One of them, a few years younger and taller than Kalev, spoke up. “We… we will not. We are men of Gideon. We will not make an alliance with Danielites.”
After all the explanation and testimony given, this refusal angered Jasher. He loomed tall and menacing as he approached the very edge of the wooden platform. Shocked that Jasher’s authority as General of the Host of Gideon was being defied, Pekah leaned in, hoping to catch every word.
“You may have desires within your hearts to refuse, but as your commanding officer, I am now giving you an order. Gideon will march with Uzzah and Daniel to stop Rezon’s attack on the northern cities. Yet I cannot have dissenters in our midst. Therefore, I am giving you a choice: either you will return to your homes in peace and renounce this war until the end of your days, or you will be found guilty of sedition. You will forfeit your lives.” He paused. “What say you?”
The men he challenged shrank back, searching their friends for one who would lead out. Not one would. Fingers twitching on the pommel of his sword, it seemed as if Kalev was going to defy Jasher again. He gripped the sword tightly and looked about. Very few men stood with him. He grumbled. Stepping forward, he thrust out his hand. Jasher’s gaze locked with Kalev’s. The old soldier made his oath to return home, and the others joined him in the pledge. This appeased Jasher, and he promised them safe passage out of the city.
At this juncture, Jonathan took a step forward, and with his arm raised, said, “I will follow Jasher. He will be my protector, to lead me into safe havens.” This allusion to Father Gideon, founder of the tribe, drew a very positive reaction from the crowd.
An unknown soldier from within the group below tossed a Gideonite breastplate onto the platform, where it landed squarely at Jonathan’s feet. He did not hesitate in the least, but retrieved the armor and strapped it on.
Cheers flew skyward as soldier after soldier raised his arm in their traditional greeting, welcoming the Danielite into their midst. Several shouted encouraging words, and a few even waved swords in the air. Others joined together and cried aloud, “Health and prosperity to the heir of Daniel!”
Pekah’s jaw tightened, attempting to fight back the tears now welling in his eyes as he saw his new friend proudly wearing the Black Raven of Gideon.
Chapter 17
Would you please join me in the general’s quarters? Our evening meal awaits-there is enough for all. General Jasher insists,” Amon said.
“Thank you.” Pekah immediately noticed his own hunger, his stomach growling.
“We would be honored,” Jonathan said.
Amon raised his voice and waved his hand to include Tavor and others standing nearby. “Please come, be filled, and rest before we depart for Saron in the morning.”
Once they were all seated around a group of mismatched tables in Jasher’s tent-a large reception area attached to the general’s sleeping quarters-Pekah breathed in the wonderful smells of the hot meal about to be served. He studied the guests around the table. Smiles were plentiful, and Rachel’s eyes exhibited pure delight, which Pekah surmised came from having both Jonathan and Eli safely there with her.
Content being among new friends, Pekah watched, intrigued by each of them. Eli teased Rachel, making her laugh. Jonathan leaned in close to whisper something that made her blush. Tavor had taken a seat next to Amon, and the two of them chatted amicably about various things pertaining to the events of the day.
Pekah caught the tail end of a question posed by Tavor about the farms around Ain. Amon started to answer the question, but then stood to get everybody’s attention. The chatter died down, and all eyes fixed on the captain.
“I want to explain something about this meal,” Amon said. “Just one day ago, many things were taken by force from the citizens of this conquered city. But this meal was provided entirely by the donations of families who were returned to their farms in peace. Gideonite soldiers assisted in repairing fences and doors broken during the attack. The families were grateful for the service rendered, and many of them donated chickens, fruit, flour, and other items. Many of these good people shared from very limited supplies, having lost most of their stores in our conflict. And yet they still shared.”
Amon’s eyes misted, and the room stilled. “We thank them. We thank them for their forgiveness, which they have truly manifested by their generosity. Have we ever witnessed such a day as this? I have not. I look forward to many, many more.”
Amon sat down amidst the gentle clapping of approval from the room.
Jasher then stood and thanked all for being present. He also mentioned the miraculous events of the day, and noted that he felt privileged to have had just a small part in bringing The Brothers together once again. “I wish this war had never started,” he said. “There are many things that should have been considered before Gideon marched in aggression. I shoulder much of the blame. Before casting my lot with Manasseh in this matter, I should have personally traveled to Hasor to verify what Rezon had told us about Daniel’s preparations for war. Long-standing prejudice clouded my thoughts. I consider it to be my greatest mistake. I thank Pekah, whose eyes were open to the truth, for opening my own eyes in these matters. I also want to personally beg the forgiveness of my brothers from Daniel and Uzzah for the pain, sorrow, and death inflicted upon them and their families. I pledge myself to my brothers in peace. I will never again cause them this kind of pain.”
The sincere, emotional expressions by Amon and Jasher appeared to touch Jonathan’s heart. His eyes moist, he stood, speaking softly.
“There have been sorrows for Gideon, too. I thank you for your pledge, and pray the Holy One will forgive us all, not only within Gideon, but Daniel, and Uzzah too. We are not without fault in this grave misunderstanding.”
Jasher responded that his wish was the same, to which Amon also added his approval. “Can we invite the priest within our midst to begin our meal with words of thanks?” Jasher inquired.
“Did he mean me or you?” Tavor asked Eli.
“I’m sorry, Tavor,” Jasher answered, overhearing the question. “I didn’t know you were also a priest of the temple. I was referring to Eli. Eli, would you please?”
Eli stood, and with head bowed, prayed tender words of thanks and appreciation for the safety of those present. He implored the Holy One for His guiding hands to assist those who still suffered. Before closing, Eli also asked for a quick resolution of the war still being waged near his own home of Ramathaim.
As Eli took his seat, Pekah noticed Rachel blotting tears from her eyes. Eli reached for her, drawing her close. Jasher again rose from his seat.
“My friends-please eat. Enjoy this wonderful bounty.”
Pekah relished every savory bite of the delicious meal as he chatted occasionally with those around him. Most of the conversations at the table centered on happier days spent with family and friends, but a few times during the meal, messengers who stood by were called up to receive orders from Jasher or Amon, after which they would depart on their errand. Minutes later, others who had been summoned would enter the tent, receive instructions, and then depart again. Among the guests, there was some discussion of plans for the morrow, but only in generalities, with nothing decided.
Near the end of the meal, Pekah listened in as Rachel told Jonathan of her journey from Saron. She was gracious-the references she made to the Gideonites who captured her were matter-of-fact, not spiteful. When she told Jonathan of Asah’s death, she broke down. Jonathan held her close, whispering in her ear until her sobbing stopped.
“I’m very sorry for your family’s loss,” Jasher offered when she had composed herself.
“I am also sorry for your grief,” Amon said. “Please forgive the people of Gideon for this terrible deed.”
“Thank you for your understanding,” Rachel said while blotting tears away. “He meant a lot to me and my family.”
Conversation around the table returned to small talk. As the evening grew late, Eli suggested that arrangements needed to be made for the night, but Amon announced that he had taken care of everything.
