Chapter 6

-Chapter 6-

Not as easy as relieving oneself

"Not another word out of anyone on the matter of Saul, lest my anger be kindled again--as well as David's," came Joab's ultimatum, quickly quieting down the masses that had grown restless over the outcome of the chance encounter turned by an act of mercy of all things.

"What was needed to be said has been spoken. The line has been drawn, so I will not tolerate any crossers either," affirmed Josheb before letting out a sigh. "Now let us warm by the fire and enjoy the first true moment of peace we have had since the day the giant fell."

Many troubled looks remained troubled, even of The Thirty. It took a moment for them all to comprehend the truth behind Josheb's words beyond the torment of knowing how much further comforted they would have been with the death of a key enemy. Of all the men, it was Uriah that showed the first signs of conceding to joy over the uncomfortable victory.

"This makes one step closer to being able to return home to my sweet Bathsheba. I can think of no greater bliss than this moment. It rivals even the moment Goliath was no more," he nearly sang. The name he mentioned forced those around him to cast a spit to the ground out of disgust to the "over sized Baal worshiper." After that display, the idea conveyed began to spread as Ira of Tekoa spoke up as well.

"The skirmish we won against those rats who invaded Keilah might now get the son of Ikkesh renown as he yet lives while being in David's company."

One after the other, men from the entire company--even those not of The Thirty made known of what could now bring them happiness in light of the situation. Aside from the others, The Three conversed amongst themselves.

"Still, I myself cannot quite understand what stayed David's hand. I've seen the man split skulls of Philistines I would consider less worthy the deed than our accursed king," pondered Eleazar.

"If a better time ever presents itself, I hope he doesn't grow soft. Yet on the other hand, it seems fitting his compassion. Mark how he is able to split skulls during the daylight, yet when the sun wanes he takes that harp out and sings to God with the heart of a child," Shammah then remarked.

"I wonder what brought the accursed king within here, and at unawares as he was," Josheb poked as he surveyed the very footsteps left behind by the anointed ones. A misplaced step then brought a swift and unfavorable smelling answer to his quandary.

"Relieving himself seems to fit that stench," joked Eleazar.

"Covering his feet so close to where we eat. What could ever get as unnerving as this, I shudder to imagine," stated Shammah. The rest of the company had silenced as their attention was now drawn to The Three. Josheb pointed to the nearest junior soldier.

"Don't just gawk! Fetch a man some water."

Heleb of Netophah nodded and did what was told of him, with a notable grin as his back was turned.

"Asahel, I haven't heard you say anything you long for from home," noted Uriah, yet with  poor result as far as getting the lad to speak up. Even the other five or so who tried to get a word out of the son of Zeriuah were unsuccessful. At length, the boy did speak though.

"I would rather be like the commander, at least as much as wanting nothing at this moment. Speak to me no more!" He implored those around him to little avail as they scoffed at the mention of David. Silence reigned once more though as Asahel chucked the cup in his hand to the wall and made to storm off for fresh air. He was caught short by Josheb, gently so.

"Hold yourself, son of Zeriuah. Now, you can help your elder as he gives you counsel once more," the Tehchemonite said, motioning to the basin held by Hereb. Only with a scowl did Asahel obey the man, taking the basin to pour over Josheb's foot. "If the mercy David showed to our enemy troubles you, then think of it this way; it is far easier to relieve oneself than take the life of another man. Especially if--by the LORD's grace alone such a man is anointed more worthy than other men. I know this might not comfort you, but I will certainly tell you of a time we Three overheard David himself wanting. It happened late a night when we were still in the cave of Adullum, long after Benaiah told his story. The commander said aloud that he strongly desired water of Bethlehem. The torment we could sense in his soul made it impossible for Shammah, Eleazar, or myself to do anything else but oblige the request of such a noble man's heart. I'll tell the full of the tale, as it might make David's reason tonight seem more clear when you hear of what he did with the water The Three verily retrieved from the wells of Bethlehem. All in one night. It was like a night rarely seen in Israel, or perhaps it was just the hour in which we set out..."

Chapter 5

-Chapter 5-

The Rock of Escape

"Come, son of Zeruiah! The daylight is wasting," Eleazar urged Asahel as The Three made their way through the woods

"What is so important that you take me from my duties?" he asked in dire response.

