The KT OLLA Web Stories

HUSHAI’S words were like a heap of salt on Ahithophel’s wound. The old man already felt insulted that a common man was summoned to clarify him. But right there he felt even worse that his guidance was rubbished. Rubbished by someone whose name couldn’t even be tagged with knowledge. King Absalom’s council applauded Hushai, as the man ended his words. And in that moment, Ahithophel seemed to be the clown. The wise old man felt miserable. Like he was a loser or a fool. So he just couldn’t stop the shame and the sorrow in his soul. Yes, he’d always hated David for the sole fact that the man hadn’t trusted him much. He hated the king for always going ahead to confirm his piece of advice at God’s altar. After he’d asked him for a lead. Ahithophel hated David; and so he’d join force with his rebel son. But he had thought the young son would do better. That he’d take his guidance without a question or doubt.  But here the man was, ignored and disgraced together with his counsel. The wise ...

HUSHAI was ushered in to join the council. Then the king took it on himself to retell all that had been said. He finished with a request. ‘Now that you know what Ahithophel counselled, please tell what you think. Tell me, Hushai: what do you advise that we do?’ Yes, everyone’s eyes were cast on the older man. Everybody seated wanted to hear him. Then having heard all that was reported, the silent spy knew his opponent had got a huge point. That Ahithophel was apt on the matter again. So he told himself that it was time to act. For if that wise man should have his way again, he knew things might go out of hand for David. Therefore, Hushai decided to sway everyone’s thought and reason. So that by whatever means, he’d be able to buy time for David. Now the man bowed his gaze after he’d heard the king speak. Then he breathed a deep, rough sigh.  That hefty breath was a needed break. For it added more pressure to an already curious Absalom. So the young king became more desperate to hea...

ABSALOM watched with solid attention, as words rolled out from the lips of the wisest man in Israel. But the wise old man didn’t stand so high as the sage he used to be. Nor did his clever words carry the confidence of a man who knew it all. His countenance was like a cornered man’s. One who was desperate to live. And now he spoke his words to a desperate king. ‘Your Majesty...! Please, permit me to take twelve thousand soldiers to find David. With that army, I am going to bring back your enemy’s head. ‘All we need do is, kill your father. Then his whole army will surrender at your feet. With this, your reign shall be established, Your Majesty!’ But Ahithophel’s words sounded like the rambles of a defeated man in the young king’s ear. And the voice carrying those words prickled his ears like the cry of a beaten child. So Absalom wouldn’t lean his weary back on them. Now Absalom’s doubts didn’t stem from the wise man’s manner with words. Nor was it Ahithophel’s loss of confidence that b...

ABSALOM wasn’t the only one waiting for David. Ahithophel waited also, through the three long weeks that nothing happened. But the old man’s wait was one that was even more desperate. Ahithophel was really keen on establishing Absalom as king. Yet his desperate ambition wasn’t born out of some loyalty to him.  It was an offshoot of his bitter feelings to David. Now the old sage waited for the king to come out of hiding. And by the third week, he was sure he wasn’t going to show up no matter what. It dawned on him that the giant game he swayed so frantically, just so he could lure the lion out of his den. That that frantic game had simply failed.  And from then, the wise one began to lose his cool. It was a sunny day that afternoon, but Ahithophel’s spirit couldn’t take the plunge into gloom anymore. And so before the sun would swing round into another night, the old man mounted an ass and decided to take a ride of relief. A ride of reflection. Old Ahithophel rode through the c...

THE new king got up from his seat after a council meeting. All of his ministers had left for their houses about half an hour before. Only he remained in the hall, thinking hard for so long a time. Absalom stood up from the throne seat at last. As the huge burden on his mind wouldn’t allow him the leisure of rest. So he stood up and paced about the palace hall for about half an hour again. He was boiling, and nervous, and all sweaty. It was three weeks since David’s son had been waiting for him to come out to trouble. Three stressing weeks since the prince had slept with his father’s wives to kindle him to battle. But the older king remained in hiding all of the time. Even though he got the news and felt the blow. Truly, Absalom knew that his father’s ears were everywhere. So when he had intercourse with his wives in front of all Israel, he knew the report would travel as fast as the spread of fire. Anywhere David was already, the prince was sure that his fire would catch up with him. A...

NOW, since Absalom’s intention was to ride everything his father owned – including his name and legacy, Jerusalem was one of those things the prince intended to pride. But Jerusalem wasn’t just something to own for the prince. That city was itself the throne. It was the throne he so coveted and would do anything to possess. In the past years, all he could do was stand at the gate of that place. But now he could ride as far as the heart of the city, and sit on her throne. Everything seemed like a dream to the young man. Those sleepless nights he had – mapping out a way to overthrow David, had finally paid off. The dreams he had with his eyes wide open was then coming to pass. Everything he had always wanted was now in his arms. It was truly a dream, a waking one. Thus, Absalom wanted to enjoy every moment of this new reality. He wanted to savour every bit of it. The pleasure he toiled and laboured for. He wanted everything now. But there was this hurdle standing across the young king’s ...

THE weary travellers found the help they needed, as Ziba supplied them with food and drink. So the people settled down in groups and clusters, there in the plains overlooking the Mount of Olives. They refreshed themselves with the provisions provided them. Then after the party had rested for a while, they picked themselves up again and resumed the long walk. But the people had got some relief for the journey. There was food remaining for a later time. There were free donkeys too, which could carry the old and the weak. So the travellers went on in a brighter spirit. As their heels were lighter than it’d been since they left home. David mounted a donkey, too. This time he was in such spirits as to be riding high. He was surrounded by his bodyguards, the six hundred soldiers he had for himself. Then the boisterous fleet of soldiers and civilians cantered their horses and donkeys down the winding roads leading to Jordan. It was a hassle-free tour this time round. But then, something happe...

