"And had they?"

The treasurer shrugged sheepishly. "I never asked them. I didn't want to sound like a fool. I would have dismissed the story altogether, except that my brother isn't usually superst.i.tious or quick to believe in omens. But he's convinced he saw it. And so is everyone else in Jerusalem."

"It's too ridiculous," the prime minister said. "We can't use something so-"

"I don't care if it's true or not," the king said. "The treasurer's right. If the Judeans believe that it happened, then this miracle is the excuse we're looking for. Babylon's interest in heavenly signs is famous throughout the world. And what if our astrologers had seen it? Wouldn't it be natural for us to pay homage to the man who caused it? Why wouldn't we send gifts to him and request the friendship of such a wondrous king?"

"I like it!" the secretary of state said. "Do you think he'll fall for it?"

"You have the smoothest tongue in all of Babylon," the king said. "It will be your job to make sure he does. You'll head up the delegation as my royal amba.s.sador. But be careful how you approach him. Remember, we're going as astrologers and diplomats. He mustn't suspect our political motives. Let him be the one to stir up trouble by proposing an alliance." He turned to the treasurer. "I want you to accompany him as deputy amba.s.sador. Check out this king's resources and wealth."

"Your Majesty, I'd like to go along as an envoy, too," the army commander said. "I want to see what kind of military power Hezekiah has that gives him the guts to rebel against a.s.syria."

"Good idea. But go in civilian clothes, as an attache . Make sure this king perceives us as friends and not as a threat. a.s.sign some of your best scouts to pose as your servants, and have them take careful note of everything Hezekiah allows you to see-his fortifications, his armories, his personnel. Because when a.s.syria finally collapses after expending all her energy on a western rebellion, I may want to add Judah to my New Babylonian Empire-if there's anything left of it."

Merodach-Baladan scooped up the map, and it rolled into a scroll by itself as soon as the two men let go of it. "That's enough business for one day," he said, gesturing for his advisors to follow him into the temple. "Gentlemen, let's celebrate the new year with the G.o.ds. May they bring about the final downfall of a.s.syria and, with the help of King Hezekiah, the birth of the New Babylonian Empire!"

11.

HEZEKIAH HEARD ABOUT the mysterious Babylonian envoys and their caravan long before they knelt in front of him in the throne room. Messengers had raced to Jerusalem with news of their arrival as soon as the Babylonians crossed the border into Judean territory. By the time the procession pa.s.sed through Jerusalem's gates, the entire city had come to a standstill as people left work to gaze at the peculiar strangers.

The three diplomats, adorned with golden bracelets and earrings, wore magnificent fur-trimmed robes and rode in brightly painted chariots. Even their horses' bridles were trimmed in purple and silver. Dozens of servants led the heavily laden caravan of camels. But the two men riding in the last chariot attracted the most attention; they wore the embroidered blue robes and strange conical caps of Babylonian astrologers.

Late in the afternoon Hezekiah sat on his throne awaiting their arrival. He was dressed in his finest robe and the heavy, ornate crown of Judah.

"I'm intrigued, Shebna. I can't imagine why these Babylonians would make the long journey to our nation."

"Nor can I, Your Majesty. We will have to wait and see."

But waiting made Hezekiah restless. Dozens of n.o.bles and court officials crammed into the throne room to watch the spectacle, and his servants glistened with sweat as they fanned palm branches to cool the air. At last the chamberlain announced the Babylonians' arrival.

The amba.s.sador entered first, a handsome, clean-shaven man in his early fifties. His two a.s.sistants and the two Babylonian astrologers trailed behind him as he approached Hezekiah's throne. They lowered their eyes in respect, as if unworthy to gaze at him, then fell prostrate at his feet, waiting for him to extend his scepter.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, most gracious Majesty," they murmured. The amba.s.sador rose to his feet, but the other men remained on their knees before him.

"Your honorable Majesty, King Hezekiah of Judah, we thank you for receiving our delegation. I am Nebo-Pola.s.sar, the king's amba.s.sador. We bring you a message from King Merodach-Baladan of Babylon and also these gifts to honor you."

