A Tale of Three Kings Read online

  The gifts cannot be revoked. Terrifying, isn’t it?

  If you are young and have never seen such things, you may be certain that sometime in the next forty years you will see. Highly gifted and very powerful men and women . . . reputed to be leaders in the kingdom of God, do some very dark and ugly deeds.

  What does this world need: gifted men and women, outwardly empowered? Or individuals who are broken, inwardly transformed?

  Keep in mind that some who have been given the very power of God have raised armies, defeated the enemy, brought forth mighty works of God, preached and prophesied with unparalleled power and eloquence . . .

  And thrown spears,

  And hated other people,

  And attacked others,

  And plotted to kill,

  And prophesied naked,

  And even consulted witches.

  Chapter 16

  “You still haven’t answered my question. The man I sit under: I think he is a King Saul. How can I know with certainty?”

  It is not given to us to know. And remember, even Sauls are often the Lord’s anointed.

  You see, there are always people—everywhere, in every age, and in every group—who will stand and tell you: “That man is after the order of King Saul.” While another, just as sure, will rise to declare, “No, he is the Lord’s anointed after the order of David.” No one can really know which of the two is correct. And if you happen to be in the balcony looking down at those men screaming at one another, you may wonder to which order they belong.

  Remember, your leader may be a David.

  “That’s impossible!”

  Is it? Most of us know at least two men in the lineage of David who have been damned and crucified by other men. By men who were absolutely certain the ones they were crucifying were not Davids.

  And if you don’t know of two such cases, for sure you know of one.

  Men who go after the Sauls among us often crucify the Davids among us.

  Who, then, can know who is a David and who is a Saul?

  God knows. But he won’t tell.

  Are you so certain your king is a Saul and not a David that you are willing to take the position of God and go to war against your Saul? If so, then thank God you did not live in the days of crucifixion.

  What, then, can you do? Very little. Perhaps nothing.

  However, the passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader.

  And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader—be he David or Saul—reveals a great deal about you.

  Chapter 17

  Two generations after the reign of Saul, a young man enthusiastically enrolled himself into the ranks of Israel’s army under a new king, the grandson of David. He soon began hearing tales of David’s mighty men of valor. He set out to discover if one of those mighty men might still be alive and, if so, to find him and talk to him, though he calculated that such a man would be over a hundred years in age.

  At last he discovered that, sure enough, one such man still lived. Having learned of his whereabouts, the youth hastened to his dwelling. Anxiously, if not hesitantly, he knocked on the door. Slowly it opened. There stood a giant of a man, gray . . . no, white haired . . . and wrinkled beyond expectation.

  “Are you, sir, one of David’s mighty men of long ago—one of those men of whom we have heard so much?”

  For a long moment the old man surveyed the young man’s face, his features, his uniform. Then, in an ancient but firm voice, he replied, never taking his steady gaze off the young man’s face.

  “If you are asking if I am a former thief and cave dweller and one who followed a sobbing, hysterical fugitive, then yes, I was one of the ‘mighty men of David.’”

  He straightened his shoulders with those last words. Nonetheless, his sentence ended in a chuckle.

  “But, sir, you make the great king sound like a weakling. Was he not the greatest of all rulers?”

  “He was no weakling,” said the old man. Then sizing up the motivation for the eager young man’s presence at his door, he replied wisely and softly, “Nor was he a great leader.”

  “Then what, good sir? For I have come to learn the ways of the great king and his . . . uh . . . mighty men. What was the greatness of David?”

  “I see you have the ambitions typical of youth,” said the old warrior. “I have the distinct notion you dream of leading men yourself one day.” He paused, then continued reflectively. “Yes, I’ll tell you of the greatness of my king, but my words may surprise you.”

  The old man’s eyes filled with tears as he thought first of David and then of the foolish new king only recently crowned.

  “I will tell you of my king and his greatness: My king never threatened me as yours does. Your new king has begun his reign with laws, rules, regulations, and fear. The clearest memory I have of my king, when we lived in the caves, is that his was a life of submission. Yes, David showed me submission, not authority. He taught me not the quick cure of rules and laws, but the art of patience. That is what changed my life. Legalism is nothing but a leader’s way of avoiding suffering.

  “Rules were invented by elders so they could get to bed early! Men who speak endlessly on authority only prove they have none. And kings who make speeches about submission only betray twin fears in their hearts: They are not certain they are really true leaders, sent of God. And they live in mortal fear of a rebellion.

  “My king spoke not of submitting to him. He feared no rebellion . . . because he did not mind if he was dethroned!

  “David taught me losing, not winning. Giving, not taking. He showed me that the leader, not the follower, is inconvenienced. David shielded us from suffering; he did not mete it out.

  “He taught me that authority yields to rebellion, especially when that rebellion is nothing more dangerous than immaturity, or perhaps stupidity.” The old man was obviously remembering some very tense and perhaps humorous episodes in the caves.

