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Benaiah hurried down the hall, his long cloak billowing behind him. He had ridden hard three days straight from Lebanon toward Jerusalem. He could feel the sleepiness in his eyes and the soreness in his shoulders, but he needed to speak with Solomon immediately.
He arrived at the king’s bedchamber and knocked hard.
“Come in,” Solomon’s voice called.
Benaiah saluted the guard and entered the room.
Solomon sat alone before a roaring fireplace, a glass of red wine in one hand. It was late and few gained audience to the king at this hour.
“Where is your wife?” Benaiah asked.
Solomon rose to his feet and smiled. “She is in her palace this evening. We had a bit of a disagreement.”
Benaiah nodded slowly. “I see.” He had heard rumors of disagreements between Solomon and the queen increasing more and more. Until now, he had never seen confirmation. Although, over the last few months, Solomon had deliberately distanced himself from Benaiah.
“I assume you have urgent news from the Egyptian border? I hope everything is in order?” Solomon sipped from his wine.
Benaiah hesitated. Maybe it was the firelight, maybe the darkness of the room, maybe his own lack of sleep . . . but Solomon looked a bit older than usual, lines creasing his face, his eyes heavy and his beard matted. He looked far older than he had just a few months ago when Benaiah had first confronted him with his concerns.
“Actually, I had to leave Egypt prematurely. King Hiram urgently requested my presence.”
Solomon cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, really? How is the old pirate king doing? I haven’t seen him in over two years.”
Benaiah nodded. “He was in good spirits when we spoke. However, it appears there has been some confusion over the compensation for his loss of men in building your canal.”
Solomon shook his head, “What sort of confusion?”
Benaiah drew a deep breath. He prayed Solomon had not really given such ghetto towns as a gift to his ally. “Apparently, your messengers misinformed Hiram that you had given him the suburbs in Galilee.”
Solomon shook his head again. “Well, then, you have wasted your time, Benaiah. There is no confusion. That is exactly what I gave him.”
Benaiah stared at the king in silence. Solomon smiled nervously before looking away. He turned to face the fire. “If that is all then--”
“How could you do this, Solomon?” Benaiah shouted in rage. “How could you even think to do this?”
Solomon remained silent, his back toward his captain.
“Those towns are not fit for the poorest of our people, let alone a king who lost three hundred of his men building your canal! How could you give such a great ally such a terrible gift? Do you value his friendship at all?”
Solomon turned around, his eyes flashing with rage. “I did not think the fool would even tour the cities, let alone whine about them! How was I to know he’d actually go and look at them?”
“So you hoped he wouldn’t and then you’d get away with giving him dirt for the gold he gave you?”
Solomon threw his wine glass into the fire and swore. “You haven’t changed a bit! Ever since you accused me of . . . how did my wife put it . . .drifting, you’re always hunting for some hidden evil in me. Is that what you want? You want to see me fall?”
Benaiah stared at the rage in his friend and felt tears of sadness sting his eyes. “Perhaps I have not changed . . . but you have changed much. Even from just a few months ago. You seem very different, Solomon.”
“Yes, well, we all change, Benaiah. It is the way of things,” Solomon snapped. “I gave Hiram the cities because yes, I thought he wouldn’t care what I gave him. I’ve given him gifts before that he considered a trifle. Was I to throw away twenty of our best cities just because his men were too stupid to keep themselves from getting killed?”
Benaiah shook his head. “They were killed because you were rushing the workers. Others tried to warn you to slow down but you didn’t listen. They died because of your hastiness. And yet, even then, when Hiram knew the truth, he did not condemn you. He trusted you, Solomon. He still trusts you! Don’t throw away his friendship just because you don’t want to give away a little bit of your wealth. Lord knows you have enough!”
Solomon folded his arms, his face dark in the shadows of the firelight. “I have given Hiram all that he deserves. The king of Israel does not second guess himself. He does not reconsider the gifts he gives. If Hiram is not thankful, then it sounds like his heart is the one that needs healing. Perhaps you should go enlist in his service, Benaiah. You seem to enjoy pointing out the faults of others!”
