The Desires of the Heart by Kathy Hawkins

Author:Kathy Hawkins [Hawkins, Kathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-9337-8
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 1998-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

When Isaac and Jonathan returned to Hebron, Keziah noticed that there was tension between them. “We got what we went after,” Jonathan remarked as they rested on the comfortable couches arranged on the rooftop, where the cooling breezes of the late afternoon. “I don’t see why you don’t put it all to rest now.”

Keziah paused in pouring wine into pottery cups for the men to see her husband’s reaction to his friend’s comment. As she expected, he didn’t want to hear Jonathan’s opinion.

“I can’t just forget what was done to my father. At times I wish I could. I still want to see Joab and David pay for what happened. I am honestly surprised that you can so easily pass over the death of your best friend.”

Jonathan stood abruptly, his face flushed. “If I didn’t believe that grief has distorted your opinions as well as your words, I would have to challenge that insult. I loved Ahiam—knew him for years before you were ever born. I have done what I could to see justice done to the man responsible for his death.

“But you—you accuse me of being a traitor to my friend because I don’t challenge the King right in his palace! You also remove yourself from my service, as if I and all the training I have invested in you are worth nothing.”

He sat down the cup of wine Keziah had handed him and turned to walk away, but Isaac stopped him.

“Wait, Jonathan. Don’t go away angry. Of course I am thankful for what you have done for me. For the training you gave me in the arts of war. But I just cannot serve under Joab anymore. Can’t you understand that?”

Jonathan stopped and turned around to face his friend. “Yes. Yes, I can understand. We will always be friends, won’t we?”

“How could I ever forsake the friend of my father. You are like a brother to me, Jonathan.”

The two men embraced fiercely, then broke apart self-consciously, clearing their throats loudly. Keziah bit back tears at the touching scene.

After Jonathan left, Isaac asked Judith and Keziah how they felt about the news that he was no longer going to be in the army. Judith was thrilled. “I won’t have to spend half my life fearful of receiving word that you have fallen in battle,” she had told him with a kiss on the evening he had returned.

Keziah was also glad he would not be called upon to fight except in a time of national crisis. “But what will you do now?” she wanted to know. Whatever it was, she wanted to help him in his endeavors. She wanted to be a good wife.

“Jonathan and I made inquiries into Talmon’s activities before we left Jerusalem. We learned that he is going to seek the King’s commission as royal merchant as soon as he returns from Gibeah, where he has gone to lick his wounds. I intend to return to Jerusalem before he does and seek the commission for the Via Maris myself.

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