  “No,” he said, now in a voice with a touch of eloquence, “authority from God is not afraid of challengers, makes no defense, and cares not one whit if it must be dethroned.

  “That was the greatness of the great . . . of the true king.”

  The old man began to walk away. Both anger and regal patience were evident in his bearing as he turned. Then he faced the youth once more, thundering one last salvo: “As far as David’s having authority: Men who don’t have it talk about it all the time. Submit, submit! That’s all you hear. David had authority, but I don’t think that fact ever occurred to him. We were six hundred no-goods with a leader who cried a lot. That’s all we were!”

  Those were the last words the young soldier heard from the old warrior. Slipping back into the street, he wondered if he would ever again be happy serving under Rehoboam.

  Chapter 18

  So, having come to the end of our study of Saul and David, do you feel greatly assisted? What’s that? You are now certain the man you are under is not truly from God . . . or if he is, he is at best only a Saul? My, how certain we mortals can be . . . of things even angels do not know.

  May I ask you then, what you plan to do with this newly acquired knowledge? Yes, I am aware that you yourself are neither a Saul nor a David . . . but only a peasant of the realm. You do plan, though, to share your new discoveries with a few friends? I see. Then perhaps I should warn you that there is great danger with this heady new knowledge of yours. A strange mutation can take place within your own heart. You see, it is possible . . . but wait!

  What is it I see over there? There . . . in that distant mist behind you. Turn. Do you see? Who is that figure making his way through the fog? It seems I have surely seen him before.

  Look closely. Is it not possible for us to make out what he is doing?

  He appears to be bending over some ancient chest. Yes, he has opened it.

  Who is he? And what is he doing?

  He has taken something out of the che
st. A cloak? It is some kind of cape. Why, he is putting it on! The thing fits him perfectly, falling about his shoulders like a mantle.

  Now what? He reaches again into that chest. I know I have seen that person somewhere before. What is it he pulls forth this time? A shield? No, a coat of arms. Yes, a coat of arms from some ancient, long-forgotten order. He holds it up as one who would make that order his own! Who is that man? The bearing. The stance. The carriage. I’ve seen it before. I’m sure.

  Ah! He has moved out of the mist into the light. We will see him clearly now.

  That face. Is it not you?!

  Yes. It is. It is you! You who can so wisely discern the presence of an unworthy Saul!

  Go! Look in yon mirror. That man is you! Look, too, at the name upon that coat of arms.

  Behold: Absalom the Second!

  PART 2

  Chapter 19

  “Look! Here comes David!”

  Bright smiles, a few giggles, some light laughter.

  “See! It’s David, no less.”

  Again, wide grins, a wave, and quiet amusement.

  “That isn’t King David,” exclaimed a youth to his guardian as the two walked along the side of the street. “Why do they speak that way? That man is not David!”

  “True, child, it is not David. It’s only Absalom coming from the gate.”

  “Why do they call him David?” the boy asked, looking back over his shoulder at the handsome man in the chariot with the fifty men running before him.

  “Because he reminds us all of David when he was young. And because we are all so glad that such a fine young man will take David’s place someday. And perhaps, too, because Absalom is even better looking than David. He may be the most handsome man alive.”

  “Will Absalom be king soon? How old is King David, anyway? Is he about to die?”

  “Of course not, my boy. Let’s see . . . how old is David? Probably about the same age as King Saul when his reign came to an end.”

  “How old is Absalom?”

  “About the same age as David when Saul was trying so hard to kill him.”

  “David is Saul’s age. Absalom is the age of David when he first became king,” mused the boy. They walked on silently for a while. The boy, obviously deep in thought, spoke again.

  “Saul was very hard on David, was he not?”

  “Yes, very.”

  “Is King David going to treat Absalom the same way Saul treated David? Will David be hard on Absalom?”

  The guardian paused to consider the question, but the child went on: “If David treats Absalom badly, will Absalom behave with as much grace as David did?”

  “Child, the future will surely tell us. My, you ask such questions! If, when you are grown, you can give answers as well as you now ask questions, you will surely be known as the wisest man on earth.”

  The two turned in at the palace gate.

  Chapter 20

  It warmed your heart to know a man who saw things so clearly. Discerning. Yes, that was the word that best described Absalom—discerning. He could penetrate to the heart of any problem.

  Men felt secure just being with him. They even longed to have time with him. Talking with him, they realized that they themselves were wiser than they realized. Such a revelation made them feel good. As he discussed problem after problem and solution after solution, men began to long for the day when this one would be their leader. He could right so many wrongs. He gave them a sense of hope.

  But this imposing, insightful man would never deliberately hasten the day of his own rule. They were confident of that. He was far too humble, too respectful of his father. And those around him began to feel a little frustrated that they would have to keep waiting for the better days of this man’s rule.

  The more they sat in his living room and talked, the more they realized that things were amiss in the kingdom. Yes, things amiss that they had never thought of before. And problems. Problems were coming to light of which they had never dreamed. Yes, they really were growing in wisdom and insight.