Benaiah bowed curtly and nodded. “Very well, my king, I will deliver your message. I’m sure king Hiram will be very . . . pleased that there was no misunderstanding in the delivery of the gift.”
Benaiah quickly left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Hiram fingered his eye patch as he watched Benaiah, captain of the Israelite guard, closest friend to Solomon next to his own wife, kneel before him.
“You return before the week is out, Captain. Your word is true, as always,” Hiram grunted, helping the captain to his feet.
“I have returned with Solomon’s reply,” Benaiah spoke softly.
Hiram nodded. “Have you now? Well, before we get into that, I’d like to show you something.”
Hiram limped through the small court toward the back wall. He tapped his wooden leg against a stone jutting from the wall and a secret passage unfolded before him. Winding steps led up into flickering torch light.
“Follow me, captain!” Hiram said as he wobbled up the steps. Benaiah followed.
The stone steps spiraled up and up until they finally led onto the highest turret of Hiram’s squat fortress. The full moon shone bright and clear in the frosty night, stars blue and cold. Benaiah drew his cloak tight about his shoulders. Hiram limped his way to a low wall, about three feet high and looked out onto the wooded plains of Lebanon.
“My kingdom,” Hiram said softly.
Benaiah stood next to the king, looking at the broad sweep of the forest, dressed in sparking silver dew in the cold autumn night.
“Did you know how big this forest was ten years ago?” Hiram asked as he gazed across the land.
Benaiah shook his head. “No.”
“It was twice this size, covering half of Lebanon. Do you know why it is so small now?”
Benaiah again shook his head.
“Well, most of the wood I’ve given to your king to build his palaces and roads and canals and forts and walls. I say given because over half of what I sent to him he never paid me for.”
“Excuse me?” Benaiah choked on the words.
Hiram nodded and smacked his lips. “That’s right. Never paid me for. I don’t know if it was just that he forgot or he thought I forgot or perhaps a little of both . . . but until a few years ago, I had really never noticed. For a long time every time your king requested my help, he would pay me either before I helped him or just as soon as I did. I had grown to trust him. He was a man of his word.”
Benaiah nodded wordlessly.
“But when I began to realize just how much he had taken without giving back, I thought I had better keep track of what he paid me. That is why I made such a bug fuss out of this compensation. You see, captain?”
Benaiah nodded again. “And even if it had not been the case, to receive such a pitiful gift would have caused any ruler to question the authenticity of the gift.”
Hiram nodded and sighed. He turned his good eye at Benaiah. His thick, red beard had tinged with gray. “I’m old, captain Benaiah. Old and tired. I don’t imagine I’ll be around much longer. I don’t mind . . . I’m growing weary of this world.”
He sighed again. “But I don’t think you need to tell me what Solomon’s message is. I think I have already guessed it.”
Benaiah lowered his face in shame. He felt such pity for this dear king. He, more than Solomon, had seen the dear love David had for Hiram. David had even hoped to win the old, crusty leader over to the Lord one day. Perhaps he would have succeeded had his son carried on his legacy.
“Solomon has changed, my lord. He’s not the same man I knew even a few months ago. I don’t know what it is . . . but he’s changed.”
Hiram grunted and nodded. “I expected as much. Power tends to do that to a man. Especially the immense power your king has received. Makes one wonder if all his blessings were not really a curse.”
Benaiah nodded. “Our Torah says that when our hearts turn to evil, our blessings become our curses.”
Hiram nodded. “And a wise Torah you have. Wiser than even your king, I dare say.”
“I promise, I will do everything in my power to persuade Solomon to give--”
“No, no, no,” Hiram chuckled. “He’s made up his mind. Although, he can keep the Galilean ghettos. That’s fine. I’ve grown used to Solomon’s arrogance even when you probably did not see it. Your king has to make his own choices.”
Benaiah sighed deeply. “Is there anything I can do for you, my lord?”