"We know your brother won't speak further, wisdom or no concerning your reaction to the news we received at Keilah. Regardless, we figured you like us could do well to give a listen to this last Psalm our commander has written this morning," Josheb explained.

"I could think of no greater honor," stated Asahel with extra bounce in his step. Eleazar let out a grunt of a laugh.

"Being a good soldier as you are, you know better. A soldier knows no greater honor than dying for his God and country, and being beside his fellows to the last of his days," the man chided more playfully than scornful or joking.

"You know, the commander has written a Psalm at about every stop we've made so far," stated Shammah bringing the intended subject matter back to their mouths.

"By Sheol, what about?" inquired Asahel.

"You should be more careful in what you compare with that word, boy. David's Psalms mostly are, strange as it is, spoken to God and if you listen rightly you will know it is God Himself speaking through the words as well," then elaborated Eleazar. "The one he wrote before this one David titled "The Steadfast Love of God Endures," and he wrote it as his own response to the works of Doeg, the accursed."

""But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God." That was one of the best lines I've heard the commander come up with yet," quoted Shammah with reverence.

"Something should have been written of the rock that about saved our hides from Saul. I could hear the sound of his horses and chariots, as he was nearly upon us," came Asahel wondering what big deal it was comparing oneself to an olive tree.

"The Rock of Refuge!" Eleazar obliged. Shammah disagreed.

"That sounds like something David would come up with. Best let him use it then."

"Besides, that rock was no refuge. The Rock of Running it should be, for that's all we did going around it," poked Josheb.

"The Rock of Divisions, as it divided us from Saul and thus we escaped," came Asahel at last. Shammah and Eleazar nodded to each other, rather impressed by the young man.

"We have a priest in our company now, so perhaps he could be a scribe for us and record this as such. Rock of Divisions, indeed," suggested Josheb, at least sounding impressed. The conversation died, though as the sound of harp strings could now be heard.

Chapters 1-4

The 37: Mighty Men

written by Caleb Ciacelli

Based on the Bible

-Chapter 1-

The Presence

"So how feel you, Shammah, to be eating like the sons of Aaron?" came the question of the day it seemed as Eleazar took another morsel of bread between his fingers and smiled after it was stuffed behind his lips.

"I know it should make me feel uneasy, yet hunger would be far worse," came Shammah's reply, his eyes gazing at Abishai as he was scolding his younger brother.

"Not so much, Asahel! There isn't much to go around. These are the times to calm your stomach for the sake of others."

"I think you should let the boy have his fill, son of Zeruiah." stated one of The Three.

"I concur with Josheb on this one. I think after a good hard meal we might be able to see fire in the cub's eyes once more," added Eleazar, which made those surrounding the cub in question erupt with laughter.

"Like at the battle of Socoh!" came Benaiah.

"The battle of Socoh, indeed."

"I remember the tyke trying to keep up with you. I had to intervene more than once when those Phillistines had the courage to turn and fight."

"I remember you trying to put your sword down," came Asahel's retort, which was well accepted by all but his brothers who were embarrassed by the boy's arrogant tone.

"Right! I almost had to send you to get a flask of oil for him or I thought we'd still see his hand wrapped around that hilt today!" Shammah said, unable to contain his snickering (nor the crumbs from escaping his mouth).

"What can I say?" Eleazar conceded, "I still think it was because my hand wanted more of them to put to the dirt."

"Do you remember relieving the dead of their gear following after the son of Dodo, brother?" interjected Abishai, putting focus on Asahel again.

"Not as much as the stench of your clothes when you made me wash the blood from them!"

"Now, that couldn't have been much worse than when we had to slay the two-hundred and shave their loins," interjected Eleazar.

"All for some woman. That was dirty business. As The LORD breathes, I hope we never have to do that again." Shammah added. To this remark, several other men nodded, murmuring in further agreement "as The LORD breathes."

"Hey, Uriah. Would you pay a price of two-hundred foreskins to take Bathsheba?" asked Asahel, not knowing anyone else to tease.

"I don't believe the best time to mention a man's wife is when he eats the bread of the Presence." came the Hittite's response.

-Chapter 2-

The way to Gath

"Is that sword he's carrying now the one I think it is?" Eleazar asked his counterparts.

"Without a single doubt," assured Shammah.

