Sons of the Flaming Throne 3 – Ch. 18 | KT OLLA

THE open courts was a wide expanse of green, beautiful and lush like a springside vale.

It was a well watered lawn sitting in the shadows. It was a garden where feet could rest.

There stood high buildings bounding most sides of the field, and the loftiness of those structures cast both shade and glory over the guests.

Here, those guests of the noble conference nested in elegant clusters of wine tables and talk. They met and chattered over small cups of wine and bites of raisin cake.

So they savoured many talks about the royals and about their glories.

Then soon the royal house showed up there. It was with such grace that awed everyone.

There was loud fanfare with a standing ovation to greet their arrival. There were cheers and the shout of delighted folk.

Now as soon as the dynasty settled there, King David took over the voice amplifier in the form of a horn.

Then from the throne seat set up beside his son’s, he addressed the assembly.

‘Noble ministers and officials of our administration—today I do not wish to call you by your offices and positions...

‘Now if I may, shall I call you this day, Helpers of our Joy.

‘For it has been you indeed, friends, who have walked with me through these forty years of leading God’s people...

‘Both then when I ruled over the tribe of Judah for the first seven years, and while through the following thirty-three years I led the whole kingdom as God foretold.

‘Now it has been you, helpers with us, who have made the goings smooth and our burdens light.’

Some soft murmurs floated across the place. They were the expressions of a delightful reception.

For, indeed, those words seemed the most gracious things any monarch could say. And David was a master in speech.

So right then, the ruler voiced everything.

‘Now I thank you, my dear people! I am grateful for your help and support. For your faith in Israel; for the loyalty to your King!’

The people responded with a burst of applause. David looked round and greeted the cheers with a smile.

Still he wasn’t done talking, so when the applause subsided he went on to say this:

‘In spite of these things, the time has come that we should go our way, as I have come to the end of my sojourn here on earth.

‘For indeed, God has made us see our dreams and ambition come true over Israel. He has also fulfilled the words that have gone before us...

‘Since there remains no gentile foe on this Promised Land today, that is yet to be conquered.

‘Nor do we have any left of these peoples on Israel’s soil who do not serve our nation by tribute.

‘This and many more the God of Israel has accomplished through us!’

A loud cheer went up from the people again; then David muttered:

‘Not unto us, O Lord! Not unto us, but unto You belong the glory!’

So he bowed his heart in worship when he said this thing.

But the cheers were soon down and the monarch could easily resume. So he came upon the matter for which he had gathered a crowd.

‘Now there is one thing’, he said, ‘that I wasn’t granted to achieve.

‘For the Almighty, sovereign in all His ways, has granted me freedom to do everything else, except this one.’

At this the people became curious as some soft murmurs wafted across the assembly.

David saw their expressions and realized that many wouldn’t know about the matter. So he went on to speak in clear terms.

‘Leaders of Israel, you do know that since the times of our fathers in the wilderness, the Ark of God’s Covenant – symbol of His hallowed presence, have always been moved from place to place in a tent called the Tabernacle.

‘Therefore I desired to build a a resting place for the Ark of my God, a house more glorious than the palace of any man – a sanctuary of worship where His glorious presence may dwell.

‘But God spoke to me the same night that I bared my soul to Him. The Almighty answered me, and I cowered.’

There was a tense silence as King David stopped to breathe. In that instant he relived the moment of the experience of that day.

For he shuddered right there as he trembled that evening.

David picked up in a small, weary voice.

‘“I took you from the sheepfold to lead Israel,’ He answered me. “When indeed you were the very least of the least house among your tribesmen.

‘“I gave you honour and might, so that of all the kings and valiant men in your day, you are by no means lacking among the greatest...

‘“So will you indeed build a house for Me?”—He asked me this.

‘“Or ever since the days that the Ark of My Testament have been moved from place to place in a tent made with hands—to whom have I the LORD said, ‘You shall build me a house and a place to dwell in’?”

‘Now this was what God asked me and I could not answer,’ sighed David.

‘But He said this thing and I trembled at the word:

‘“You shall not build a house for Me, for a man of warfare you are and your hands are tainted with the blood.

‘“Nevertheless,” said God, “a peaceful son shall come from your body, who will be king after you: he it is who will build a house for Me, a Sanctuary where My presence shall be!

‘“And as for you David, because this was in your heart to honour the Lord and His holy name for ever, I Myself shall build you a house and an everlasting name throughout ages!”’

Thus there poured in the assembly a great depth of thoughtful sigh. And David bowed down with a sigh, too.

Those words, they made every soul tremble with fear. It was the fear of God.