Hiram fingered his eye patch and shrugged. “Not for me, Benaiah. Like I said, I’m ready to die soon. I’ve lived my life. Maybe it hasn’t been as blessed as your king’s, but it has been blessed. I’m content with what I have.” He fixed his eye on the captain. “But if there is one person who needs you, it is Solomon. I know you are, or at least were a close friend to him. His wife can do only so much. Even if he pushes you away, he needs you. Your king is passing into darkness, Benaiah. He needs you to pull him back to the light.”
Benaiah stared at Hiram in wonder. For an uncircumcised man, he sure seemed to possess keen wisdom.
Hiram’s eyes twinkled. “You look surprised.”
Benaiah felt his face burn red. “No, I mean . . . well, yes . . . it’s just that I have never heard you--”
“Speak that way before?” Hiram laughed, patting Benaiah roughly on the back. “Yes, well, I am getting old and probably a bit senile. Still . . .”
His voice trailed off as he stared into the night sky. Benaiah saw tears form in the old king’s eyes. “You know . . . I’ve never really told anyone this. But I do miss David. He was such a dear friend.”
Benaiah nodded in silence.
Hiram laughed, wiping away his tears. “Crying like a damned baby.”
“You are one of the most noble uncircumcised Gentiles I have ever met,” Benaiah spoke with respect.
Hiram glanced up at Benaiah and smiled wryly. “Who said I was uncircumcised?”
Benaiah stared at Hiram with a gaping mouth. “Well, I . . . you are circumcised?”
Hiram laughed again and shrugged. “Like I said, your Torah has much wisdom. I decided it might be best to start following it.”
Benaiah felt tears rising to his own eyes. “I couldn’t agree with you more.”
Benaiah had rarely ventured into the emerald palace of Queen Rebecca. To him, the whole domed structure reminded him of the darkness Solomon appeared to be entering. But this time he had no choice.
He entered the immense palace, round golden walls reaching high up to the concave green ceiling. His boots echoed on the marble floor as he headed toward a corridor diving deeper into the palace.
Rebecca, dressed in her favorite green robes, emerged from the corridor before Benaiah even finished crossing the sanctuary. Half a dozen servant maids followed close behind her. “Captain Benaiah? Is there something wrong?”
Rebecca knew Benaiah despised this place. What would bring him here?
Benaiah’s face looked grave, his face white, sharply contrasting with his red beard. “I have just returned from Lebanon for the second time this week. I thought it best to talk with you rather than the king.”
Rebecca’s face tightened with sadness. Benaiah could see her eyes dampen. “I did hear about the gift Solomon sent to Hiram. We argued and I haven’t seen Solomon for three days.”
Benaiah nodded. “I also had an argument with your husband. I had hoped the whole thing was a misunderstanding. I suppose I knew better. Still . . . I had prayed that at least Solomon might have reconsidered.”
Rebecca shook her head mournfully as the two walked the perimeter of the hall.
“Hiram is old and greatly changed from when last he was here.” Rebecca looked at the captain with concern. “Actually, he has changed for the better. Did you know he is now walking in the Covenant?”
Rebecca raised her hand to her mouth. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely,” Benaiah said. “It was the one highlight of my trip.”
“Glory to Yah!” Rebecca laughed.
Benaiah nodded tightly. “Indeed. However, Hiram cannot overlook this gift. It is a slap in the face for his entire kingdom. Were you aware that for the past ten years, Solomon has not fully paid Hiram for all the services and materials supplied to him?”
Rebecca’s forehead furrowed. “No, I was not. Ten years? Isn’t that stealing?”
Benaiah shook his head. “That’s what I would call it. Although I think it would be fruitless for either of us to bring it up to Solomon. I’ve heard him several times in the past decade talk about how he thinks Hiram should pay tribute . . . but I always thought he was only joking.”
Rebecca shook her head. “This is not like Solomon. He must believe he is not stealing.”
Benaiah nodded in agreement. “I am sure he does. He probably thinks he is merely exacting overdue tribute from a rebellious subject. Either way, it is wrong. Why else would Solomon be so secretive about it?”
“He knew we would not see it his way,” Rebecca spoke softly. A pained expression covered her face. “Benaiah, what is happening to my husband?”
