To Four Thousand Years Later

Chapter 32: old soldier

Unknowingly, two weeks have passed since King David passed away and King Solomon ascended the throne.

Some had previously predicted that Solomon would not be able to suppress the southern kingdom of Judah and that Israel would fall apart and collapse.

On the contrary, under the leadership of the new king Solomon, Israel prospered even more. The promise Solomon made on the altar of the Rock of Zohile earlier was enough to dilute the people's dissatisfaction with the reform.

And these days, those who went to Solomon to settle the case because of disputes also received reasonable explanations. I was immediately convinced by Solomon's wisdom.

Birds was complacent about his original choice and bragged to his neighbors many times.

He is a citizen of Jerusalem who sells pottery for a living. He is thirty years old and the eldest son in his family.

When Adonijah pretended to be king, many people were driven by soldiers to the altar of the rock of Zohile to participate in the ceremony. But he closed the windows and sealed the door, and refused to participate in Adonijah's enthronement ceremony.

Now when he meets people, he will boast how wise and brave he was that day, and he still did not give in when the soldiers drew their swords to threaten them

"Birds, give me something to eat!"

His old father, who was crippled on one leg, yelled at home.

Birds shrugged his shoulders and served the baked barley cake and goat's milk.

His father was a warrior who accompanied King David in his conquest. But it's a pity that he didn't make any contribution, he just ran along, so his name was not on the roster of warriors.

When he was fighting against Hadaliseh, King of Zobah, his leg was scratched by an arrow, and his tendons were injured.

Although in the end the priest treated him and saved his life. But he didn't get compensation—after all, he didn't play any role in the most critical battle, and he dragged down the priests and caused them unnecessary consumption.

He even came close to being convicted. Because the reason why he was trampled by the horse was that he suddenly fell from the chariot and struggled wildly, grabbed a horse leg and tried to get up from the crowd... As a result, he almost caused the horse and the chariot to fall over.

The rider of the horse accused him after the battle, and might have been punished if King David had not found him innocent.

...But perhaps, expelling him with disabled legs from the army is already the biggest punishment for him.

Now both his legs are broken and he has completely lost the ability to work. Personality has also become withdrawn. He even had his two sons make pottery to support him, so that he could afford meat and wheat bread...

"Father, I want to build the Lord's Temple and join the Firstborn Army."

Therefore, when Birds made such a request to him, Birds' father immediately gave the answer: "No!"

"why not?"

Birds asked: "King Solomon said that the people who go there are in charge of food and drink, they can eat the sacrificed meat, and they can also engrave their names on the temple. And I think the house at home is going to be renovated. I'm going to learn technology. When I come back, I can renovate the house at home.”

"No, no—you're going to do hard labor, my son! How can there be a hard labor that can eat meat?"

Berz's father rejected violently, and slammed his crutches: "You are a craftsman! For those who can't do anything, it is still profitable to exchange their bodies for a few years of full food. But your Hands are more precious than those of those people, how can you keep yours?"

"King Solomon was different from them. The king said he would not hurt our bodies, but would teach us wisdom."

Birds said confidently: "And the High Priest Zadok will bless us every week. There are also priests who will take care of us and prevent us from getting hurt."

"How can there be such a good thing in the world! Don't be deceived... Anyway, the king didn't appoint you to go, you should let someone else go. There is no shortage of you in the construction of the temple."

Birds' father tried to persuade him.

But Birds just shook his head stubbornly: "My father, you don't know. King Solomon is different from those people. He said that he wanted priests to be sent everywhere, and that Israel should be built into twelve provinces; The knowledge of numeracy for girls, I recently heard that he wants to teach children throughout Israel to read! King Solomon has fulfilled the promise of such a big thing, why can’t he do small things?”

"...He really did it?"

Birds' father widened his eyes in surprise: "The priests didn't object?"

"No. Because King Solomon is the Lord's spokesman on earth."

Birds said resolutely: "Today the high priest Zadok told us that the king will abolish all the old rules mentioned in the book of Leviticus and establish new ones. This is the word of God. The prophet Nathan and the marshal Benaiah testified to him."

"...It's messed up, it's all messed up."

Berz's father was shocked when he heard the words, and he paused his crutches in panic: "What are these things... How can the old law be changed? How can the old law be changed! It is the commandment that the prophet Moses said - if the law is abolished, And what should the Israelites do?"

"It's not that there are new laws. King Solomon is a king appointed by God. His words are greater than all the prophets and all the priests!"

Birds did not think so, but paused slightly: "But, father, I will ask you to explain. Because King Solomon advised us, the Lord said, 'If you disobey your father, your king, and your teacher, I will not be pleased even if you sacrifice a thousand cattle and sheep.' If you will not allow me to do it, I will go and repent to the king. I have broken his commandment."

"...Forget it, you go. But if you suffer, you can escape. I still have some savings here, so I can escape to other countries."

Birds' father shook his head, but he still breathed a sigh of relief: "Don't expect too much. As long as you can leave your name in the temple, that's enough. If you can steal some skills, you can earn money. Don't think that everyone A dream where everyone can eat meat and everyone becomes a craftsman—”

"I see it very clearly. You are in the army, followed by hard labor. Even if you escape, don't let yourself be disabled..."

Speaking of this, he sighed deeply again: "It would be better if I died, and you can get some money. But now, Birds—look at my legs. How can I herd sheep with legs like mine?" ? Am I a useless person?"

Birds was also silent when he heard the words.

"Yes, father."

He whispered back.

"Then you go, Birds."

The old man with a broken leg squinted his eyes and curled up on the bed. Birds reached out to help him tuck the quilt, but when he was about to stop, his father grabbed his wrist.

The pupils that used to be as sharp as a sword, but are now cloudy and dim, lit up again.

"Hard labor... be lazy if you can, and act wisely. But if the king sends you to fight, Birds."

His old father whispered: "Kill more enemies. You must kill at least two... no, four people. I have no glory in this life, you have to."

"I will."

Birds said solemnly: "I will come back to you after I get back your glory."

After saying that, Birds helped his father who was curled up on the bed, and moved the plate of food towards him. He went out and said hello to his younger brother who was making pottery, and then went out with his own baggage.

Not long after he went out, he was stopped by a strange woman.

"Stop, friend."

She obviously stretched out her hand to gently hold her forearm, but it was like the sharp mouth of a wild beast, preventing him from even moving.

—What kind of strange power is this?

Birds was shocked.

Although he is only a pottery maker, it doesn't mean that his strength is weak...

Surprised, he stopped and looked at the strange woman who grabbed him.

She was exceptionally tall, wearing a sackcloth cloak, and the face under the cloak was unclear for some reason. Only those eyes that are as bright as the sun, just glanced over once, is already branded in my heart.

"I mean no harm. I'm just asking for directions."

From under her cloak came her melodious voice: "Do you know where Solomon lives?"

"You shall call him King Solomon!"

Birds reflexively said: "He is the king appointed by God!"

"...God?"

The woman chuckled and said nothing.

She just asked again, "Do you know where King Solomon lives?"

"...Oh, I see. You are the eldest daughter, right?"

Birds suddenly realized: "Then come with me, we will drop by."

"Ah, no problem."

The woman said peacefully: "Also, you should explain to me about the 'eldest daughter'."

After her commanding words fell, Birds immediately began to have doubts about her identity.