💥 Episode 1 💥 (Bible Fiction)
© Ayo Omolayo
2 Kings 13:1-4 In the three and twentieth year of Joash the son of Ahaziah king of Judah Jehoahaz the son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Benhadad the son of Hazael, all their days.
And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.
PRESENT DAY
Johoahaz sat on the back of the horse as he rode along side with his army. The news of the Syrian attacks had gotten worse in recent days.
The Syrians had consistently oppressed the half nation of Israel, the 10 tribes. They had raided the land so often that the people lived in fear.
These bandits must be stopped. They made slaves of God's people. Whenever they raided, they took the men and women captives. They killed those who tried to stop them and take the rest to be sold off as slaves.
These were God's people for crying out loud. The people he had chosen and freed from slavery in Egypt. Who dares make slaves out of God's people?
He was in the Palace a few weeks ago planning on how to catch the bandits whose raids in Beelpoer had been consistent, when a man was brought to him.
"Who is he?" He demanded.
"My Lord! This is Shobab! He was the only survivor of the raid last night. He saw everything that happened when the Syrians attacked". The man answered.
King Jehoahaz stood up and moved close to the man.
"What were they like? What did they do with the people they took captive? Can you lead us to these bandits?" He asked and with a wave of his hand, dismissed his guards.
"My king! It was completely horrible. Those men were so heartless in their attacks. I was completely shocked by all their inhumane display.
My Lord! Women were raped in public. It was entertainment to them".
The sound of that irritated Jehoahaz. He moved back, filled with rage and pain.
"Such an abominable action. If a woman must be approached why can't they do it the proper way?
Sometimes, it's painful in matrimony not to mention forcefully. This is wickedness! The virgins of Israel do not deserve to be treated this way!" He said, eyes blazing.
"My Lord!" The man called.
"Even the little girls were not spared from this abominable act", Shobab said.
The king's ears tingled. He placed his two hands over his ears as his anger took hold of him.
"This is too much! Why must we suffer such humiliation? Why?" He cried aloud.
"My Lord, those who surrendered, were taken as slaves and shared among the soldiers. Not one of them was set free".
Grabbing the hem of his tunic, he tore his garment and sat down on the floor.
"Israel has been put to shame! The name of the Lord is mocked among the heathen", he said and left the man there.
He moved towards the doorway to his chambers. He stumbled severally as he walked. But luckily for him, he didn't fall.
He kept walking, looking for his bed chambers, when he overhead Shammua his children home lesson teacher.
"So children, don't forget what I have taught you today. God says in the Proverbs of king Solomon.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee".
"Uncle!" Joash the eldest, put up his hand.
"Yes!"
"But I thought Moses said an eye for an eye and tooth for tooth. Love your neighbors and hate your enemies", the boy asked.
Shammua smiled and looked at the boy intently.
"Joash, Moses gave those laws to that generation of God's people because of the hardness of their hearts.
But Solomon is a wise man. So wise that the whole world consulted with him for advice. So I believe Solomon's wisdom would help us solve this issue of Syrians raiding our land".
Those words angered Jehoahaz.
"Is he trying to say that in order to end the raid of Syrians in my land, I should bring them into my house and feed them?" He asked within himself.
"What nonsense!" King Jehoahaz screamed.
Everyone in the room were drawn by the unfriendly voice.
Their eyes widened in surprise as they saw the king standing in the doorway, his clothes torn.
"Daddy!" Joash said as he and his two younger siblings stood up.
Holding up his hand, Jehoahaz gestured for them to remain seated.
"Are you telling me the only way to end these Syrians raiding my land, raping my daughters, making slaves out of my people? Are you telling me that to bring an end to this nonsense is by bringing them into my palace and give them tea to drink?
You must be stupid to say such a thing! I'll give them blood. I'll make slaves out of the Syrians. I'll make sure my men rape their women under the sun. Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. God gave Moses this law, we must follow these laws without listening to any wise man that calls himself the son of David.
"I'm sorry my Lord!" Shammua said, bowing slightly.
"But can I say something?" He asked.
"Go on, I'm all ears", the King replied.
"My Lord! Solomon was the wisest man that......."
"Shut up! Solomon was so wise that he married so many women and littered Israel with foreign idols. If you are looking for a wise man, I'm sure he's a good example of one".
Jehoahaz turned and walked out in anger.
"Moses was such a great man of God who spoke with God face to face. If there's any man who can communicate God's message more accurately, he's the one". He said as he took the stairs to his bed chambers.
"I'll give them blood! I'll make them pay! My sword hungers to cut Syrian flesh. I can't wait to see them beg for mercy and not have it!
It would be so much fun dealing with those wicked men".
To be continued.........
This story is not a popular story. So also is the king in this story.
😊😊😊😊
But some of you are already getting a clue to what the story is all about.
INSPIRED BY THE BREAD OF LIFE
WRITTEN BY AYO OMOLAYO
YOUR BROTHER IN CHRIST 🙏
God is about to prove something to this King.