Joash - The King Who Would Not Die Chapter Fourteen

THE KING WHO WOULD NOT DIE

THE KING WHO WOULD NOT DIE

By Robert Allen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

            King Joash arrived back at the palace after his journey just in time for another meeting with the counselors.  After the exciting trip through the hill country of Judah the meeting produced even more boredom for him than usual.  The main topic of discussion among the old men concerned whether or not to open the gates of the city on the Sabbath day.  Some of the men argued that since no work should be done on the Sabbath day they should remain closed, since opening them involved work.  Others suggested that they be left open all night since the Sabbath began a sundown and closing them would also involve work.

            “But leaving them open would not be safe,” objected others.  “Enemies could come in during the night if the gates remain open.”

            “God is our refuge and strength,” the first group protested.

            “He is also the One who commanded us to build the wall of Jerusalem and set up the gates.”  Joash had long ago realized that the old men could always quote Scripture to support their own view whatever it might be.  All the time the arguing raged, Joash thought about his visit with Matt.  He didn’t really care if the gates stayed open or remained closed on the Sabbath.  To him the entire arguing seemed ridiculous.  He told himself that they really didn’t care about solving problems, they just enjoyed arguing.

            “We must not desecrate the Sabbath.”
            “Don’t put our wives and children in danger.”
            “God will bless us.”

            “He has blessed us by giving us the gates.  He wants us to use them.”

            Finally Joash came to the end of his patience.  “Silence!” He yelled, rising from the throne.  As the room grew quiet the men looked at the young king as if they had never seen him before.  In fact, many of them had forgotten he was even there.  With everyone’s attention Joash almost forgot what he intended to say.  But it didn’t take long to remember.

            “Enough is enough.  Here is what we will do.  Close the gates before sundown on Sabbath evening and leave them shut until the end of Sabbath.  Now, let’s move on to something important.

            The wise man looked at each other and nodded.  The solution sounded simple enough and some of them wondered why they hadn’t thought of that themselves.  As they remained quiet Joash continued with his thoughts.

            “I ought to have another queen.”  As he paused for a quick breath one of the ancient counsellors began to struggle to his feet.  Joash remembered that Jehoaddan’s grandfather filled a position on the council.  Everyone could tell they were related.  They possessed the same big nose and squinty eyes.  Joash thought fast before the grandfather could interrupt.

            “Notice that I did not say a new queen.  I said another queen.  Jehoaddan will remain queen, in fact, she will be the first queen.”

            “Then why do we need another,” the grandfather had finally struggled completely to a standing position.

            Joash tried to remember exactly how Matt had worded  his phrasing, he had made it sound so logical at the time.  “Well, you all remember how Athaliah killed all my brothers and how Jehu killed all my father’s other relatives?  Well, Jehoiada says that I am the only one to carry on the line of David.  Don’t’ you think there should be multiple sons born so that many will be available to carry on the line and fulfill God’s promise of a coming Messiah?”

            Jehoaddan’s grandfather still fumed and fussed, but to the king’s amazement the rest of the old men agreed.  It did seem logical.  They remembered well the persecution they had endured at the hands of Athaliah.  They wanted to be certain that nothing like those terrible years ever happened again.

            “I believe that you are right,” Jehoiada finally joined the conversation.  “The coming of the Messiah will be through the line of David and we cannot risk that line coming to an end.  I will choose another bride for you—in addition to Queen Jehoaddan.  And now, I believe our meeting for today has come to an end.”

            “No it hasn’t,” shouted the king, jumping to his feet once again.  “I’m not finished, and as your king I will tell you when the meeting has ended.”

            Stunned, the ancients sat back down slowly.

            “Jehoiada, you may look for a bride.  But before you talk to her father I want to see her.”

            One of the men in the back of the room actually snickered and then covered it up by coughing into his sleeve.  But Jehoaddan’s grandfather and Priest Jehoiada did not laugh.

            “Joash.  You know that is not the way marriages are arranged in Judah.”

            “Well, that’s the way it is going to be this time.  Just make arrangements for me to see her and I will tell you if she is the one I want.  She doesn’t need to know and neither does her father.”

            Again the priest tried to interrupt but the king stopped him with a wave of his hand.  “One more matter should be considered today as well.  I think the condition of the temple must be addressed immediately. It has been more than ten years since the wicked sons of Baal broke into the courtyard and created havoc.  Priest Jehoiada and his men have done their best to repair the damage and clean up the debris, but the time for permanent repairs and renovations is long overdue.”

            All the man nodded in agreement.  They had entered into many discussions about the condition of the temple without every arriving at a means of funding the necessary projects.  It had been easier to talk about plans without ever instituting them.

            “We also need to replace all of the golden candleholders and the spoons and shovels and other golden items stolen years ago by the Arabians.  We all know how Athaliah favored the temple of Baal over the holy temple with her tax revenue.”

            “Agreed!  Agreed!” said the men, “but where will we get the money.”