"It's a good blade. It's made of iron," said Josheb with a stroke across his beard.

"Well, those Philistines do know how to make a sword at least. How many would you guess that blade has felled already, Shammah?"

"In the hands of that giant of a man? At least three hundred. What do you think, Josheb?"

"With the sheen on that, it couldn't have been more than what this spear of mine has sent to Sheol."

"Eight-hundred is a hard number to best," nodded Eleazar as he removed a stone from his sandal.

"A few words, if I may," piped up Abishai from behind The Three.

"You may, son of Zeruiah. What troubles you?" replied Josheb.

"There was a man back in Nob, Doeg I think his name was. I saw malice in his eyes the moment he first saw us."

"Indeed," nodded Josheb. "Our commander noticed that as well."

"Why then has David done nothing about him?"

"There's naught we can do for fear of Saul catching wind of it. The man is but a herdsman anyway," interjected Eleazar. "I wouldn't worry much for it, Abishai."

"The commander was but a shepherd," speculated Shammah.

"Either way, the commander is aware of the man, yet his orders were to make for Gath. So that is our course of action," confirmed Josheb, switching the shoulder he let his spear rest on. The conversation died a little exposing the one going on behind them.

"So that was who we slew the two-hundred for; David to take Michal?" marveled Asahel as he talked with his oldest brother.

"I'm surprised. You really didn't know what we were fighting for that day?" Joab in turn marveled at.

"A good soldier simply follows orders without question. Had I need to know, I would have known for my commander would have told me."

"LORD have mercy. My brother knows his purpose on the battlefield. Now don't you forget what you tell me here, for I will remember to hold you to it from now on."

"At least I know that we were fighting for David to take one of Saul's daughters. That is a prize worth mentioning," stated Asahel with much enthusiasm.

"A woman of quality. She saved the commander by helping his escape from Saul to begin with," Shammah remarked.

"I still wonder what price she paid for defying her father that way," followed Eleazar thoughtfully. "But in honesty, had I been Saul, Michal would have been David's the very day he took down that oversized Baal worshiper."

"Consider yourself blessed by the LORD not be the king. I still remember the days he had conflict with the prophet Samuel. Saul opposes God, ...and danger resides in his very footsteps because of it," concluded Joab.

-Chapter 3-

The smell of Adullam

"I didn't like it," Asahel reaffirmed. "I did not like seeing my commander act as such. What shame does he know, to act like a madman and get thrown out of a king's presence the way he did?"

"What choice did he have? You heard the way the servants of Achish not only recognized us for who we were, but remarked on the very words that kindled Saul's jealousy toward the commander," defended Benaiah of Pirathon.

"Choice? There could have been more dignifying choices to make other than wetting one's beard with their spit!"

"Needless to say, brother," interrupted Abishai, "We are better off now, out of reach of any king who could be against us, and now with greater numbers by our side."

Benaiah of Kabzeel stirred as he spoke.

"Out of reach, yes. But this greater number of our company gives me no comfort."

"This, coming from the son of Jehoiada?" pondered Abishai.

"There is more of us, yes. But only near to four-hundred. More easy are we to be found and routed now than to find strength enough to fend off Saul's army with yet so little."

"Is this the measure of faith of one who struck down not one, but two airels of Moab?" Joab then challenged.

"By Sheol, what is an ariel?" Asahel couldn't help but inquire.

"The LORD GOD be praised if you never have to find out for yourself, son of Zeruiah," Benaiah remarked in such a tone to state so 'in all due respect.' "I suppose you and Abishai do me justice, though to remind me of that. Considering who it is I follow today is what gives me true comfort out here. I said it in my heart the day he slew the giant, 'I'd follow David into the heart of Gath if I had to' and behold, we have and have yet survived doing so."

"Well said, Benaiah," remarked Josheb as he and The Three joined the group.

"What's on the commander's mind? Does he have a strategy laid out?" came some among several other questions from The Thirty. 

"The minstrel in him is at it again right now, I'm afraid. David is writing yet another Psalm. Yet, this is good for we are for once able to at least consider staying in one place long enough for a moment's rest," assured Shammah.

"Perhaps this would be a good time as any to tell the tale of that Egyptian you ran into once, Benaiah," suggested Eleazar, putting the rest of The Thirty at ease yet equally as curious to what story was being referred to.

