Sons Of Encouragement - Omnibus by Francine Rivers

Author:Francine Rivers [Rivers, Francine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781414360409
Google: FTJHegEjRiYC
Amazon: 1414348169
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2011-04-17T22:00:00+00:00

Jonathan saw his father change after that day. In the first of his strange bouts of rage, Saul held his head and ranted. “I will not listen! I will not!” Grabbing a goblet, he threw it against a wall. “Why should I listen to you?” He overturned a table.

Men watched from doorways, ducking back when the king turned in their direction. Jonathan, keeping watch outside his father’s chamber, sent them away. He didn’t want anyone to see the king like this. The whole of Israel would be in confusion—and easy prey to enemies—if word spread that Saul was mad.

“He says he’ll end my dynasty!” Saul’s eyes blazed wildly. He ripped his tunic, mumbling. Sweat dripped. Saliva bubbled. “Why should I listen to you when you hate me?” He tore the turban from his head. “Get away from me! Leave me alone!” He swung around. “Abner!”

Abner grabbed Jonathan’s arm, his eyes wide with fear. “We must do something for your father or all will be lost.”

“I don’t know what to do. Talking to him does no good.”

“Abner!”

“Speak with your mother,” Abner whispered, his voice urgent. “Sometimes a woman knows ways to soothe a man’s temper.” He turned and entered the king’s chamber. “Yes, my lord?”

“Have you sent someone to watch Samuel?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I want someone keeping an eye on him at all times. I want to know every move he makes . . .”

Jonathan went to his mother. She was in new quarters, away from the king, who had taken a concubine. A servant led him into the room and he saw his mother working at her loom. She glanced up with a smile that quickly turned to a frown. “Sit. Tell me what troubles you.”

He tried to find words. Looking at the multicolored sash she was making, he forced a smile.

She followed his gaze and ran her hand over her work. “A gift for your father.”

“He will wear it proudly.”

“Did he send you?”

“No.”

She folded her hands. “I’ve heard about his spells, though you and Abner and the rest try to keep it secret.”

Jonathan stood and went to the grated window. He didn’t want to imagine what could happen if word spread. His father was at his most vulnerable.

“Tell me what’s happening, Jonathan. I have been shut away here with my servants.”

“Some men say Father is possessed of an evil spirit.” He thought it more likely Saul’s guilt racked his mind. “But I think it’s something else.”

“What?”

“Sometimes, when I hear what he’s mumbling, I wonder if God isn’t trying to speak to him, and he’s hardening his heart and mind against Him.” He turned. “I don’t know what to do, Mother.”

His mother sat with her head down. Then she rose and came to stand beside him at the window. She looked out for a moment and then faced him. “Your father has always loved the sound of a harp. Perhaps if you found someone to play for him when he suffers these spells—” she put her hand gently on his arm—“he might be soothed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.