            “Restoring the temple will cost many thousands of dollars,” Jehoiada said.

            Again the king thought of the plan Matt had suggested.  “We’ll send the Levites out into every village to collect money from the people.  When they know it is for the temple of the Lord I’m sure they will be glad to give generously.”

            ‘If it please your majesty.”  Jehoiada already addressed him with more respect than in the past, Joash noticed.  “I wonder if it might be better to place a large chest in the courtyard of the temple with a hole in the top.  Then when people come to the temple to worship they can place their offering into the chest and know it is really going to be used to repair and beautify the temple.”

            The idea deserved consideration but Joash had gained a victory and determined to build on his success.  “No!  We’ll do it my way.  Send out Levites to all the villages and let them know they must start immediately.”

            Jehoiada bowed low before the king.  For just a moment he wondered who had been giving the king advice while on his journey, but considered also the possibility that Joash may have simply matured to the place where he thought it was time to exert some royal influence.  As long as he continued to worship Jehovah, the high priest remained confident that all would go well for the kingdom.

            “Now.” the king commanded.  “Now, our meeting has ended.”

            Priest Jehoiada gathered the Levites together the same day and assigned them the task of collecting money for temple repairs.  Once that task had been accomplished he turned his mind to the responsibility of finding another queen for King Joash.

            Jehoiada was surprised how quickly the word spread that the priest sought for another queen.  Almost all of the old men who served on the council had suggestions, usually from among their own extended families.  Jehoaddan’s grandfather, of course, remained aloof from the process.  The strangest results occurred in the temple itself.  Where before it had been mostly men who came to the temple daily, suddenly the court of the women became crowded.  Mothers would bring a sacrifice and then remain around all the rest of the afternoon.  They always brought a daughter or two with them.  Jehoshabeath brought the change to the attention of her husband.

            “They’re trying to catch your eye, of course.   They all know you have assumed the responsibility of choosing a bride for the king.  The mothers believe that if they are seen in the temple it will improve the chances of their daughters being chosen.”

            Jehoiada sadly shook his head.  “That is no reason for people to come to the temple.  They must come here to worship God not to find husbands for their daughters.  If they come only so people will see them and think they are spiritual, what kind of religion is that?   God desires to see a change in the hearts of His people.”

            “You and I know that,” said Jehoshabeath.  “But all these mothers can think about is what is best for their daughters.  To them what is best of their girls would also be best for the kingdom and for God Himself.”

            “What is best for God is best for the kingdom, and for all the daughters of the kingdom as well.”

            So Jehoiada kept looking for a wife for Joash who would be a woman after the heart of God.  That consideration did not rank first in the mind of Joash, however.  As Jehoiada made arrangements for him to see various candidates without their knowledge, Joash did not seem impressed.  They looked to him to be just as plain as Jehoaddan and the king refused to consider any of them as legitimate possibilities.

            After several weeks the Levites began to return from the villages where they had been sent to collect money, but most returned with little to show for their effort.

            “The people are not interested in giving,” one of them told the high priest.

            “I don’t think they trust us,” another added.  “They don’t really believe the money will make it back to Jerusalem.  I fear they think we are collecting it for ourselves although we try to assure them differently.”

            A few of the Levites did not return at all.  At first the priest feared for their safety.  Then came a rumor that some had taken the money they collected and moved to the northern kingdom.  When that story circulated even those who had been inclined to give refused.

            One of the Levites requested a private audience with the high priest upon returning.  Jehoiada took him aside to his private chambers and shut the door.

            “What can I do for you, Oded?”

            The Levite bowed.  “While on my journey to collect money for a temple a very unusual happening occurred.  I thought it only right to share my story with you.”

            The high priest could tell from the man’s eyes that he had seen or experienced something out of the ordinary and gave him his complete attention.

            “We came to a small town just west of here and I invited all the residents to meet in the town square in order to facilitate the announcement of our intent.  After I finished sharing you instructions they returned to their houses to bring their offerings.  Most brought just a few shekels, but one young girl came back and handed me what looked like a solid bar of gold.

            “Where did you get this,” I asked.  “It must be worth a fortune.”

            “You are right,” she said.  “But what is the value of gold compared to the need to make beautiful the house of the Lord.”  Having said that she simply walked away, leaving the gold in my hands.  She disappeared into the crowd, but you can be sure that I began to make inquiries and seek answers to my questions.  Finally I learned that her name was Haggith.  The gold came from an inheritance a wealthy uncle had left to her upon his death.

            “’Do you really think she knew the value of her gift?  Did she really intend to give this great treasure to Jehovah?’  Those were the questions I directed toward the men of the village,” said Oded.

            “They assured me most certainly of her concern from early childhood for the worship of Jehovah.  One man who seemed to be the chief of the village told me she would do anything for her God.”

