Sage and Song, Chapter 8: The Hospitable Leader
Chapter 8: The Hospitable Leader
Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon
to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
Each man brought his present: articles of silver and
gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules.
1 KINGS 10:24���25 NKJV
���Are you afraid of my pets?���
���No, my king.���
���Are you afraid of me?���
���No, my king.���
Solomon frowned thoughtfully as he tugged at the ear of a drowsing lion. ���Are you at least impressed?���
Kester hesitated. ���You wish to hear my impressions?���
The captain snorted, and the king sighed. But before anyone could clarify matters for Kester, a servant slipped through the double doors at the far end of the hall and scuttled forward. ���If it pleases the king, your servants are ready to assemble. Those waiting outside the gates are enough to fill your court, and they do not come empty-handed!���
���By all means, let���s prepare.��� Solomon stood, idly brushing at the lions��� fur on his robes. Tapping Kester���s shoulder, the king explained, ���People are always dropping by, and I like to make them feel welcome. Will you help me?���
���How?���
���Play.��� Lifting the lion���s head harp from his throne, Solomon presented it to Kester. ���Sit at my feet and make music. Gentle songs to set our guests at ease.���
���I am your servant.��� Kester was glad to be entrusted with the precious instrument once again. He hugged the harp to his chest and asked, ���Shall I play your father���s melodies?���
A slow smile spread across Solomon���s face. ���That would please me greatly.���
Kester obediently took a seat on the king���s footstool and fiddled with tuning pegs. Servants and guards were filing into the throne room with a brisk, businesslike air. The boy was surprised���and very much relieved���when Asaph joined the scribes who kept the king���s records. My mentor is near.
Setting his fingers against the strings, Kester plucked a few notes, followed by the initial chords of one of David���s oldest psalms. But before he could lose himself in the music, the boy recalled something important. Catching the trailing end of Solomon���s embroidered sleeve, Kester waited breathlessly for the king to acknowledge him.
Solomon leaned down to whisper. ���Go on. That���s always been one of my favorites.���
With another small tug, Kester asked, ���Am I forgiven?���
The king���s eyebrows lifted. ���Is that the shape your fears take?���
He wasn���t sure if fear was the right word, but he inclined his head.
���Take heart, Kester. You are both forgiven and favored by your king.��� Solomon gently mussed the boy���s curly hair and added, ���And don���t wander off. I have a gift for you, but it���ll have to keep until later.���
��� What kinds of things impress you?
��� Do you have a welcome mat at your house? What���s on it?
��� In what sense is forgiveness a gift?
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Author���s Note: This story is a prequel to Christa Kinde���s Threshold Series [Zonderkidz] and updates twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays). More information can be found on the Sage and Song index page.
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