The amba.s.sador motioned to his waiting servants, and they entered the throne room with arms laden. More than a dozen men piled bundles at Hezekiah's feet, then bowed prostrate. Hezekiah stared in amazement, unwilling to believe his eyes. Had his tiny nation gained such worldwide fame that Babylon, one of the three great world powers, would send representatives to bow before him? Usually they paid no attention at all to his nation except as a possible va.s.sal state or tribute-payer. Now Hezekiah knew beyond a doubt just how far he had brought his nation in the dozen years he had reigned.

"You may state your pet.i.tion," he said, working hard to conceal his amazement.

The three diplomats, adorned with golden bracelets and earrings, wore magnificent fur-trimmed robes and rode in brightly painted chariots. Even their horses' bridles were trimmed in purple and silver. Dozens of servants led the heavily laden caravan of camels. But the two men riding in the last chariot attracted the most attention; they wore the embroidered blue robes and strange conical caps of Babylonian astrologers.

Late in the afternoon Hezekiah sat on his throne awaiting their arrival. He was dressed in his finest robe and the heavy, ornate crown of Judah.

"I'm intrigued, Shebna. I can't imagine why these Babylonians would make the long journey to our nation."

"Nor can I, Your Majesty. We will have to wait and see."

But waiting made Hezekiah restless. Dozens of n.o.bles and court officials crammed into the throne room to watch the spectacle, and his servants glistened with sweat as they fanned palm branches to cool the air. At last the chamberlain announced the Babylonians' arrival.

The amba.s.sador entered first, a handsome, clean-shaven man in his early fifties. His two a.s.sistants and the two Babylonian astrologers trailed behind him as he approached Hezekiah's throne. They lowered their eyes in respect, as if unworthy to gaze at him, then fell prostrate at his feet, waiting for him to extend his scepter.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, most gracious Majesty," they murmured. The amba.s.sador rose to his feet, but the other men remained on their knees before him.

"Your honorable Majesty, King Hezekiah of Judah, we thank you for receiving our delegation. I am Nebo-Pola.s.sar, the king's amba.s.sador. We bring you a message from King Merodach-Baladan of Babylon and also these gifts to honor you."

The amba.s.sador motioned to his waiting servants, and they entered the throne room with arms laden. More than a dozen men piled bundles at Hezekiah's feet, then bowed prostrate. Hezekiah stared in amazement, unwilling to believe his eyes. Had his tiny nation gained such worldwide fame that Babylon, one of the three great world powers, would send representatives to bow before him Usually they paid no attention at all to his nation except as a possible va.s.sal state or tribute-payer. Now Hezekiah knew beyond a doubt just how far he had brought his nation in the dozen years he had reigned.

"You may state your pet.i.tion," he said, working hard to conceal his amazement.

"My king asks for nothing except your friendship, Your Majesty. We've come because of the miraculous sign that occurred in your land and to present you with these gifts as a very small token of our esteem."

The amba.s.sador signaled to his servants again, and they rose to open their bundles, spreading the contents across the carpet in front of Hezekiah. They unwrapped dozens of golden cups and bowls, stacks of embroidered cloth and garments trimmed in jewels and fur, ivory chests and alabaster flasks filled with myrrh, calamus, nard, saffron, and other spices. The exotic fragrances filled the throne room as the servants opened each container for him to glimpse.

"This is only a small portion of the tribute we offer you, Your Majesty. King Merodach-Baladan also sent a gift made especially for you." Two more servants entered, carrying a wooden crate suspended between poles. The other servants quickly cleared a s.p.a.ce, and they set it on the floor at Hezekiah's feet, then bowed low. "Open it," the amba.s.sador said.

They pried the lid off and drew out a dazzling golden box, two feet by three feet. The lid and all four sides were covered with elaborate engravings. It took two servants to lift it out of the crate, and when they opened it Hezekiah saw why. It contained dozens of bars of pure gold. He thought of all the wealth the a.s.syrian monarch had once forced his nation to send, and he gazed at this gift, stunned.

"Your Majesty, as our royal astrologer will explain, the pictures on this box tell your amazing story." The amba.s.sador turned to one of the astrologers kneeling before Hezekiah, and the man touched his forehead to the floor three times in reverence.

