The Choice of Humility Part 1

     I was a servant boy in the service of King Saul of Israel. I had just come into his service after the victory against the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. I was to attend to the king and his sons. My main undertaking was to serve King Saul in whatever he needed. Even before I began my servitude to King Saul, I had heard great things about Jonathan, the king's firstborn son, in the songs of our country, but he did not spend much of his time at the king's house. I rarely saw him, but from what I heard, he always seemed to be in the company of a lowbred shepherd boy named David. Apparently, that shepherd boy was the one who fought the giant of Gath and killed him. All Israel loved David and it seemed that since that battle against the Philistines, no one wanted my master, King Saul, to reign over Israel. Even the king's son, Jonathan, befriended David. I was astonished to hear that after David's defeat of Goliath, Jonathan even made a covenant with David, giving his robe and armor to him. I was amazed by this contemptible act; this was going too far for a son of the king! How could Jonathan neglect the responsibility of his inevitable ascension to the throne and disrespect his father the king by associating with this boy? I could not understand what Jonathan saw in David to make him want to befriend him. But my confusion and anger about Jonathan and David's friendship was nothing to the outrage and dissatisfaction of King Saul towards David. My king was only concerned about fulfilling his duties as the ruler of this nation. How could a boy from Bethlehem change what my king would accomplish?
     Only a short time after our victory over the Philistines, when David seemed to be stealing the hearts of the people of Israel, King Saul brought David, also a skillful musician, to his house to play the lyre for him because the king had increasing fits of anger that could only be soothed by music. Before I led David into the king's presence I would tell King Saul,

"O king, you know the heart of all Israel and even your son Jonathan are turned against you and they are waiting only for the right time to come behind your servant David and make him king. Now, he is coming to play the lyre for you, take this spear and do what your hand finds to do." 

     So while David played his lyre King Saul, my king kept his spear in his hand. I waited in my place to attend the king. David came in and paid homage to the king and began to play for him. When David had almost finished his song, he turned his gaze away from King Saul and my king saw his chance. He threw the spear; I was already exulting in the death of this lowly warrior-singer whose goal it seemed to be to usurp the throne. But no! The king had missed his target. David was on his feet immediately and already out the door of the hall of the king's house before he could be stopped.
     King Saul called me to him in great rage, 

     "Go gather the guards!" 

     I hastened to the guard room as fast as I could to alert the guards. When all had gathered, my king sent them to watch the house of David. My king ordered his guards, servants, and also his children that if anyone should see David, they were to kill him. Hours went by while the guards vigilantly watched David's house. Somehow, David eluded our watchful men. Again my king called me into his court. He was slightly calmer. I came and bowed down before him. He informed me, 

     "I am giving you into the charge of Jonathan, my eldest son, who loves David. You must attend him and report to me anything you find concerning the two." 

     I was honoured to have such an opportunity to bring information to help my king restrain any traitorous revolution. Here was a chance to show my worth to King Saul.
     That day I entered into the service of Jonathan, my king's son. I began watching his every move, learning his habits, looking for any clues to Jonathan's friendship with David. Every day I would report back to King Saul with anything that might help him to find David and finally overcome the rebellion within his kingdom. The more time I spent in Jonathan's service, the more I heard him talk of David. Most often he would talk of David's humility and his obedience and trust of Yahweh. But when Jonathan spoke of David becoming king of Israel, my anger arose. Why did Jonathan want anything to do with this boy if he threatened Jonathan's right to the throne?

When the New Year Begins

Everyone who blogs must have a first post; a first post to tell their audience why they are now blogging and maybe what they are blogging about.

For many years I have been writing short stories. A few trusted people read them and then they went and sat in a corner of my computer or maybe they even got printed and then sat on a bookshelf. I've wanted to share these stories with others, but my fear of displeasure, judgement, or mockery have made me put these stories back in their corner.

As many beginnings start with a new year (and encouragement from friends!), I will start this year with a goal to continue to craft stories and share them with others whoever that may be! This may result in my discovering that displeasure, judgement or mockery do indeed exist! Whether I receive encouragement or criticism I hope to learn from this experience.

I hope you will enjoy joining me in the wandering streams...

"And then we saw it, through the mist and across green fields; standing majestic and magical, pointing to the heavens, but broken from the fall. Years of life and death were spent here, hope sprung and brokenness healed, sadness borne -- life lived. The ages have worn their work on the ancient walls, roofs, and arches, but it still has the beauty of the work that men can weave into stone. Broken, yes, but even still, beautiful and magical." -Impressions of Rievaulx Abbey, 2013