Jonathan's Shield by Channing Turner

Author:Channing Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Published: 2016-02-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David.

1 Samuel 19:1a NIV

I had expected to find Gibeah still in celebration over the royal wedding of David and Michal, but instead, merchants and townsfolk shot anxious glances at me as I rode past them upon my return in the afternoon. The whole city seemed subdued. I was shocked to hear from Yair at the barracks that Saul had tried to kill David the night before by lunging at him with a spear. I soon found Zelig sitting alone on a stone block at the training site and sat down beside him to hear the whole story.

The old warrior fidgeted. “The king had wanted Prince Jonathan and others to kill David. I know because he sent for you too, Commander. He seemed disappointed you were gone.” He looked at me strangely, no doubt wondering what I would have done had I been there.

I wondered, myself.

Zelig hitched his sword belt and shifted on his seat. “Jonathan talked him out of it and even got his father to swear an oath that he wouldn’t have David put to death. Everything seemed fine until last night.”

“Last night?”

“It’s that damned spirit—that evil that comes up over Saul like a croc out of murky water.” He slapped his knees. “David dodges the spearhead again and runs. Leaves his harp behind. That’s all I know of it, Commander.”

“Did David go back to his brigade today?”

“No, I suppose he’s decided to stay out of sight in his house. Anything else he does now is likely to agitate the king.”

“Yes. That would not be a wise thing to do.” I paused, wondering how much time I had before my duties would consume me. “Have all the men returned from leave yet?”

“Most of them. Every company reports at least ninety so far. More trickle in every day. You gave them until tomorrow.”

“Yes, that’s right.” I stood up. “We’ll muster them here tomorrow an hour after dawn. No doubt they all need to be purged of the wine they’ve been drinking. A run around the dung heap will start the sweat flowing again.”

Zelig peered up at me, his eyes narrowed. “You’re going to the palace now?”

I nodded. “I am. I will see what else I can find out.”

He reached up and grabbed my wrist. “Don’t get mixed up in this business, Commander. There’s an evil in the air. Madness rules us.”

I shook off his hand. “You worry too much, Zelig. I never thought I would see you fret like this. I’m only going to ask Nathon what happened. I’ll not get involved.”

He stepped back and looked toward the hills. “There’s more, Commander.” Still looking away, he rubbed his mouth uneasily.

“Then tell me, Zelig.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “There should be no secrets between us.”

“I am uncomfortable with this, Commander,” he replied, “yet it is better you hear this from me than from others.” He stood and faced me. “Rumors have been coming out of Bethlehem.”

“And

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