Benaiah stopped and faced the beautiful woman whom he had grown to love like a sister. “Rebecca, Hiram has decided never to speak or do business with Solomon again. He told me that he does not think your husband is the same great man he once knew. He thinks Solomon’s power is going to his head.”
Rebecca looked even more worried. “He is in the middle of building that huge castle in the Jordan plains. He was planning on ordering a shipment of cedar from Hiram next week.”
Benaiah smiled grimly. “Good. We’ll let him discover that his ally is no longer willing to pay “tribute”. We need to pray for him, Rebecca. This may be enough to wake him up. Let’s hope so anyway.”
Rebecca nodded. A pained expression filled her face again and she suddenly grabbed her stomach. Benaiah caught her arm and kept her from stumbling.
“My queen? Are you all right?”
Rebecca nodded and swallowed hard. “Don’t tell Solomon. But I am pregnant.”
Benaiah’s eyes widened. “That is wonderful!”
Rebecca shook her head. “Yes, it would be under other circumstances, but right now I am not even speaking with my husband. I will tell him when it is time. In the meantime, I agree. Let us continue to pray for him. If we can’t wake him up, perhaps Hiram’s lack of friendship will.”
Solomon sat in his crystal chariot as his entourage led him over the Judean plains. On the horizon he could see the towering husk of a fortress, its spires cutting through the early morning sky. The fortress, all silver, obsidian and diamond, would act as a mere foreshadow of the beauty just beyond in Jerusalem. The obsidian road leading into Jerusalem would begin at the foot of this fortress, reminding all who traveled here of the might and glory of his kingdom.
As the sun began blazing across the rolling countryside, the royal entourage arrived at the almost finished fortress. The back half still remained unfinished, a design Solomon had engineered using cedar from Lebanon. That shipment should arrive today or tomorrow.
How glorious, Solomon thought as his chariot slowly circled the immense structure.
A galloping horse thundered across the plain toward the fortress. Several trumpets blasted. Solomon opened his carriage door as the rider on the horse reached Benaiah and jumped off his stead. Benaiah nodded quickly and brought the rider to Solomon’s chariot.
“A messenger from Lebanon, Solomon!” Benaiah announced as he led the wiry young man toward the king.
Solomon jumped out of the chariot and nodded at the young man. “You bring news of the shipment of cedar, I presume?”
The young man bowed low, his face grim for one so young. “My lord and king, King Hiram refuses to supply you any cedar at all. In fact, he would have me tell you that the next Israelite soldier found in Lebanon will be killed on sight.”
Solomon stared at the young man in stunned silence. Suddenly he began to laugh. Benaiah raised his eyebrows.
“This must be some sort of joke!” Solomon said through his laughter. “Hiram is cutting me off? Surely he is in jest!”
“No, my lord and king, I can assure you he is not. I would not recommend sending any more armed Israelites into Lebanon. He has declared you a thief and would have me tell you that he never wants to see your face again. Or the face of any of your servants.”
Solomon’s laughter stopped immediately. His face turned red. He looked at Benaiah, his eyes cold and angry. “You realize what Hiram is doing? He is putting our two lands in a state of war.”
Benaiah shook his head. “Solomon, I encourage you to walk carefully. He has a powerful army.”
“What would it take to send our men into Lebanon and conquer it?”
Benaiah shook his head in horror. “My lord, that would be suicide! The land is rocky and filled with forests. They know the terrain far better than we do. You would lose half your army and still not be assured a victory.”
Solomon cursed and kicked at the dirt. He waved away the young rider. “You may go now.”
He bowed and hurried away. Benaiah leaned close to Solomon, his voice low. “Solomon, don’t do anything rashly. If you were to go to war against Lebanon, you would suffer great losses. Too great to imagine.”
Solomon slammed his fist against the side of the chariot. How dare that idiot pirate king treat me this way! I have ever been his trusted ally, always paying him handsomely for his services, and now he treats me like this? “I need that timber to finish this project. What is he thinking?”
