Love’s Sacred Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

him to complete his thought. “We want to know what plan you will propose to the king.”
    Jehoshaphat paused, meeting the frightened stares of many longtime friends. “I have never failed you before. You must trust me now—without knowing all the details.”
    A nervous buzz filled the air as Shunem’s judge reached his arm around the shoulders of the king’s messenger. “Please come to my home tonight, son. We’ll get you a fresh camel for the return trip to Jerusalem.”
    “Thank you, my lord. King Solomon sent out messengers to all northern tribes this morning, and my dromedary has maintained a quick pace to reach Shunem by nightfall. I’m grateful for your hospitality.” The camel squawked and spit as if realizing it had been mentioned.
    Jehoshaphat grinned at the surly beast and patted the messenger’s shoulder. “We’ll be sure both you and your camel get plenty of food and water.”
    Relief was written in the rotund youngster’s tear-streaked face. “My camel wondered if she would find food and shelter this evening.”
    Jehoshaphat laughed at the boy’s clever reply. Straightforward. Tenderhearted. Quick-witted. Yes, the palace had sent the right man for the job.
    While the two moved through the crowd toward home, some men called out their support and promises to accompany Jehoshaphat to Jerusalem this evening, but Shunem’s judge still heard murmurs rippling on the breeze.
    “I’d feel better if I knew what he planned to present to the king,” one said.
    “Perhaps he’ll tell us more during the mourning period before he returns to Jerusalem,” another said.
    Jehoshaphat was determined to focus on his guest and the imminent journey to Jerusalem. Leading the palace messenger toward home, Jehoshaphat asked, “What is your name, young man?”
    “Reu, my lord.”
    They passed the last stragglers from the crowd, and Jehoshaphat noticed Kemmuel and Igal loitering near one of the market stalls. Waving them over, he said, “Reu, these are my sons, and they will help you tend your camel.” Kemmuel scowled his disapproval, but Jehoshaphat ignored his foul mood. “And then they will escort you to our home for a fine meal.”
    Igal mirrored his brother’s sour expression, neither son masking his impatience. Kemmuel kicked a rock across the path while Igal kept his gaze averted. Jehoshaphat was tempted to apologize for their rudeness, but when he turned to Reu, the young man bowed and addressed his grumbling caretakers.
    “My camel’s name is Delilah,” he said to Kemmuel, who tried to ignore the jovial young man. “I named her thus because she is a willful female that leads me into sin wherever we go.”
    Kemmuel’s eyes bulged and searched Igal’s face as if making sure his slow-witted brother had heard. Suddenly both of Jehoshaphat’s sons collapsed in a fit of laughter and finally gathered their wits enough to move toward the waiting Delilah. The young messenger looked over his shoulder and winked at Shunem’s judge. Jehoshaphat wished he could win his sons’ fondness so readily.
    With a sad shrug, he turned toward home, dreading the news he must give Arielah. She would be disappointed that the treaty bride announcement must wait, but she would understand. Leaving the crowd behind, he saw only a delicate silhouette in the moonlight, waiting by his courtyard gate. He could hear gentle sniffing and knew his daughter was crying. Of course , he thought. She must have heard everything from her hiding place in the market.
    Approaching in the darkness, Jehoshaphat spoke only when close enough to whisper. “Your ima chose your name rightly.” Tilting her chin up, he said, “Truly, from the womb you have been our lion of God, and tonight is yet another circumstance in which you must stand strong.”
    A new wave of tears overtook her, and she melted into his arms, releasing giant, heaving sobs.
    “I’m so sorry, little one,” he said, holding her tightly. “I could not pronounce you as