"Oh, most worthy king!" he murmured. "All the stars foretold your death. The G.o.d Nebo, scribe and herald of the G.o.ds, had written your name beside the death star. Indeed, reports arrived in our nation that you journeyed close to the gates of death. But suddenly an even greater sign appeared in the heavens. Lord Shamash, G.o.d of the sun and of justice, saw the injustice of your untimely death and rolled backward across the sky, erasing your name with his shadow." The astrologer touched his forehead to the floor again and said, "We pay you honor, O blessed one!"

The blasphemous box gave Hezekiah a start, as if the Babylonians had dashed cold water in his face. He stared uncomfortably at the images of foreign idols, knowing he should never accept such a gift.

Yahweh's Law forbade making images in the form of anything in heaven or on earth. Of course, their Gentile king didn't know Yahweh's Law; G.o.d had entrusted it to His chosen people. Yet if Hezekiah refused the gift, he would be rejecting the Babylonians' offer of friendship, as well.

"Please convey my compliments to your craftsmen," he finally said. "Tell them their work is extraordinary."

"King Hezekiah, favored one of Lord Shamash," the amba.s.sador said, "you have commanded the blessing of the G.o.ds, and our King Merodach-Baladan seeks to pay you homage and to humbly request your friendship."

The entire delegation bowed, pressing their foreheads to the floor once again. The throne room fell silent. Hezekiah glanced briefly at Shebna and Eliakim, seated on either side of him. Shebna's mouth hung open slightly, and his dark eyes couldn't hide his astonishment. But Eliakim stared at the floor, as if trying to avert his eyes from the golden box.

Hezekiah looked down at the chest filled with gold again. Less than thirty years ago, his father had stripped every last ounce of gold from Judah's treasuries to pay tribute to a.s.syria. Now, after reigning only a dozen years, Hezekiah was receiving tribute from other nations! But the respect and honor that the king of Babylon was giving Hezekiah amazed him even more than the small fortune in gold. What a triumph!

Once again, Hezekiah extended his scepter. He had made his decision. "You may rise," he said. "Babylon is an ancient and honored land. Tell King Merodach-Baladan that I thank him for his generous gifts and I accept his offer. I am pleased to grasp his hand in friendship." A spontaneous cheer arose from the Judean n.o.bles crowded along the rear walls of the throne room. This momentous occasion called for a celebration.

"And now, Amba.s.sador, please allow me to extend my hospitality to you and the members of your delegation. My palace administrator will host a state dinner tonight in your honor, and you will be my guests here in the palace for as long as you care to stay."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the amba.s.sador said, bowing. "We accept, although we're not worthy to stay under your roof."

"My servants will show you to your rooms now. Please let Shebna know if you need anything else."

The amba.s.sador bowed and moved toward the door, then suddenly turned back. "If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, I would like to ask one small favor. King Merodach-Baladan wants to know which one of Judah's G.o.ds granted your miraculous healing so that we can offer a sacrifice to that deity on his behalf."

A feeling of deep uneasiness crept over Hezekiah again at this reminder of the Babylonians' idolatry. "My nation acknowledges and worships one G.o.d, not many. It will be time for the regular evening sacrifice at Yahweh's Temple very shortly. If you wish, you may accompany my palace administrator to the Court of the Gentiles. He will explain the laws regarding sacrifices to you."

The Babylonian entourage had scarcely left the throne room when Shebna leaped from his seat in excitement. "Do you realize what an extraordinary opportunity this is, Your Majesty? They say they are asking only for your friendship, but with a little persuasion on our part it should be very easy to convince them to sign a formal treaty with us!"

"They're idol worshipers," Eliakim said, gesturing to the golden box. "How can we sign an alliance with pagans?"

Shebna waved him away irritably. "What difference does their religion make? We are not obligated to worship their G.o.ds. We want their military support."

"We don't need their military support," Eliakim said. "We can trust Yahweh-"

"Maybe we do not need it at the moment, but if the new a.s.syrian emperor proves to be weaker than his father, then now would be the ideal time to take the offensive. With strong allies backing us, we could win back some of the farmland of the Jordan Valley."

Hezekiah sat back and listened in silence to the two men. He had grown used to their incessant arguing a long time ago and had even learned to appreciate it. They represented the two sides of himself: Shebna, the bold, a.n.a.lytical, problem-solving side; Eliakim, the more cautious side that weighed each decision according to Yahweh's Law. Giving them freedom to argue and discuss issues helped Hezekiah reach balanced, thoughtful decisions.