            “A strange story indeed,” said Jehoiada.  “But only because it has become so unusual for our people to be totally dedicated to Jehovah.  I can remember a day when the fondest ambition  of every young person in the land rested on finding some way they could serve God with all which they possessed.  The desire of every young virgin focused on the hope of becoming the mother of the Messiah. I am glad to hear that some of that spirit is once again alive in our land.”

            “I made further inquiries, sir, I trust you don’t mind.  It occurred to me that a girl of such outstanding spiritual character might be just the one you seek as a new queen.”

            “Perhaps you are right, Oded.  Surely such a queen would encourage our King Joash to do what is right.  But I have made a promise not to approach the parents of any young lady until the king has opportunity to see her.”

            “Then we are in good fortune indeed.  Haggith and her parents have planned a trip this very week in order to worship Jehovah here in the temple.”

            “Splendid” said Jehoiada.  “We must make arrangements for the king to see her.  In the meantime I will continue to impress upon him the fact that spiritual character remains the most important factor in this decision.  I am not always sure that he has grasped that truth as yet.”

            When Jehoiada met the king in the palace the following day Joash did not look happy.  He had just received the report concerning the Levites who had taken money from the people and moved north.  “Why haven’t you hurried this along as I requested, Jehoiada?  All of your Levites should have returned by now with enough money to do the necessary work.  Instead I hear of them running off to the kingdom of Jehu.  Even those who have returned must be skimming profit off the top since they bring back so little.”

            “I am sorry, King Joash.”

            “Sorry?  You ought to be.  It is your temple we are talking about.  The Levites work under your command.  Something must be done immediately.”

            “I really don’t think the solution includes…” the priest began but the king cut him off.

            “I don’t want to hear it.   I have already decided on a course of action.  Take a large chest and set it up in the courtyard of the temple.  Make a hole in the lid and let people know that all the money placed into that chest will be used for the necessary beautification of God’s Holy Temple.”

            Jehoiada blinked.  That plan was identical to the one he had previously suggested only to have the king reject it completely.  Now Joash intended to pass the idea off as his own.  He started to remind him of that, but quickly changed his mind.

            “I think you have a great idea, your majesty.  I will put your plan into motion immediately upon my return to the temple.  By the way, you are planning to make your weekly visit to the temple for the offering of the Sabbath lamb are you not?”

            “Of course I am.  Haven’t missed a Sabbath in the twelve years I have been king.”

            “Wonderful.  There will be a visitor at the temple this Sabbath who I would like you to see.  Just remember what I have told you previously about the inner qualities of a woman of God.  Good day, King Joash.”

            The priest’s announcement of another girl to be seen on the Sabbath did not excite King Joash.  Everyone the priest had chosen in the past had failed to measure up to the standard of beauty he sought.  A beautiful queen was what he needed.  But he had a measure of curiosity.  The weeks had grown longer and Jehoaddan unfriendlier the longer the process had taken.

            Early on the morning of the Sabbath he rose from his royal bed and called for a servant to prepare his royal bath.  Another servant brought his favorite robe, a long blue garment with gold thread woven into the pattern of a lion’s head—the symbol of the lion of the tribe of Judah.  The body guards assembled to travel with him in procession from the palace to the temple.  A herald marched before them to announce his coming, “Here comes the king.  Make way for the king.”  As they walked the people on either side of the street bowed low and shouted, “God save the king.”

            Crowds already filled the temple.  The king noticed first of all that a large chest sat in the middle of the courtyard.  Even as he watched people filed by the chest placing coins into the hole and praising God for the work which was to be done on the temple.

            After his sacrifice had been offered, Jehoiada brought the king back out to the top of stairs, overlooking the court of the women.  “Do you see Zechariah and Oded the Levite standing near the third pillar?”

            “Yes, I see both of them.”

            “The girl with them.  The one facing us.  Does she please you?”

            As the king stared at the face of the young girl framed by the distant pillars she seemed to sense that someone watched and turned completely in their direction.  Joash caught his breath.  She was beautiful.  Though a light blue headdress hid most of her hair from view, an ebony black curl or two had escaped.  Her skin looked dark, as if she spent her summers out in the sun.  Even from the distance he could see the sparkled which lighted up her eyes like two bright candles.  Without removing his eyes from her face he whispered back to the priest, “Yes, she pleases me well.”

            “Fine.  Then I will speak to her father and see what arrangements can be made.” The priest felt relieved to know that the young king had taken to heart his conversation about the inner character of a potential bride.  He moved off through the crowd, but Joash remained in place, unable to quit staring at the vision of loveliness which the girl presented.  The voice in his ear had to repeat itself twice before he recognized that someone spoke to him.

            “What?  What did you say?”

            “I said her name is Haggith.  Entrancing is she not?”

            “Matt.  Where did you come from?”

            ‘I’ve been here all along Joash.  Just worshipping at the temple like everyone else.  But my cousin, Haggith.  Is she not a beauty to outshine even the fairest in our fair land?

            “Your cousin?”

            ‘Yes, the favorite niece of my father, Mattan.”