by Brian Godawa
David had been overseeing the day’s construction when he received scouts from the surrounding area. They told him a gigantic force of Philistines was amassing just outside the Valley of the Rephaim.
He knew this day would come. He knew that once he established a united kingdom of Judah and Israel, those monsters of Dagon would eventually mount an offensive to try to wipe him out before he could fortify and expand that rule. They wanted to invade his kingdom before he invaded theirs.
He called for an immediate war counsel.
• • • • •
The Lords of the Philistines had chosen the Valley of the Terebinth as their gathering point to muster armed forces for a march on Jerusalem. They had chosen this site as a symbolic launching point because of its historical notoriety as the location of Goliath’s defeat at the hands of David a generation earlier. They were going to reverse that infamy with an all-out assault on Israel’s king and her new capital and they were going to feed the vultures in that same valley on the corpses of King David and his Hebrews.
All five cities of the pentapolis lent six thousand soldiers to the effort, for a total of thirty thousand Philistine warriors that converged just outside the city of Gath. Lord Achish of Gath was again appointed General Commander because of his previous success with destroying King Saul’s forces. The five Lords met in the war council tent to discuss their stratagem with the Sons of Rapha, Ishbi ben Ob and Runihura. They looked over a map of the area.
Achish pointed to the map. “We will traverse the Valley of the Rephaim to Jerusalem, twenty-five miles. The brook is dried up because it is summer, so we will not have to deal with that inconvenience.”
“Whose forces will lead the attack?” asked a dubious Dothan of Ekron.
“Yours,” said Achish.
“Why?”
“Because I had decided that whichever Lord asked first must be the most anxious to fight Hebrews, and therefore deserved the honor of first kill.”
The opposite was the case. Dothan cursed himself for speaking up so hastily. He was vying for his own soldiers’ safety, but to admit such would be considered weakness or worse, cowardice, so Dothan tried to hide his miserable frown.
But Dothan still had questions. “What about the Sons of Rapha? Their stature makes them more capable of scaling the walls of Jerusalem and their power makes them capable of wiping out the Hebrews before they even get their armor on.”
“No,” said Achish. “You know full well that casualties are high for scaling attacks. Your men will build battering rams to break through the walls. Then we will send our Rephaim forces through the breach. Ishbi, what are your numbers?”
“Six hundred troops,” said Ishbi. It was an ironic reflection of David’s six hundred gibborim. He added, “And our secret weapon.”
He and Runihura smiled. Everyone knew the secret weapon was Argaz, their fifteen foot tall, twelve hundred pound colossus killing machine, held back for just the right moment of mass terror followed by mass devastation.
What Ishbi did not say was that he, Runihura, and Argaz had remained true to the original pact of the Sons of Rapha to assassinate the messiah King David. They had been disbanded years before by Achish when he had accepted David as an ally. When David became king of Judah in Hebron, Achish left him alone, as long as he remained at war with the northern Hebrews of Israel. A house divided could not long stand. Let the Hebrews kill each other to prepare the way for Philistine dominance.
It was too much for Achish’s pride to admit that David had lied about killing Israelite tribes in the Negeb when he was at Ziklag. And then came the dirty Hebrew’s bid to unite Judah and Israel from Jerusalem. If Achish reconstituted the Sons of Rapha, it would be tacit admittance of his failure. Besides, he wanted to conquer this messiah king through the command of his armed forces, not allow these pompous giant braggarts to steal his glory.
The Sons of Rapha, on the other hand, were going to lead their Rephaim forces in battle to hunt David down and kill him. They saw this as their last stand, and they were determined to accomplish their blood oath at any cost. They were even prepared to kill their own if their own got in the way.
• • • • •
The assembly of seventy gods gathered in the divine council room at Mount Hermon. Zeus led the deliberations from the throne before the black lake of the Abyss.
“Mastema refused to come this time, so he sent me in his stead,” said the impatient father of the Greek gods. “He said you wasted his time with your last scheme years ago on Mount Gilboa regarding King Saul. And I am inclined to agree with him.”
Mumblings of agreement went throughout the seventy.
Ba’alzebul stood angrily with his horns held high, next to Asherah, Dagon, and a slinking, duplicitous Molech. He returned the impatience with impertinence. “We were deserted by our fellow council members without fair warning.”
Grumbling turned to insult in the crowd.
Asherah touched Ba’alzebul’s arm to restrain him, and jumped in. “My dear, divine comrades, I think that what Ba’alzebul is trying to say with a rather inappropriate attitude”—Ba’alzebul stared at her, betrayed—“is that the three of us were not able to keep King Saul alive, but with all your help, we could have. And that is why we need the support and involvement of the entire divine council for this task which is surely as significant and as difficult as anything we have attempted before.”
Osiris from Egypt knew the plans of the Philistines because they were still allies of Egyptian rule. He got to the point. “The Philistines are amassing for battle against the Israelites and you want us to join the battle?”
“No,” said Asherah.
Osiris and the others were thrown.
She continued, “We want you to help us capture Yahweh-of Hosts-who-sits-enthroned-upon-the-Cherubim.”