  As the days passed, more and more of them came to listen. Word spread quietly. “Here is one who understands and has the answers.” The frustrated came. They listened. They asked questions. They received excellent answers and began to hope.

  Heads nodded. Dreams were born. As time passed, there were more such gatherings. Ideas turned into stories, stories of injustice that others might have deemed trivial. But not this listener! He was compassionate. And as those around him talked, the discovered injustices seemed to grow in number and severity. With each new story, men were more shocked at unfairness that was now, it seemed, rampant.

  But the wise young man sat quietly and added not a word to these murmurings. He was too noble, you see. He always closed the evening conversations with a humble word of deference toward those in positions of responsibility. . . .

  But it was too much to expect that any man could sit quietly by forever. This endless parade of injustice was bound to stir even the most respectful man. Even the purest in heart would be smitten with anger. (And this man was certainly the very purest in heart!)

  Such a compassionate man could not forever turn his face from these sufferings nor forever remain silent. Such a noble character as this had to speak out someday.

  Finally, his followers, which he vowed he did not have, were almost livid. Their insights into the wrongdoings of the kingdom not only grew but abounded. They all wanted to do something about these endless injustices.

  At last, it seemed, the magnificent young man might concede. At the outset it was only a word. Later, a sentence. Men’s hearts leaped. Joy, if not glee, reigned. Nobility was at last being aroused to action. But no! He cautioned them not to misunderstand. He was grieved, yes, but he could not speak against those in seats of responsibility. No, absolutely not. No matter how great the grievances, no matter how justified the frustration. He would not.

  Yet he grieved more and more. It was obvious that some reports drove him to agony. Finally, his righteous anger broke out in cool, controlled words of strength. “These things ought not to be.” He stood, eyes blazing. “If I were in responsibility, this is what I would do. . . .”

  And with these words, the rebellion was ignited. Ignited in all but one, that is. In the man who seemed noblest and purest, this was not the case.

  Rebellion had been in his heart for years.

  Chapter 21

  “Sage!”

  “Yes?”

  “Sage, may I have a moment of your time?”

  “Why, of course. I have a great deal of time.”

  “You have just come from a gathering of friends at Absalom’s home?”

  “Yes, that is correct.”

  “Would you mind sharing some of the impressions you had while there?”

  “You mean a general impression of Absalom and his friends?”

  “Yes, that would be good enough.”

  “Well, I have met many men like Absalom. Many.”

  “Then what is he like?”

  “He is both sincere and ambitious. A contradiction, perhaps, but true, nonetheless. He probably means some of what he says. But his ambition will continue long after he discovers his inability to do the things he promises. Righting the wrongs always becomes secondary to ascent to power.”

  “I’m sorry, Sage, I do not understand.”

  “Two things stand out in my mind. At one gathering, when Absalom was answering questions, he was very emphatic that there should be more freedom in the kingdom. Everyone liked that. ‘A people should be led only by God and not by men,’ he said. ‘Men should do only what they feel led of God to do. We should follow God, not a man.’ I believe those were his words.

  “At another meeting he spoke of the great visions he had for God’s kingdom—of the great achievements the people were capable of. On the other hand, he spoke of many changes he would make in the way the kingdom is run. Although he did not seem to notice it, he had stated two irreconcilable propositions:
many changes, more freedom.

  “Yes, indeed, he does remind me of many other men I have encountered over the passing years.”

  “Sage, I think I understand what you’ve said, but I’m not sure what your point is.”

  “Absalom dreams. Dreams of what should be, of what will be: ‘This is what I will do,’ he says. But to fulfill those dreams, he must have the people’s cooperation. Ah, this is the point often overlooked. Such dreams rest totally on the premise that the people of God will follow the new leader, that all will see as he sees. Such men as Absalom can envision no problems in their own future kingdom. Possibly the people will follow, but possibly they will not.

  “At most, the Lord’s people will follow a leader for a few years. They never support anyone very long. Generally, people do what they please. They can be stopped to do someone else’s pleasure for a time, but not for long. People will not work too hard, even if they are following God.

  “What will Absalom do when people stop following him willingly? Ah, now there is a question.

  “You see, there is no kingdom without discord. Even God had his critics in heaven, you know. All kingdoms follow a bumpy course. And people, especially God’s people, never follow any dream in unison. No, to accomplish all he spoke of tonight will take time. Not all will be willing to go along. Will he still be determined to put all his dreams into being? If so, then Absalom has but one recourse: dictatorship. Either that, or he will see few, if any, of his grand dreams accomplished. And if he does become a dictator, I can assure you that soon there will be discontent with him, just as there is now with the present king. Yes, if Absalom becomes king, soon thereafter you will see new meetings like the one we have just come from tonight . . . only with new faces, new dreams, and plans for a new rebellion. And that gathering will be against Absalom! Then, when Absalom hears of such a meeting and of discussion about a rebellion, he will have but one recourse.”