose and smiled. “You have good eyes.”
As Solomon climbed back into the chariot the servants urged the horses on.
“You would love the gardens at Jersualem. I have entire stretches devoted to all kinds of roses.”
Zelemi’s eyes sparked as she smelled the rose. “I have never been to Israel before. Jerusalem sounds like a wonderful place.”
“Oh, it is. And it is going to be even more wonderful. My father had to make it more like a fortress, and so everything is hard and square. But now I am going to build a Temple for Yah. And I am going to transform Jerusalem into a bride adorned for her husband.”
Zelemi smiled and then looked away sadly. “My father does not like to travel. I have often asked him to take us to Jerusalem but he always refuses.”
Solomon nodded and bit his lip. “I’m sure he would allow you to come with me, if you would like.”
Zelemi smiled brightly. “Oh, that would be wonderful, Solomon!”
The young king smiled and reached up one hand to gently stroke her cheek. “You are very beautiful, Zelemi.”
The princess smiled. “And you seem very noble, Solomon. I hope you enjoy your stay in Egypt. Will you remain long?”
Solomon shrugged. “Perhaps a month. No more. I have pressing business at home.”
Zelemi frowned just a little and nodded. “Then we have much to show you while you are here. One can scarcely see all the wonders of the Nile in a month, let alone Egypt!”
“A month?” Benaiah shouted. Solomon paced back and forth in his lavish guest chamber. Benaiah scratched his red beard in frustration. “That’s not more than a week away! Surely you can spend more than a month here!”
Solomon continued to pace, hands clenched behind his back. “Benaiah, I’ve already put off building the Temple for nearly four years. I’ve got to get back home and to work.”
Benaiah ran his hand through his thick, red hair. “Solomon, please. You need some more rest. And besides, what would Princess Zelemi think--”
Solomon stopped and stared directly at his friend. “Why would Princess Zelemi be a factor in all of this?”
Benaiah lifted his hands in surrender and backed away. “I just thought you would want to get to know her more, that’s all.”
Solomon shook his head, pointing a finger at Benaiah. “No, no, that’s not what you meant. What are you inferring, Benaiah?”
The captain laughed and tried to hide it unsuccessfully. “Oh, come on Solomon, everyone can see how much you love her. And she obviously has feelings for you.”
“She does?” Solomon asked.
“Of course! It’s obvious. You’ve spent almost the entire last three weeks with her. She certainly isn’t hiding her love for you!”
Solomon paused, hands still tightly clenched behind his back, staring into the flames of the fireplace. “Hmm. Well, I suppose we could stay for another month. But that is all. I have to get back to Jerusalem and begin the Temple.”
Solomon stayed in Egypt for nearly six months. And he spent no more than twelve hours apart from Princess Zelemi. Benaiah finally, reluctantly, urged Solomon to return home.
“Yes, of course, you’re right,” Solomon sighed as he stood on his guest balcony with Benaiah, looking out on the twinkling lights of the sprawling capitol.
“We should be gone no later than the end of this week. We could be home in time for Sabbath.”
Solomon nodded again, his face pained and tight, remaining silent.
Benaiah paused, wondering what he should say. And then, finally. “I suppose you’ll be asking for Zelemi’s hand in marriage?”
Solomon slowly turned his head toward Benaiah, his eyebrows raised. “Excuse me?”
Benaiah shrugged. “I’m sure Pharaoh is expecting it.”
“He is?”
“Of course. And so is she, for that matter. In fact . . . I hear she wants to become an Israelite.”
“She does?” Solomon gasped.
Benaiah smiled. “She wants to enter the covenant and become an Israelite. She has grown to love the Creator of Israel.”
Solomon shook his head in wonder. “Well, then, how can we refuse a foreigner who wishes to be . . . how should we say it? Grafted into Israel?”
Benaiah shook his head. “I don’t think we can, my lord.”
Solomon smiled and rubbed his beard excitedly. “Benaiah, I want you to set up an appointment with the Pharaoh tomorrow evening. I have a very important question to ask of him.”