A moment of silence swept over everyone as they considered the shocking words.
That descriptive phrase about the ark was a reference to the fact that it was effectively an earthly symbol of Yahweh’s throne in heaven, and as such it had spiritual unity with that heavenly seat. When the ark was in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle of Yahweh, he would meet with Moses as a king would meet with his subjects sitting upon his throne. Since Yahweh was not physical or visible, it could only be symbolic, but it was no less real. Yahweh no longer spoke to man face to face as he did with Moses, but the ark remained the holy seat upon which Yahweh was enthroned on earth as god of Israel. Capturing the ark would be a crime of infinite offense against the infinite Creator by his fallen heavenly host.
Marduk of Babylonia clarified, “The Israelite ark of the covenant has been stored at Kiriath-jearim unmolested for the past twenty years.”
“Yes,” said Asherah. “That past dreadful incident of the tumors and diseases has stuck in the minds of the Philistines like a lion’s claw. So the ark sits virtually unattended because everyone is simply too afraid to go near it.”
Zeus said, “I do not think we would fare any better if we tried to confiscate it.”
Asherah looked at Ba’alzebul with a gesture for him to resume with more calm. It was, after all, his plan.
He said, “You are correct, mighty Zeus. But I beg the indulgence of the assembly to hear us out.” Mighty Zeus, my ass, thought Ba’alzebul. I could wipe the floor of this cavern with that golden Greek oaf. He hated having to show respect to other deities when he was the mightiest of them all. Except for that snake, Mastema.
Dagon jumped in, trying to grab some credit. “According to our plan, Yahweh would never expect us to try to capture the ark, and that is why he has not guarded it more cautiously….”
Ba’alzebul jerked Dagon forcefully back behind him and took the floor again. “But once our plan is discovered, we will need this entire assembly with us to fend off the response sure to follow.”
Asherah added, “For this to work, we must have all of you with us — unlike at Mount Gilboa. If you do not show up, we will fail.” She licked her lip
s and added with spicy delight, “But if you do show, the Seed of the Serpent will crush the Seed of Abraham.”
The council members brightened with smiles and agreement. They were hungry to hear the details.
Zeus said, “I think I know where you are leading with this. You Philistine gods are quite the masters of strategy. I am impressed.”
Idiots, thought Asherah. Now I know why Ashtart was unwelcomed by this pantheon of divine imbeciles.
“As king of the Philistine gods,” said Dagon trying to steal the credit again, “I salute you, magnificent Zeus, for your insight.”
Asherah rolled her eyes at the undisguised flattery.
Zeus said, “If what I am thinking is your plan, your Sea People may end up ruling Canaan after all.”
Dagon lifted his chin high with prowess.
No, thought Ba’alzebul. I will rule Canaan after all.
Chapter 80
The Philistine forces filled the Valley of the Rephaim on the way to their destination. They favored the flat terrain of valleys because of their heavy reliance upon their iron chariots and heavy armaments. They were separated into three main divisions, with chariots first, then the cavalry, and finally, infantry. The infantry had divisions of pike men, javelins and a few archers in the rear. At the back of all the forces, the five Lords, led by Achish, rode in their war chariots, guarded by Rephaim who ran along beside them. Behind them, a contingent of priests carted their idols with them, stone and wooden images of Dagon, Asherah, and Ba’alzebul. These images would even be sheltered in their own tents for rest during travel.
Israelite farming villages along the valley floor were razed and their occupants taken captive and raped. The Philistines trampled and destroyed everything without concern, from homes and businesses to herds and agriculture. The Israelites had developed ingenious techniques of farming the steep slopes that turned otherwise unusable hills into rich farming terraces. All of it was pillaged and plundered. A once fertile valley was left a wasteland in their wake.
Achish looked up at the steep walls of the Sorek Gorge that they now passed through. It would be a perfect place to ambush them from above, so they had scouts at the top of the cliffs, reconnoitering to warn them.
He smiled to himself at the thought of their war campaign. It was perfect. They had the numbers. They had the time. While they besieged the city of Jerusalem, they would simultaneously create a barrier between the northern and southern trade routes, keeping the Israelites divided and cut off from supplies. The longer King David stayed behind his walls, the worse the state of his entire nation.
High above the marching armies of thousands, six scouts jogged ahead, making sure the way was clear for the Philistine Lords.
But they were not Philistine scouts. They were archangels who had surreptitiously killed the Philistine scouts and donned their clothes and armaments.
One of the scouts, Uriel in disguise, approached Mikael as he waved the clear sign to the Philistine commanders below.
“Mikael, I have bad news. The reason why we cannot find Dagon, Ba’alzebul and the others is because there was an assembly of the gods at Hermon. And they have constituted an army of the Seventy and all their minions.”
“All seventy?” asked Mikael, deeply concerned.
“All seventy,” repeated Uriel.
“We have not seen such a display of force since the War of Gods and Men.”
“Do you think they could be trying it again?” said Uriel.
“What is their direction?” said Mikael.
“South through the Jordan Valley.”