"Very well, then," conceded gladly the son of Jehoiada. "You see, I had once encountered this man from Egypt, who was a fair looking young man. Very spry and well groomed he was."

"Was he a prince, this man?" one of the listeners asked playfully.

"I never knew or cared," continued Banaiah. "He smelt pleasant like a woman, which made my blood boil. I'll certainly say, though that I would have much rather collected two-hundred foreskins from the likes of this man than those rats of Philistine, just for David to have a wife. This was the type of man that would find the very smell of Adullum here abase for the likes of himself. That part of his personality made my plans for his spear seem all the more just..."

-Chapter 4-

Beware the Rash Vow

"Alright, men of David's company! Gather round so that I may relay what has been said!"

The shout Joab gave put all at attention within moments as The Three took charge in ordering the regimen as well. The look on Joab's face was as typical until his listeners noticed him give a strange pause before continuing.

"Now, you dogs listen up, for I am only going to say this once... I can only bear to say this once... A single priest from Nob has come with news to the commander. He tells that Saul was alerted to our presence there. That Saul came there personally and questioned the priests. Upon learning that they provided us and our commander with nourishment and inquiry of the LORD, ...Saul ordered the priests of Nob to be killed. Abiathar, the priest who escaped to tell us this news is the last remaining priest of Nob. Thus proves, beyond any doubt that Saul is at war with our commander, as well as us, ...as well as anyone who gives aid to us. That is all I am to inform you of at this moment, as we wait for David to inquire from the LORD with Abiathar."

An uproar then began among The Thirty that frightened the rest of the regimen away from them.

"It was that accursed Edomite, Doeg! I know it was!" exclaimed Abiahai in fury.

"Treachery like this, Israelite murdering his own like this, it hasn't been heard of before!" noted Ittai, aghast in his tone.

"Not since the days of the Judges, ...since Abimelech slaughtered seventy of his brothers in attempt to usurp himself as a king. Not since then has something like this happened." informed Josheb. "This is an outrage!"

"There were no less than eighty priests there at Nob. He outdid Abimelech..." Eleazar calculated listlessly.

"They were unarmed. I doubt any of them tasted battle... I doubt if much of them ever touched a weapon in their entire life! This king has no honor in him!" Uriah shouted.

"You were right when you said it, Joab. Saul makes war with God!" reminded Shammah.

"We must avenge them! Let us go in all haste to make Saul hear the cries of the blood he has spilt!" went Asahel, trying for a rally. "Come! I refuse to eat bread until vengeance is had! Nor should anyone else eat until this blood has been repaid!"

"Calm thyself, brother!" Joab implored, stopping himself from striking the man. "Remember first that you are a good soldier and you follow orders, do not give them unless you are given that right to begin with. Also, we will not forget that Saul made a rash vow just such as this one you think yourself capable of fulfilling. I feel you still have more to lose than what the king almost lost because of his rash vow, even though you are still young and have no son of your own."

Joab braced his brother's shoulder and shook him gently before turning to the rest of the regimen.

"This goes for all of you. Beware the rash vow. Be patient for your commander. Be patient with God. Saul has no patience with anything he does, and what he has done and continues to do we know is against the LORD GOD. Trust me when I say that he will not escape the judgment that only God can give according to his deeds."

The Thirty all fell silent and reverent to what was said. One by one, they each then embraced young Asahel to the last man.

"Once more I say brothers, beware the rash vow," finished Joab before he, too embraced Asahel. "We will not speak of this again."

Introduction

Greetings! This blog is dedicated to the telling of what I call a biblically relevant fiction which is set during the rise and fall of David, around 1010 to 971 BC. This story regails the reader with a fictional look at real time events surrounding The Thirty, or the Mighty Men of David as they served under the man who would be king of Israel, and part of the genealogy leading to the birth of Christ. The characters portrayed are those described in the Bible. I of course did not write the Bible, nor make up any of the characters within this story. The works of fiction throughout this story I did write, albeit in such a way to line up as much as possible with what the Bible describes where applicable. This is what makes this a biblically relevant fiction, as it is basically a complete retelling of the story of David from a fictional standpoint. The 37 in title is so because The Thirty were actually thirty seven in total. I hope to have much fun writing this as much as I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Please enjoy, and God bless.

~Caleb