"Are you forgetting that Sennacherib commanded his father's military forces?" Eliakim asked. "I don't think he'll hesitate to send his army into battle at the slightest hint of rebellion."

"Well, we were lucky the last time the a.s.syrians marched westward-"

"It wasn't luck, Shebna-it was G.o.d!"

"If all the va.s.sal nations united and rebelled at once, we could defeat the a.s.syrians."

"Never! Besides-we're not a va.s.sal nation."

"All the more reason to jump into the fight," Shebna said. "We could lead the other nations. We have a trained military, fortified cities, a thriving economy. If we went to war, we could expand our territory and take back Galilee, maybe all of Israel."

"How can we take back Israel?" Eliakim asked. "It's an a.s.syrian province! You saw how swiftly the a.s.syrians quenched the Philistine rebellion a few years ago. Rabbi Isaiah warned us to stay neutral, and it was good advice. We need to remain neutral now, too."

"This is different."

"No, Shebna. It's exactly the same."

"Only cowards stay neutral, cowering behind the walls of their fortresses. Your Majesty, now is the time for you to step forward as a leader. Do you see all of this?" Shebna gestured to the gifts spread out on the carpet. "This proves that you have risen to a position of leadership and respect among the other nations. Babylon is paying you homage! We must take advantage of this opportunity, or we may never get another chance like it. We cannot stay neutral forever. We must take our rightful place as leader among the nations."

"No," Eliakim insisted. "It's too dangerous to sign a treaty with Babylon. a.s.syria is far from dead. An alliance with Babylon is a declaration of war against a.s.syria. Don't risk it!"

"You are wrong," Shebna replied. "The a.s.syrian Empire is finished. They have not gone to war in several years. Besides, what if our neighboring nations successfully rebel against a.s.syria? If we refuse their friendship now, what will stop them from attacking us once they gain their freedom? We need to be allied with our neighbors-"

"Our neighbors are too weak to help themselves, let alone help us! Listen-"

"Enough." Hezekiah held up his hand for silence. He had heard both sides, and now he needed to make a decision. He leaned back on his throne, stroking his beard. "I don't like the idea of barricading ourselves behind Jerusalem's walls while the nations around us carve up the world among themselves. If the a.s.syrian Empire is really crumbling, then I want my fair share of the spoils. I've already rebelled against a.s.syria by not sending tribute all these years, so I'm already allied to any other nation that rebels. Shebna is right. I want to be part of the rebellion, not a neutral nation for the victors to claim as spoil. Do you think we can persuade the Babylonian amba.s.sador to sign a treaty of alliance with us?"

"They are already honoring you and paying tribute to you," Shebna said. "It should not be difficult to convince them to sign a formal agreement."

"Good." Hezekiah lifted the heavy crown off his head and studied its glittering stones for a moment. "Let's show them everything we have-our fortifications, our treasuries, the military garrisons. Let's convince them that we're a strong ally, worth having on their side... . What's wrong, Eliakim? Why are you shaking your head?"

"If you show them your strengths, you're also revealing your weaknesses. Besides, I don't think we should-"

"How can it hurt to take them on a tour of our fortifications?" Shebna interrupted. "These men are diplomats and astrologers, not spies. They are our guests. They will hardly be taking notes."

"I agree," Hezekiah said. "It can't hurt. If they sign a treaty with us, it will strengthen our nation. We won't have to be the only nation rebelling against a.s.syria."

Shebna's eyes danced with excitement. "Your Majesty, it has long been my dream to forge an alliance of nations with you as the leader. Working together, this alliance could end the a.s.syrian threat for good."

Hezekiah looked at the engraved box full of gold and thought of the a.r.s.enal he could purchase with so much wealth. Shebna was right-this alliance with Babylon would be only the beginning. It could ensure his independence from a.s.syria forever. Maybe Yahweh had provided this opportunity in order for Judah to emerge as a leader among nations. Hezekiah felt poised on the brink of greatness and power.

"Shebna, draft a proposal for a treaty of alliance with Babylon.We must convince them to sign it before they leave. And Eliakim, prepare an itinerary for our guests. Tomorrow I want you to give them a tour of our resources."

