The Strength of His Hand (Chronicles of the Kings Book #3) by Austin Lynn

Author:Austin, Lynn [Austin, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2005-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

17

SHEBNA STEPPED OUT of the new chariot he had brought back from his trip as ambassador to Egypt and stood with his hands on his hips, watching the workers hew out his tomb from the rocky cliff face. The monument disappointed him. The pyramid on top looked so much smaller than he’d envisioned.

“Careful! You are taking too much off!” he shouted to the mason chiseling it from the bedrock. “I want to be able to see it from up there.” He pointed to Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley from where they stood.

Shebna wanted this monument to be visible from his palace window; he wanted to gaze down on it from the Temple Mount during the long, boring services. He’d chosen this prominent spot, the highest on the ridge, to build an imposing memorial to himself, knowing that future generations would pay homage at his grave. It must be a tomb fit for a king.

The project foreman walked forward to bow to Shebna, dusting his hands on his tunic. “It will be the most magnificent tomb in Jerusalem, my lord. Except for the king’s, of course.”

“But not as magnificent as the tombs of my ancestors. Have you heard of the great pyramids of Egypt?”

“Who hasn’t, my lord?”

“The Egyptians know how to immortalize their great leaders.” He frowned at the rough pyramid taking shape on top of his tomb, wishing it was larger. Even so, it would be the only tomb that had a pyramid. “You will remember to prepare a large place above the door for the inscription?”

“Of course. It’s on the plans you gave me.”

“Well, make certain you consult those plans once in a while. Take care you do not make a stupid mistake. You cannot put the stone back once you have chiseled it off.”

“I know that, my lord.”

“You are building a memorial that will be looked upon for centuries to come, like the tombs of David and Solomon. I helped bring about this age of prosperity and glory in Judah, and …” Shebna stopped when he saw the foreman’s attention wander to a point beyond his left shoulder. “What are you looking at?”

“Excuse me, sir, but you have company.”

Shebna whirled around to find Isaiah standing beside the new chariot. The rabbi appraised it carefully, running his hands over the blue and gold deities painted on the sides; then he wiped his hands on his thighs as if they had been contaminated.

“Are you looking for me, Rabbi?” Shebna asked. He hoped not. He felt wary of this complex man, distrustful of his secret sources of information. Isaiah had an uncanny knack of guessing the future, and he had used it to manipulate King Hezekiah over the years. He seemed to want to control the king, yet he had refused the palace administrator’s job when Hezekiah had offered it to him. Isaiah was a descendant of the house of David—did he want to be king? Shebna couldn’t make sense of the man.

“Will you answer a question for me?” Isaiah asked politely.

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