DAVID’S company journeyed on from the Mount of Olives, where they had rested. They headed towards the Jordan River which divided both sides of Israel’s land. The Jordan was no home nor dwelling tent. But the king was finding the vast waterside a hiding place in that time of conflict. Who will house David after all? Or provide us with both shelter and food? Haven’t the God of my fathers increased me? So much that no house or shelter can hold me! And why will I put the lives of my people at stake by lodging in a town? When I know my son has bought everyone over! With these silent words, the monarch led his people towards Jordan. Towards the plains encircling the river. Then on their way, the old king witnessed both sides of a binary coin. He encountered the best as well as the worst of his people Israel. And both the pleasant and painful treats did come from the family of his worst adversary. The former king of Israel, Saul. It was a little after David’s party left the Mount of Olives, t...

HUSHAI raced his horse to meet the new king. And it seemed chance itself was on David’s side. Providence had just brought the man to join Absalom, just when the latter would not suspect he’d been elsewhere. The loyal friend to David then rode out of the pressing throng. And as soon as the lingering obeisance ceased, he raised his voice in a loud salute. ‘Long live Absalom, King of Israel! ‘Long live Absalom, King of Israel!’ Absalom looked back immediately. He recognized that voice. In fact, he could identify it in a drowsy state. That must be Hushai, Father’s friend. But what’s a loyal friend of David doing here?  So when he turned round to look, Hushai was down at his feet, bowed to the ground already. As that man had climbed down his horse to pay homage to the newly crowned one. Absalom was surprised. He knew how close Hushai had been to his father, the former king. But the fast move that fate was spinning was quite effective. As the king was fooled already, with the way the sit...

BY the time the scent of the capital wafted close to the advancing new king, Absalom’s army had swelled and burst a thousand times over. His crowd of militia and supporters had been doubling in size over and again, as they slowly matched through the towns on their way. The coming of King Absalom was like dawn at the dusk of day. It was startling and yet refreshing. Then again it was a pointless continuation of the old order. However, it was still the surprise people wanted. King David’s reign was never close to being called a night. As a matter of fact, the kingdom prospered and glowed in the light of his day. Not a soul had protested the reign of the most beloved man in Israel. No, not one man had wanted him out of power. The people had praised the slayer of Goliath more than anyone in Israel. They’d loved the champion and cherished his spirit. It was to the extent that they wanted him to reign. And truly reign until he’d leave this world. But this day, they wanted a new man because t...

DOWN at the foot of Olive, a man had just joined the travellers from the capital. The wandering crowd were camping around the mountain foot that night, quietly waiting for their king to return. But when the monarch finally arrived, he met a loud cry by a lone voice. It was the voice of that man who just joined them. Indeed, the travellers who were resting from the stress of a long journey, were already drained of all tears as it were. And so was their returning king. He was tired of sobbing. As a matter of fact, he was returning to them with a renewed countenance. Yet again, here was this newcomer whose belated concern had just taken on a louder pitch as David returned. But no one made an effort to still him; for he was the king’s dear friend. His name was Hushai. King David looked down as he came to ground. And there ahead of him was Hushai, running towards him with the sobs of a little child. Hushai was a friend on whom the king had leaned on a hundred times. He was that sort of frie...

NOW in the height of David’s misery, the broken soul marvelled at the wonder of God’s fury, as he bore the penalty for a sin. The man had seen the depths of God’s mercy more times than sea sands can number. He’d known His love also, His endless love. Again, he’d seen His graciousness in many different ways. But this fire of His anger was what David had only heard about. Yes, David recalled the baby he had from sleeping with a woman, the woman he took away from her husband. And that child, God Himself took him away from the king. So the man saw the rightness of God’s way. But then these things, David said, were mere whispers of God’s justice. And he knew he could never stand the fire of His wrath. So, the king of Israel crawled up the mountain top as soon as he got to the foot of Olive. And there he fell on his face and prayed. Suddenly, a new awareness came on him. Like the day dawns when the rays come. For David remembered that God had forgiven him, as touching his sin concerning the ...

WITH Jerusalem placed behind them, David and his large company pressed further away from home. Away from home and all things pleasant. At the end of that road they plied was Mount Olive, the famous highland of Israel. And in the distance, it sat lonely and unoccupied as though waiting for them. But every step the travelling crowd took was wearying. Particularly those of their leader and king, David. His feet were log heavy, as the heart despaired of life itself. Now it took up until dusk before Mount Olive came up in sight. But just as the hope of a brief rest appeared, a daunting news caught up with their pace. ‘Alas, Your Royal Majesty!’ cried a young official. ‘What shall we do now?!’ The king could not place what was amiss to make his sudden lament necessary. ‘What is it, young man? Will you add more flow to our tears? What is it you want to say?’ The young man had just caught up with the moving crowd from town. So he announced what he found behind. ‘My lord, the Voice of God has l...

AS the king’s large company crossed the Kidron Brook, David stayed put to watch everyone leave. And there at the river bank was the Ark of God’s Covenant, set down on the ground before the high priests. David looked at those men, those priests who wouldn’t easily let go. He watched Zadok and Abiathar, sons of the same father, standing before the Ark for his cause. So he told himself he couldn’t have them both. That he’d got to let them go. Yes, everything was overwhelming for the king. So he called Zadok and Abiathar aside, and gave voice to his thoughts. ‘Zadok, priest of God! Abiathar, His servant! If you will only listen, I’ll tell you what is right. ‘Look, you must return to Jerusalem. Nay, you must return with the Ark of God, together with the priests. ‘For who is David that he should have God’s Presence leave the palace with him? I have only become a fugitive with no place to run. ‘So who am I to have you carry the Ark of God before me? Please, I beg of you: go back to Absalom my...