Benaiah hesitated and stared at the frustration on his friend’s face. “Why do you think he would call you a thief, Solomon?”
Solomon lifted his hands in anger. “How should I know? He’s a pirate! The fool probably doesn’t know the difference between . . .” His voice trailed off. So the old fool finally figured it out, has he?
Benaiah waited, his lips pursed.
Solomon took a deep breath and nodded. “Very well. If king Hiram wants to act like a baby, so be it. We can finish the project with stone. It won’t look as beautiful, but it will have to do.”
Benaiah sighed. “You may still be able to salvage your relationship with Hiram, Solomon.”
Solomon shook his head and stepped back into his chariot. “I won’t try to salvage something that is unworthy of my time. I have treated Hiram with the utmost respect. I don’t have time chasing down every person who is jealous of my wealth. I’m sure one day he’ll come to me and ask forgiveness.”
Solomon shut the chariot door. He did not see the pained expression on his friend’s face.
Rebecca softly knocked on the door of Solomon’s bed chamber. It was very late but she had not seen her husband for over two weeks.
“Come in.” She heard her husband’s voice. It sounded tired. Weary.
She softly pressed open the door. Her husband sat on his bed, his head in his hands, his black hair disheveled. He looked up, bags under his eyes.
“My love,” Solomon smiled wearily. “I thought it was Benaiah.”
She closed the door softly behind her. Only the last embers of an ill kept fire lit the large bedchamber. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“Oh, it’s not a disappointment, believe me. The last thing I need now is Benaiah to come in here pointing out more of my faults.”
She nodded and crossed over to the bed. She gently sat next to him, resting one hand on his arm. “I’ve missed you, my dear husband.”
Solomon nodded. “I’ve missed you too. I’m . . . I’m sorry for the way I’ve behaved. It was a foolish argument.”
Rebecca nodded. “And it was none of my business. What you give to Hiram is up to you.”
Solomon smiled and embraced his wife. “Well, maybe you were right. He’s not speaking with me anymore. He won’t even send my materials. Some ally, eh?”
Rebecca stroked her husband’s beard. “Hiram’s emotions run deep. I’m sure you may be able to salvage your relationship with him.”
Solomon smiled. “You sound just like Benaiah.”
Rebecca rubbed Solomon’s shoulders gently. “You are very tense.”
Solomon moaned softly as he let her fingers work into his back.
“So, I take it you have patched things up with Benaiah?”
Solomon shrugged. “I suppose. He led the entourage out to the fortress today. And he did help me through some matters when I learned of Hiram’s foolishness. I think we are working things out.”
“Good, good,” Rebecca said softly. “I would like to join you tonight.”
Solomon smiled up at her. “You are so beautiful, you know that?”
She nodded and laughed, “I know.”
Solomon gently kissed his wife. “I would like you to join me tonight as well.”
Their next kiss was long and passionate.
Rebecca drew back, a smile tugging at her lips. “I do have some exciting news for you.”
“Oh?” Solomon gazed at her lovely face.
“In about eight months, you are going to be a father.”
Solomon eyes widened. He stared at Rebecca for what felt to her like an eternity. Is he angry? Was this really the best time to tell him?
Suddenly a wave of joy filled his bearded face. And, just like that, Rebecca saw her old husband return, as if he had never left.
“We’re having a baby! A baby!” Solomon whooped as he embraced Rebecca close to him. “How long have you know? Have you told anyone? A baby!”
“I only knew for sure a week ago. I did tell Benaiah. I wanted to wait until you were ready. I know how hard things have been for you lately.”
For twenty years they had gone without a child. Solomon had assumed Rebecca was barren and had built the lavish palace as a means to somehow make up for the lack of offspring.
Solomon’s weariness seemed to evaporate as his broad smile spread ever larger across his beard. “A baby. I’m going to be a father! You’re going to be a mother!”
Rebecca nodded, putting her arms around his neck. “If it is a boy, you will have an heir for the throne, just like the Lord promised you.”
Solomon nodded, staring into the burning embers, his eyes twinkling. “A baby.”