Eliakim didn't try to hide his distress. "How much do you want me to show them, Your Majesty?"

His reluctance irritated Hezekiah. He wanted bold, decisive men beside him, not overly cautious and conservative ones. This opportunity might never come again. "Show them everything! Your fortifications and defenses, the armory, my treasury. And show them your storehouses and the water tunnel, too. That should impress them."

Eliakim nodded grimly. "But before you get started on that, I want you to go up to the Temple and talk to the high priest. Explain about our guests, and tell him he must preside over the evening sacrifice tonight. Tell him I want all the musicians to take part and as many priests as he can round up. Do it right away.") "Yes, Your Majesty." Eliakim skirted around the golden box and hurried from the throne room.

As King Hezekiah stood on the royal dais at the Temple a short time later, he tried to watch the ceremony through his visitors' eyes and to imagine what they would report to their king. He had heard descriptions of the immense Babylonian ziggurats that climbed to the heavens, and he knew that Yahweh's Temple couldn't compare with one of those. Nevertheless, the view from the top of G.o.d's holy hill would take their breath away. Rolling green mountains embraced the city on all sides, and on a clear evening like tonight they might even 125 glimpse the Dead Sea and the Judean wilderness many miles to the east. The seting sun glittered off the Temple's golden roof, and everything seemed to sparkle and shine like new-the golden doors to the holy place, the bronze pillars Jakin and Boaz, the shimmering water in the brazen laver, the priests' silver trumpets. Even the priests' garments looked whiter than Hezekiah had ever seen them, and the precious stones in the high priest's ephod gleamed impressively. As Hezekiah had requested, a full antiphonal choir of Levite singers and musicians filled the packed courtyards with magnificent praise.

Hezekiah preferred the Temple's clean lines and simple, unadorned beauty to the gaudy embellishments of idolatry. He imagined Shebna explaining its symbolism to his guests, and he beamed with pride. He remembered what the Temple had looked like when he'd inherited the nation from Ahaz-the gold pried off the doors, the bronze laver standing lopsided, the altar shoved askew to make room for idolatry-and he felt tremendous satisfaction at all he had accomplished. He'd restored Yahweh's Temple to its original splendor-perhaps he'd made it even more magnificent than in Solomon's day-and as Hezekiah looked around, it seemed every bit as impressive as a mud-brick Babylonian ziggurat.

Later that night he recalled his many accomplishments once again as he sat down to a lavish dinner with his guests. Torches in the palace banquet room blazed with light, and the sound of lively music filled the air along with the smell of rich food and roasting meat. He remembered his coronation banquet and felt satisfied, for now his nation prospered, and Hezekiah could eat off the fat of the land, not the backs of his people.

"I must tell you, Your Majesty," the amba.s.sador said, leaning close, "the offering to your G.o.ds-pardon me, your G.o.d-was absolutely magnificent! As was your Temple!"

"Thank you. Did Shebna tell you that my ancestors built it more than three hundred years ago?"

"Yes, and it's the envy of many nations, I a.s.sure you. The talent and skill of your Temple musicians is also well known in Babylon, but truly the half hasn't been told! I would steal them away from you and transport the entire ensemble back to my own land if I could." He laughed heartily. "Shebna tells me that only the men from one tribe of your people may serve as priests."

"Yes, the tribe of Levi. The Temple musicians must also be descendants of Levi."

"I will never forget that magnificent music as long as I live! Such talent to be concentrated in one family line!"

Hezekiah smiled at the lavish praise. "In fact, Amba.s.sador, I'm related to the tribe of Levi myself," he said. "My father was a descendant of the royal house of David from the tribe of Judah, but my mother was from the tribe of Levi. Her father was a Levite musician."

Hezekiah knew that his grandfather would be proud of him.

Zechariah had predicted that one day he would accomplish great things as king of his nation, and these envoys from Babylon certainly confirmed the fulfillment of that vision. A Judean king hadn't been honored like this since the golden age of Solomon.

"I can't help wondering, Your Majesty, are the grapes for this marvelous wine we're drinking grown here in Judah?" the amba.s.sador asked.

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"It's better than the wine served in our king's palace, isn't it?" He turned to his deputy, seated beside him.