Mikael thought through the various motives of such a plan. “The only reason for such an extreme act would be for an extreme prize. Like when they tried to capture the Tree of Life in Eden.”
Uriel suggested, “Are they on their way here to support the Philistines?”
Mikael thought for a moment. Terror swept his face. “Jabesh-gilead is in the Jordan Valley.”
Uriel said, “They are going to try to steal the ark of the covenant!”
Mikael signaled across the chasm to the other three disguised archangels, then barked to Uriel, “Alert the others up ahead. We are going to need an army of the heavenly host.”
• • • • •
David had consulted the ephod through Abiathar to discern Yahweh’s will on how to respond to the Philistine approach. He consulted with his commanders and they quickly prepared for their defense.
David said to his Three and Thirty, gathered around him, “The Philistines are no doubt prepared for a long siege. What is our intelligence on their numbers?”
“My scouts say about thirty thousand,” said Abishai. “And their entire two Rephaim regiments of giants, six hundred.”
David asked Joab, “How many standing forces do we have available at this short notice?”
“About ten thousand,” said Joab.
David’s throat went dry.
Joab added, “If I had two weeks, I could match their thirty thousand from all the tribes.”
“We do not have two weeks,” said David. “We have two days.”
Joab said, “We can send for reinforcements and wait behind the walls for them to arrive.”
Benaiah said, “They will be expecting that. They’ll have the entire region guarded to catch spies.”
David said, “They are also expecting and preparing for a siege. So, we will give them a battle in the valley instead. A pre-emptive strike.”
“Yes, my lord,” said Joab. “Brilliant stratagem.”
David said, “Save your praise for Yahweh, Joab. I got it from him.”
David turned to Benaiah, “Set up an assassination squad for the Sons of Rapha. It is time the hunted becomes the hunter.” Benaiah smiled.
David found his favorite Philistine. “Ittai, I need a Gittite. Someone who still has connections at Gath and can pass through their detection into the palace.”
Ittai said, “Yes, my lord. May I ask what for?”
David said, “I have more than a war to settle this day. I have old scores.”
Chapter 81
Achish could see the City of David about a mile in the distance as the sun rose behind them in the east. They had stopped to receive intelligence from their scouts and to prepare for their first strike. Israelite chariots and infantry could be seen camped outside the walls, spread out wide, ready to meet the invaders.
“So they have chosen to meet us in the valley after all,” said Dothan of Ekron. “Fools.”
Achish said to the commanders of hundreds and thousands, “Prepare your forces for our first wave attack.”
The commanders bowed and left the Lords.
Achish leaned toward the Rephaim, Ishbi and Runihura, standing near him. He whispered up at them, “I am no idiot. I know ever since I broke up the Sons of Rapha, you have remained devoted to your sacred blood oath.” Ishbi and Runihura looked down at him, listening with rapt attention.
Achish continued, “We all want King David’s head on a pike. So let us work in unison rather than at odds. Fair enough?”
The giants gave each other a side glance of acknowledgement, then slight nods of approval.
“Fair enough.”
Achish sighed. Though he and the four other Lords of the pentapolis carried the weight and power of Philistia behind them, he knew in the depth of his being that these giants were an independent clan of solidarity, a river of fury and chaos held back by the slenderest thread of civilization, just waiting to be unleashed with the words of their leaders, the Sons of Rapha. He knew that he did not have much choice but to seek peace with them through compromise.
Achish turned to his high priest and said, “Let us give an offering to the images of Dagon and Ba’alzebul for our victory.”
• • • • •
The small town of Kiriath-jearim rested in the foothills of the Jordan Valley in a wooded area nine miles north of Jerusalem. Its name meant “city of the woods,” as it was surrounded by a small forest
. Today, it was a haunted forest underneath a cloudy dark sky, and filled with a misty fog.
Three eight foot tall dark, cloaked figures walked the empty streets of the waking village. They were far from the marketplace, where merchants were already setting up fish, bread, and vegetables for sale. Ba’alzebul, Dagon, and Asherah sought for a particular house. In one street behind them lay the chopped up bodies of several villagers. Ba’alzebul dragged one survivor in the dirt, delirious, almost dead.
They stopped at a cul de sac of several homes. Ba’alzebul turned and leaned over the dragged villager. “Which one?”
The villager could barely raise his hand to point. His tongue had been cut out so he could not scream. Blood flowed from his mouth as he began to pass out. Ba’alzebul dropped him in the dust as the three of them approached the house of Abinadab.
Dagon said, “It doesn’t make much sense. Why store such a significant relic in such an insignificant town of yokels, and without angelic protection?”
Asherah replied, “He didn’t protect his box when the Philistines stole it either. Yahweh is vainglorious. He likes to elevate his greatness by stressing the humility of his servants. The conceited pig.”
Ba’alzebul growled, “We will humble him. We will take his ark and we will slaughter this entire town of his worthless servants.”
Suddenly, six figures stepped out from the alley to bar the threshold of the house of Abinadab.
“There is your angelic protection,” hissed Asherah.
They drew their weapons.
